The Clash
The Clash live in Oslo, 1980. (called Christiania from 1624 to 1878 and Kristiania from 1878 to 1924 is the Capital and largest city of Norway.
Background information
Origin	Ladbroke Grove, London, England
Genre(s)	Rock Punk rock
Years active	1976–1986
Label(s)	CBS
Associated acts	The 101ers, London SS, Big Audio Dynamite, Havana 3am, The Latino Rockabilly War, The Pogues, The Mescaleros, Carbon/Silicon, The Good, the Bad and the Queen
Website	www.theclashonline.com
Members
Joe Strummer Mick Jones Paul Simonon Topper Headon
Former members
Keith Levene Terry Chimes Rob Harper Pete Howard Nick Sheppard Vince White

The Clash were an English punk rock band, active from 1976 to 1986, part of the original wave of UK punk. Notting Hill is an area in West London, England close to the north-western corner of Hyde Park, and lying within the Royal Borough of Kensington and London ( ˈlʌndən is the capital and largest urban area in the United Kingdom. England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland A music genre is a categorical and typological construct that identifies musical sounds as belonging to a particular category and type of music that can be distinguished from other Rock music is a genre of Popular music often though not necessarily employing Electric guitar, Bass guitar, and Drums. In the Music industry, a record label can be a Brand and a Trademark associated with the Marketing of music recordings and Music Columbia Records is an American Record label founded in 1888 Columbia is the oldest surviving Brand name in pre-recorded sound being the first record company The 101'ers were a pub rock band from the 1970s, notable as being the band that Joe Strummer left to join The Clash. London SS were an early British Punk rock group founded in March 1975 by guitarist Mick Jones and bassist Tony James. Big Audio Dynamite (later known as Big Audio Dynamite II and Big Audio, and often abbreviated BAD) were a British musical group formed in 1984 by the Havana 3am was the short-lived post- Clash band of bassist Paul Simonon formed shortly after the official Clash break up in 1986 The Latino Rockabilly War was a backing band most notably for one-time The Clash frontman Joe Strummer. The Pogues are a band of mixed Irish and English background playing Traditional Irish music with influences from Punk rock, formed in 1982 and fronted by Shane The Mescaleros were the backing band for Joe Strummer, formed in 1999 which went on to make three albums prior to Strummer's death in 2002. Carbon/Silicon is a Garage Rock duo consisting of two Punk rock legends Mick Jones formerly of The Clash and former Generation The Good the Bad & the Queen is the album by an unnamed British Alternative rock supergroup, made up of Damon Albarn, Paul John Graham Mellor (21 August 1952 – 22 December 2002 better known as Joe Strummer, was the co-founder lyricist Rhythm guitarist and lead singer of the Michael Geoffrey "Mick" Jones (born 26 June 1955 was the lead Guitarist and a vocalist of the British Punk rock band The Paul Gustave Simonon (born 15 December 1955 is an English musician best known as the Bass guitarist for Punk rock band The Clash. Nicholas Bowen "Topper" Headon (born 30 May 1955, Bromley, Kent, England) known as 'Topper' (because of his resemblance Keith Levene (born Julian Keith Levene, July 18 1957 London) is an English Guitarist and Songwriter, best known as a member of Terry Chimes (born 25 January 1955, Stepney, London) was the original Drummer of Punk rock Rob Harper is a British musician noted for being an early drummer for The Clash from December 1976-January 1977 Nick Sheppard is a Bristol -born Guitarist who is probably best known for being in the well-known punk band The Clash for a short time Gregory Stuart Lee White ( Marylebone, London, 1960) better known as Vince White, was one of the Guitarists recruited by The Clash England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland The punk subculture is based around Punk rock. It emerged from the larger Rock music scene in the mid-to-late-1970s in the United Kingdom, the United ^[1][2] Along with punk rock, they experimented with reggae, funk, rap, dub, rock and roll and rockabilly among other roots musics. Reggae is a Music genre first developed in Jamaica in the late 1960s Funk is an American musical style that originated in the mid- to late-1960s when African American musicians blended Soul music, Soul Hip hop is a cultural movement which developed in New York City in the 1970s primarily among African Americans and Latinos. Dub is a form of music which evolved from Reggae in the late 1960s Rock and roll (also known as rock 'n' roll) is a form of Music that evolved in the United States in the late 1940s and early 1950s with roots in mostly African Rockabilly is one of the earliest styles of Rock and roll music and emerged in the early 1950s ^[3][4] For most of their recording career, The Clash consisted of Joe Strummer (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Mick Jones (lead guitar), Paul Simonon (bass) and Nicky "Topper" Headon (drums, percussion). John Graham Mellor (21 August 1952 – 22 December 2002 better known as Joe Strummer, was the co-founder lyricist Rhythm guitarist and lead singer of the Michael Geoffrey "Mick" Jones (born 26 June 1955 was the lead Guitarist and a vocalist of the British Punk rock band The Paul Gustave Simonon (born 15 December 1955 is an English musician best known as the Bass guitarist for Punk rock band The Clash. Nicholas Bowen "Topper" Headon (born 30 May 1955, Bromley, Kent, England) known as 'Topper' (because of his resemblance ^[5] The group disbanded in early 1986, owing to lack of creative control and the loss of Headon in 1982 and Jones in 1983 due to internal friction.

