The Clash: still selling records
The Clash were one of the most successful English punk bands, and 36 years after their first release are putting out two new compilations, writes Michael Hann
Influential 1970s English punk band The Clash are preparing to release a pair of compilations at the end of summer. That a new Clash compilation and box set - the sixth and the third, respectively - can still generate excitement is testimony to both the affection in which the band are held, and the sense that no British rock 'n' roll band since has challenged them for ambition, scope and excitement.
Sound System is a box set, containing the first five Clash albums remastered, plus a plethora of rarities in both audio and visual form. The Clash Hits Back is a two-CD best-of, sequenced to copy the setlist from a show at the Brixton Fair Deal - now the Academy - in July 1982.
Clash members Mick Jones and Paul Simonon discuss the new releases, and look back at their heyday and the band's influences.
We're from the Brixton area, and I used to go there - it used to be called the Brixton Astoria - for Saturday morning pictures. It's where I saw my first pop show. We all turned up as 10-year-olds, and they said: "Right, boys and girls, we've got a special surprise for you - we're not going to show you a film!"
So everyone was "Booooo."
"No, we've got a special surprise - we have Sandie Shaw!" And Sandie Shaw came on, and she was going on about not having any shoes.