Submitted by Hessian-Ghost t3_115n3pd in Music
Great song. Who are they, and what happened to them? Any other good ones I need to hear? I heard this in a bar and Shazamed it, had heard of them but never heard anything they’ve done.
Comments
Hessian-Ghost OP t1_j92m7n1 wrote
Progenitors of Punk?
OzzieLeonheart t1_j92mm6s wrote
I'm flabbergasted that you just heard this song! This is one of my very favorite songs of all time. The Clash have a great discography. They are always in the same breath as the Ramones, the Sex Pistols and The Damned as the very first punk bands.
I suggest starting with London Calling (which it seems you have) but if you want to get a full array of their music ability listen to Sandinistas! It's not just punk, they have Calypso, reggae, ska, gospel and countless other genres all wrapped up in an experimental punk album. I absolutely love The Clash.
Wraywong t1_j92mtow wrote
This is probably their most commercial song...it got a lot of airplay at the time, but it isn't all that typical of the rest of their work, which is a lot more punk with politically oriented lyrics.
DarrylCornejo t1_j92mz41 wrote
Wait until you listen to London Calling in it's entirety.
farfetchedfrank t1_j92nz3o wrote
I'm surprised you've never heard of them before although they did break up about 30 years ago so I shouldn't be really. They were a snotty punk band that became more polished and actually broke America but like alot of punk bands they didn't survive the 80s. They splintered off and the singer sang with The Pogues before starting another band called Joe Strummer and the Mescaleros. The lead guitarist started a band called Big Audio Dynamite.
Anyway you should check out their singles collection, their self titled debut and London Calling.
dawkin5 t1_j92p9v7 wrote
You lucky bastard. So much great music by The Clash that I would love to hear for the first time again.
Timstunes t1_j92pm6b wrote
One of the greatest, most influential bands ever and London Calling one of the greatest albums. I was 16 when they debuted. Still listening today at 62.
NLFG t1_j92qt89 wrote
London Calling is the greatest album of all time. That is a hill I will die on.
First three albums are incredible. I'd treat Sandanista with care. There's some diamonds there but bloody hell it needed some editing.
coffeejam108 t1_j92snhu wrote
One of the best albums of all time imo.
coffeejam108 t1_j92ssuj wrote
I hear that!
R.I.P. Joe Strummer.
coffeejam108 t1_j92sx7l wrote
I agree with you 100% on all of those points!
[deleted] t1_j92u4qr wrote
[deleted]
Urc0mp t1_j92vmhp wrote
I really enjoy combat rock, IMO from atom tan to the end it is great. Varied sounds, lotta neat stuff.
TeoBoccaccio t1_j92vqve wrote
Yes but if you decide on taking on the entire discography just make sure you don't go further than Combat Rock hehe
geraintm t1_j92w068 wrote
I'm curious your background then as you are clearly interested enough to post to /music but never heard of a band that would reliably be placed in top 20 UK bands of all time and have an album that Rolling Stone listed as the best of the 80s.
Do you just have a punk blindspot? If so, say and I am 100% sure you will quickly get 10 further bands and albums you should check out.
Pythia007 t1_j92xeli wrote
Topper Headon says “WHAT?”
StarktheGuat t1_j92xx1r wrote
A perfectly flawless album, I can leave it on, and never feel like skipping to another song.
Watdabny t1_j92zsm2 wrote
Respect for that
Alive-Huckleberry558 t1_j9304r0 wrote
Sampled on Garbage Stupid Girl
Persepus t1_j931t1d wrote
You've just discovered perfect British punk.
shr2016 t1_j931xv3 wrote
For a period in the late 70s - early 80s they were “the only band that mattered”
TheeEssFo t1_j932b2e wrote
Their first two albums are archetypal punk rock. Third album is a crossover masterpiece. Sandinista divides the fanbase. Then they mailed in Combat Rock. The ouster of Mick Jones (who sang/wrote Train In Vain, Should I Stay Or Should I Go?) had the effect of turning their music to shit. So if you like Train In Vain, you should really listen to Big Audio Dynamite, because that's what Jones did next.