The Clash were a major success in the UK from the release of their debut album. Their third album, London Calling, released in the UK in December 1979, brought them popularity in the United States when it came out there the following year. London Calling is the third album by English Punk rock band The Clash, released 14 December 1979 on CBS Records in the UK and in January 1980 It received wide critical acclaim; a decade later Rolling Stone magazine declared it the best album of the 1980s. Rolling Stone is a United States -based Magazine devoted to Music, Politics, and Popular culture that is published ^[6]

The Clash's style and rebellious attitude, along with their music, had a far-reaching influence on rock, alternative rock in particular. Alternative rock (also called alternative music, alt-rock or simply alternative; known primarily in the UK as indie) is a genre of ^[7] Their record label's A&R director dubbed them "The Only British Band That Matters," which fans picked up and transformed into "The Only Band That Matters". In January 2003 they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. ^[8] The band wanted to play at the event, but were prevented by Joe Strummer's death in December 2002. In 2004, Rolling Stone ranked The Clash #30 on their list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time. ^[9]

History

Formation and first years: 1975–1976

Most of the band's founding members were already active in the London music scene at the time of The Clash's formation. John Graham Mellor had played in the pub rock act The 101'ers. Pub rock was a mid- to late-1970s musical movement largely centred around North London and South East Essex, particularly Canvey Island and Southend The 101'ers were a pub rock band from the 1970s, notable as being the band that Joe Strummer left to join The Clash. He had already abandoned his original stage name, "Woody" Mellor, in favor of "Joe Strummer", a reference to his rudimentary strumming skills on the ukulele as a busker in the London Underground. The London Underground is a Metro system serving a large part of Greater London and neighbouring areas of Essex, Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire Mick Jones and Paul Simonon were briefly in legendary proto-punk band London SS. London SS were an early British Punk rock group founded in March 1975 by guitarist Mick Jones and bassist Tony James.

Jones, Simonon, guitarist Keith Levene and "whoever we could find really to play the drums"^[10] spent much of 1976 in rehearsals. Keith Levene (born Julian Keith Levene, July 18 1957 London) is an English Guitarist and Songwriter, best known as a member of At the behest of their manager, Bernie Rhodes,^[11] Jones, Levene and Simonon recruited the slightly older Strummer from the 101'ers. Bernard Rhodes is the former manager of legendary English Punk rock band The Clash. ^[2] The recruitment took place in the Portobello market when Simonon and Jones bumped into Strummer and told him they didn't like the 101'ers but thought he had punk potential. Portobello Road is a road in the Notting Hill district of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea in west London, England. ^[12] As Simonon later said, "[o]nce we had Joe on board it all started to come together. "^[10]

Paul Simonon came up with the band's name, The Clash, after they had considered alternatives including "The Weak Heartdrops" and "The Psychotic Negatives". ^[13][11] Simonon explained how he came up with the name, "It really came to my head when I start reading the newspapers and a word that kept recurring was the word 'clash', so I thought 'the Clash, what about that,' to the others. And they and Bernard they went for it. "^[11] After deciding on a name, the band found a stable drummer in Terry Chimes. Terry Chimes (born 25 January 1955, Stepney, London) was the original Drummer of Punk rock

