Leeds University - Faversham Pub, Leeds
... your comments ....
BUSKING TOUR...Joe and Paul took the boys on an impromptu busking tour - playing publicly and outside venues acoustically... the 'shows' generated some excitement about the forthcoming album... They all hitched from London by the M1 and agreed to meet up in the pub near Nottingham Railway Station. The Last Days of the Clash - Vince White pg 226
page updated - June 2000 - began
page updated - April 2020 - redesigned and added too
Leeds University
No known audio or video
Faversham Pub, Leeds
No known audio or video
If you know of any recording, email blackmarketclash
Did you go? What do you remember?
We are looking for scans - articles - tickets - posters - flyers - handbills - memorabilia - photos - comments / any info - you might have. Anything welcome.
Please email blackmarketclash or post below on bmc facebook post.
Leeds University before the gig
Outside Leeds Univercity where The Alarm were playing that night -disrupted after 15 minutes /4 songs (about 7pm) from the Chumbawamba website. "The red paint thrown over Joe happened in Leeds, outside the University before an Alarm gig. There's a couple of references on the web to it: Pouring red paint over the Clash on their comeback "busking" tour in Leeds demonstrated their contempt for what they saw as false prophets.
Meanwhile, anarchy was becoming archaic in the U.K., as a pallid version of the Clash, sans Mick Jones, roamed the streets in search of lost credibility. They'd done the America, champagne and coke thing, and they came back over here trying to prove that they could still relate to the kids," says ex-punk Bruce, who felt betrayed by his former idols.
To me it just smacked of insincerity; they were doing this tour where they would be busking outside gigs. So [fellow Chumbawamban] Danbert [Nobacon] sprayed them with red paint and then got chased through Leeds City Center by a load of angry people. But he managed to escape."
Alarm website lists the gig as 7th May 1985, University, Leeds.
The band played;
Cool Under Heat,
Movers and Shakers,
White Riot and
Clash City Rockers to more than 500 fans.
See The Last Days of the Clash - Vince White pg 230
May 7th 1985 The Alarm University, Leeds
May 7th 1895 marked one of the most bizarre turns in the your history of The Alarm. The Alarm had been (frustratingly, mistakenly, wrongly, dismissively — choose your own adverb here) compared to The Clash by the UK music press. The sad part about it, was that The Clash (the remains of the band anyway) believed it. The Alarm had already been supported by Mike Jones B.A.D. the year before which was odd enough, but the events of May 7th were unprecedented.
As The Alarm, were getting ready to play inside, The Clash showed-up and performed an acoustic busking concert outside the venue in Leeds (The University refectory where The Who’s - ‘Live at Leeds’ album was recorded). The band stopepd their sound-check to go watch the proceedings.
“I distinctly remember Redeye bursting on to the stage during the soundcheck and announcing that Joe Strummer and The Clash were busking to the fans outside the venue. I didn’t believe him at first and thought it was a wind-up but soon realised it was true and so I dropped everything and ran outside to see what was going on.” - Mike Peters 2015
“I saw The Clash on this tour, on a late night National Express from Nottingham to Leeds- it was very exclusive- just me, them jamming at the back and the coach driver. Unfortunately I wasn’t into the Clash much then, so didn’t recognise them. I only realised a few days later when there was a report about them busking outside an Alarm Leeds Uni gig in the Uni newspaper. The Alarm came out to watch apparently.” - John 2013 Internet Blog
Outside where the Alarm were playing that night, The Clash were disrupted 15 minutes / 4 songs into their set (about 7pm) as Joe Strummer got covered in red paint (which was thrown by members of Chumbawumba from the roof of the University Building), in protest at The Clash being part of CBS Records and the Company’s alleged involvement in the construction of Cruise Missiles.
The Clash busking outside The Alarm concert, Leeds University, 1985.
Drew a small crowd...
“Meanwhile, anarchy was becoming archaic in the U.K., as a pallid version of the Clash, sans Mick Jones, roamed the streets in search of lost credibility. They’d done the America, champagne and coke thing, and they came back over here trying to prove that they could still relate to the kids, “To me it just smacked of insincerity; they were doing this tour where they would be busking outside gigs. So [fellow Chumbawumban] Danbert [Nobacon] sprayed them with red paint and then got chased through Leeds City Center by a load of angry people. But he managed to escape.” - Dunstan Bruce (Chumbawumba)
The Clash leaving The Alarm gig
Peter Leighton I saw them on the steps of Leeds University while the Alarm were playing inside....
Ian Corbridge - It seemed just like an ordinary evening on 7 May 1985 as I was waiting in the sunshine for my mate Nigel to pick me up in Sheffield town centre to go and see the Alarm play at Leeds University. However all that was about to change when he arrived in the car at top speed.