Certain_Yam_110 t1_j933c9l wrote
More than "Should I Stay or Should I Go"? I hear that on on oldies (i.e., 80's) radio stations on a fairly consistent basis.
GrossConceptualError t1_j935kci wrote
More than 'Rock the Casbah'?
Timstunes t1_j935ptm wrote
Great music is timeless.
Watdabny t1_j935xk1 wrote
Tis true, can relate as 59 yr old
Certain_Yam_110 t1_j93608p wrote
Both of those are far more "commercial" and more well-known. I've never heard "Train In Vain" on an 'oldies' station.
Timstunes t1_j9361dj wrote
So glad he recovered.
Timstunes t1_j9365m4 wrote
If only our bodies were, lol.
OldDipper t1_j936tjb wrote
I’m wearing that shirt as we speak, just saying. It’s one of my favorites in my collection.
The Only Band That Matters
Watdabny t1_j936zrn wrote
Also true
OldDipper t1_j9375t7 wrote
White Man (In Hammersmith Palais) is about Joe’s first exposure to a reggae show and name-checks Delroy Wilson among others. It’s a hybrid track of reggae dubs with that punk snarl. An anthem of anti racism.
KirbzTheWord t1_j937y7x wrote
I only knew the title track & guns of brixton when I first listened to the whole album front to back and I still remember how much I enjoyed that experience!
I was hooked from tracks 1-12 but still feel the second half trails off a bit before ending on a high point.
greendevilbrew t1_j938dr0 wrote
"Should I Stay or should I GO" IS the first song I learned on guitar. Their whole catalogue should be celebrated except for "Cut the crap"
DiegoMrProducer t1_j938mmq wrote
You kidding!?!? You never heard of The Clash?? Listen to: “Should I stay or should I go?” “Rock the casbah”
bottle-of-smoke t1_j939ynn wrote
Lost In the Supermarket is the story of my life.
JGCities t1_j93aaez wrote
Pretty sure Rock the Casbah was their biggest hit. The video was a big reason, early MTV, good song, interesting video = lots of airplay and attention
rkcus t1_j93bcb7 wrote
It’s a great time. Very catch
efans11 t1_j93bipy wrote
I didn’t know Big Audio Dynamite was related to the Clash. So it’s intentional that their song “Rush” sounds like this one.
Its_Just_A_Typo t1_j93bn0k wrote
I saw the Clash at the LA coliseum. And I'm not talking about NASCAR. They opened for The Who, and they were awesome, and train in vain was just the pop stuff that was OK. We were more into the Ska stuff like Rudy Can't fail & stuff.
Correct_Chemical5179 t1_j93c0om wrote
They had another hit "The Globe" which sampled "Should I Stay Or Should I Go"
Its_Just_A_Typo t1_j93c0uc wrote
Clash came along shortly after the sex pistols . . . 70s was the beginning of punk & these guys were a big part of that before they hit the bigtime.
JT-Shelter t1_j93cd3s wrote
The Only Band That Matters.
Correct_Chemical5179 t1_j93cx33 wrote
Todd In The Shadows uploaded a great review video for Cut The Crap for his Trainwreckords series on Youtube
MrPanchole t1_j93gmvw wrote
Well, then the worm has certainly turned for you, man. Enjoy the ride (avoid *Cut the Crap...*it's crap).
wm07 t1_j93h391 wrote
i hear this song in supermarkets all the time lol
blizzWorldwide t1_j93hnsp wrote
“Any other good ones?” … lol, dude
ocstomias t1_j93iuhq wrote
Who are they? They’re the Only Band they Matters! The whole London Calling album is great. My favorite is Revolution Rock.
Gonzoboiiiiiii t1_j93j3d6 wrote
Wait till he listens to their whole discography and then Joe Strummer and Thhe Mescalaros. Dudes a genius
moremoremoredead t1_j93jhei wrote
Sandinista is a banger. Listen to it probably more than any other clash record.