The Clash had their first gig on July 4, 1976, supporting the Sex Pistols at the Black Swan in Sheffield. Events 836 - Pactum Sicardi, peace between the Principality of Benevento and the Duchy of Naples Year 1976 ( MCMLXXVI) was a Leap year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The Sex Pistols are an English Punk rock band that formed in London in 1975 Sheffield ( is a city and Metropolitan borough in South Yorkshire, England ^[1][2][14] By that autumn the band had signed a contract with CBS Records. Columbia Records is an American Record label founded in 1888 Columbia is the oldest surviving Brand name in pre-recorded sound being the first record company ^[2][15] In early September, Levene was kicked out for never showing up to practice. ^[2] On September 21, 1976 the band performed at the 100 Club Punk Festival, sharing the bill with the Sex Pistols, Siouxsie and the Banshees and Subway Sect. Events 1217 - The Estonian tribal leader Lembitu of Lehola was killed in a battle against Teutonic Knights. Year 1976 ( MCMLXXVI) was a Leap year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Siouxsie & the Banshees were a British rock band which formed in 1976 Subway Sect were one of the original British punk bands whose posthumous reputation suffered due to their comparatively small output ^[1][16] Chimes left in late November, briefly replaced by Rob Harper for the Anarchy Tour in December 1976, but was soon drafted back to record their debut album. Rob Harper is a British musician noted for being an early drummer for The Clash from December 1976-January 1977 ^[17]

Debut and Give 'Em Enough Rope: 1977-1978

In January 1977 the group signed a 100,000 pound contract with CBS Records. Events in January Holidays New Year's Day - January 1 Coptic Christmas - January 7 Columbia Records is an American Record label founded in 1888 Columbia is the oldest surviving Brand name in pre-recorded sound being the first record company ^[18] The band recalled Terry Chimes for the recording, and hired Mickey Foote, who worked as a technician at their concerts, to produce the album. They released their first single "White Riot", in March of 1977, and the their first album The Clash, in April of 1977. " White Riot " was the first single put out by seminal punk band The Clash, in 1977. Events in March American Red Cross Month Fire Prevention month ( The Philippines) Women's History Month ( United The Clash is the first album-length recording released by the English punk band The Clash. April holidays and events National Poetry Month - in United States National Sexual Assault Awareness Month - in United Both obtained considerable success in the UK, yet CBS refused to released the album and single in the USA, saying that the sound was not “radio friendly”. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the ^[2] They eventually released there in a modified version in 1979, after the UK original became the best-selling import album of all time in the United States. ^[19] At the time Chimes had left the band, so only Simonon, Jones and Strummer were featured on the album's cover, and Chimes was credited as "Tory Crimes". In the political tradition of some English-speaking countries, the term Tory has referred to a variety of political parties and Creeds since it was In the documentary Westway to the World, Mick Jones referred to him as one of "the best drummers around". The Clash Westway to the World is a 2000 Documentary film about the British Punk rock band The Clash. ^[2] But Chimes, who had no great wish to make a career from music, said, "The point was that I wanted one kind of life – they wanted another, and why are we working together, if we want completely different things?"

The band experienced a period of changing drummers. ^[5] After some time with Mick Jones handling drum duties, the band finally recruited Topper Headon, nicknamed "Topper" by Simonon, because he resembled the famous comic's cartoon cover star, "Mickey the Monkey". Nicholas Bowen "Topper" Headon (born 30 May 1955, Bromley, Kent, England) known as 'Topper' (because of his resemblance Headon had excellent musical skills, being able to play other instruments such as piano, bass and guitar. He was originally planning to stay briefly and gain a name for himself, before finding a better band. Realizing the band's potential he changed his plans and stayed in the band. In Westway To The World Strummer noted, "If we hadn't found Topper, I don't think we'd have got anywhere". ^[2]

Before the band began recording their second album, CBS requested that the band adopt a cleaner sound in order to reach American audiences. Sandy Pearlman, known for his work with Blue Öyster Cult, was hired to produce the record. Sandy Pearlman (born Samuel C Pearlman August 8 1943 is an American Music producer, Manager, Poet, and Songwriter. Blue Öyster Cult is an American rock band formed in New York in 1967 and still active in 2008 Although some complained about the cleaner sound, Give 'Em Enough Rope received glowing reviews upon its release. Give 'Em Enough Rope is the second album by The Clash, released in 1978 ^[20] It reached number 2 in the U. K. , but it was not the American breakthrough CBS had hoped for, reaching only number 128 on the Billboard charts. The band toured the U. S. for the first time while promoting the album. The tour was largely successful.

