Bonds Residency
Three weeks & 17 gigs that shook up New York and America.
last updated 20 May 2006
updated 22 May 2015 - added great soundboard audio
page updated - started May 2020
Theer have been several sources for the same material but recenlty Wolfgangs Vault released a master copy.
Audio 4 -
Sound 4.5 - 1hr 14mins - soundboard - 18 tracks
Audio 5 - Wolfgangs Vault
Sound 5 - !hr 40 mins - 24 tracks
Broadway
Audio 6 - DAT master
Sound 3.5 - 1hr 37mins - 24 tracks
Broadway
FHTE II - Bankrobber only - CBS/Epic Mobile - Pro Recording - Sound 5
From audience DAT master.
From the audience DAT master from the guy who recorded almost all the Bonds shows! The sound quality is therefore very similar to the others although it is perhaps a little less distant; there is a lot more chat near taper this time so perhaps the taper was nearer the stage. The sound then is of a very decent audience recording let down somewhat by the usual distance and flatness that characterise this taper’s Bonds recordings.
Recent Soundboard
A soundboard tape has surfaced (May 2015) with great sound quality and slightly longer. On par with the 9th sounboard.
Having enjoyed their only day’s break at Bonds from performing the day before, the show on the 8th might have been expected to have been one of the best. In fact the band sound at times tired and uninspired; perhaps they over indulged in their R & R as Mick especially sounds somewhat out of it at times! Joe unusually is not so fired up and at times Mick sounds stoned, getting lyrics mixed up and playing out of sync with the band.
It does though make for some fascinating performances for example Magnificent Seven gets an 8 plus minute meandering treatment with Mick and Joe both adlibbing at length! The concert in contrast is one of their shortest at Bonds; with only one encore, which ends with the band charging through a great, I’m So Bored With The USA.
We now know that CBS/Epic recorded two Bonds shows. One was the 9th June (3 tracks appear on FHTE and 1 on Clash On Broadway). Thanks to the circulation of audience recordings from all 17 Bonds shows and the performance of Bankrobber on FHTE II (the tracks short listed for FHTE but not used) we now know that the 8th June concert was also recorded. All the songs from the 8th were passed over for FHTE and you would have to agree with Mick and the compilers of FHTE that the 9th June performances are better, although the Bankrobber performance on the 8th is very good. Its possible of course that the band acknowledged that their performance tonight was below par and asked for the 9th June show to be recorded too, anyone know? We can only hope that all the official live recordings from The Clash circulate one day.
'I saw the Clash at Bonds' - Facebook page
Popular Facebook group that recounts memories for the Bonds residency. Well worth a read.
The recording starts with a guy near the taper shouting, “Get that car outta that gear yeah” just before London Calling. Thanks to repeated airplay on New York radio Magnificent Seven was no doubt better known in New York than London!
Like most shows the band warm up on London Calling but its on Safe European Home that the gig takes off; Joe and Mick shouting out the words and Mick plays some great guitar over the ending. After The Leader, Joe asks the very lively and appreciative audience, “Have you people got enough room? You must feel like a sardine, this man here”. The set list is again unaltered with Train in Vain followed by White Man in Hammersmith Palais with Joe adlibbing over the extended ending.
Joe’s guitar is very clear on a fine Radio Clash, the vocals just too distant otherwise there is plenty of clarity; an enjoyable sound. Joe’s introduction to Corner Soul is surely a reference to the spliff bunker where Joe wrote the song’s lyrics; “Here we have a roach song written in the roach motel”. Not content to churn out the same performances every night The Clash are again improvising on many of the songs tonight, even on Guns of Brixton with Mick in particular coming up with a new approach to his guitar contribution.
Photo courtesy of Alyn Currie @ www.punkrockposters.net
Topper’s drums are very clear on The Call Up; it’s a ‘straight’ run through not as inspired as the previous night’s performance. Bankrobber is fine if unexceptional. There is an edit just before Lightning Strikes, which is now shorter and Mick’s solo does not complement the song; his contribution tonight is increasingly ‘out of it’.
“Play the guitar Senor” and Mick obliges hanging out the opening notes impressively to Complete Control then Topper comes in picking up the pace then Mick’s guitar slams in into surely one of The Clash’s top three best songs. The band sound inspired again, Mick’s solo is biting and Topper drives it along, then suddenly an edit loses the ending.
