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Aural Intercourse: The legacy of Joe Strummer
By Mike Prevatt
God's timing couldn't have been any better. According to MTV, upon hearing the announcement last November that his former band, the Clash, was going to be inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002, singer and guitarist Joe Strummer pondered what was once imponderable: a fully reunited Clash, playing music once again.
"I think we should play [at the hall of fame ceremony]," Strummer said. "It would be shitty and snotty not to." This, from a guy renowned for turning down loads of cash from promoters seeking out a Clash reunion tour. Even Sex Pistol Johnny Rotten couldn't uphold that sort of punk rock idealism.
The only thing more anticipated among post-punk fans than a Police reunion--looking very likely thanks to that band's own Hall of Fame induction, in March--would be a Clash reunion. But it might've been too good to be true. On Dec. 22, Strummer died of cardiac arrest in his England home. He was 50.
News of Strummer's sudden death hit as hard as the passing of Joey Ramone, who, like Strummer, was one of punk rock's forefathers. It forced musicians, writers and fans alike to take stock of the artist's career. Forceful onstage presence. Top-of-his-class songwriter. Genius at recognizing and encouraging the rhythmic potential in rock music. Pillar of credibility (despite approving the use of "London Calling" in a Jaguar commercial). Fiercely passionate about social and political concerns. One of modern rock's most influential players.
Much has been said about Strummer's rise in popular music, his contributions to punk rock and his voice of protest, and he deserves every last accolade and homage. What isn't discussed enough is how influential he and the Clash were to so many acts, and the range of artists whose work can clearly be traced back to the band. The Clash was the first group to expand the musical scope of punk, and as a result of its multi-genre output, it motivated legions of artists artistically and socially. Here's a list of significant bands that would not exist as they do today without the inspiration of Joe Strummer:
? U2: Perhaps no body of work bears the broad stamp of the Clash more than that of Irish band U2. From the post-punk charge of its early work, to the social consciousness that highlighted albums such as War and The Unforgettable Fire, to its later-era pop sensibility and rhythmic experimentation, U2 has much in common with Strummer and company--and its four members know it. On the day of Strummer's passing, Bono posted, on his band's website, that the Clash "wrote the rulebook for U2." Clash karaoke moment: "Two Hearts Beat as One." (Also see: Midnight Oil, Manic Street Preachers, Pearl Jam.)
? No Doubt: The Orange County-based band has seemingly strayed far from punk rock, but it has succeeded by blending a variety of musical genres together, which is to say it has done so on its own artistic terms. Furthermore, its first two albums, as well as its most recent, Rock Steady, are unabashed celebrations of reggae, ska and dub--three pop subgenres introduced to many rock fans in the '80s through the Clash. No Doubt is doing the same thing for its top 40 contingency. Clash karaoke moment: "Rock Steady." (Also see: 311, Madness, General Public.)
? The Beastie Boys: The pioneering trio from New York peppered its hip hop with punk (Some Old Bullshit) and other worldly styles (everything after Check Your Head), while questioning the modus operandi of the world's figureheads and leaders--not so much in its music, but in its attitude and participation in several benefit concerts. In the process, the Beasties didn't sound so much like the Clash as they invoked its spirit. Very few modern artists have been able to pull off cohesive, adventurous multi-genre albums like the Clash's London Calling and Sandinista!, but the Beasties have done so with each of their major studio releases. Clash karaoke moment: "Root Down." (Also see: Talking Heads, Primal Scream.)
? Rancid: This one's an easy one, because a frequent criticism of this punk act is how much it sounds like the Clash. It might just be that, more than anything, people hear Strummer's rasp in the affected growl of singer Tim Armstrong. That said, Rancid's ska-leanings, poetic disenfranchisement and melodic ardor are unquestionably rooted in the Clash's oeuvre--especially its debut album. Clash karaoke moment: "Time Bomb" and "Radio Havana." (Also see: Bad Religion, International Noise Conspiracy, Hot Water Music.)
? Rage Against the Machine: Most people trace the influences of now-defunct Rage to Public Enemy (evidenced in singer Zack de la Rocha) and Led Zeppelin (coming through Tom Morello's Jimmy Page-esque riffage), but if you find the happy medium between the two musicians, it's the Clash--polemics and punk, updated with some hardcore and hip hop. Clash karaoke moment: "Guerilla Radio." (Also see: Bad Brains.)
? At the Drive-In: This also disbanded act had much to owe to the Clash, with its punk-inspired anthemry, lyrical nihilism and overall sense of righteousness. Like the Clash, it stands as a band that didn't sell millions, but will somehow inspire millions of bands. Clash karaoke moment: "One Armed Scissor." (Also see: Cooper Temple Clause, the Replacements.)
