Bonds Residency
Supported by The Brattles, Funkopolitin.
last updated 2 Nov 2005
updated 5 Jan 2010 - added Emerton from Brattles comments
updated Sept 2020 -
Audio 1
Sound 3.5 - time 1hr 33mins - DAT master - tracks 23
clear - aud. master -
Lightning Strikes
Sound Quality
The master audience recording in circulation is the best recording so far of the Bonds residency. It is less distant and has greater width, clarity and detail than the previous recordings.
There is some big hall echo and the sound is largely to the top end but bass though low in the mix is clear and reasonably focussed. This together with some decent stereo separation makes for an enjoyable sound and as the performance is a typically strong Bonds one, means that this is a bootleg well worth seeking out.
One or two of the track points seem strange and Ivan spreads over two tracks, though perfectly unedited.
no alcohol matinees
The Clash admirably played two Saturday no alcohol matinees at Bonds for their younger fans who would otherwise have been prevented by the nightclub’s age restrictions from seeing them perform.
Playing a matinee concert and then a later evening concert for a band who always performed with such intensity and energy was as The Clash later testified a particularly draining and exhausting experience. But as The Clash were semi-nocturnal creatures playing a rock’n’roll concert effectively at their breakfast time was doubly hard! Indeed when the band started their second matinee show late, Joe apologised saying he could not get out of bed in time!
In keeping with the event the high school band The Brattles opened the show. Former New York Dolls frontman David Johanson has recalled being impressed by The Clash after watching his son perform in The Brattles. The Dead Kennedys provided the main support slot and again in the evening.
Illustrating again the unusualness of these matinees the concert ends with an announcement from Joe on behalf of a presumably lost young fan to meet his friend by the mixing desk!
The matinee shows were well recorded; the first by one of the best Bond’s audience recordings, the second on the 13th by the CBS/Epic professional mobile equipment tracks from which appear on From Here To Eternity.
(legal paper, couldn't get it all in my scanner)
The Brattles - Branch
I just came across your site. It’s absolutely amazing. My name is Branch Emerson and I was in the Brattles. I was the 12 year old guitarist that played with a punk/pop band called the "Brattles" (ages 8 to 12). We opened for the clash twice, June 6 & 13.
You had a question mark, meaning that your not sure if we played or the Dead Kennedys? We both played, Joe saw us at the Chelsea Hotel (actually we met in the elevator and then "hung out" in his room, thereafter doing a show on the roof, the story is a riot,) He asked us to play a Bonds due to the extentions. Needless to say it was an amazing time.
[We were a] Hi-School band, followed by Funkopolitin. The "We love you clash" that is heard mid-show is caused by a mic that fell into the audience. Joe just watched kind of amused while these guys in the first rows yelled into the mic. After a while, the roadies got it back and set it up again.
I remember sitting on the side of the stage watching that show after we opened up for them and to be able to hear that show again would be amazing.
(Below) Dagin, Branch, Vern, Emerson, and Jason in front
All but Vern were 8 and he was 12 years old.
Thank you, Branch W. Emerson - bemerson@rhfunding.com
"We love you clash"
I was at the June 6th matinee show in 1981 in Bond's. The Dead Kennedys did NOT perform then. It was Brattles, followed by Funkopolitin.
The "We love you clash" that is heard mid-show is caused by a mic that fell into the audience. Joe just watched kind of amused while these guys in the first rows yelled into the mic. After a while, the roadies got it back and set it up again. Haim Barr
The Brattles - Werner
“I was the 12 year old guitarist that played with a punk/pop band called the "Brattles" (ages 8 to 12). We opened for the clash twice, June 6 & 13. You had a question mark, meaning that your not sure if we played or the Dead Kennedys. We both played, Joe saw us at the Chelsea Hotel (actually we met in the elevator and then "hung out" in his room, thereafter doing a show on the roof, the story is a riot,) He asked us to play at Bonds due to the extensions. Needless to say it was an amazing time”. Werner
The Brattles - Elda
We were at Tony Machine's wedding on the Roof of the Grammercy Park Hotel...the Clash were staying on the floor below..I remember as I arrived, Mick was just coming out the door..I was so excited that I got an approving once over, before he got in a waiting car!!