The second cdr begins with Ivan Meets GI Joe, the usual low point of the shows. Illustrating Mick’s contribution tonight he is brilliant at the start of Charlie Don’t Surf but by the end of the song his playing is increasingly out of sync with his band mates and the song! Mick is very agitated about something during the song presumably having a go at someone in the audience.
Joe acknowledges that tonight’s show is not yet firing he says “Alright then that’s just the overture” and the band kick into Magnificent Seven. It’s a long 8 and a half-minute version, which meanders at times but is nevertheless fascinating as the band improvise both musically and lyrically. Mick and Joe adlib at length somewhat bizarrely with Joe for example coming out with “in Italian arriverderci or gimme some of that fettuccine” and “call me Philippe, anything it’s gonna sell.now fuck me sideways, not me copper..this is Mighty Mouse…is Diana Ross in the house? We have free vodka martinis, yes, Frank Sinatra did not turn up” Ironically its Topper who holds it altogether as Joe and Mick sound increasingly stoned!
On Broadway Mick plays some nice guitar but the band are not quite gelling together tonight. The sound quality improves half a notch halfway through. Mick sounds like he has been listening to some Jimi Hendrix at Woodstock as his one off intro to Somebody Got Murdered has a long feedback Star Spangled Banner type intro which he hangs out before Joe’s rhythm cutter guitar comes in. Mick sounds stoned getting the lyrics mixed up and again its Topper’s excellent drumming that keeps it all together. Police and Thieves gets a fine ‘straight’ run through and again its not clear whether Mick’s playing is inspired or out of it!
Clampdown ends the main set in rousing style. Mick adding to the “take the best years of your life” line “they will if you let them”. Joe adlibs over the final section as Mick repeats, “I won’t work, I don’t wanna work”
The recording fades out then into the only encore, which begins with the first performance of Pressure Drop since the Mont De Marsan Festival in August 1977! Psychedelic Mick plays the intro then Topper picks it up then Mick plays the melody. Mick and Joe are really into it and it’s a fascinating to hear the song played 81 style. Then its back to the usual encore opener, One More Time with Mick again agitated about something at the start. The performance rather loses its way amongst Mick’s effects and Joe sounds tired and uninspired but still trying to push himself. The band though do pick it up through the charge through the final three songs, Brand New Cadillac, Career Opportunities and a particularly strong I'm so Bored with the USA.
Its possible the taper did not capture a second encore but only one was played at the Saturday matinee and on the 9th so the recording is very probably complete. This is one of the weaker Bonds gigs but fascinating and enjoyable nevertheless.
Did you go? What do you remember?
Info, articles, reviews, comments or photos welcome.
Please
email blackmarketclash
I am a long time fan of the clash - wanted to see the clash log before my first show in 81 - but could never get there or if i got there I could not get into the show.. And it seemed to be bad fate when i went to first see the clash at the BONDS, NY,NY and the show I had tickets to was called off by the fire marshals and we were told to come back a week later.. No ,money and no ride (I live in Boston) I had to hitch a ride on the side of the road... I DID make it and it was the best clash show I ever saw... 7X total after that ..
|
I was lucky enough to see the Clash play twice--a great show at NYC's Palladium and one of their famous shows at Bonds. The latter show was a little lackluster, finally catching fire around halfway in--kicked off by a rousing version of Complete Control as I recall. One moment I remember clearly: a crew member put a small TV onstage so Mick Jones could watch the band perform on the Letterman show, pretaped earlier in the day. Joe Strummer was obviously annoyed at this, finally kicking the TV in. - Marlowe
As for greatest live bands well i saw the clash in nyc when they sold too many tickets for bonds in Times Square and were obliged to play something like 2 weeks straight to honour all the tickets sold. This was the sandinista tour but the show covered every period and was quite simplyamazing. Strummer got visibly pissed off when the crowd did not sing along with the obvious anthems but then you can’t expect perfection from a rock audience.Support that night was funkapolitain and the slits which blew my mind as i had no idea they were on the bill. Pearl harbour was the dj between sets.
