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