London Calling, Sandinista! and Combat Rock: 1979-1982

The Clash then recorded London Calling. London Calling is the third album by English Punk rock band The Clash, released 14 December 1979 on CBS Records in the UK and in January 1980 Produced by Guy Stevens, who had previously worked with Mott the Hoople and others, the double album was a mix of punk rock, rockabilly, reggae, rock and roll, ska and other elements^[21][22] that recalled the band's earlier days, but also had greater maturity and production polish, and is regarded as one of the greatest rock & roll albums ever recorded. Guy Stevens ( 13 April 1943 &ndash 29 August 1981) worked in a number of different roles in the British Music industry Mott the Hoople were a 1970s English rock band with strong R&B roots and known for being part of the popular Glam rock scene of the early A double album is an audio Album which spans two units of the primary medium in which it is sold (especially records and Compact Discs. ^[23] The album contained 2 LPs and ended with a hidden track not noted in the song list. Called "Train in Vain", it received the most airplay on album-oriented rock (AOR) FM stations in the US^[2]

The Clash planned to record and release a single every month in 1980. " Train in Vain (Stand by Me " is a song from the album London Calling (1979 by the British Punk rock band The Clash. Their record label, CBS, balked at this idea, and these efforts resulted in the album Sandinista!. Sandinista! is the fourth album by the Punk rock band The Clash. Containing elements of rock, punk, reggae (including extended dubs), ska, jazz, and disco, unified by a heavily echoed sound,^[22][24] this 3-LP, 36-song album was their most controversial to date, both politically and musically. ^[15] The album fared well in America, charting at #24,^[8] even though it had no catchy single and, in the increasingly conservative environment of AOR FM radio in the US, received minimal airplay. ^[2]

The band recorded their fifth album Combat Rock, which was originally planned as a double album with the title Rat Patrol from Fort Bragg, but the idea was scrapped after wrangling within the group. Combat Rock is a 1982 album released by The Clash. It was the last album to feature the classic line-up before Mick Jones left and Topper Headon Combat Rock is a 1982 album released by The Clash. It was the last album to feature the classic line-up before Mick Jones left and Topper Headon Mick Jones had produced the first cut, but the other members were dissatisfied and producing duties were handed to Glyn Johns at which point the album became a single LP. Glyn Johns (born February 15, 1942 in Epsom, Surrey, England) is a musician recording engineer and Record producer The original cut has since been bootlegged. The album contained the single "Should I Stay or Should I Go" which received heavy airplay in the US on AOR FM stations. " Should I Stay or Should I Go " is a song by The Clash, from their album Combat Rock. The following single, "Rock the Casbah", a song about the Iranian clampdown on imports of Western music, was a Top 40 hit in the US, with heavy rotation on MTV. " Rock the Casbah " is a Song by The Clash, released on their 1982 Album Combat Rock. ^[2]

Disintegration: 1982-1984

After Combat Rock, the Clash began to disintegrate. Topper Headon was asked to leave the band just prior to the release of the album, due to his heroin addiction, which was hurting his health and drumming. Heroin ( INN: diacetylmorphine, BAN: diamorphine) is a semi-synthetic opioid synthesized from Morphine, a derivative ^[2][25] The band's original drummer, Terry Chimes, was brought back for the next few months. ^[12] The loss of Headon brought much friction, as he was an essential part of the band and well-liked by the others. Jones and Strummer began to feud. The band opened for The Who on a leg of their final tour in the U. The Who are an English rock band formed in 1964. The primary lineup consisted of guitarist Pete Townshend S, playing New York's Shea Stadium. ^[2] Though the band continued to tour, relationships within the band continued to fracture. ^[2]

By 1983 the years of constant touring and recording took their toll. They were growing as musicians and individuals, but they were not able to cope with the tension and stress. Chimes left the band after the 1982-1983 Combat Rock tour, due to the in-fighting and turmoil.

