by May Wiseman
January 2003

Just a few days before we heard the news of Joe Strummer passing, my friend Johnny and I were discussing the possibility of a Clash reunion performance for the Rock N' Roll Hall Of Fame induction this year, and how he wished for an Uncle Joe that would fight with the mailman while liquored up on some buff wine, or could even provide you lyric/riff ideas when you're in a pinch. The induction was right-on news, something that every Clash fan deserves to see of their band, and an honor worthy of the nine years the band spent together making that sticky noise that consumes fans still. I'm pissed off that Joe won't be here to catch the ceremony, and more so that all the older punk rockers seem to be leaving us more frequently these days at a nearly young age.

A punk wave bug was planted inside Joe Strummer's head after seeing a live Sex Pistols show at the Nashville in April of 1976 where he attended with his then-band the 101ers, a pub band that quickly vaporized afterward. Approached by manager Bernie Rhodes to form a punk band much like SP, Joe gangs up with The Clash and a year later their first album is released, simply The Clash, birthing a new band in the London underground punk explosion. The prolificacy in Strummer's lyrical view on the world had the ability to open the minds of those focused on a society they had adapted to, and this was namely a community that had been controlled down to the dollar by their government system. This was a life where most citizens were being stuck in an unhappy situation (whether job or home) and Joe was saying this could be changed- it was just a matter of the choices an individual made. We heard "Hate and war- the only things we got today" ("Hate and War"), and "Everybody's doing what they're told to, nobody wants to go to jail!" ("White Riot") just in their first album, and still to this day- if not more so to this day- we have The Clash to fall back on, if not learn from.

The years following, Strummer's lyrics became consistent with this in-your-face stance on war, racism (attacking the racial barriers we are still faced with daily), greed and social relations, and of course the English class society ("London Calling"). We could feel what was being said from the band's music, and every new release would bring on this sense of freedom from the claustrophobic environment throughout England, and eventually this feeling was brought to America. Strummer's lyrics where honest observations in the flaws of their current government situations, and his lyrical points were emphasized by the ferocious music. This was it, People!

Rock n' roll? Rock music, in the guise of pub bands, had waned into this mish mash of AM/FM, underground, garage, whatever; the guitars/lyrics were sped up to resemble what is known as heavy metal, or other punk bands- it stunk! Pub bands were the rage until this breed of punk rock from the Sex Pistols, and The Clash emerged. The Clash, and Joe Strummer, were a blessing to the soul of what rock n' roll is, Joe was a blessing for the troubled times people were faced with- and the best part, (I can never say this enough) he said whatever the hell he wanted and didn't look back- each member still keeping true appreciation for this band's fans and the life they lived. They once provided a careless drunkard a place to crash after a show for the simple fact of 'they are our fans' - Such fan appreciation hasn't been known since.

After disbanding with The Clash, I had heard of Joe's solo attempts, but I never much followed them. I knew he fronted the Pogues for a spell and played a few roles in various movies. I'm not angry anymore about The Clash break-up, I just didn't really follow Joe's subsequent efforts because my perception of the world had already been altered by The Clash; they had given me and their other millions of fans their significance to do what we pleased.

Regardless of the trappings of materialism and capitalism, we're all reduced the basic human element. So, it doesn't matter how much you "have", or how much you "owe", everyone is still craving the same things; belonging, love, and hope for some small taste of freedom from something they have become. Strummer was one of those writers that would make people listen until the album ended, and then listen again for anything you may have overlooked the first time. That is the rare but cherished quality that still makes that band viable to this day for their fans.

Six packs aplenty, and a whole collection of advice from Joe, I would have to say Thanks! Ms. Clairol be blessed- my roots are gray, and his time was up. So Yes Joe, you should have stuck around long enough for the hallers- however, it must be a kickin' show in heaven with all that good talent around you.