I've been a Clash fan for a very long time. I had tickets for all 8 of the original Bonds Performances. I was right up front opening night when the club was overpacked by double. Quite a few people passed out and had to lifted and surfed to the stage area to be removed. Bouncers were passing out jugs of water to the front. I LOVE Grandmaster Flash but they were AWFUL. As a matter of fact they were beyond awful. It wasn't racism, it was a matter of an overpacked house and a group that wasn't making music, it was barely noise. What would you call listening to a kick drum for 10 - 15 minutes? Leaving, I literally couldn't stand up straight, there were fire marshalls at every door. SinceI had tickets for the original 8 nights bought at Bonds, my ticket was not valid the following evening. But, I saw 8 shows, and they were all fantastic. I saw them every tour since then, and they remain one of the greatest acts in R&R. One night I was dying of thirst and Mick kept sipping from a large soda cup. So I kept looking at him and motioning for a drink (security would pass water to the crowd). Mick points to his cup and shakes his head no, but finally he gave in and it was RUM and a tiny drop of coke for flavor. I took a sip, passed it on and within a few seconds people were fighting over the cup.
There were a ton of opening acts at the Bonds shows, and none were memorable.
Snowman “I had tickets for all 8 of the original Bonds Performances. I was right up front opening night when the club was overpacked by double. Quite a few people passed out and had to lifted and surfed to the stage area to be removed. Bouncers were passing out jugs of water to the front. It was then that the rappers went into a tirade of "The Clash asked us to be here. They wanted us to perform". Though I love GF&TF5 they couldn't be any worse live. To be squeezed into a sardine can, and hear a pounding bass drum and nothing else was more than anyone should bear. I LOVE Grandmaster Flash, and they were AWFUL. As a matter of fact they were beyond awful. It wasn't racism, it was a matter of an over packed house and a group that wasn't making music, it was barely noise. What would you call listening to a kick drum for 10 - 15 minutes? I saw them a few years later on Long Island where the levels were decent and you could understand what they rapped. It was great. Leaving, I literally couldn't stand up straight; there were fire marshals at every door. Since I had tickets for the original 8 nights bought at Bonds, my ticket was not valid the following evening. But, I saw 8 shows, and they were all fantastic.”
David S “Grandmaster Flash did open for the boys at Bonds. I was there and thought it was really closed-minded and small the way the crowd reacted. They wouldn't even give basic courtesy. Grandmaster Flash was right; the Clash did ask him to play, and frankly the reaction of a white crowd to an inner city act like that had to smack of racism.
The New York Nobody Sings- Clash at Bond's reosted from my blog...
Remember When - The Clash Photos at Bonds Casino – 80s Retro Punk Rock So a few years later, when we got to do the printing for the official Clash at the Bonds Casino gig in NY City, we where ecstatic. We printed the shirts, drove them to NY City, sold them in the streets...
They Shoot Actors, Don't They? Bond's Casino
The Clash at Bonds Casino, Times Square, NYC gigs 1-3 of 17.
IT'S ALL THE STREETS YOU CROSSED NOT SO LONG AGO -The Bow-Ties that Bond BOND INTERNATIONAL CASINO--1530 Broadway, on the east side of Broadway between 44th and 45th Streets. (Often referred to as Bond's.) A short-lived discotheque most famous for hosting the "Clash on Broadway" residency in 1981,
Personal memories
RETRO MEMORIES The Clash at Bonds Casino NYC, 1981 The Clash at Bonds Casino, Times Square, NYC gigs 1-3 of 17.
where you there?
|
|
Following their appearance at the Palladium in 1980 The Clash had refused to play in New York unless they could play in a venue they thought suitable, i.e. an unseated dance hall. In February, Bernie and Kosmo had come to New York to seek out a suitable venue and agreed on Bonds which seemed ideal; it could hold 4000 with minimal discomfort (fire exits would prove the problem) but it was comparatively intimate and had character (art deco interior. History Of Bonds - includes write up and old photos It was a former men’s department store with a lino floor and beams and a makeshift stage. Local promoters could not understand why The Clash did not play a couple of nights at Madison Square Garden (16,000 capacity) like everyone else. Indeed Chris Salewicz was asked to write a piece for Soho News “to find the story behind the story!” “The doors opened at 8pm, we went up a carpeted spiral staircase surrounded by barbed wire and Mooseheads. We went into a large lobby and bar, with Clash concession stands. Through a large bank of double doors we located the dance floor, strobing lights - stunning glow in the dark things, half inflated silver spacemen hanging through trap doors in the ceiling. The dance floor itself was huge with recessed balconies at 2 sides to handle the large number of techies apparently required to keep all the lights flashing and the mikes feeding back. The facilities at Bonds were dance or drop! There was absolutely no seating anywhere.” In the photo below Bonds is the low building on the right.