In 1983, drummer Pete Howard joined the band for the US Festival in San Bernardino, California, of which The Clash were, along with David Bowie and Van Halen, co-headliners. The US Festivals ( US pronounced like the pronoun not as initials were two early 1980s music and culture festivals sponsored by Steve Wozniak of at the time David Bowie (ˈboʊiː born David Robert Jones on 8 January 1947 is an English Musician, actor producer, and arranger. Van Halen is a Hard rock band formed in in 1972 They enjoyed success from the release of their self titled debut album in 1978 The crowd of roughly half a million was by far the biggest of the Clash's career. This was Jones' last appearance with The Clash. In September 1983, Jones was fired due to his problematic behaviour and divergent musical aspirations. ^[12] Jones went on to found Big Audio Dynamite (BAD) with Don Letts. Big Audio Dynamite (later known as Big Audio Dynamite II and Big Audio, and often abbreviated BAD) were a British musical group formed in 1984 by the Don Letts (born) is a British film director and musician He is credited as the man who through his DJing at clubs like The Roxy brought together punk and Strummer later tried to contact Jones to reform The Clash, but Jones was too busy with Big Audio Dynamite. ^[26]

The band picked Nick Sheppard, formerly of the Bristol-based Cortinas, and Vince White as the band's new guitarists. Nick Sheppard is a Bristol -born Guitarist who is probably best known for being in the well-known punk band The Clash for a short time Bristol ( ˈbrɪstəl is a city, Unitary authority and ceremonial county in South West England, west of London This is a page about the 1970s band For the 1960s band of the same name see The Cortinas The Cortinas were a short-lived 1970s Bristol Gregory Stuart Lee White ( Marylebone, London, 1960) better known as Vince White, was one of the Guitarists recruited by The Clash Howard continued to be the drummer. The band played its first shows in January 1984 with a batch of new material and launched into a self-financed tour, dubbed the Out of Control tour, and they toured heavily over the winter and into early summer. At a striking miners' benefit show ("Scargill's Christmas Party") in December 1984, they announced that a new record would be released early in the new year.

Cut the Crap and posthumous recognition: 1985-1998

The recording sessions for Cut the Crap were chaotic, with manager Bernie Rhodes and Strummer working in Munich, Germany. Cut the Crap is The Clash 's final album originally released in 1985 as the follow-up to Combat Rock (1982 this was the first Clash record Munich (München; Minga is the capital city of Bavaria, Germany. Most of the instruments were played by studio musicians, with Sheppard and later White flying in to come up with guitar parts. Struggling with Rhodes for control of the band, Strummer returned home. The band went on a busking tour, playing in public spaces in cities throughout the UK where they played acoustic versions of their hits and popular cover tunes. Busking is the practice of performing in Public places for Tips and Gratuities.

After a gig in Athens, Strummer went to Spain to clear his mind. While Strummer was gone, the first single from Cut the Crap, "This Is England" was released to mostly negative reviews at the time. ^[26] However, respected critic Dave Marsh later championed "This Is England" as one of the top 1001 rock singles of all time, in his book "The Heart of Rock & Soul",^[27] and the single has also received retroactive praise from Q Magazine and others. Dave Marsh (born March 1, 1950 Detroit Michigan) is an American Music critic who briefly attended Wayne State University "CBS had paid an advance for it so they had to put it out. I just went, 'Well fuck this', and fucked off to the mountains of Spain to sit sobbing under a palm tree, while Bernie had to deliver a record", said Joe Strummer later in an interview ^[26]. John Graham Mellor (21 August 1952 – 22 December 2002 better known as Joe Strummer, was the co-founder lyricist Rhythm guitarist and lead singer of the

"This Is England", much like the rest of the album that came out later that year, had been drastically re-engineered by Rhodes, with synths, drum machines, and football-style chants being added to Strummer's incomplete recordings. " This Is England " is the 19th single by influential British rock band The Clash. For the remainder of his life Strummer publicly disowned the album,^[25] although he did express the sentiment that "This Is England" was the last good Clash single. Other songs played on the tour remain unreleased to this day, including "Jericho" and "Glue Zombie," while a live version of "(In the) Pouring Rain" finally saw release in 2007 on the soundtrack to Joe Strummer: The Future Is Unwritten, a documentary about Joe Strummer. Joe Strummer The Future Is Unwritten is a 2007 Documentary film directed by Julien Temple about Joe Strummer, the lead Although Howard was an adept drummer, virtually all of the percussion tracks were produced by drum machines. The Clash were effectively disbanded in early 1986, and the members went on to other projects. ^[22]