Disastrous_Use_7353 t1_j93ojxx wrote
Who are they? You’re already on the internet…
gtoz1119 t1_j93orch wrote
It is such a unbelievable great tune!
themoche t1_j93pxjw wrote
I’m a huge clash fan… but Sandinista is a challenge at times. I don’t think I’d ever recommend a new clash listener to check it out before Combat Rock. There’s a lot of gold in it, but making it a triple album left a lot of fat that should have been trimmed as well.
Swallows_Return202x t1_j93q0rj wrote
Yeah, and he was the perfect drummer for them.
themoche t1_j93qdy9 wrote
No need to die on that hill, nobody would kill you for that rational opinion.
Josh100_3 t1_j93t3by wrote
The Clash are one of my favourite bands but Sandinista just never clicked for me.
Zeptojoules t1_j93vjme wrote
Meh.
moremoremoredead t1_j93xmaw wrote
It is definitely the fuck you albums to the commercial successes. It was my window into dub music.
Dangerous-War-8163 t1_j93xpw3 wrote
I think their first album is a great place to start, then London Calling. Surely you've heard their radio hit "Rock the Casbah" and likely "Should I Stay or Should I Go."
lucifersam94 t1_j93ytfi wrote
Sandinista is weird. It’s really fun to just put it on in the shop and work for two hours and go “huh, that was a fun listen and even had a bop or two”
But if you go into it looking for a mind blowing record, you won’t find it immediately. But it’s there. Just gotta give it a couple spins. I love that record. All the weird shit, it’s so good.
DaWuuuud91 t1_j940n7w wrote
But The Card Cheat and Lover's Rock come after track 12! God, I love those tunes. The ending to Lover's Rock always has me grooving no matter where I am
schnitzelsteinn t1_j9439r9 wrote
If you’re getting interested in The Clash, I highly recommend listening to Stay Free: The Story of the Clash. It’s a podcast, narrated by Chuck D that tells their whole story very well. Also named after my favorite tune of theirs
neologismist_ t1_j943h4u wrote
You are in for a treat. Afterward, segue into Big Audio Dynamite 👌
discountprimatology t1_j9443b5 wrote
Man. To be able to experience hearing The Clash for the first time again…
OklaNomad t1_j944c6m wrote
Man, Jimmy Jazz is one of my favorite songs. I wish I could hear London Calling for the first time again.
lower_90 t1_j944w27 wrote
Once you lost that grubby feeling!
hamsterwheel t1_j947sr1 wrote
>Who are they?
The Clash are one of the OG punk bands and this album, London Calling, is considered one of the greatest and most influential albums ever made.
[deleted] t1_j947zqk wrote
Such a great song, such such greatness.
Pvt_Hudson_ t1_j9489jo wrote
It's a masterpiece...but I'm not sure it's even the best Clash album. Gun to my head, I go with the self titled debut. I think the sloppy, angry, piss and vinegar stuff is just more my speed when it comes to punk.
I adore London Calling though, don't get me wrong. Clampdown might be my favorite Clash tune period.
stucon77 t1_j94ajd7 wrote
If you have never heard of the Clash I can only imagine the other hundreds of punk and new wave bands you've never heard of. You got some catching up to do!
DinnerDiva61 t1_j94e61z wrote
My mom brought me a copy of the British edition of London Calling and Train in Vain is the Betty last track and it use not listed on the back of the record cover. It's one of the best tunes on the album.
dukedevils32 t1_j94fuib wrote
The only band that matters. Still.
tektools t1_j94hw56 wrote
I just listened to that song. It really sucks. 3 basic chords and uninspiring, lazy vocals. Terrible.
Hosni__Mubarak t1_j94ilwc wrote
Make a playlist of the following songs from Sandinista and combat rock.
You’re welcome.
irvingstark t1_j94izpz wrote
Fun fact: Train in Vain was left off early pressings of this album.
steverosenblatt t1_j94j5ds wrote
The only band that matters. Some of the best concerts I ever saw.
Spork_Warrior t1_j94m9ct wrote
Now listen to Annie Lenox version
shmeckleshmack t1_j94mrsy wrote
Wasn’t this track not listed on the original album cover? You had to listen all the way through to hear it
SJseasonal t1_j94r22b wrote
For a time they were The Only Band that Matters.
ilbastarda t1_j94rrlp wrote
it was recently Clash Day! my city's radio station played all things clash, including tracks where artists shouted them out or covered them...so good. didn't realize they were so prolific
Terpsmcfee t1_j94t3yj wrote
This song is proof they could produce in nearly any genre!