|
|
1 |
London Calling |
|
There are several sights that provide setlists but most mirror www.blackmarketclash.co.uk. They are worth checking.
from Setlist FM (cannot be relied on)
from Songkick (cannot be relied on)
... both have lists of people who say they went
& from the newer Concert Database
Also useful: Ultimate Music datbase, All Music, Clash books at DISCOGS
To read all the news reports from Bonds including video and audio chronologically in one thread.
1. Background
3. The Clash arriving in New York
and the build up
4. News Reports video and audio
6. The remainder of the residency
7. History of Bonds
longer history of Bonds & images
9. Badges, FSLN hadouts, flyers, Clash
press release ...
10. Photos various - PDF 48mb
If you know of any articles or references for this particular gig, anything that is missing, please do let us know.
Italy to New York
When The Clash landed at JFK airport in New York on the night of the 25th May 1981 they had no idea that their residency at a Broadway nightclub would create such a furore and nationwide media coverage that it became a pivotal event in their assault on America, helping to propel them into the major league Stateside. As Kosmo Vinyl has succinctly put it, “People who didn’t have straight trousers and short hair suddenly knew who we were. It got out - it was big!”. The Bonds concerts became one of the most enduring aspects of the Clash legend. ... more ...
Arrival
A collection of articles covering the bands arrival into New York including previews of the week. Also includes the WNEW preview broacast with Meg Griffin.
Ticket Fiasco
Numerous articles and audio and video reports covering the ticket fiasco.
Bonds News Reports
Audio and video reports covering the ticket fiasco. Fascinating watching / listening that captures those three days well. Includes notes.
Residency
The remainder of the press coverage once the bad had agreed to ensure all ticket holders got in by adding 8 more dates.
Photos - PDF 42mb
All randon phonts bundled here.
Adverts, posters and sundry
Bits and pieces inclduying all adverts and posters.
Comments
Comments for those who attended one of the gigs
Italy to New York
When The Clash landed at JFK airport in New York on the night of the 25th May 1981 they had no idea that their residency at a Broadway nightclub would create such a furore and nationwide media coverage that it became a pivotal event in their assault on America, helping to propel them into the major league Stateside. As Kosmo Vinyl has succinctly put it, “People who didn’t have straight trousers and short hair suddenly knew who we were. It got out - it was big!”. The Bonds concerts became one of the most enduring aspects of the Clash legend
WNEW Bonds week
Prior to The Clash's arrival WNEW FM ran a Bonds Week with Meg Griffin. It includes an intro to the Clash at Bonds week with a montage of old interviews and Clash tracks
Listen again here:
Bonds News Reports
28 May - 30 May 81 - updated 5 Jan 2009When the probelms started on the 29th at the venue the news media decsended and there s both audio and video circulating that captures those few hectic days.Audio: 30 mins of TV and Radio interviews, news and commentary.
Video: The Clash - News Reports about Bond's Casino Shows - June 1981
Video - Clash on Broadway Reels -
"all the original reels have been found and are now with Sony. UPDATE1 The footage the footage that was found is very expensive to transfer. Don hasn't yet ID'd the film boxes (03/2015). UPDATE2 On the Facebook page dedicated to the summer 1981 Nyc residence, from one Kevin Bud Jones that was hired by Don Letts to help shout ing The Clash on Broadway docufilm:"We shot one complete show with multiple cameras and a 24 track mobile recorder. We also shot most of every show with one camera and in house 8 track recording. The band wore the same gear every night and Topper was such a consistent drummer - and the band well rehearsed - that we were able to build edits from different nights with no trouble at all." (03/2015)"There are around 36 tapes in all, each of which would cost at least £500 per tape to transfer (the prohibitive cost is why the filmakers didn't have this material transferred at the time) - it's on a rare early video format called EIAJ. Sam
Facebook The same guy who posted that also wrote this in the comments (bold emphasis mine):
"We shot one complete show with multiple cameras and a 24 track mobile recorder. We also shot most of every show with one camera and in house 8 track recording. The band wore the same gear every night and Topper was such a consistent drummer - and the band well rehearsed - that we were able to build edits from different nights with no trouble at all." "Sadly - we never shot the opening acts. We started the gig with the intention of doing a six song DVD EP - not a full scale documentary. Shooting expanded as the story expanded and the shows stretched on."