On 2 March 1991, The Clash scored their first #1 UK single with the reissue of “Should I Stay or Should I Go”. Events 986 - Louis V becomes King of the Franks. 1127 - Assassination of Charles the Good Year 1991 ( MCMXCI) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar. Joe Strummer reportedly cried and was very distraught when the band's hit and its title "Rock the Casbah" were used while bombing Iraq the same year. ^[28]

Late reunions: 1999-present

In 1999, Strummer, Jones and Simonon cooperated in the compiling of the live album From Here to Eternity and video documentary Westway to the World. From Here to Eternity Live is a compilation album of live material released by The Clash in 1999. The Clash Westway to the World is a 2000 Documentary film about the British Punk rock band The Clash. On 15 November 2002, Jones and Strummer shared the stage, performing three Clash songs during a London benefit show by Joe Strummer and the Mescaleros. Events 655 - Battle of Winwaed: Penda of Mercia is defeated by Oswiu of Northumbria. See also 2002 (disambiguation Year 2002 ( MMII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. The Mescaleros were the backing band for Joe Strummer, formed in 1999 which went on to make three albums prior to Strummer's death in 2002. ^[8] In January 2003 they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum is a Museum located on the shores of Lake Erie in downtown Cleveland Ohio, United States ^[8] Strummer, Jones, and Headon wanted to play a reunion show to coincide with their induction into the Hall Of Fame. Simonon, however, did not want to participate because he believed that playing at the high-priced event would not have been in the spirit of The Clash. At any rate, Strummer's death in December 2002 prevented any potential reunion. In 2004, Rolling Stone ranked The Clash #30 on their list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time. Rolling Stone is a United States -based Magazine devoted to Music, Politics, and Popular culture that is published ^[9]

On 11 January 2008, Carbon/Silicon, the new band of Mick Jones, Tony James, Leo Williams and Dominic Greensmith, played a show at the Carbon Casino Club, The Inn on the Green, 3-5 Thorpe Close, Portobello Green, London. Events 1055 - Theodora is crowned Empress of the Byzantine Empire. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Carbon/Silicon is a Garage Rock duo consisting of two Punk rock legends Mick Jones formerly of The Clash and former Generation Michael Geoffrey "Mick" Jones (born 26 June 1955 was the lead Guitarist and a vocalist of the British Punk rock band The Tony James (born 12 April 1958) is a British Musician, best known as a Bassist of Generation X and Sigue Sigue Sputnik Leo Williams (born in Saint Andrew, Jamaica) also known as E-zee-kill, is an English-Jamaican bass guitarist London ( ˈlʌndən is the capital and largest urban area in the United Kingdom. Headon joined the band on stage during The Clash's "Train in Vain (Stand by Me)". " Train in Vain (Stand by Me " is a song from the album London Calling (1979 by the British Punk rock band The Clash. An encore followed with Headon playing drums on "Should I Stay or Should I Go". " Should I Stay or Should I Go " is a song by The Clash, from their album Combat Rock. This performance marked the first time since 1982 that Headon and Jones had performed together on stage. ^[29]

Politics

The band's music was often charged by a leftist political ideology. ^[4] They are credited with pioneering the advocacy of radical politics in punk rock, and were known as the "Thinking Man's Yobs"^[30] by many simply for voicing a political slant other than anarchism. Anarchism is a Political philosophy encompassing theories and attitudes which support the elimination of all compulsory Government, i They were never driven entirely by money; even at their peak, tickets to shows and souvenirs were reasonably priced. Money is anything that is generally accepted as Payment for Goods and services and repayment of Debts. ^[19] The group insisted that CBS sell their double and triple album sets London Calling and Sandinista! for the price of a single album each (then £5), succeeding with the former and compromising with the latter by agreeing to sell it for £5. 99 and forfeit all their royalties on its first 200,000 sales. Royalties (sometimes running royalties) are usage-based payments made by one party (the "licensee" to another (the "licensor" for ongoing use of an ^[2][5] These "VFM" (Value For Money) principles meant that they were constantly in debt to CBS, and only started to break even around 1982. Debt is that which is owed usually referencing Assets owed but the term can cover other obligations ^[6]