This is straight up power pop, Train In Vain is an infectious pop song if there ever was one, not as “big” as “Rock The Casbah” but a pop song. London calling has: pop/power pop, punk, ska, rockabilly, rock n roll! I think the only thing missing is marching band music.
Alway’s in the top 50 lists of greatest albums of all time for good reason. The Clash were @ the height of creativity for them at the time.
A greatly influential band that left a mark on music, the only band that mattered!
Here’s a tidbit Joe Strummer and the band demanded that “London Calling” be priced as a single album although it was a double record set and won! How many artists/bands would fight their own record company over retail pricing?
WolfOfTheRath t1_j94tz9l wrote
You know I honestly think Combat Rock is the superior album, if not the more influential. Leaving aside people's annoyance with Rock the Casbah, there some insanely catchy tunes and original material in there. 'Ghetto Defendant' and 'Red Angel Dragnet' are big faves.
OP, you should check out the soundtrack to a great movie, Grosse Pointe Blank. It's all this genre/era of music and has some excellent Clash tunes, and was put together by Clash frontman Joe Strummer. Armegideon Time is one of my favorites. Also the Pogues are definitely the next band you should check out.
davidfavel t1_j94vxbz wrote
You csnt drop grosse point soundtrack without a femmes shout out
domidomadomu t1_j94xdmy wrote
The best of the punk bands from the 70s, the best and most artistic musicians, a wide range of genre and sounds they could do very well, political and had a lot to say. Their artistry evolved quite a bit over a short span. I recommend listening to their albums in order to see the evolution
shychicherry t1_j94y34a wrote
Saw the Clash at the Aragon in Chicago back in the day! Great show - from what I remember 😆
New_Championship500 t1_j94y8fe wrote
Oh the people must have something good to read on a Sunday….
PercivalSweetwaduh t1_j94yud7 wrote
Next you’re gonna tell us you’ve never listened to Guns of Brixton.
axleflunk t1_j950xik wrote
You sure ask a lot of questions, boy.
Mancsnotlancs t1_j953amc wrote
Listen to White Riot by the Clash.
Check out Joe Strummer’s wiki page.
The Clash walked the walk with the working class, they are my punk heroes.
dixadik t1_j956hpf wrote
How old are you OP? Maybe that has to do with it.
shindig291 t1_j956usl wrote
Midnight to Six man!
shindig291 t1_j956x4z wrote
There were 4 members of The Clash.
dixadik t1_j956zy3 wrote
He probably will! LOL. But GoB is pretty obscure for the average American teenager these days. I would have mentioned Rock the Casbah, SISOSIG instead
gcms16 t1_j957alg wrote
Van Halen chuckles at that
FudgingEgo t1_j959z1d wrote
Who are they? lol
Badaxe13 t1_j95a5cs wrote
Please give the first two albums a listen. I was 17 when the first album came out and it changed my life.
WalianWak t1_j95a5t8 wrote
Except Cut the Crap
They should probably skip Cut the Crap
lawtalkingguy23 t1_j95anw0 wrote
Also check out the Joe Strummer documentary the future is unwritten
jahbuu t1_j95bkom wrote
Sandinista 3 album release 1980 epic album . Lyrics and evey possible form of music finds way onto album.
efefia t1_j95cez8 wrote
Mick Jones is no slouch either, Big Audio Dynamite put out some great stuff as well
austeninbosten t1_j95dzyq wrote
I listened to liked both at the time, but its comparing apples to hand grenades.
