View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Rock n Roll Public Library (@rocknrollpl)

 The ‘library’ is made up of tens of thousands of items from Jones’ personal collection, gathered over his lifetime. This includes stage-worn clothing, original posters for his shows, and musical equipment from his time in The Clash, as well as a variety of physical media which audiences are encouraged to engage with.   

Alongside the new exhibition, the Rock ‘n’ Roll Public Library are launching a magazine to act as a portable version or the archive. Their first issue is DIY-themed, paying homage to the self-sufficient spirit of the early punk movement, and acts as a parallel to the zine, which were written, designed, and printed by fans.

Comment byu/janalisin from discussion inpunk

 DIY culture was a central pillar of punk, with bands releasing their own music through independent labels, and choosing to make their own unique clothing, all in an effort to be self-sufficient, and not rely on the music industry. The Clash emerged from this world, but quickly signed to CBS records for £100,000, prompting accusations of selling out. Mark Perry, founder of influential punk zine Sniffin’ Glue, declared, “Punk died the day The Clash signed to CBS.”  

Kirk Lane, one part of the Rock ‘n’ Roll Public Library Team, describes the collection as charting the journey of an imaginary figure as they meander through childhood into art and music. “This [current] exhibition expands on and complements the first issue of the magazine which is a general overview of the archive,” said Lake.  

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by The Farsight Gallery (@farsightgallery)

The exhibition’s immersive style, ranging from rooms resembling a mid-century living room to books of handwritten notes that guests are free to browse, will feel familiar to visitors of Davd Bowie Is and The Beatles Story. This project is more hands-on, however, actively encouraging visitors to handle many of the items, and read the hundreds of books that make up the archive. 

Jones has expressed a desire to find a permanent home for the ever-changing exhibition, saying at one of the very first exhibitions in 2009, “I’d like to have a permanent place to exhibit the whole collection… like a library where you can come and see the stuff and maybe get a copy or sit there and read it.”

Though many fans of Jones and The Clash will want to visit the exhibition, the limited duration and location will leave many relying on the magazine to get their fill. Described as a “ragged map to aid further exploration and inspire creation,” it will initially be sold exclusively at the exhibition before becoming available online and in selected shops. 

 With each issue exploring a new theme, the project invites readers into Jones’ obsession with pop culture, a physical link between today and a world that has almost entirely disappeared. The exhibition is open until 16 March and is free to all visitors.

The Special Merit Awards Ceremony, where The Clash and other honorees will be celebrated, is scheduled for February 1, 2025, at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre in Los Angeles. This event precedes the main Grammy Awards ceremony, which will be broadcast live from the Crypto.com Arena on February 2, 2025.

This year’s #RecordingAcademy‘s Special Merit Awards honorees, from soul-stirring legends to gospel and hip-hop trailblazers, embody a rich tapestry of musical excellence. #GRAMMYs

Learn more: https://t.co/ZKZpzaKm2p pic.twitter.com/PxVnIOGtld

— Recording Academy / GRAMMYs (@RecordingAcad) December 20, 2024

The Clash, formed in 1976, became one of the most iconic rock bands of their era, known for their intelligent protest and stylish rebellion in the late 70s and early 80s. Their recorded legacy spans five albums, including ‘The Clash’, ‘London Calling’, and ‘Combat Rock’, with their music confronting issues such as racism, violence, drugs, love, and police corruption. The dystopian anthem released in 1979, ‘London Calling’, reflects the social, political, and environmental anxieties of the late 1970s in the UK. 

This Lifetime Achievement Award adds to The Clash’s previous Grammy recognition; they won the Grammy Award for Best Long Form Music Video in 2003 for ‘Westway to the World’.

Strummer’s influence extended far beyond music, as he became a symbol of rebellion, creativity, and activism during his career. The musician co-founded The Clash with Mick Jones, Paul Simonon, and Terry Chimes. The band emerged as part of the first wave of British punk rock. After The Clash disbanded in 1986, Strummer formed Joe Strummer and the Mescaleros in 1999, blending world music, folk, and punk influences.

Strummer was a vocal advocate for various causes, including racial equality, anti-war movements, and environmental protection. He organised and performed at benefit concerts, such as the Rock Against Racism campaign. The Clash’s induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2003 further cemented their legacy.

Joe Strummer passed away on December 22, 2002, at age 50 due to an undiagnosed congenital heart defect. The charity Strummerville (The Joe Strummer Foundation) was established in his honour, supporting aspiring musicians and social change projects.

The 2025 Special Merit Awards will also honour other notable artists, including Prince, Frankie Valli, and Taj Mahal, acknowledging their significant impact on the music industry.

Speaking on Strummer and the posted performance, Vedder stated, “I just think that what Joe did with the Mescaleros and those records, those songs and those words, it was a very communal sound, I think when you have a communal sound, the listener feels like they can be part of that community. I can only imagine that he facilitated thousands and thousands of connections.”