Like many early punk bands, The Clash protested against monarchy and aristocracy. A monarchy is a Form of government in which supreme power is actually or nominally lodged in an individual who is the Head of state, often for life or Aristocracy is a form of Government, where rule is established through an internal struggle over who has the most status and influence over society and internal relations However, unlike many early punk bands, The Clash rejected the overall sentiment of nihilism. Nihilism (from the Latin nihil, nothing is a philosophical position that argues that Existence is without objective meaning Purpose ^[19] Instead, they found solidarity with a number of contemporary liberation movements. The Clash's political views, especially those of Joe Strummer, were very leftist. John Graham Mellor (21 August 1952 – 22 December 2002 better known as Joe Strummer, was the co-founder lyricist Rhythm guitarist and lead singer of the Their politics were expressed explicitly in their lyrics, in early recordings such as "White Riot", which encouraged disaffected white youths to become politically active like their black counterparts, "Career Opportunities", which expressed discontent about the alienation of low-paid, production line style employment and the lack of alternatives, and "London's Burning", about the bleakness and boredom of life in the inner city. See Career Opportunities (film for the movie of this same title ^[22]

They were also involved directly with the Anti-Nazi League, and heading Rock Against Racism concert in in London's Victoria Park for 80,000 people in April 1978,^[2][31] where Strummer wore a controversial t-shirt bearing the words "Brigade Rosse" with the Red Army Faction (Baader-Meinhof) insignia in the middle. The Anti-Nazi League (ANL was an organisation set up in 1977 on the initiative of the Socialist Workers Party with some sponsorship (and a few small financial donations from Rock Against Racism ( RAR) was a campaign set up in the United Kingdom by Red Saunders, Roger Huddle and others in winter 1976 Year 1978 ( MCMLXXVIII) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1978 Gregorian calendar) This article is about the Italian group "Red Brigade" may also refer to the Japanese Red Army/Anti-Imperialist International Brigade. The Red Army Faction or RAF ( German Rote Armee Fraktion) (in its early stages commonly known as Baader-Meinhof Group ''Gang'' was one ^[32] He later said in an interview that he wore the shirt not to support the left-wing terrorist factions in Italy and Germany, but to bring attention to their existence. Terrorism is the systematic use of terror especially as a means of coercion Italy (Italia officially the Italian Republic, (Repubblica Italiana is located on the Italian Peninsula in Southern Europe, and on the two largest Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany ( ˈbʊndəsʁepuˌbliːk ˈdɔʏtʃlant is a Country in Central Europe. Strummer and Jones were arrested for a string of offences from vandalism to stealing a pillowcase. ^[7] Caroline Coon stood up for what The Clash were doing during this period: "Those tough, militaristic songs were what we needed as we went into Thatcherism". Caroline Coon is a English artist journalist and political activist born in 1945 ^[33]

Members

Discography

Main article: The Clash discography

• The Clash (1977)
• Give 'Em Enough Rope (1978)
• London Calling (1979)
• Sandinista! (1980)
• Combat Rock (1982)
• Cut the Crap (1985)