Nigel had caught a bit of the Old Grey Whistle Test on BBC2 just before he left to pick me up....at that time it had an early evening live spot. Whilst he was watching it, someone had called the BBC about a rumour that The Clash would be busking outside the Alarm gig in Leeds that night. So, whilst we didnít really believe that it was going to happen, we set off for Leeds at a fair old pace and arrived there in record time.
Having parked up we approached the University building to find that hardly anyone had gone inside.....obviously the rumours had spread and everyone was wondering whether The Clash would really turn up and there was an air of expectation and anticipation everywhere. Within about 15 or 20 minutes, another small crowd appeared amongst which were Joe Strummer and the rest of the gang carrying acoustic guitars, a wooden box for a stand up bass and another box to hit with drum sticks. Amidst much excitement the guys promptly set up just outside the University building and launched straight into 3 or 4 songs. By this time the atmosphere around the place was just amazing and most people, including ourselves, had forgotten that we had originally turned up to see the Alarm.
After about the fourth song, some people seemed to come from inside the University (not sure whether they were connected with the University or the Alarm) and started hassling Joe to move away from the front of the building. At the same time some idiot threw what looked like red paint at Joe at which point the band put down there equipment and started to walk off down the road. Not wanting miss any of the action we, together with a large section of the crowd, started to follow them, not quite knowing where we would end up. As we walked down the road we managed to catch up with Joe and starting asking him all sorts of questions, most of which I canít now remember (well it was 15 years ago!). However I do remember how easy he was to talk to, even after the hassle he had just got outside the University building. I also remember him talking about how he remembered The Clashís first ever gig at the Black Swan pub (affectionately known as the Mucky Duck) in Sheffield in July 1976, which my mate Nigel actually went to, even though it was 9 years ago!
After about 15 minutes we arrived in the car park of the Faversham pub in Leeds, at which point the guys got their equipment sorted out and launched into an amazing set of songs for about 45 minutes - check out the Acoustic Daze CD which brings all the memories of that time flooding back. Again the atmosphere was amazing with everybody singing along to White Man, Brand New Cadilac, Police On My Back etc. etc. Before we knew it Joe and the guys had done their stuff and they were off. We then headed off back to the University and arrived just in time to see the Alarm come on stage. Those people that had not followed the band down to the car park had missed an unforgettable experience! Oh, and the Alarm were pretty good too.......
Leeds newspaper
Neil Coombes [After] the busk outside Leeds University 1986 - had a piss next to Strummer in a local pub!
After a short walk down the road from the Uni, the band set up in the pub car park and played a full set for 45 minutes (about 7.45pm) - date confirmed from Alarm website. More info on this gig read The Last Days of the Clash - Vince White pg 231 -
I saw them busking outside Leeds Uni - followed them around town before they caught the train to York when I guess this picture was taken- an amazing night - even had a leak next to Mr Strummer in the Faversham arms! Neil Coombes
Did you go? What do you remember?
Info, articles, reviews, comments or photos welcome.
Please
email blackmarketclash
Leeds busking - unknown location
(could be York, Kings or Sampson Square??)
Le Phonographique AKA The Phono - 4 May 2019 ·
34 years ago today The Clash played the Phono in Leeds, so any of this is today's theme. - Facebook: Le Phonographique
Karen Goodgame
Omg! I had so forgotten about that! But yes, now I do. Wow, good times
The Clash playing live in a pub in Leeds, they stunned fans with a... Photos - Getty Images
Prof Karen Sayer - @ProfKarenSayer - 07/05/2014, 06:28
“@GTrombone:
Nice! The Clash busking at the Hyde Park Hotel, Leeds, 6 May, 1983. pic.twitter.com/Dg6EL7rQnk” @shaunwkeaveny good honest toil :)
barbara butterworth - @bbutterw2 - 13/01/2018, 08:43
@prodnose 1. The Clash when they were doing their busking around Leeds ‘83 or ‘84. Walked past the front steps of university as they were tuning up. No one watching at that point. Thought they looked very professional for buskers. Heartbroken when I read about it the next day.
Mark Cranfield
I was there too - even had a beer and a chat with Joe in the York Arms, which was nice!
Neil Coombes
Yes I was there in Leeds Martin Hanson ran over from Henry Price flats - someone threw some red paint on joes jacket outside the Uni and I had a leak next to him in the gents at the Faversham !
Tony White - @tony_white_ - 29 Oct 2011 - @johnrobb77
Straight to Hell? No, Leeds. The Clash busking tour of 1985 (inc archive report from Leeds Other Paper) http://bit.ly/tK6BnW
BBC Radio 6 Music - @BBC6Music - 6 Jan 2012 -
The law won :( RT @SistaLou : #buskerheroes My fella saw The Clash busking outside York Minster in early 80s. they got moved on by the fuzz!