JonasRabb t1_j95gf7g wrote
Lived the era and bought the albums when they arrived. London calling is one of the best, but I also enjoyed Sandinista
Tacarub t1_j95jwxp wrote
My fav tune is “Bankrobber”
teuchter-in-a-croft t1_j95kjld wrote
Yeah, lived through the era, Westbourne Park, Bayswater, Notting Hill Gate - the best band from West London, Big Audio Dynamite 🧨
teuchter-in-a-croft t1_j95kl8e wrote
You ain’t a punk if you’ve got a hero.
teuchter-in-a-croft t1_j95kn24 wrote
What? With Lindy Layton?
gcms16 t1_j95kuup wrote
Obviously, but to say the Clash was “the only band that mattered” is ridiculous.
teuchter-in-a-croft t1_j95l7qc wrote
The only band that mattered? Whilst a jolly good band to listen to, not many of their tracks are bad, I even like ‘This is England’ however for anyone to say they were the only band that mattered I think is giving them a status higher than they deserve. There’s no doubting there impact but there are others that we’re just as influential with even less pretentious posturing than others from the same scene (Billy Idol??)
To be honest, being at the start of it I thought the whole scene was contrived and full of bullshit. But I consumed a lot of substances and partied hard for a long time. What’s not to like?
Redditisfailingfast t1_j95md1f wrote
Every song by The Clash is a great one.
Jcoulter81 t1_j95n8u8 wrote
I think this is more common with the death of terrestrial radio. I would never have been exposed to so much music if I would have been born 20 years later.
angrytapes t1_j95ogrs wrote
Yep. Obviously I'd heard the title track but never bothered with them until 6 music played the entire album recently and I was like holy shit.
TomSwirly t1_j95pqlu wrote
> never heard anything they’ve done.
Oh, boy. London Calling is only the Clash's second best album, and Train in Vain is an average song from it!
I might add that when the album came out, this song was "hidden" - it didn't appear on the credits or the spindle.
Sandinista! is a unique album. I was confused by pretty well all of it when I first heard it, but it stayed the same and I grew up.
RaycharlesN t1_j95ps18 wrote
That first album was very good, bad is a really good song and medicine show is too.
TomSwirly t1_j95py3h wrote
Combat Rock is also pretty weird, and nowhere near as good.
Sandinista! is an epic journey, and if you removed the less "important" songs it would be too intense. A mature, large scale work needs to "breathe": not everything has to be overamped at all times.
If I had the choice, I wouldn't remove one second from Sandinista!, not even the jokes.
TomSwirly t1_j95q2y7 wrote
No, this was a slogan from the time, "The only band that matters".
I hope I would have come to the same place anyway, but for me, the Clash completely revolutionized my understanding of politics.
Double_Jab_Jabroni t1_j95q3y0 wrote
I once spent a week listening and curating my own Sandinista into a single album, that was fun and I still listen to the playlist now and again.
Double_Jab_Jabroni t1_j95qc1y wrote
Speaking of their evolution as a band, I don’t think Paul Simonon gets enough credit for his playing. The guy went from having coloured stickers on his fretboard to writing the Guns Of Brixton bassline in like 2/3 years.
Double_Jab_Jabroni t1_j95qfme wrote
Always pisses me off when that comes on the radio and it’s not ‘Train In Vain’.
Double_Jab_Jabroni t1_j95qmla wrote
It was left off the track list but is on there as the 19th song. I have a copy that is a prized possession!
Double_Jab_Jabroni t1_j95qtbi wrote
That’s right, last minute song that Mick Jones pulled out of the bag as they were wrapping up the recording sessions. Bet he was excited heading to the studio that day!
Timstunes t1_j95quj4 wrote
You are correct. Edited thanks.
TomSwirly t1_j95r30o wrote
I relistened to Combat Rock and I had to say that by any other band, it'd be a masterpiece.
I just don't like "Rock The Casbah" is my big issue with that.
Ok-Tumbleweed960 t1_j95rmm4 wrote
It’s the Only Band that Matters. The Clash.
9inez t1_j95sy32 wrote
You had Clash cancelling ear buds on?
rustic_counter t1_j95uhp8 wrote
Get listening to all The Clash has to offer - You’ll be a rude boy no time
sklxbnz t1_j95w8h2 wrote
If you like Combat Rock, then get ready for your head to explode. How about the unreleased double album -- "Rat Patrol from Fort Bragg". Find it, download it, then get comfortable.
