Pressure Drop, The Clash (1979) “Now when it drops on your dirty little head (oh yeah)
Where you gonna go?” In 1979, premier UK punk group The Clash covered The Maytals’ 1969 hit.
Safe European Home, The Clash (1978) The song is about a trip to Jamaica gone wrong, hence the lyrics “I went to the place where every white face is an invitation to robbery.”
Singer Joe Strummer and guitarist Mick Jones were sent to Jamaica for two weeks in December 1977 to write songs for their upcoming second album. “We must’ve looked like a strange pair to the locals… I’m surprised we weren’t filleted and served on a plate of chips” noted Jones. “We went down to the docks and I think we only survived because they mistook us for sailors.”
“Don’t be gaslightin’ me, MoFo.” Jerry Casale (of DEVO fame) airs some grievances as Jihad Jerry & The Evildoers, a new release after a 15 year break. After three minutes of that I gotta rest my earballs.
Petty Booka features Petty and Booka, except Petty left in 1997 and was replaced with a different Petty, and in 2002 Booka left and a new Booka joined the new Petty. Here they are at Cheapo Disc in Austin, Texas, 2007 with a better version of Connie Francis’ song from 1962. (I don’t know why, but there’s some extraneous bluegrass filler from somewhere in El Paso).
Freshlyground features Zolani Mahola (the one who sings) who has one of the prettiest voices I’ve heard. The band hails from Capetown, South Africa, and their style is Afro-eclectic pop jazz – at least that’s how my ears see it.
Gonna be a hot one tomorrow – Death Valley is expected to reach 130°F so don’t go there. Go somewhere else, point and laugh at someone for no reason, and have a great weekend.
How to build a shelter without modern tools in under 15 minutes. Okay, it’ll take a while longer (“The whole hut took 9 months from start to finish“) but it’s still cool. BTW, every Boy Scout knows an easier way to start a fire.
The Clash‘ “Charlie Don’t Surf” was not featured in the 1979 movie “Apocalypse Now” as it was recorded a year later for their 3-record album “Sandinista!“
When their earlier LP London Calling was released in 1980, critics said that Springsteen’s upcoming double-disc album The River would outsell the Clash effort and wipe away any impact. Joe Strummer‘s response was: “Right Bruce. Suck on this!” The band then expanded Sandinista! into a triple album.
The song was based on a quote from the movie, and the groove is a good one.
The Olympics were an underrated vocal group (see Walter Ward and the Challengers) and there are few live vids on the Utoobage; however, there’s a nice collection of recordings here.
Roger Miller‘s “England Swings.” I hate that song, and I hope you do, too.
Pink Floyd is another Brit treasure who have been around longer than you think. That vid’s from 1969.
The Clash – one of the great early punk bands, influenced and encouraged by The Ramones.
We posted this previously, but it’s worth a repost. Yeoman Warden explains why the Brits were not to be messed with. If you’ve never clicked on a single vid that we’ve posted here, click on that one and pay close attention. Then you’re going to want to hunt down and pay attention to the rest of the 6 part series of awesome.
Have a great weekend, folks, and be back here tomorrow for more stuff.