The Clash.. Where to Start?

Nowhere Man
Nowhere Man Posts: 345
edited December 2012 in Other Music
Where's the best place to start with this band, should I just dive into an album or maybe a playlist, any suggestions?
I just downloaded and The Future is Unwritten, and I'm going to watch it soon, Joe Strummer seems so interesting.
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  • Gary Carter
    Gary Carter Posts: 14,077
    Start at the beginning
    Ron: I just don't feel like going out tonight
    Sammi: Wanna just break up?

  • SD48277
    SD48277 Posts: 12,243
    Nowhere Man wrote:
    Where's the best place to start with this band, should I just dive into an album or maybe a playlist, any suggestions?
    I just downloaded and The Future is Unwritten, and I'm going to watch it soon, Joe Strummer seems so interesting.

    Oo...that is a great doc. London Calling or Sandanista is a great start. For post-Clash, Joe Strummer and the Mescaleros' Streetcore is fantastic.
    ELITIST FUK
  • JOEJOEJOE
    JOEJOEJOE Posts: 10,822
    I'd start from the beginning

    The first two albums are of a similar style, so that will give you a good foundation.

    Then, prepare to be blown-away by "London Calling"........of any album that changed my life, that was it!

    Sandanista can be a bit of a challenge....36 tracks, but all great!

    Combat Rock - never got too into that one....."Straight to Hell", and "Know Your Rights" are my favorites.
  • dcfaithful
    dcfaithful Posts: 13,076
    JOEJOEJOE wrote:
    I'd start from the beginning

    The first two albums are of a similar style, so that will give you a good foundation.

    Then, prepare to be blown-away by "London Calling"........of any album that changed my life, that was it!

    Sandanista can be a bit of a challenge....36 tracks, but all great!

    Combat Rock - never got too into that one....."Straight to Hell", and "Know Your Rights" are my favorites.

    Great advice here. I actually listened to "London Calling" for the first time about 6 months ago and wow. I'm so glad I finally listened to it.
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  • zarocat
    zarocat Posts: 1,901
    http://www.amazon.com/The-Clash/dp/0446539732
    1996: Toronto
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  • curmudgeoness
    curmudgeoness Brigadoon, foodie capital Posts: 4,130
    "Start at the beginning" is good advice.

    Have fun. I swear, their music gets better each time I listen to it.
    All those who seek to destroy the liberties of a democratic nation ought to know that war is the surest and shortest means to accomplish it.
  • sleeplikeadog
    sleeplikeadog Posts: 156
    Yeah, start at the beginning. I don't like Sandanista at all, but LOVE the earlier stuff, and even some of Combat Rock. Joe Strummer was awesome, and inspired some of the best punk rock bands around. I personally like the Clash better than the Sex Pistols, and the Ramones. Just seem a little more socially relevent.
    Walking is still honest
  • josevolution
    josevolution Posts: 31,648
    JOEJOEJOE wrote:
    I'd start from the beginning

    The first two albums are of a similar style, so that will give you a good foundation.

    Then, prepare to be blown-away by "London Calling"........of any album that changed my life, that was it!

    Sandanista can be a bit of a challenge....36 tracks, but all great!

    Combat Rock - never got too into that one....."Straight to Hell", and "Know Your Rights" are my favorites.

    I totally agree with this statement my favorite Band above the mighty PJ ....
    jesus greets me looks just like me ....
  • Thoughts_Arrive
    Thoughts_Arrive Melbourne, Australia Posts: 15,165
    First album U.S version.
    Then work your way through them to see the progression of the band.
    Adelaide 17/11/2009, Melbourne 20/11/2009, Sydney 22/11/2009, Melbourne (Big Day Out Festival) 24/01/2014
  • JOEJOEJOE
    JOEJOEJOE Posts: 10,822
    josevolution wrote:
    JOEJOEJOE wrote:
    I'd start from the beginning

    The first two albums are of a similar style, so that will give you a good foundation.

    Then, prepare to be blown-away by "London Calling"........of any album that changed my life, that was it!

