updated 4 Aug 2014 - Full audio review
updated 13 August 2014 - added Radio Derby interview
Audio 1 -
Sound 2.5 - 1hr 21min - highgen - tracks 21
Clash City Rockers
Radio Derby interview at Assembley Rooms
to follow
Mick Jones & Kosmo Vinyl of The Clash, interviewed back stage at Derby Assembly Rooms by Haddon Smith for Radio Derby youth programme Barbed Wireless, hosted by Terry Christian. Summer 1982.
The only recording in circulation is from an audience source which is complete but unfortunately an analogue copy probably more off the master. One channel is better than the other; evidence of dirty or worn heads and the sound is flat with almost no top end. Bass is quite good, drums lifeless, vocals OK and there is some distortion but from the copying not the source recording. An upgrade to the master would reveal a very decent audience recording. As it is though it’s an OK listenable sound but there are much better recordings and performances from this tour.
After the two nights in Newcastle the tour continued to Bradford’s St George’s Hall, on the 17th where The Clash’s “walk up” was evident. Tickets were readily available at the box office on the night, the venue like many on the tour was not sold out, and the touts disappointed! However by the time The Clash hit the stage that night the front of stage in the unseated stalls was packed and enthusiastic but there was room at the back for more. The Clash’s UK fans were still turning out in sufficient numbers to make the tour a success but the contrast for the band between this tour and the buzz of the sold out US tours must have been stark. The Clash played and went down well (with the exception of Joe’s dodgy Davey Crockett hat!) but it was a routine show contrasting with the exceptional shows earlier (and later) at Brixton that this writer also saw.
The next night the band played Birmingham’s Bingley Hall (see link to Phil William’s excellent live photos) and then rolled into Derby’s Assembly Rooms on the 19th. The Alternative Derby website posted a live recording credited to the previous 9th June 1980 Clash gig at the Assembly Rooms but unfortunately it is the same recording in circulation of the 1982 gig.
As the recording is an analogue copy probably more of the master and the performances are OK if unexceptional, this is not an essential Clash bootleg. What makes it exceptional ironically is what is missing and the unusual encores. The Clash play 22 songs but are on stage for less than an hour and a quarter and omits the staples of Armagideon Time, Bankrobber and Straight To Hell. The main set does not end with Clampdown but they start the first encore with it and the second encore begins with Train in Vain! Was a band member ill or was there something good on TV that night! By Leicester the next night things were back to normal, anyone know why the Derby faithful were short changed?
As the Morricone intro fades Joe says “Good evening and welcome to you. Can you hear ne, are you sure? OK this is Mick Jones” After London Calling the band rattle through Janie Jones and Know Your Rights and in fact through most of the gig with hardly a pause or introduction from Joe. White Man in Hammersmith Palais is again strong with an extended instrumental ending but no Strummer adlibs. Joe and Mick’s vocal interplay on Magnificent Seven is notable but there’s no adlibs or musical variation to make it particularly memorable. “Mick’s going to sing Stay Free” is one of Joe’s few intros. Although the performances don’t lack effort the band seem to be largely going through the motions, there’s no edge, the grind of all the touring since May catching up with them.
There’s an edit at start of The Call Up which ends again with a repeated “Hup 2-3-4 “ which the audience repeat and continue after the band have stopped. Brand New Cadillac stands out as fast and tight and the set concludes not with Clampdown but with I Fought The Law.
The recording continues through to the short encores then Mick plays a rotor blades riff and counts in Clampdown, which strangely starts the encores tonight, but there’s no inspiration or adlibs an unexceptional performance. It’s then straight into a swift Should I Stay and Safe European Home and then the band leave the stage again. The recording again continues through to the even shorter second encore of curiously Train in Vain before the usual final song of Garageland. Not long after the band exit the stage to cries for more the PA music comes on and the houselights went up.
Anyone know the story behind this very atypical Clash show?
Did you go? What do you remember?
Info, articles, reviews, comments or photos welcome.
Please
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The still existing Assembly Rooms was opened in 1977 and for music gigs accommodates 1400 with no seating on the ground floor, with a further 600 seated upstairs.
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London Calling |
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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
A collection of known articles from coveringr the period of the Tour can be found here..
Tour pass
Tour advert with dates
with the original dates
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Dozens of newclippings
capturing the whole saga...
Tour dates, runaways, cancellations, reshedules, sackings .... 33 pages so far..
.
If you know of any articles or references for this particular gig, anything that is missing, please do let us know.
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Radio interview - Joe Strummer Interviewed by Lisa Robinson around June 1982
Radio interview BBC R1 Kid Jensen Joe interviewed after being found
BBC Radio 1- Joe before his disapearance + interview- with the band after including BAD interview
BBC Radio 1 Kid Jensen 1982
BBC Radio 1 Rock On Mick interview on Sandinista & teh realese of Combat Rock
BBC Radio 1 Interview with Kid Jensen May 1982
BBC Radio 1 Interview with Kid Jensen Mick, Paul & Kosmo talking about Joe Strummer disappearing 2 May1982
BBC Radio 1 Interview with the band, -part 2 Mick, Combat Rock Interview
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The Official Clash
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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.
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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
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