TheTopJosh t1_j95y1y8 wrote
This was the track used in Rodney’s part on Almost Round 3. Greatest skate video ever imo.
EntertainmentAOK t1_j95z6qm wrote
It’s hard to say. I haven’t lived your life, therefore I can’t tell you where it went wrong.
Ofbatman t1_j9600np wrote
If I should fall from grace of god is a tremendous heartfelt album from start to finish.
mxxiestorc t1_j961myc wrote
That song was released as a radio single.
itsbeenaharddaysday t1_j961p4r wrote
I'm pretty sure Spotify took it down at least a year ago. I remember trying to look for it to relisten and couldn't find it anywhere. It was great though
Junkstar t1_j963p62 wrote
Give 'em Enough Rope and London Calling are both amazing albums. Dive in! Enjoy. The Clash were an incredible band.
vino-vinyl t1_j963ty4 wrote
Here's a Clash deep cut: anyone ever hear of the 1981 album by actor/singer Ellen Foley (of Meatloaf's "Paradise by the Dashboard Light" and the early-80's tv show, "Night Court" fame), Spirit of St. Louis?
The album was recorded in the same studio as Sandinista (Wessex Studios), was made several weeks after Sandinista, using the same engineers, produced by her then-boyfriend, Mick Jones, and the backing band was The Clash?
Joe Strummer and Jones wrote 6 of the 12 songs.
How is it? Well, similar mindset as Sandinista: kind of all over the place.
Ms. Foley’s singing is 80% Kate Bush breathlessness which seems either oddly natural or weirdly affected. The 20% is reminiscent of her Meat Loaf-era power belting.
The band sounds like a pretty good Clash cover band; full of guitar runs/strums and Topper Headon’s kit-slapping borrowed almost directly from “London Calling” but turned down a few notches in every respect. Like really good elevator music covers. Pretty dang surreal.
OsoRetro t1_j964zg9 wrote
It’s easy to overlook The Clash being that pop culture for its hooks in them multiple times over the years, but both London Calling and Combat Rock are SOLID punk records.
Busterwasmycat t1_j967s2y wrote
You don't know The Clash? Oh my, to be young again and hear London Calling for the first time.
GnuRomantic t1_j96c0l2 wrote
That’s how I remember it. It was a hidden track on the album I had when it first came out.
[deleted] t1_j96duuy wrote
[removed]
domidomadomu t1_j96e4ii wrote
As an artist myself with no technical background, he is a personal hero of mine
TenderLovingKiller t1_j96gko6 wrote
You didn’t listen to enough classic rock radio growing up?
base64explode t1_j96gltx wrote
100% solid recommendation on The Pouges. “If I fall from grace with god” is an amazing record.
Double_Jab_Jabroni t1_j96hog1 wrote
He’s a cool guy for sure!
TheeEssFo t1_j96j2ag wrote
I've tried going back to it, and I always come out with the feeling that it's, "We're the Clash, baby, yeah! Dig it!" I think I was overly swayed by a documentary that made them look like a bunch of bellends. Surrounded by sycophants, believed they were divine, emperor's new clothes and all that.
TheeEssFo t1_j96k8rk wrote
There's so many ways to look at it. It's as bloated or overstuffed as any classic rock double album (if not more), and songs like Hitsville definitely are very commercial. Almost like a distant cousin to The Who Sell Out.
I wonder if it were released today that its dub/reggae elements would be accused of blackface or cultural appropriation. We'll never know.
roxek t1_j96ploc wrote
If you give Sandinista a listen, it can help fill the gap to BAD and shows where Mick Jones was trying to take The Clash
Casperboy68 t1_j96x9fp wrote
Listen to First Wave on Sirius XM. It plays about once every 2 hours.
Worried-Character-47 t1_j9705gw wrote
Nouvelle Vague do an amazing cover of Guns of Brixton too
wador78 t1_j971pnp wrote
Joe Strummer wrote The Magnificent Seven after hearing black kids "speak sing" in Harlem on their first trip to the US.
PNWest01 t1_j973c90 wrote
Wait until you hear Annie Lennox’s blues version!
