The Clash

by The Clash, Joe Strummer, Mick Jones

This title presents Strummer, Jones, Simonon & Headon, in their own words for the first time. It is the music book of 2008.From "White Riot" to "Rock The Casbah", The Clash were a band like no other. Part of the original wave of British punk bands to emerge in the 1970s, their skilled musicianship, intelligent songwriting, boundless energy, definitive style and passionate idealism caught the spirit of the times and made them a worldwide phenomenon. "Rolling Stone" magazine declared "London Calling" one of the greatest albums of all time, and their music has only become more resonant over the past thirty years. Their story is steeped in mythology. Many people have their own opinions about what made them tick - but now readers can hear the full story from the band themselves.This is the long-awaited, first official book by Joe Strummer, Mick Jones, Paul Simonon and Topper Headon. Lavishly produced, "The Clash by The Clash" brings together for the first time remarkable, previously unseen personal and professional photos of the band at home, on stage, in the studio and on the road. The result is more than a book - it is an event.

Genres: Music, Nonfiction, Biography, Punk, Autobiography, History, Rock N Roll

384 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2008

Reviews

[Gabrielle (Reading Rampage) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found a copy of a “London Calling” LP at a yard sale when I was about thirteen years old. I took it home, put it on my mom’s old turntable and it changed the way I think about music forever. Funny how a mind can be blown away and haunted by something as simple as a baseline.

Leafing through this huge coffee table book makes me happy. “The Clash by the Clash” is a gorgeous, massive collection of photos, copies of setlists, flyers, ticket stubs and other memorabilia, with plenty of anecdotes from the members of the band themselves, as well as various people from their entourage. I have always loved pictures from that era of punk: everything looks grimy, people are disheveled, the outfits are crazy, nothing is glamorous at all, but there is a vibrancy and an energy that you feel looking at those images that none of the polished pop stars of today could ever hope to match. The Clash were an especially (bizarrely) photogenic band, and I love to linger on the concert and backstage shots in this book. I also love the humour and humility in the stories told by Strummer, Simonon, Jones and Headon: while the Clash imploded badly in the mid-80s, those guys have no hard feelings towards each other, and seem only too happy to reminisce about their years as the “only band that mattered”.

Obviously, this is for the hardcore fans who can’t get enough Clash fixes – so maniacs like me. But anyone curious about the legendary band might enjoy browsing this oral history. It is not a complete biography or in-depth analysis, but it’s a fun exploration of a seminal and chaotic period of music history that truly changed rock and roll.

[Hundeschlitten · Rating 5 out of 5]

For me, this is the ultimate coffee table book. It's chock full of cool photos and original archival materials, along with fairly extensive thoughts by all the members of the band. The first thing I did was look to see if my first Clash concert was mentioned. Yep, there it is: Oct 11, 1979, at the Hollywood Palladium. It was one of those proverbial concerts that changed my life.

I've been reading the band commentaries over breakfast and then leafing through the pics on my couch, and this ritual has been making me very happy. This is an impressive, beautiful, and fairly comprehensive document of a band running on all cylinders. And its editors seemed to know what's important. For instance, that concert I attended in late-'79 is listed on page 230 of this 380-page, chronological tome. So everything after London Calling comes across almost as a post-script, even though these were the band's moments of greatest fame. Hey, "Rock the Cashbah" is a pretty decent tune, but that's not why people were willing to bleed for that band.

This coffeetable history manages to elegantly convey the urgency of The Clash's early years. When my son grows up and asks how in the hell I managed to dither away close to 20 years of my life watching and listening to rock 'n roll, I can hand him this book as Exhibit One in my defense.

[Wendelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

A joint memoir of sorts. reminiscences about their formative years, scrapbooks of posters and album reviews, photos of their frenetic stage vibe, some liner notes about the compositions of songs, some commentaries about the social/political movements they were involved in.

[Lee (Rocky) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, obviously this is for fanboys only. If you don't like the Clash, there's no reason to read this. And it is very big and clunky so not convenient for reading on the move. However, if you are interested in the Clash, it has pretty much everything you would want in a book about them -- an oral history of the band in their own words, tons of original photographs, album covers, concert flyers, handwritten setlists, etc. etc. etc. It goes through the writing and recording of all of their albums (even a brief mention of Cut the Crap), lists all their tour dates, tells you what songs they played on each tour, and gives insight into what each band member was thinking and feeling at the time and later on looking back.

[Cheleboy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unas memorias alegres y tristes. La crónica de una época que no volverá. El vacío que dejaron The Clash al disolverse, un vacío perpetuo, es del tamaño de un agujero negro. Fueron la única banda que importaba y lo siguen siendo. 3,5 estrellas.

