Joe Strummer: The Interview
In our meetings at my college radio station when we were selecting who would get to interview the various bands coming to town for shows, I sometimes joked “I get The Clash,” never really thinking it would be a possibility. But then, amazingly, the stars aligned. Our “cross-town rival” university wanted to us promote a tour stop they were hosting for the recently reconstituted band; Joe Strummer and Paul Simonon, having recently sacked Mick Jones and previously parted ways with Topper Headon, had drafted three new members and were touring the US. As a result, the last time I said “I get The Clash” I was not joking.
While it felt weird watching them with the new configuration, they did sound pretty good. It certainly wasn’t the same but Joe Strummer was always compelling on stage. They even did a few new songs that sounded pretty good live. This was well before they released the “Cut the Crap” album, the less of which we speak the better.
After the show, I was granted backstage access. Kosmo Vinyl led me to a locker room, sat two cold Kirin beers down on a bench that was bolted to the floor, and told me to stand by. It wasn’t long before he brought Joe in, introduced us, and left us alone for a bit. We both sat down straddling the bench, facing each other with my tape recorder and the beers between us. A quick “cheers” and clinking of bottles and we started.
There is always some apprehension about meeting your idols, but Joe could not have been nicer. I ended up with about 20 minutes of tape which I ultimately cut into a show with music. On my Soundcloud page I’ve posted the raw interview for your listening pleasure. Enjoy Joe, but please be gentle critiquing my interview skills.
For an aural scavenger hunt, listen for references to The Cortinas, George Gershwin, Mick Jones, and Gang of Four.