Copyright ? Las Vegas Mercury, 2001 - 2002
Stephens Media Group
Aural Intercourse: The legacy of Joe Strummer
By Mike Prevatt
God's timing couldn't have been any better. According to MTV, upon hearing the announcement last November that his former band, the Clash, was going to be inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002, singer and guitarist Joe Strummer pondered what was once imponderable: a fully reunited Clash, playing music once again.
"I think we should play [at the hall of fame ceremony]," Strummer said. "It would be shitty and snotty not to." This, from a guy renowned for turning down loads of cash from promoters seeking out a Clash reunion tour. Even Sex Pistol Johnny Rotten couldn't uphold that sort of punk rock idealism.
The only thing more anticipated among post-punk fans than a Police reunion--looking very likely thanks to that band's own Hall of Fame induction, in March--would be a Clash reunion. But it might've been too good to be true. On Dec. 22, Strummer died of cardiac arrest in his England home. He was 50.
News of Strummer's sudden death hit as hard as the passing of Joey Ramone, who, like Strummer, was one of punk rock's forefathers. It forced musicians, writers and fans alike to take stock of the artist's career. Forceful onstage presence. Top-of-his-class songwriter. Genius at recognizing and encouraging the rhythmic potential in rock music. Pillar of credibility (despite approving the use of "London Calling" in a Jaguar commercial). Fiercely passionate about social and political concerns. One of modern rock's most influential players.
Much has been said about Strummer's rise in popular music, his contributions to punk rock and his voice of protest, and he deserves every last accolade and homage. What isn't discussed enough is how influential he and the Clash were to so many acts, and the range of artists whose work can clearly be traced back to the band. The Clash was the first group to expand the musical scope of punk, and as a result of its multi-genre output, it motivated legions of artists artistically and socially. Here's a list of significant bands that would not exist as they do today without the inspiration of Joe Strummer:
? U2: Perhaps no body of work bears the broad stamp of the Clash more than that of Irish band U2. From the post-punk charge of its early work, to the social consciousness that highlighted albums such as War and The Unforgettable Fire, to its later-era pop sensibility and rhythmic experimentation, U2 has much in common with Strummer and company--and its four members know it. On the day of Strummer's passing, Bono posted, on his band's website, that the Clash "wrote the rulebook for U2." Clash karaoke moment: "Two Hearts Beat as One." (Also see: Midnight Oil, Manic Street Preachers, Pearl Jam.)
? No Doubt: The Orange County-based band has seemingly strayed far from punk rock, but it has succeeded by blending a variety of musical genres together, which is to say it has done so on its own artistic terms. Furthermore, its first two albums, as well as its most recent, Rock Steady, are unabashed celebrations of reggae, ska and dub--three pop subgenres introduced to many rock fans in the '80s through the Clash. No Doubt is doing the same thing for its top 40 contingency. Clash karaoke moment: "Rock Steady." (Also see: 311, Madness, General Public.)
? The Beastie Boys: The pioneering trio from New York peppered its hip hop with punk (Some Old Bullshit) and other worldly styles (everything after Check Your Head), while questioning the modus operandi of the world's figureheads and leaders--not so much in its music, but in its attitude and participation in several benefit concerts. In the process, the Beasties didn't sound so much like the Clash as they invoked its spirit. Very few modern artists have been able to pull off cohesive, adventurous multi-genre albums like the Clash's London Calling and Sandinista!, but the Beasties have done so with each of their major studio releases. Clash karaoke moment: "Root Down." (Also see: Talking Heads, Primal Scream.)
? Rancid: This one's an easy one, because a frequent criticism of this punk act is how much it sounds like the Clash. It might just be that, more than anything, people hear Strummer's rasp in the affected growl of singer Tim Armstrong. That said, Rancid's ska-leanings, poetic disenfranchisement and melodic ardor are unquestionably rooted in the Clash's oeuvre--especially its debut album. Clash karaoke moment: "Time Bomb" and "Radio Havana." (Also see: Bad Religion, International Noise Conspiracy, Hot Water Music.)
? Rage Against the Machine: Most people trace the influences of now-defunct Rage to Public Enemy (evidenced in singer Zack de la Rocha) and Led Zeppelin (coming through Tom Morello's Jimmy Page-esque riffage), but if you find the happy medium between the two musicians, it's the Clash--polemics and punk, updated with some hardcore and hip hop. Clash karaoke moment: "Guerilla Radio." (Also see: Bad Brains.)
? At the Drive-In: This also disbanded act had much to owe to the Clash, with its punk-inspired anthemry, lyrical nihilism and overall sense of righteousness. Like the Clash, it stands as a band that didn't sell millions, but will somehow inspire millions of bands. Clash karaoke moment: "One Armed Scissor." (Also see: Cooper Temple Clause, the Replacements.)
Copyright ? Las Vegas Mercury, 2001 - 2002
Stephens Media Group