[TK]

Me: huge cynic, disbeliever in book reviews, ads, and generally impervious to reccomendation. The New York Times Book Review for THE CLASH: the reviewer was leery at first, but then became convinced that these musicians are also thoughtful, stylish and literate. Thus, I behave out of type and allow the review to persuade me I should one day read THE CLASH by The Clash.

[David Camacho]

El año pasado escuché por primera vez un álbum completo de The Clash “London Calling” (yo solo conocía como 4 canciones y me parecía lo más equis) y quedé tan maravillado por la variedad de sonidos que había y las buenas canciones que eran (Train in vain en automático se volvió de mis favoritas de toda la vida) y me volví fan de ellos sin conocerlos mucho, adentrándome en su discografía realmente había una evolución y sus letras me parecían tan cotidianas y con esencia …

Este año descubrí que habían escrito una autobiografía y hasta apenas lo leí y aunque se trata de fragmentos de su historia y no se profundice en ciertos puntos ya de su fama y de grabaciones, me pareció muy ameno de leer, aprendí cosas (tal vez las más básicas y el lado bonito de la historia aunque creo que no hay nada fuera de lo común o grave) pero ahora puedo disfrutar más su música teniendo más en claro cómo surgieron y la unión que había entre ellos, me cayeron bien. Una verdadera banda de rock que duró poco tiempo aparentemente y que están satisfechos con lo que hicieron…

[La Central · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Ara recuperat per Libros del Kultrum, és la història dels Clash explicada per ells mateixos, des dels inicis fins a la seva separació. Un llibre immortal per una banda immortal, la única que importa.
Fet a partir de les entrevistes que van servir per fer el documental Westway to the world, sobre la història de la banda, així com de noves fetes ex profeso per a la realització del llibre, és un gran document històric sobre un grup que va revolucionar (i transcendir) l'escena del punk. Imprescindible per a qualsevol fan del grup". Xavi Ceresuela

[Esteban Galarza · Rating 3 out of 5]

Libro simpático que no aporta nada nuevo a lo que cualquier curioso de los Clash ya no sepa, pero en este caso es un popurrí de voces autorizadas (la banda en sí). Uno de esos libros perfectos para llevar a la playa, o para leer en transporte público porque es entretenido, no exige mayor poder de atención y genera ganas de volver a escuchar los discos, que son tan bellos.

[Víctor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Partamos de la base que The Clash fue una banda diferente siempre. Y bueno, con motivo del 40° aniversario de lanzamiento del disco “London Calling”, se edita este libro, que explica la ajetreada y vertiginosa carrera de esta gran banda inglesa, a modo de autobiografía, con los testimonios de cada uno de los integrantes del grupo, lo que provoca una lectura rápida y ágil, y sobretodo con diferentes puntos de vista, en un formato bastante novedoso, según mi manera de ver, siendo una biografía diferente también.
Siete años de giras, grabaciones y momentos que marcaron a fuego la escena musical de la segunda mitad de los setenta y sigue siendo pilar fundamental en la música alternativa e independiente de nuestro días.

[Kandy Stipler · Rating 5 out of 5]

The energy of this Great British Rock band is undeniable and their social discourse on world affairs and politics is undeniable . I think this is one of those books that will really inspire people who like their music untamed and straight from the heart . This is a cult classic and should be on set reading for anyone over the age of 15 ! I gave a copy to my niece for her birthday in an attempt to influence her style of music away from Justin Bieber . There are so many great songs from this period and Joe Strummer was brilliant as he combined music and politics and was able to speak from the heart without being phony .

[Carson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outtasite. If you're a fan of the band you already dig it. If you're not you'll have a better understanding of a punk outfit (with principles) that was too good to last forever.

Written from the band's memories and chock full o' ephemeral goodness, the style and tone brings the reader back to a time when three chords and the truth were all that mattered. And it may have been the last time that was a true statement.

One surprise (that probably shouldn't be) - the band had a deliberate sense of fashion. Who wouldda thunk it? I came for the white reggae grooves, punk beats and and slashing guitars...

[Jackie Carreira · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most complete historical record yet published of arguably one of the most influential British bands ever. Put together by the members of The Clash themselves, the inside story is fascinating, and the huge amount of previously unseen pictures, posters, set lists and more are fabulous. An absolute must for all serious music fans. One day this will be a collectors item!
(if you can stretch to it, buy the hardback version - if you're gonna have a book full of iconic pictures, you might as well have the big ones!)

[Thea Lemaster · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adore this book!!!!! It has such a variety of pictures, stories, and is good help if you want to write a report on the Clash! And the two best parts : the book is written by the Clash, and even though it was originally priced at $40, I bought it NEW for only $6!!! (:

[KV Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible collection of memorabilia, anecdotes, remembrances. Man. Total must-have for Clash--or even just punk fans. This book is love.

[Thomas Stroemquist · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Clash story by compilation of members' interviews, notes on records, gigs and more. Essential.