OrthodoxDreams t1_j974lrk wrote
Thank you for this. I had no idea this existed until I read your comment but I'm halfway through it and loving it.
OrthodoxDreams t1_j974y5k wrote
Paul Simonon still occasionally performs as part of the Good, the Bad and the Queen (along with Damon Albarn and others).
DDZ13 t1_j9753tz wrote
"The Only Band That Matters" was a slogan for them. You See it on T Shirts and stickers etc. It's not really meant to be taken literally, just a memorable phrase to give props to The Clash. I think their manager or somebody came up with it early in their career and it stuck. I'm sure others here would know more.
samplemax t1_j976s61 wrote
Also check out the self titled clash album and combat rock
Apnea53 t1_j976u3x wrote
I’ll allow it.
DDZ13 t1_j9777q4 wrote
Thank you for this. Just listened to a couple songs. Definitely get the Kate Bush vibe and Torchlight is a cool song for sure.
schnitzelsteinn t1_j97b8r8 wrote
Damn that’s unfortunate, it was a great listen!
moremoremoredead t1_j97jbq8 wrote
I can see that point of view too
austeninbosten t1_j97jo8f wrote
Just press hyperbole. Remember when Springsteen was the future of rock n roll, Clapton was god, etc.
shr2016 t1_j97nuzx wrote
You don’t know what you’re talking about
[deleted] t1_j97q904 wrote
[deleted]
irvingstark t1_j9806kb wrote
Yep. I was close, but wrong. It was there but missing on the track listing.
methcache t1_j985eh7 wrote
Nah. London Calling is great and all, but wait until you get to Straight to Hell. After that check out Big Audio Dynamite. The song E=MC2 🤯They are what the Clash most likely would’ve sounded like had they stayed together.
methcache t1_j985io5 wrote
The title is self-explanatory. It’s crap, cut it from the discography
methcache t1_j985l4s wrote
Ghetto Defendant, that bass line is 🔥
methcache t1_j985ys0 wrote
To me the 2 hit late album combo of I’m Not Down into Revolution Rock, followed, incidentally by Train In Vain, is one of the finest ends to an LP ever
methcache t1_j986fo5 wrote
Totally wrong on Combat Rock. Every song is a complete jammer, barring Overpowered By Funk. That one I will always skip. It’s got such a vibe production wise. Unlike any other record. Sandinista to me is the lead up to their swan song masterpiece. Both are great, but the tightness of CR wins out for me. Plus it has Straight to Hell and Ghetto Defendant on it, just such mood pieces
Myoosik70 t1_j989rbo wrote
There's a good book, The Clash, All The Albums All The Songs.
gcms16 t1_j98cqmd wrote
So just because it’s press hyperbole we have to accept it? Exhibit A: Clapton, god?
dhbuckley t1_j98i6vs wrote
With respect, “totally wrong” in matters of artistic taste is totally wrong… :-)
For example, I think Overpowered by Funk is amazing. ”Don’t you love our Western ways?”
[deleted] t1_j98ofu8 wrote
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themoche t1_j99atha wrote
I feel like Sandinista is more the band openly experimenting and combat rock is more of a focused end product of weirdness. I’m not trying to knock Sandinista too much, but I wouldn’t recommend it to someone new to the band. I would however recommend a lot of songs from it, which are so unbelievably good that I imagine would lead to diving right into it.
crisiscereal t1_j99qmwp wrote
I remember this song came on when I was on a first date with someone. It was our all time favorite song for both of us. Did she stand by me? No not at all.
TomSwirly t1_j99rvin wrote
No, it is a reference to a catch phrase.
TomSwirly t1_j99rza9 wrote
I didn't say I didn't like Combat Rock, because I do. I saw the tour for it at the time, and I still listen to it at times.
However, Sandinista! is a much stronger album IMHO.
TomSwirly t1_j99s0w4 wrote
Agree strongly. If I want to introduce someone to the Clash, it's London Calling.
teuchter-in-a-croft t1_j9a3af9 wrote
How old are you my friend. I’d hazard a guess not as old as me. I was merely saying, perhaps in a manner you disproved of, that whilst the band were good, their first album, like many other bands of their ilk, were blisteringly brilliant. I don’t think that any of them managed to reproduce the initial fire that their first albums conveyed.