Joe Strummer first rose to fame as the co-founder, singer and guitarist of The Clash, the group was formed in the late 70s and soon became a beacon within the era’s rising punk movement. Soon after their formation, The Clash created a key part of music and cultural history, the band’s third studio album London Calling was released in 1979. The album’s lead single “London Calling” soon became a staple of the genre and would go on to define an era and generation.

After Strummer disbanded the band in 1986 he embarked on the next chapter of his career, the talented artist then began his work in film soundtracks and began to release solo material. One of Strummer’s first forays into film music was in 1986 within the film Sid and Nancy, the film charted the chaotic relationship between Nancy Spungen and Sid Vicious from fellow UK punk outfit The Sex Pistols. During the ’90s, Strummer formed his own personal supergroup, The Mescaleros would go onto release three studio albums including “Long Shaddow’s” partner album Streetcore.

The album was released on 21st October 2003 via Hellcat, an independent record label based in California’s Los Angeles. The album was posthumously released after the tragic passing of Strummer in December 2002 and was received with great applause. At its time of release, Mojo magazine stated that “Streetcore is an amalgam of all that made Joe Strummer, the musician and the man, so great.”

JOE STRUMMER 002: THE MESCALEROS YEARS is available September 16th, 2022. Pre-order the 7LP and 4CD boxset NOW at https://t.co/b8vpOhAaev

Including the remastered Mescaleros albums plus demos, outtakes, rarities, previously unreleased songs & items from the Strummer archive. pic.twitter.com/qTrUFwzr3T

— JoeStrummer (@JoeStrummer) July 27, 2022

Last month it was announced that a new box set would be released, Joe Strummer: 002: The Mescaleros Years is set to drop on 16th September 2022. The collection will feature songs by Strummer and The Mescaleros, the box set will mark the first-ever release of an anthology take from group’s entire discography.

Strummer’s widow Lucinda Tait was the executive producer of the upcoming collection and has given the following statement, “There’s so much great music that Joe left us in his archive. To focus on Joe’s work with The Mescaleros was the natural second step on ‘002’ because those songs he made with them just seemed to resonate so strongly and reinvigorated his connection with his audience at a level he hadn’t experienced since his days with The Clash.”

Click here to pre-order Joe Strummer: 002: The Mescaleros Years.

Covering perhaps The Clash’s most famous song “London Calling”, the namesake for their iconic third album whose influence is as pertinent today as perhaps ever. Beton have called out Putin’s regime and highlighted the lion-hearted defiance shown by residents of the sovereign country. Singing “Cause Kyiv is rising, we live for resistance!”

As told here by Beton singer Andriy Zholob “Many Ukrainian musicians are now on battlefields or in territorial defence. This time they’ve changed guitars to guns. We hope this song shows Ukrainians’ spirit and our defiance to Russian aggression.”

Commenting on the inspiration behind the cover, Zholob stated; “The Clash were one of our inspirations when we fell in love with punk rock and music in general, there is no snobbery or pretentiousness to the music, they had something to say and voiced their opinions against human anger. London Calling epitomises all of that and we are very happy to be able to take this iconic classic and turn it into our own anthem with new meaning and life.”

Aside from this brave form of constructive art, Zholob works as an orthopaedic doctor providing aid to soldiers and the victims of war. While his fellow bandmates Bohdan Hrynko and Oleg Hula are both active members of the Ukrainian territorial defence.

Audio engineer and producer Danny Saber (who previously collaborated with The Clash’s frontman Joe Stummer with his band The Mescaleros) mixed “Kyiv Calling”. Donating all proceeds to the Free Ukraine Resistance Movement (FURM).

Countless other artists helping to raise awareness and funding such as Arcade Fire, Belle and Sebastian, Bring Me The Horizon and The Subways to name just a few. Showing that the plight of the Ukrainian people has captivated the hearts and minds of people across the world.

Zholob went on to say; “We are glad it is being played not just in Ukraine but around the world as a symbol of solidarity and hope. Our country will defend our hard-won liberty and protect our right to self-determination.  We have no doubt about our victory, we are proud to be Ukrainians and feel support from musicians abroad. This means so much!”

Opportunities to donate to a registered charity organization in aid of those affected by the crisis can be found below;

https://donate.redcross.org.uk

https://www.unicef.org.uk

https://humanappeal.org.uk

https://help.rescue-uk.org

https://www.oxfam.org.uk

https://msf.org.uk

The couple started becoming more involved with social media over the lockdown, doing agony aunt talks and answering fan questions. The Sunday Lunch series began when Fripp felt the need to occupy her husband, with Toyah saying “Here I am in this house with this 74-year-old husband who I really don’t want to live without. He was withdrawing, so I thought: ‘I’m going to teach him to dance.’ And it became a challenge. I do the lighting, the filming, the conceptual side and the persuading Robert to take part”.

