international clash day Archives - Vinyl From The Vault

The Clash “London Calling”

sfilzen — Fri, 05 Feb 2021 19:44:40 +0000

The Clash “London Calling” 1979. It’s February 5th and International Clash Day! “London Calling” was the title track and lead single from The Clash’s third LP; one of the best anthems of the era, the single went to #11 in the UK and #30 in the US. A urgently stomping anti-nuclear weapon/energy, anti-police brutality, anti-corporate capitalism and pro-environmental awareness song, its themes still, unfortunately, are more than relevant 42 years later. And the band’s ethos, as espoused by Joe Strummer, is something he’d still likely be fighting for as well: “We’re anti-fascist, we’re anti-violence, we’re anti-racist, and we’re pro-creative. We’re against ignorance.” Oof, he’d have his work cut out for himself, for sure.

The B-side to “London Calling” is a cover of the 1978 song by Willie Williams “Armagdieon Time,” a reggae tune that also appears on The Clash’s Black Market Clash (1980), a collection of “b-sides and rarities”).

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The Clash “Should I Stay Or Should I Go?”

sfilzen — Wed, 07 Feb 2018 16:31:55 +0000

The Clash “Should I Stay Or Should I Go?” b/w “Cool Confusion” 1982. Today, February 7th, is International Clash Day as declared by Seattle’s KEXP (and Washington State’s governor) as a way of “celebrating music as a tool for social consciousness, and a band that made it sound so damn good.” Radio stations all over the country, including Milwaukee’s WMSE, will be playing Clash songs throughout the day in observance.

“Should I Stay Or Should I Go?” from Combat Rock is probably one of the best-known Clash singles and certainly their biggest hit, making it to #1 in the UK (albeit 10 years later; upon its initial release it reached #17 in the UK and #45 in the US). Though Mick Jones’ Clash songs are usually not my favorite – I’m much more partial to Joe Strummer or the rare Paul Simonon – it’s difficult not to love “Should I Stay Or Should I Go?” with the instantly recognizable intro and irresistible guitar hook. It’s been listed on a few greatest songs of all-time lists and recently regained well-deserved popularity with its feature in Stranger Things. The B-side “Cool Confusion,” sung by Joe Strummer, is reggae-relaxed with experimental beep-boop electronic pops. “Cool Confusion” only appears on posthumously released comps like Super Black Market Clash (1994) and box sets (Sound System, 2013).

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The Clash “Black Market Clash”

sfilzen — Tue, 07 Feb 2017 17:40:40 +0000

The Clash “Black Market Clash” 1980. Today, February 7th, is “International Clash Day,” a day of Clash celebration established by Seattle KEXP radio in 2013 because “of our love of great music, the rebellious nature of the band, the insane catalog to play from and because there really was nothing else going on that day.” Today their website states, “This year, KEXP observes the fifth annual International Clash Day on Tuesday, February 7th. This year we celebrate the Clash highlighting three ways they influenced change and awareness in society: The Morning Show will focus on the Clash messaging important ideas through radio broadcasts, The Midday Show will focus on how other cultures influenced the Clash, and The Afternoon Show will focus on protest through song.This year we also celebrate all of the world governments that have declared International Clash Day an official holiday: The City of Seattle, The State of Washington, The City of San Francisco, The City of Vancouver, BC, The City of Austin, and potentially more on the way!” It’s true: Milwaukee’s most excellent WMSE will also be participating today (though I’m pretty sure our city government remains ignorant of this important event).

Black Market Clash is a compilation 10″ of b-sides and cuts not available on their North American LP releases, only available in the US in 1980 as imports. “Cheat” originally appeared on the UK version of The Clash and “Bankrobber” (one of my favorites on Black Market Clash) was released as an a-side single in the UK in 1980, reaching #12. The 10″ includes a few cover songs such as “Pressure Drop” (originally by Toots and the Maytals), “Time is Tight” by Booker T & the MGs,“ and “Armagideon Time” by Willie Willams and Jackie Mittoo (formerly of the Skatalites). The mashup “Justice Tonight/Kick It Over” is a remix of “Armagideon Time” and another one of my favorites: an excellent reggae protest anthem.

Stay around don’t play around
This old town and all
Seems like I got to travel on
A lot of people won’t get no supper tonight
Justice tonight
Runnin’ and a hiding tonight
Justice tonight
Remember to kick it over
No one will guide you through Armageddon time
It’s Armageddon
It’s not Christmas time
A lot of people
A lot of people use a calculator
A lot of people won’t get no supper tonight
A lot of people sittin’ down by the light
The battle is gettin’ hotter
Armageddon time
Armageddon
Remember to kick it over
Armageddon time
A lot of people ain’t got no supper tonight
A lot of people got to stand out back

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