"We were not making a concert movie per se - and my part in the post production ended when the material left the US after doing the Combat Rock video which John shot in Texas." All of this makes me wonder where all that footage is and why they haven't done a long form concert video or if they will at some point. I mean, a whole show in multi-camera, 24 track?! I can't imagine that kind of thing just inadvertently gets lost.
I'm sure there is way more about this that is known that I am not aware of. I think I've read that lots of footage has been lost but I don't know any details about that. Concert movies have been constructed from way less (The Doors Hollywood Bowl for one, I expect there are more).Found in London garage 2006 - handed to SonyThere are around 36 tapes in all, each of which would cost at least £500 per tape to transfer (the prohibitive cost is why we didn't have this material transferred at the time) - it's on a rare early video format called EIAJ.
From - I saw the Clash at Bonds play at Bonds - Facebook page
My partner John Hazard and I were fortunate enough to be hired by Don Letts and The Clash to produce and shoot the documentary of Bonds and beyond that is the Clash on Broadway film featured at the end of Westway to the World. What started out as a one week shoot to get six songs live in the can became a year of our lives. The video for This Is Radio Clash was a lift from the 10 minute trailer for the unfinished film that we shot on 16mm and went all the way to a 35mm blowup to show potential distributors. Needless to say - the project was never completed as the band disassembled after Combat Rock. Clash on Broadway is the rough cut we had finished by the time to project was wrapped and went back to the UK.
We shot one complete show with multiple cameras and a 24 track mobile recorder. We also shot most of every show with one camera and in house 8 track recording. The band wore the same gear every night and Topper was such a consistent drummer - and the band well rehearsed - that we were able to build edits from different nights with no trouble at all.Sadly - we never shot the opening acts. We started the gig with the intention of doing a six song DVD EP - not a full scale documentary. Shooting expanded as the story expanded and the shows stretched on.Q. How come we've never seen the release of the entire show?
We were not making a concert movie per se - and my part in the post production ended when the material left the US after doing the Combat Rock video which John shot in Texas.
For all video, it is presumed that significant footage comes from the first night but it is also highly likely it came from other nights.
Clash On Broadway - 19:50
The Clash / Sound System box setIt is not clear which of these comes from which night?London Calling (first night?)
This Is Radio Clash (Tom Snyder show)
The Magnificent Seven (Tom Snyder show)
Guns Of Brixton (first night?)
Safe European Home (first night?)
A good listing of the contents of the The Clash's Sound System box set can be found here.
WNEW Bonds week
Prior to The Clash's arrival, WNEW FM ran a Bonds Week with Meg Griffin. It includes an intro to the Clash at Bonds week with a montage of old interviews and Clash tracks
Listen again here:
Bonds News Reports - 28 May - 30 May 81 - updated 5 Jan 2009
When the problems started on the 29th at the venue the news media decsended and there s both audio and video circulating that captures those few hectic days.Audio: 30 mins of TV and Radio interviews, news and commentary.
For full listing go here
Video: The Clash - News Reports about Bond's Casino Shows - June 1981
Video - Clash on Broadway Reels -
For a full details on video from the opening shows go to the 28th
For information on the Clash on Broadway reels go here
Private Super8mm film footage of the rucus outside Bonds
Someone had a video camera aand has more and better footage from outside.
Press Conference - "See out"
Would like the full press conference.
Video from Bonds
1. Essential Clash DVD
cut down version of CoB from Westway but with unseeen angles and clips. Includes an edited London Calling [audio is unmixed pro recording from 9th].