U-U-U-U-Stay at home please - @UtahSaints - 9 Feb 2017 - #ThrowbackThursday
This one time #TheClash rocked up & played at the back of our local pub,The Royal Park #Leeds
Post by Chrism » Tue 17 Jan, 2012 3:58 pm
I remember them in the Fav car park as I was a DJ at The Fav at the time. Didn't take any pix myself but I know a few people there did so there must be some pix laying about in shoe boxes somewhere. I think there were some pix of the Phono gig on the Phono page on facebook, but a lot of stuff got lost or removed when FB did one of it's unannounced upgrades.
Post by Tasa » Mon 20 Feb, 2012 9:28 pm
[Park Royal ] Has someone any photos. That's definitely the back terrace and garden of the Royal Park. I'm not sure if the terrace is still there as I haven't been there for years, but there are now flats built where the garden was.
Post by Bruno » Tue 21 Feb, 2012 3:17 pm
JogonOn your outdoor [Royal Park] photo, on the low wall behind and to the right of Joe Strummer, there are four people sitting. I'm 99% sure that the fourth one from the left (with the long fringe) is an old mate of mine, Stephen Barber. He's gone on to great things. You could contact him via this link if you wanted to ask if it's him, and if it is, what he remembers about that gig.http://fada.kingston.ac.uk/staff/stephe ... barber.php
Post by jesusaubergine » Mon 23 Oct, 2017 3:05 pm
Jogon wrote: I remember mates saying they'd seen them at the time. But the venues and sheer oddity of it seemed to rule it out and since then I've thought it a Leeds Rock-History Urban-Myth.
[Park Royal] There was no multi-band gig going on though it is true The Magnificent 7 did organise such events, there at the Royal Park and many other venues. Fact is, we were allowed to rehearse upstairs and store our gear there in return for playing every thursday. That weekend we had been playing in Manchester friday 3rd and sat 4th. We returned to Leeds to drop the gear off beck at the Royal Park tea-timish. We turned up unloading our instruments. They [asked if they could] use them and played an impromptu set.
Post by tonyodo » Sat 22 Jun, 2019 2:31 pm
I was there - I have some photos - great night busking outside the Union and in the Fav car park
Jimmyv wrote: - Tue 22 Apr, 2014 2:32 pm
Tasa wrote: Jogon wrote: thats the back garden at the Royal Park. the gig was organised by The Magnificent Seven who put benefit gigs on and invited local talent to play. The Clash just turned up and asked to play.
John says: November 4, 2013 at 6:46 am
I saw them on this tour, on a late night National Express from Nottingham to Leeds- it was very exclusive- just me, them jamming at the back and the coach driver. Unfortunately I wasn’t into the Clash much then, so didn’t recognise them. I only realised a few days later when there was a report about them busking outside an Alarm Leeds Uni gig in the Uni newspaper. The Alarm came out to watch apparently.
Lee Mason
I was there too …with you…I saw a similar picture on a documentary once while on a plane to USA!!!
Lee Mason
You can just see the red paint on Band member that they threw from the window..I had a fantastic photo of Joe Strummer covered in red paint must try dig it out!!!
Simon Curtis - 2013
There’s another picture of the night, taken out of a window at Leeds Uni, see if you can spot me...about halfway between top and bottom just in from the left side, got a blue pilot jacket on this time.
Sean McCartney
Oh yes, I remember it well.
Emma Reagan - 2013
And St Johns car park, fantastic !!!
Sean McCartney
Yup, Joe was hammered and banging on about shiny kettles being black on the bottom, and in the process up-ended his pint all over the pavement. Happy days!
Jess Clark
I was a there, it was amazing, and the minster, york arms and st johns, fab memories :)))))))))))))
Colin Paylor
I saw them busking at the Merrion Center in Leeds way way back in time ... nipped up to jumbo , bought a Clash single , went back and got it signed by the whole band !
Graeme Hopson
i remember leaving work early to see them in the york arms.
Glenn Smith
They had to hide in theYork Arm because of the crowds.
Rebecca Goodrich
I took, loads of pics [photos] of the Clash all round York and the Roxy :) those were the days x -
Royal Park Pub & Cellars - 29 January ·
Back in May 1985, punk mega-stars The Clash busked in our old back garden.
Chris Parkin Clash on Parole FB 5 Dec 2012
Back in the 80's I saw the Clash busking outside the Alarm gig at Leeds Uni. Some animal rights protester had lobbed red gloss all over Joe cos they didn't like leather jackets, hmmmm. We were tipped off that it was going to happen by the now famous James Brown (not that one) and were in at the start. I had the pleasure of chatting with Joe in the Faversham afterwards and he gave me a roll up, which I stubbed and selotaped to the Combat Rock poster. Sadly it was lost in a house move years later. I offered them a lift to York the next day but as I only had a Mini Clubman Estate at the time it was a non starter from the off. Happy days indeed.
Did you go? What do you remember?
Info, articles, reviews, comments or photos welcome.
Please
If you know of any recording, email blackmarketclash
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
Numerous articles, interviews, reviews, posters, tour dates from the Busking Tour
If you know of any articles or references for this particular gig, anything that is missing, please do let us know.
... to follow
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/
