Rolling Stone 12/10/1998

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JAAN UHELSZKI

Rolling Stone Website December 10, 1998

The Clash can't fail.

The Clash plan live album while tribute album awaits release

"Break a leg!" may be a common cry before one takes the stage, but it's certainly not meant to be taken seriously. Leave it to rebel Joe Strummer, however, to take the cry literally. Thanks to a broken leg, work on the forthcoming Clash live album has been temporarily halted while the Clash guitarist recovers. A spokesperson from the band's label, Epic Records, confirmed that the musician is indeed laid up, and though he was not forthcoming about the cause of the injury, did affirm that it was not a serious break. Strummer still intends to travel to Los Angeles in January to nail down the final nuts and bolts for the March 2 release of Burning London, the Clash tribute album that the musician mid-wived for the label.

Plans are still tentatively afoot to release the yet-untitled live tracks in May, although a title and track listing have not been solidified. Insiders speculate that most of the songs will be culled from the band's 1976 London Roundhouse shows, a 1978 Lewisham Odeon show, the "16 Ton" tour and the Shea Stadium concert, when the Clash opened for the Who in 1982. Strummer unearthed the Shea Stadium tapes recorded by former Who producer Glyn Johns while packing for a move. After giving them a quick listen, he approached Clash bandmates Paul Simonon (bass) and Mick Jones (guitar/vocals) about putting out a live album, and they enthusiastically hopped on board. Reportedly there are some videotapes that may see the light of day if the former band members can all agree on which glory days they will allow for public consumption.

Industry insiders also revealed that Simonon, Jones and Strummer were on hand in a London studio earlier this month with uber-engineer Bill Price as he mixed "(White Man) In Hammersmith Palais," which was recorded in Boston in 1982 and is said to be the first finished track for the live album. However, so solemn is the musicians' vow not to reform that they won't even consider re-recording or adding to any of the old tracks.

As for the tribute album, Strummer was reportedly the only member of the Clash involved, making all the calls to the artists personally and asking them to participate in the project. While he did not produce the album, Epic revealed that Strummer did have the final approval on all the tracks. He has designated that all profits from the record be donated to the Children's Hospital of Los Angeles High Risk Youth Program.

In related news, the NME reported recently that Joe Strummer played guitar for a Christmas single titled "Goblin in the Office" by Fat Les, the side project of Blur's Alex James which also includes controversial installation artist Damien Hirst.

Track Listing for Burning London:

No Doubt, "Hateful"

Urge, "This Is Radio Clash"

Ice Cube and Mack 10, "Should I Stay or Should I Go?"

Rancid, "Cheat"

Third Eye Blind, "Train in Vain"

Indigo Girls, "Clampdown"

Mighty Mighty Bosstones, "Rudie Can't Fail"

311, "(White Man) In Hammersmith Palais"

Afghan Whigs "Lost in the Supermarket"

Cracker, "White Riot"

Unwritten Law, "Guns of Brixton"

Silverchair, "London's Burning"

The Mods, "Clash City Rockers"

Moby with Heather Nova, "Straight To Hell"

Article contribution by Jason Stebner

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