2. Westway to the World BONUS footage DVD
Includes nearly full tracks of - London Calling [Trick of Treat audio] - Guns of Brixton [dubbed partly] Safe European Home [dubbed with studio single] - Charlie Don't Surf [original sound but from mixing desk] - Radio Clash [original sound but from mixing desk]. Also includes a mash up of a lot of footage from New York and outside Bonds such as the riot.
3. video - press conference, backstage, 16 Tons play on, London Calling nearly full [probably the same length as Westway? but the sound plays on to a montage of NYC/Clash pictures]. The sound is remixed from [Trick or Treat bootleg] radio broadcast from the 9th June as Westway. 5.38min
4. MTV Rockumentary is same as Westway/Clash on TV/Essential DVD but with only very edited clips of the press conference and London Calling. Nothing new except a couple of comments form Mick and Paul.
Tom Snyder show NTV
The complete Clash appearance circulates on Clash On TV Vol.1 in very good quality (apart from some ghosting) from a TV rebroadcast (better than the YouTube broadcast below). For many years Clash fans had made do with very poor quality video copies of this important Clash footage.
If you know any please let us know
Search all of facebook
Search all of Twitter
Search for a local library
Search auction site
Search flickr
Search Instagram
Search the internet
Any further info, articles, reviews, comments or photos welcome.
Submit an article here
We are looking for scans - articles - tickets - posters - flyers - handbills - memorabilia - photos - comments / any information - you might have.
Please like and post on our Facebook page or alternatively email blackmarketclash
You can also follow us on Twitter
We also have a Clash Twitter list of other notable Clash Twitter accounts here
Blackmarketclash Links
Extensive links page can be found here with links to web, twitter, Facebook, traders etc..
If Music Could Talk
The best Clash messageboard and which also has links to downloads on its megalists
www.Blackmarketclash.co.uk
Go here for uploads and downloads. It's not a massive space so its on an as and when basis.
Contact your local library here and see if they can help.
If you are searching for articles in the USA - DPLA Find the local US library link here
WorldCat? - find your local library Link
British Newspaper Archive - United Kingdom Link (£££ / trial period)
Newspaper ARCHIVE - USA+ Link ($$$ / trial period)
Historical Newspapers - USA & beyond $$$ Link ($$$ / trial period)
Elephind.com - international Link (free)
New York Times - USA Link ($$$)
Gallica - France - Not very helpful Link (free)
Explore the British Library Link (free to UK users - ask if you find something)
Trove - Australia National Library Link (free)
The Official Clash
Search @theclash & enter search in search box. Place, venue, etc
Clash City Collectors - excellent
Facebook Page - for Clash Collectors to share unusual & interesting items like..Vinyl. Badges, Posters, etc anything by the Clash. Search Clash City Collectors & enter search in search box. Place, venue, etc
Clash on Parole - excellent
Facebook page - The only page that matters
Search Clash on Parole & enter search in the search box. Place, venue, etc
Clash City Snappers
Anything to do with The Clash. Photos inspired by lyrics, song titles, music, artwork, members, attitude, rhetoric,haunts,locations etc, of the greatest and coolest rock 'n' roll band ever.Tributes to Joe especially wanted. Pictures of graffitti, murals, music collections, memorabilia all welcome. No limit to postings. Don't wait to be invited, just join and upload.
Search Flickr / Clash City Snappers
Search Flickr / 'The Clash'
Search Flickr / 'The Clash' ticket
I saw The Clash at Bonds - excellent
Facebook page - The Clash played a series of 17 concerts at Bond's Casino in New York City in May and June of 1981 in support of their album Sandinista!. Due to their wide publicity, the concerts became an important moment in the history of the Clash. Search I Saw The Clash at Bonds & enter search in red box. Place, venue, etc
Loving the Clash
Facebook page - The only Clash page that is totally dedicated to the last gang in town. Search Loving The Clash & enter search in the search box. Place, venue, etc
Blackmarketclash.co.uk
Facebook page - Our very own Facebook page. Search Blackmarketclash.co.uk & enter search in red box. Place, venue, etc
Search all of Twitter
Search Enter as below - Twitter All of these words eg Bonds and in this exact phrase, enter 'The Clash'
www.theclash.com/
Images on the offical Clash site. http://www.theclash.com/gallery
www.theclash.com/ (all images via google).
Images on the offical Clash site. site:http://www.theclash.com/