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5

Through their gathered comments, this book is “authored” by the four members of The Clash. (Think of The Beatles Anthology.) “Hearing” each of their voices made for fun reading. The only fault with this approach is that I wanted even more.

The list of concerts near the back doesn’t include the Bond’s International shows in NYC, one of which I attended. They’re spoken of intensively in the main part of the book, but it still would’ve been nice to have them there for completeness. The list also feels incomplete to me because the second time I saw them in concert seems to be missing. Even with the help of the internet, I still haven’t been able to figure out the discrepancy; though I’m sure, after forty years, it’s my memory that’s faulty and not the book (or the internet).

I’ve thought this before, so it wasn’t surprising, but the dynamics and trajectory of this band of four strong individuals comes across a lot like my other favorite group, The Beatles. Many fans lament their favorite bands breaking up after “not enough” years together; but after seven, eight, nine years of a great (and in many ways stressful) run, it seems almost inevitable to me. (Yes, I realize there are exceptions.)

I love the cover. It makes me happy just seeing it on my shelf.

[Jaimie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was severely tempted to buy this booo when I saw it at the British Library pop-up ship that went alongside their exhibition on the history of punk, but the hefty price tag and airline luggage restrictions put a quick damper on my need to purchase. Thankfully, I have excellent shopping karma and I scooped the neon-pink tome for a mere $6.00 from Value Village over the summer. Lugging it home down the hill may have been a trial, but it was so worth it. Like the Clash themselves, the book is a haphazard yet particularly arranged collection of insights, wit, and memories that recall their history from the beginnings in London to the eventual breakup from “creative differences.” I’m still only a burgeoning Clash fan (owning a mere 2 albums and constantly forgetting exactly which punk anthems are in their wheelhouse), but the more of them I seem to get the more I definitely want. Long live punk and long live the Clash!

[Dante · Rating 4 out of 5]

The oral history is one of my favorite genres of non-fiction, and this one of “The Only Band That Matters” is splendid. (Oddly, that slogan for the band doesn’t get mentioned in the text.) Chock-full of great photos and illuminating reflections from Joe Strummer, Mick Jones, Paul Simonon, and Topper Headon, I’d highly recommend it to anyone who considers themselves a fan of The Clash.

(I’d give it a 5-star rating if the book delved a bit more into whatever inspired various songs, but it’s a great book nevertheless.)

[Julio The Fox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Or, "Further Misadventures of a Misspent Youth". People ragged on me all the time for wearing my
I 'M SO BORED WITH THE USA t-shirt. I saw The Clash play every time they passed through Southern California. They were not only the greatest rock and roll band in the world but also the last. After 197, just as Joe Strummer (RIP) predicted, all rock music became corporate muzak used to entertain factory robots. Grab a piece of THE CLASH while you still can!

[Vanyo666 · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of The Clash, told by the members of the band themselves. A very interesting account of how one of my favorite bands ever came to be, and then to dissolve in acrimony and drugs. Everyone seems to remember things in a way that usually makes them look good, even when admitting to be out of control and misbehaving. So these are probably four unreliable narrators. I will seek out other stories to complement this.

[Miguel Rivas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Traducción al idioma español de la (posiblemente) más completa biografía de THE CLASH, una banda a la que la etiqueta "punk" le viene pequeña. El archivo fotográfico es impagable, así como la información que contiene. Lo único que no me gusta mucho es el formato: sus 30 x 25 cm, y su peso impiden poder disfrutar de él en según qué sitios.

[Tuli Márquez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Llegit a estones. Sembla que l'assumpte autobiogràfic hauria de fer més lleugera la llegenda. Es copsa la història del grup des del punt de vista individual, sobretot la carrera fulgurant que van viure i com es van cremar sense haver de perdre la vida, cap dels quatre. Però, té el defecte aquest dels llibres de música que cau a l'auto-homenatge banal d'aquesta mena de llibres.

[Diego Fernandez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love letter to the Clash by The Clash. Glad the art and singles are included and highlighted. They talk about mistakes and are honest with one another. This book proves why they’ll always be the only band that matters.

[Claudia Sasso · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amé leer la historia de la banda a través de entrevistas y desde sus diferentes perspectivas de los eventos que pasaron. No diría que es un literary masterpiece, pero es el libro que más he disfrutado leer este año.

[Erik · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book with one of the greatest Punk bands ever! Fun anecdotes, great background telling and much much more :)

[Andrew Tattersall · Rating 4 out of 5]

The history of the Clash as told by themselves. Illuminating and worth reading.

[Michael Haglöf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bra läsning....lyssnade på musiken samtidigt 😂

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting with lots of great photos. I loved the set lists and dates for all of their tours.

[Stan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great to read and great to put it on display in the living room. BTW I never saw them as a punk group. They were far bigger then a punk itself.