Another way the King Crimson star has been kept busy recently was by his wife’s latest album, Posh Pop, which was released last August. Made with songwriter and producer Simon Darlow, the album was her latest offering since 2008’s In the Court of the Crimson Queen.

On making the album, Willcox said “When COVID stopped everything last year, it allowed me to concentrate on writing and recording the next album …. ‘Posh Pop’ was a magical experience created out of the need and ability to make contact with our fans in a heartfelt way …. Working with Fripp in the studio, we just handed him the chord charts the day before and said: ‘We want you to come in and improvise and that’s what we’ll use’. It was spontaneous.“

If you want to see Toyah outside of her YouTube channel, she’ll be embarking on a tour to promote Posh Pop starting this February, taking her around the UK, with dates running up until September. If you’re interested in getting tickets, you can look here.

The song played by the talented Clash City Rocker will provide fans a sense of closeness and connection with the singer, the track features Strummer playing an acoustic solo guitar whilst singing a song that was held close to his heart. First heard on an old R&B cassette tape, the song saw Strummer through his music career, from his first band The 101’ers, to The Clash, featured on the bands 1980 album ‘Sandinista!‘, then later in life with Joe Strummer and ‘The Mescaleros. The unreleased cover was found within the artists material and is a must-have for any Joe Strummer or music fan.

The song was originally recorded by James Waynes in 1951 as a blues song, and has been covered by various artists from various musical genres including Dr John and James Booker, as well as The Clash. The song has even influenced other tracks, Chuck Berry himself as admitted that the melody for ‘The Man and The Donkey’ was based and inspired by ‘Junco Partner‘.

The recording will be featured on a new compilation full of carefully selected tracks from Strummer’s career. The album entitled ‘Assembly’ is set to be released on 26th March and will be available in all formats, including limited edition 2LP red vinyl and streaming services everywhere. ‘Junco Partner‘ is available to be streamed immediately and is partnered with a music video created by Spencer Ramsey. The 16-track compilation will also feature remastered and live recordings not just from Strummer’s solo career but will also treat the listener to some covers such as Strummer’s cover of ‘Redemption Song’ originally recorded by Bob Marley. As well as his work on the soundtrack for the 1986 film ‘Sid and Nancy’, on which Strummer had recorded the title track ‘Love Kills’. The film soundtrack also featured another Strummer track entitled ‘Dum Dum Club’.

As well as a deep dive into the legend’s repertory, Strummer fans will also rejoice with the inclusion of live tracks performed by The Clash, the compilation features three unreleased tracks performed by the prolific band including a live performance of ‘Rudie Can’t Fail’. Other live performances include the 1977 ‘I Fought The Law’ off of their self-titled album ‘The Clash’ released the same year. This recording on the compilation was recorded during a live performance at Brixton Academy by Joe Strummer and The Mescaleros. And as a further treat for fans, the compilation includes liner notes which were written specifically for the compilation. The notes are written by Jakob Dylan, an American singer-songwriter best known for his work in the band The Wallflowers as well as being the son of music royalty Bob Dylan.

Born John Graham Mellor, Strummer started his career in The 101ers which he famously left to join The Clash. The Clash went on to be hailed as one of the most influential bands and grace each ‘best of’ lists’ made by magazines and musical institutions. Famed for their arguably best-known track ‘London Calling’, the band released six studio albums from 1977 to 1985. Strummer became a cultural hero and is regarded by many as a huge inspiration in their music as well as their lives. And ‘Assembly‘ is a perfect form of documentation of Strummer’s inspirational creativity.

‘Junco Partner‘ is a perfect expression of Strummer’s raw talent and will give any music fan goosebumps with its magical sense of intimacy.

The album will consist of 15-tracks and a series of live performances of the hit songs Rudie Can’t Fail and I Fought The Law. These performances were from Joe Strummer and the Mescaleros live show at London’s Brixton Academy in 2001.

Yalla Yalla and Johnny Appleseed are among the famed tracks that will feature on Assembly, alongside three previously unreleased mixes of songs by The Clash. Notably, Joe Strummer’s cover of Bob Marley’s Redemption Song will be included in the album, as well as a song that has never been released in any form Junco Partner Acoustic by The Clash.

In 2020 it was announced that Dark Horse Records would be releasing music by Joe Strummer on its platform that year, Dhani Harrison (George Harrison’s son and now owner of Dark Horse Records), stated “It is with great pleasure and excitement that I can finally announce a new chapter for Dark Horse Records in the music industry alongside our friends at BMG. The label started by my father in 1974 has been a family business my whole life (and is indeed even the reason that my parents met.)

