Overview
The Clash thought they could change the world. They never did, but they created some of the greatest rock music of all time in the attempt. Clash interviews were mesmerizing. Infused with the messianic punk spirit, the Clash engaged with the press like no rock group before or since, treating interviews almost as addresses to the nation. Their pronouncements were welcomed but were hardly uncritically reported. The Clash’s back pages are voluminous, crackle with controversy, and constitute a snapshot of a uniquely thoughtful and fractious period in modern history. Included in this compendium are the Clash’s encounters with the most brilliant rock writers of their time, including Lester Bangs, Nick Kent, Mikal Gilmore, Chris Salewicz, Charles Shaar Murray, Mick Farren, and Lenny Kaye. Whether interviewed by punk fanzines like Sniffin’ Glue and 48 Thrills, pious UK weeklies like New Musical Express, Melody Maker, Sounds, and Record Mirror, or US periodicals like Creem, Trouser Press, and Rolling Stone, the Clash consistently created copy that lived up to their sobriquet “The Only Band That Matters.”
Reviews
“The Clash on The Clash returns to the heady days of ’77, and confirms that the only English band that mattered made music, politics, and commerce matter like few others. Sean Egan’s excellent collection of interviews ranges from the early days to the aftermath, from the dubious recollections of original guitarist Keith Levene to expanded versions of Egan’s own 21st century interviews with the band members. Lester Bangs’s 16,000-word love letter to the Clash is a real gem. Guttersnipes rejoice!” —Randal Doane, author of Stealing All Transmissions: A Secret History of The Clash
“A bright garland of well-selected interviews strung out across the saw-toothed time-line of one of the most truthful—as well as one of the most self-deceptive—bands of all time. . . . What you have assembled here is the true and authentic voice of Radio Clash.” —Mike Laye, Clash photographer
"Throughout, Egan’s excellent annotations provide context and structure to the interviews and articles. Fans of music from the original punk rock era will enjoy this title."—Library Journal
Author Biography
Sean Egan is an author and journalist who has interviewed members of the Beach Boys, the Beatles, the Kinks, Led Zeppelin, the Rolling Stones, the Sex Pistols, the Velvet Underground, the Who, and many others. He is the author or editor of several books, including Keith Richards on Keith Richards, Fleetwood Mac on Fleetwood Mac, Bowie on Bowie, and Jimi Hendrix and the Making of Are You Experienced.
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