The Clash on the Clash

Interviews and Encounters

Sean Egan

• Publisher: Chicago Review Press
• Year: 2017
• eBook ISBN:
  9781613737484
• Topic: Media & Performing Arts
• Subtopic: Music Biographies

The Clash thought they could change the world. They never did, but they created some of the greatest rock music of all time in the attempt. Clash interviews were mesmerizing. Infused with the messianic punk spirit, the Clash engaged with the press like no rock group before or since, treating interviews almost as addresses to the nation. Their pronouncements were welcomed but were hardly uncritically reported. The Clash's back pages are voluminous, crackle with controversy, and constitute a snapshot of a uniquely thoughtful and fractious period in modern history. Included in this compendium are the Clash's encounters with the most brilliant rock writers of their time, including Lester Bangs, Nick Kent, Mikal Gilmore, Chris Salewicz, Charles Shaar Murray, Mick Farren, and Lenny Kaye. Whether interviewed by punk fanzines like Sniffin' Glue and 48 Thrills, pious UK weeklies like New Musical Express, Melody Maker, Sounds, and Record Mirror, or US periodicals like Creem, Trouser Press, and Rolling Stone, the Clash consistently created copy that lived up to their sobriquet "The Only Band That Matters."

Table of contents

• Cover Page
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Contents
• Introduction
• Joe Strummer: Before | SEAN EGAN | 2000 | Previously unpublished in this form
• Mick Jones: Before | SEAN EGAN | 2007 | Previously unpublished in this form
• “I Found It Embarrassing to Be in the Clash” | SEAN EGAN | 2003 | Previously unpublished in this form
• The Very Angry Clash | STEVE WALSH AND MARK PERRY | October 1976 | Sniffin’ Glue (UK)
• Clash: Down and Out and Proud | CAROLINE COON | November 13, 1976 | Melody Maker (UK)
• Konkrete Klockwork | KRIS NEEDS | April 1977 | Zigzag (UK)
• Sten-guns in Knightsbridge?? The Clash Napalm Cheltenham | TONY PARSONS | April 2, 1977 | New Musical Express (UK)
• Six Days on the Road to the Promised Land | LESTER BANGS | December 10, 17, and 24, 1977 | New Musical Express (UK)
• Clash On Tour: Forces of Light and Shadow | CHRIS SALEWICZ | July 15, 1978 | New Musical Express (UK)
• Clash: What, Them Again? Fraid So. No Apologies . . . on the Road Fax | NICK KENT | December 2, 1978 | New Musical Express (UK)
• Clash: Anger on the Left | MIKAL GILMORE | March 8, 1979 | Rolling Stone (US)
• Yes, It’s Strummer in the City (Boilin’ Red Hot) | CHARLES SHAAR MURRAY | June 30, 1979 | New Musical Express (UK)
• Clash: One Step Beyond | CHRIS BOHN | December 29, 1979 | Melody Maker (UK)
• The Clash Clamp Down on Detroit—Or: Give ’em Enough Wisniowka | SUSAN WHITALL | June 1980 | Creem (US)
• Joe Strummer Answers the Call-Up | PAOLO HEWITT | December 13, 1980 | Melody Maker (UK)
• Spanish Strummers | MIKE NICHOLLS | May 9, 1981 | Record Mirror (UK)
• How the Clash Fed the Wonderbread Generation, Made the Mountain Come to Mohammed —and Other Miracles | MICK FARREN | June 20, 1981 | New Musical Express (UK)
• Clash Credibility Rule! | PAUL RAMBALI | October 10, 1981 | New Musical Express (UK)
• Up the Hill Backwards | CHARLES SHAAR MURRAY | May 29, 1982 | New Musical Express (UK)
• The Goat Lies Down On Broadway | KRIS NEEDS | February 1983 | Flexipop! (UK)
• The Clash According to “Tory Crimes” | SEAN EGAN | 2002 and 2014 | Previously unpublished in this form
• They Want to Spoil the Party—So They’ll Stay | BILL HOLDSHIP | October 1984 | Creem (US)
• He Who Laughs Last | LENNY KAYE | March 1986 | Spin (US)
• Joe Strummer: After | SEAN EGAN | 2000 | Previously unpublished in this form
• An Interview with Paul Simonon | BEN MYERS | November 2004 | 3ammagazine.com (UK)
• Topper Headon: “Joe Would Be Turning in His Grave” | SEAN EGAN | 2008 | Previously unpublished in this form
• About the Contributors
• Credits
• Index