Methedrine power

Clash package
Rainbow
To all those who didnít see the clashes first concert at the end of last summer the very idea that theyíd sell out the rainbow a few months later was darkly inconceivableÖ Yet the energy and commitment (in capital letters) were there right from the start. As with signing a record contract, they did it when they were ready.

Surveying the pogo dancing Arms outstretched mass, Joe Strummer spotlighted front of a backdrop depicting the police at last yearís Nottingham Hill carnival ñ said, ìitís just like Iggy Pop isnít it?î A rock and roll concert, and a wildly successful one at that. Did they want more?

◦ The biggest new wave audience thus far (and this is only a start) got a rundown on no less than five vans; after Thora of new songs manically buzzing guitars and methedrine power delivery; Roof if proof were needed, that something has happened and people are now beginning to know what it is.

The prefix rest it off, faster than anyone, followed by the excellently visual Subway sacked, then Buzzcocks. The 1st to get an encore, Buzzcocks had more material the audience new, including ì16ì, ìoh shitì and ìboredomì, which helped overcome the occasionally wonky sound that all bands ñ bar clash ñ had to face.

The jam hit home without a knockout punch. None of the high ÖÖ Of the three-piece got lost in distortion and they introduced new songs, ìchange my addressî and ìthe modern worldî but they rallied in find style with ìin the cityî and And a careering headlong version of ìslow downî to get an encore. Time is on their side, and it looks like theyíre breaking across theÖ as a fine rock ëní roll band.

The ClashÖ Spotlights and killer sound ìLondonís Burningî started it off-piledriving drums underlying the three guitar assault with Strummer screaming and celebrating in the centre of the stage.

Late and great. No talk and all action. And an album of the material the audience knew and couldnít wait to hear unleashed. Out againÖ Burning and scorching FuryÖ Plugged in to rock ëní roll. ì1977ì, ìIím so bored with the USAì, ì48 hoursì and Mick Jonesí ìProtex blueî.
Then a short denouncement of the National front. But where the key is that greeted it ironic? Clash let it pass, demonstrating anti-racism with a brilliant ìpolice and thievesì that took off where the album cut left it-vocals and slick guitar mixing and transporting perfectly.

The house lights came partially up as a set of Pogo dancing punks engulfed the auditorium, win odd remnants of seats held orÖ By then the concert was definitely on the edge. Clash in control, almost. Audience out of control, almost

ìremote controlì, a full tilt ìwhite riotì, then three numbers of an encore. And end with a surprisingly quiet subsidence of the audience. Of no surprise at all.

Clash were full and ferocious, draining their audience in find tradition.

Theyíre big, theyíre here. It was stunning classic rock ëní roll performance. Who wanted more? Jake Sheerlow