What's my name? Joe Strummer

I recently wrote a blog about an early clash concert I attended in Belfast during my mid teens and decided on a follow up regarding the main man Joe Strummer. It was the year 1989 and the venue the bacchanal on Clairemont Mesa blvd. A smaller club that is now a pc store or something like that as it was located in one of those monstrous strip malls. Not a very flattering ending for this club considering some of the great shows that graced its stage. Devo, Alien Sex Fiend, Flock of Sea Gulls, Killing Joke and those are some of what I just saw there. Many more classic acts such as Ray Charles and Joe Cocker, I am sure many more could give input here. But one of the most memorable was of course Joe Strummer. The Modus operandi for me in those days was to buy a bottle of liquor in the store next to the club (now a Cingular outlet) and head across the street to the Burger King (the only place still there) order a coke, small fry and make a stiff drink for sporting a good buzz before the concert. It was on this occasion that this ritual paid off and not just in the obvious monetary terms. While sipping our beverages (Jeff W was with me) Joe Strummer walked in for a pre-show meal. At this time I believe he was claiming to be a vegetarian so I was a little surprised to see him with a whopper hanging out of his mouth as I asked him for his autograph. We exchanged some minor conversation mainly if he had been banned from playing Belfast because he wore a H Block tee shirt (maybe a blog about that someday) he replied with something to the effect of “not really” signed my paper and I let him be. I put that autograph somewhere so safe I never found it again, this is one of life’s regrets, if I only I had that now I would frame it. When he got up to leave we asked him if he was about to go on (in other words do we need to chug) and he replied "na lads take your time it will be a while" . If you have ever been to this club you would know that it would be quite hard to be more than 20 feet from the stage. Joe Strummer a true punk legend almost on par with the likes of Bowie or such in such an intimate place as this. The clash could fill quite sizable venues in their heydays. Anyway he was on tour to promote a solo album "Earthquake Weather”. Not a bad album and you could certainly feel his clash roots. But it was just one album as a solo artist so what did you think he had to fill the rest of the set with? You got it classic Clash numbers. I was unbelievably presented with the opportunity to see Joe Strummer perform all early clash songs standing six feet away from him. Protex blue, what's my name, garage land and London calling just to tickle you a little. Just 4 years previous I saw him at the back of a large hall too intimidated to make my way to the front, to now shaking his hand and watching him play 6 feet away. The night did not go without a glitch. After the third song the power went off to the entire grid in the surrounding area and we ended up standing outside for almost 2 hours. By 12:30 am it still was not back on and I was sure it was going to be canceled. But just before 1am the power was back and he was back playing for another 1 1/2. Truly magical… Of note the place was not even sold out. I suppose this was a good thing for me, but quite surprising. I guess most people have heard of the clash but know little of who the singer is… Anyway enjoy the video




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