    Sandanista can be a bit of a challenge....36 tracks, but all great!

    Combat Rock - never got too into that one....."Straight to Hell", and "Know Your Rights" are my favorites.

    I totally agree with this statement my favorite Band above the mighty PJ ....

    Smart man!

    My life was forever changed once I bought "London Calling" when I was in the 8th grade.....I then discovered Devo, Boomtown Rats, The Specials, Madness, Squeeze, Pretenders, Talking Heads, Flying Lizards, The Plimsouls.....those were the days!
  • JDB
    JDB Posts: 277
    Yep, can't argue with that. The Clash then Give "Em Enough Rope then London Calling and Sandanista but stop at Combat Rock (1982). Some of Joe Strummers solo stuff is good too. Rock Art And The X-Ray Style and Streetcore are good albums.
    Gary Carter wrote:
    Start at the beginning
  • smallpoxchampion
    smallpoxchampion Posts: 30
    No love for Global A Go Go? I think that album's got some of the best songs of his career!

    Definitely start at London Calling and then hit everything you can. Leave Give 'em Enough Rope 'till the end and don't bother with Cut the Crap.
  • JDB
    JDB Posts: 277
    I've got Global but I hardly ever listen to it. Lots of people say it's his best but I just seem to like the other two better.
    smallpoxchampion wrote:
    No love for Global A Go Go? I think that album's got some of the best songs of his career!

    Definitely start at London Calling and then hit everything you can. Leave Give 'em Enough Rope 'till the end and don't bother with Cut the Crap.
  • frazba
    frazba Posts: 601
    From the beginning, ignore Sandinista until you love the other stuff and ignore Cut the Crap completely!!
  • frazba
    frazba Posts: 601
    You should also read 'Redemption Song, The Ballad of Joe Strummer' by Chris Salewicz, a fantastic book.
  • smallpoxchampion
    smallpoxchampion Posts: 30
    It's a total grower. I'm pretty sure Johnny Appleseed was the best song he ever wrote.
    JDB wrote:
    I've got Global but I hardly ever listen to it. Lots of people say it's his best but I just seem to like the other two better.
    smallpoxchampion wrote:
    No love for Global A Go Go? I think that album's got some of the best songs of his career!

    Definitely start at London Calling and then hit everything you can. Leave Give 'em Enough Rope 'till the end and don't bother with Cut the Crap.
  • JH6056
    JH6056 Posts: 2,437
    I like the "start from the beginning" advice. And don't forget "Black Market Clash" between "Give Em Enough Rope" and "London Calling".

    And even I, a huge mega Clash fan, took awhile (back in the day) to fall completely in love with Sandinista, but it is nothing short of BRILLIANT. If you go in order, maybe you'll be ready for it by the time you get to it. I'd almost say go slightly out of order and do London Calling and then Combat Rock and then Sandinista... but whatever, they're all brilliant and f'ckin amazing, so you can't go wrong.

    And if you become a total fan, check out Joe's post-Clash solo stuff before the Mescaleros before you finish up with the Mescaleros (Earthquake Weather, Latino Rockabilly War, WALKER SOUNDTRACK (amazing spaghetti western music)).

    This past weekend Dec 22 was the 10 yr anniversary of Joe Strummer's passing. Even though this thread is old, it's a good time to revive it. Every day is a good day to discuss delving into the Clash!
  • reesdog
    reesdog Auckland, NZ. Posts: 1,981
    kp7o1.jpg
    The Clash, what a great band! I recommend starting here, The Story Of The Clash - Volume 1, two LP set (it's available on CD too). A career retrospective with all the hits and a load of choice album cuts, basically the essential Clash starter kit in my opinion.
    A wop bop a loo bop a lop bam boom.
  • circlesdown
    circlesdown Posts: 310
    Starting my journey now…


  • JOEJOEJOE
    JOEJOEJOE Posts: 10,822
    circlesdown said:
    Starting my journey now…


    Have a great time discovering one of the greatest bands of all-time!  

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