The Clash.. Where to Start?

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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  • Posts: 14,077
    Start at the beginning
    Ron: I just don't feel like going out tonight
    Sammi: Wanna just break up?

  • 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
  • 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.
  • 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.
    7/2/06 - Denver, CO
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    9/03/11 - East Troy, WI - PJ20 - Night 1
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  • Posts: 1,901
    http://www.amazon.com/The-Clash/dp/0446539732
    1996: Toronto
    1998: Barrie
    2000: Montreal, Toronto, Auburn Hills
    2003: Cleveland, Buffalo, Toronto, Montreal
    2004: Boston X2, Grand Rapids
    2005: Kitchener, London, Hamilton, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto
    2006: Toronto X2
    2009: Toronto
    2011: PJ20, Montreal, Toronto X2, Hamilton
    2012: Manchester X2, Amsterdam X2, Prague, Berlin X2, Philadelphia, Missoula
    2013: Pittsburg, Buffalo
    2014: Milan, Trieste, Vienna, Berlin, Stockholm, Oslo, Detroit
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  • 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.
  • 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
  • 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 ....
  • 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
  • Posts: 10,822
    josevolution wrote:
    show previous quotes

    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!
  • 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
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Posts: 601
    From the beginning, ignore Sandinista until you love the other stuff and ignore Cut the Crap completely!!
  • Posts: 601
    You should also read 'Redemption Song, The Ballad of Joe Strummer' by Chris Salewicz, a fantastic book.
  • 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.
    show previous quotes
  • 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!
  • 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.
  • Posts: 310
    Starting my journey now…


  • 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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