I saw many bands around that time, the only thing about the Clash that struck me was they were at the very least, true to their word. Each one of them were skilled musicians with Topper being my second favourite. Mick Jones was more influential to me and I still watch what he’s doing now. Paul, some brilliant bass licks and Strummer, well he was Strummer. But like I said, they were just a band, I’m not sure Joe would be that happy about being put on a pedestal.
And as I said I found the whole scene contrived. Are you from the UK? When you see records being sold by bands with ‘punk’ names yet last week you saw them play and they all had long hair, that’s when anyone should think that this is just another cash cow for someone.
I withdraw from the fashion punk think and became more aware of things that were talked about in hushed tones. Politics, mainly but a lot of other things were part of my change in life. The bands I listened to were not fake or false, they did have something apt to say and they said it quite vigorously.
Then my children were born and I devoted myself to them and their wellbeing. They were all that was important to me and I tried to teach them what I knew. Now they’re all grown up with kids of their own I’m still the same as I was when I was a young teenager being thrown off stage by my mates. That doesn’t happen now, it would probably kill me, but I still get out there to see bands, although my musical tastes have changed yet again. I’m never stuck in a rut, the Ruts were very good by the way.
So where was I going with this? I dunno, maybe it was if you’re a young lad from USA and you’re saying what you’re saying, I’d say you have a lot to see and hear before you can say that. But if you’re a sixty year old punk from West London and have driven up and down the Westway and have very tenuous links to the (very tenuous) I’d say, they were good, but there were better.
Bearing in mind, that you have your opinion and I have mine. I’m in no way trying to change your mind, I’m just saying I don’t agree that they were as good as you think. It’s not an attack on you, I’m not attacking the band, they made a splash and at the time I hoped it would of been bigger. But as they say, things change, maybe if Joe was still here they’d of got back together. I’d of hated that, nothing worse than see someone like the Rolling Stones at 86 still singing some of their great songs.
Oh well, toodle-pip old boy, I’m off to get a cucumber sandwich and a drink of lemonade.
Edit - I do like Train In Vain, I’m sure the Bosstones did it as well, a good version as I recall
methcache t1_j9anxqv wrote
I know, I’m just being dramatic. Sometimes wrong is just wrong though. For example, if you think that Machine Gun Kelly is good music, for example
methcache t1_j9ao92g wrote
Fair enough, was just being music nerd drama man. I once did my own edit of Sandinista and took out all the songs I didn’t like and put it on cassette. Did the same for the white album, then realized I took out most of Paul’s songs haha
DDZ13 t1_j9b347c wrote
You seemed confused when the other person referred to The Clash as "the only band that mattered". You contradicted it in a way that suggested you weren't familiar with that slogan. And now after skimming the 8 paragraphs you just wrote I'm still not sure if you are aware of that slogan's existence and relative popularity. My age or where I'm from is irrelevant to this point. Either you are familiar with the slogan or you're not. It doesn't matter if you personally agree or disagree with it, it was just a slogan.
austeninbosten t1_j9b3pf5 wrote
Yes, you have to accept it. Or the press will never speak to you again.
teuchter-in-a-croft t1_j9cr0fh wrote
Alright mate, you do you. I knew what the Clash were about, the slogan is well known even to me. That still doesn’t change my opinion, they weren’t the best and thinking about it all this crowing about them makes me think they were pretty lame really. I was merely enquiring out of curiosity, but you want to go all James Bond on me, that’s fine. It’s not like I wanted to take you to dinner or anything, at the time it seemed relevant. But much like this conversation it’s now become irrelevant. Much like the Clash are.
New_Championship500 t1_j9hv7pk wrote
Mickey dredd dubs
KISSarmy1976 t1_j9s0o97 wrote
The Clash were the most important band of the era.
stateit t1_j92lsgi wrote
Welcome to their sound. They've a fairly limited discog - few enough to work your way through their studio albums in not a lot of time.
I caught them the first time around, and still listen to them...