That same year Dark Horse released the Joe Strummer & The Mescaleros’ albums Rock Art and The X-Ray Style, Global A Go-Go, and Streetcore. Dhani Harrison continued explaining the new era that included Strummer saying that “From the Indian classical Ragas of Ravi Shankar to the Rock and Roll of ‘Attitudes’ I look forward to reintroducing, to a new audience, all of those artists that my father loved so much. We will also be expanding the Dark Horse family with new artists and classic catalogues in the coming years to include a rich and varied roster of incredible musicians whom we love. Please watch this space! With love, Dhani Harrison.”

Assembly Track List:

01 ‘Coma Girl’, ‘Johnny Appleseed’, ‘I Fought The Law’ (Live at Brixton Academy, London, 24 November 2001)
02 ‘Tony Adams’
03 ‘Sleepwalk’
04 ‘Love Kills’
05 ‘Get Down Moses’
06 ‘X-Ray Style’
07 ‘Mondo Bongo’
08 ‘Rudie Can’t Fail’ (Live at Brixton Academy, London, 24 November 2001)
09 ‘At The Border, Guy’
10 ‘Long Shadow’
11 ‘Forbidden City’
12 ‘Yalla Yalla’
13 ‘Redemption Song’
14 ‘Junco Partner’ (Acoustic)

View this post on Instagram

Many years we have toiled. Brutal winters and fearsome summers have passed. But on this day, this great day, we finally bestow onto you our new single. Alphabet is now out on all platforms, produced by James Ford, with video directed by the indomitable Tegen Williams. Link in bio. We’ll also be “playing” a “show” at Brixton Electric on 22nd of April 2021. Sign up to our totally virus free mailing list by next Wednesday at 10am to access presale tickets to this show and more. General tickets on sale Friday 18th September. More announcements to follow…

A post shared by shame (@shame) on Sep 10, 2020 at 10:11am PDT

Alphabet is the bands first new content since they covered the B-52’s Rock Lobster for Spotify Single back in 2018. They have been riding off the back of the success of their 2018 debut LP Songs of Praise, and quite rightly so. The album was a 10 track amalgamation of the old and new, obviously influenced by bands like The Fall and their contemporaries Fat White Family but with a humour and intelligence unique to them.

Stand out track One Rizla, previously released as a single in 2017, is a catchy tune with guitar licks as slick as the sweat on the band-members foreheads during live performances. Frontman Charlie Steen shouts down the mic ‘My voice ain’t the best you’ve heard// And you can choose to hate my words// But do I give a fuck’.

The anarchic sentiment expressed here is nothing new, we’ve heard it from The Clash, The Sex Pistols, and more recently bands like Fontaines D.C. and Warmduscher; but the lyrical wit of Shame sets them apart from the rest. On 2017 single Visa Vulture the band deliver an ironic ode to Theresa May with weepy sounding guitars and a slow rhythm reminiscent of an Elvis love song. This track actually got them a shout out from The Sun, who criticised them for ‘crudely insulting the PM’.

Also, Charlie Steen’s voice is actually pretty good. You can hear the softness in it on the last track of the debut EP: Angie. Angie is a romantic song filled with melodic guitar riffs. It is more U2 than the Ramones, showing the versatility of the band.

Their new song Alphabet is worth the wait, with angry guitar licks and fast percussion Shame remind us who they are and why we love them. ‘What you see is what you get’ shouts Charlie Steen, who actually features in the video along with the other band members.

The video was directed by Tegan Williams, who also directs music videos for West London band Babeheaven’s dreamy tunes. Inspired by ‘a series of surreal dreams’ that Steen had while writing the song, it is arresting and unforgettable; like the band itself.

Among the collection on display include a note book by Joe Strummer, lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist of the punk band, containing lyrics under a heading ‘Ice Age’, lyrics that would take shape to become ‘London Calling’, drumsticks by Nicky ‘Topper’ Heado, and a damaged bass guitar by Paul Simonon, famously damaged while on stage at New York’s The Palladium on September 21, 1979.

Other items in the exclusive collection include a handwritten album sequence penned by Mick Jones and a typewriter by Joe Strummer, used by the frontman during the lyric writing process.

On October 11, Sony Music will be unveiling a special edition of ‘London Calling’ on CD, vinyl and cassette. The sleeve’s design will depict the famous artwork by Ray Lowry and photography by Pennie Smith.

The senior curator of the Museum, Beatrice Behlen, said of the prestigious anniversary collection, “At the Museum of London, we tell the stories of our capital through the objects and memories of the people who have lived here.”

She adds, “This display will provide a brand new, exciting and vibrant take on this, showcasing rarely seen personal objects and telling the incredible story of how London Calling was, and for many still is, the sound of a generation.” 

The release of a book will coincide with the exhibition show, entitled the London Calling Scrapbook. It is set to contain notes, lyrics and rare unseen material during the time in which the album was produced. With the book, the ‘London Calling’ CD will be included.