Notes

Further reading

• Gilbert, Pat [2004] (2005). Passion Is a Fashion: The Real Story of The Clash, 4th edition, London: Aurum Press. Aurum Press is an independent English publishing house located in London. ISBN 1845131134. OCLC 61177239. The OCLC Online Computer Library Center is according to its website a "nonprofit membership computer library service and research organization dedicated to the public purpose  
• Gray, Marcus [1995] (2005). The Clash: Return of the Last Gang in Town, 5th revised edition, London: Helter Skelter. ISBN 1905139101. OCLC 60668626. The OCLC Online Computer Library Center is according to its website a "nonprofit membership computer library service and research organization dedicated to the public purpose  
• Green, Johnny; Garry Barker [1997] (2003). A Riot of Our Own: Night and Day with The Clash, 3rd edition, London: Orion. ISBN 0752858432. OCLC 52990890. The OCLC Online Computer Library Center is according to its website a "nonprofit membership computer library service and research organization dedicated to the public purpose  
• Gruen, Bob; Chris Salewicz [2001] (2004). Bob Gruen (born 1945 is an American Photographer known for his rock 'n' roll photographs The Clash, 3rd edition, London: Omnibus. ISBN 1903399343. OCLC 69241279. The OCLC Online Computer Library Center is according to its website a "nonprofit membership computer library service and research organization dedicated to the public purpose  
• Kaye, Lenny; Lester Bangs, Kosmo Vinyl [1991] (2000). Lenny Kaye (born December 27, 1946) is an American Guitarist, Composer and Writer who is best known as a member of Clash on Broadway, 2nd edition, New York, NY: Sony Music. OCLC 54426634. The OCLC Online Computer Library Center is according to its website a "nonprofit membership computer library service and research organization dedicated to the public purpose  “Issued with CDs of the same title. Americlash / Lenny Kaye - Excerpts from Psychotic reactions and carburetor dung / Lester Bangs - Inside stories (1976-1982) / Kosmo Vinyl - Discography. ” 
• Lowry, Ray (2007). Ray Lowry, born in ] Salford is an English Cartoonist, Illustrator and Satirist, possessing a highly distinctive style and wit The Clash. Warwick: Angry Penguin. ISBN 1906283362. OCLC 165412921. The OCLC Online Computer Library Center is according to its website a "nonprofit membership computer library service and research organization dedicated to the public purpose  
• Miles, Barry (1981). Barry Miles (or " Miles " (born 1943 in Cirencester, England) is an Author who has written biographies of Paul McCartney, The Clash. London; New York: Omnibus Press. OCLC 7676911. The OCLC Online Computer Library Center is according to its website a "nonprofit membership computer library service and research organization dedicated to the public purpose  
• Needs, Kris (2005-01-25). Kris Needs (born 3 July 1954) is a British Journalist and Author, primarily known for his writings on the music scene from the 1970s onwards Joe Strummer and the Legend of the Clash. London: Plexus. ISBN 085965348X. OCLC 53155325. The OCLC Online Computer Library Center is according to its website a "nonprofit membership computer library service and research organization dedicated to the public purpose  
• Quantick, David (08 2000). David Quantick (born 1961, Wortley, South Yorkshire, England) is a freelance Journalist, Writer and critic who specialises The Clash, Kill Your Idols. London: Unanimous. ISBN 1903318033. OCLC 59417418. The OCLC Online Computer Library Center is according to its website a "nonprofit membership computer library service and research organization dedicated to the public purpose  “American Edition: Quantick, David; John Aizlewood (2000-08). The Clash: Kill Your Idols (Kill Your Idols Series), New York, NY: Thunder's Mouth. ISBN 1560252693, OCLC 45132537” 
• Smith, Pennie (1980). Pennie Smith is a photographer born in London, England, renowned for having photographed several famous rock Musicians. The Clash: Before and After. Boston: Little, Brown. ISBN 0316801690. OCLC 8034340. The OCLC Online Computer Library Center is according to its website a "nonprofit membership computer library service and research organization dedicated to the public purpose  “photographs by Pennie Smith; with passing comments by Joe Strummer. . . [et al. ]. ” 
• Tobler, John; Barry Miles (1983). Barry Miles (or " Miles " (born 1943 in Cirencester, England) is an Author who has written biographies of Paul McCartney, The Clash. London; New York, NY: Omnibus. ISBN 0711902887. OCLC 21335564. The OCLC Online Computer Library Center is according to its website a "nonprofit membership computer library service and research organization dedicated to the public purpose  
• Topping, Keith [2003] (2004). Keith Andrew Topping (born in Walker, Tyneside) is an author journalist and broadcaster most closely associated with his work relating to the BBC Television The Complete Clash, 2nd edition, Richmond: Reynolds & Hearn. ISBN 1903111706. OCLC 63129186. The OCLC Online Computer Library Center is according to its website a "nonprofit membership computer library service and research organization dedicated to the public purpose  

External links

• The Clash Official Site
• The Clash Official MySpace
• The Clash Official YouTube