The kids were there with their parents. Branch Emerson, keyboards, is the son of Elda of Elda and the Stilleto's, the band Debbie Harry was in before Blondie..his father was Eric Emerson, who was one of Andy Warhol's actors and a Max's fixture, until he was hit by a truck, if I remember correctly, and killed...Emerson Emerson, bass, is the son of Jane Forth, made famous by Lou Reed's song Sweet Jane..also a Warhol star, and again...Eric Emerson was his dad too..the drummer was Dagin, and when he was a toddler, he got carried out on stage at the Palladium in a trash can which they tipped over, he crawled out and said Ladies and Gentlemen, The NEW YORK DOLLS...My nepehw Jason, singer, songwriter....in the plaid cap, and my shirt..his Dad, John Collins, my husband's brother, was a Max's guy, and had a pretty good Ska band called the Terrorists back in the 80's..(#23 in the list of 130 Fabulous Faces, photos by Leee Black Childers..from the book called HIGH ON REBELLION INSIDE THE UNDERGROUND AT MAX'S KANSAS CITY), and Vern was just a kid they knew.
So, they were at the wedding, and they knew the Clash were staying there...Branch wrote a note to Joe, telling him about the band and said he'd like to open for the Clash and wrote down his phone number..he left it at the front desk for Joe...who, being our Joe, was intrigued, called and Voila!!!!
elda gentile" <eldasez@earthlink.net>
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BONDS CASINO, NEW YORK Following their appearance at the Palladium in 1980 The Clash had refused to play in New York unless they could play in a venue they thought suitable, i.e. an unseated dance hall. In February, Bernie and Kosmo had come to New York to seek out a suitable venue and agreed on Bonds which seemed ideal; it could hold 4000 with minimal discomfort (fire exits would prove the problem) but it was comparatively intimate and had character (art deco interior.
History Of Bonds - includes write up and old photos It was a former men’s department store with a lino floor and beams and a makeshift stage. Local promoters could not understand why The Clash did not play a couple of nights at Madison Square Garden (16,000 capacity) like everyone else. Indeed Chris Salewicz was asked to write a piece for Soho News “to find the story behind the story!”
an excellent description of the interior of Bonds J. Blocher writing in a fanzine gives an excellent description of the interior of Bonds and the experience of seeing The Clash there: “The doors opened at 8pm, we went up a carpeted spiral staircase surrounded by barbed wire and Mooseheads. We went into a large lobby and bar, with Clash concession stands. Through a large bank of double doors we located the dance floor, strobing lights - stunning glow in the dark things, half inflated silver spacemen hanging through trap doors in the ceiling. The dance floor itself was huge with recessed balconies at 2 sides to handle the large number of techies apparently required to keep all the lights flashing and the mikes feeding back. The facilities at Bonds were dance or drop! There was absolutely no seating anywhere.”
In the photo below Bonds is the low building on the right.
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“OK here’s a bit of British bluebeat”
The recording starts with the end of the Morricone intro, then Joe says, “Good evening” followed quickly by a more appropriate “good afternoon and welcome”!
As London Calling begins the good stereo separation for an audience recording is revealed with Joe’s guitar coming in and filling out the right channel. Clarity and detail in the guitars is very good and Mick’s solo is powerful whilst Joe adds plenty of Strummer trademark whoops and cries.
The band then blast into an intense Safe European Home, the band forcing the sleep from their eyes! The Leader almost segues into Train in Vain, which again drops right down after Mick sings “…spoke to me” then builds back up. Mick’s playing over this final section is lighter and more rhythmic than his heavier 16 Tons performances.
“OK here’s a bit of British bluebeat” is Joe’s intro to White Man in Hammersmith Palais. The instrumental break after “…wealth distribution” is not so effective in the 1981 performances but otherwise it is a very strong performance with Joe adlibbing over the extended final section and Topper adds a new drum flourish right at the close.
On This Is Radio Clash the band demonstrate their ability to improvise around the rhythm with ease. Mick’s guitar playing on Corner Soul is understated and subtle and he plays some great fills on Guns Of Brixton; the recording revealing lots of enjoyable detail in the sound. The Call Up is a definite highlight; the band super tight and together and as the music drops down Joe sings, appearing to offer his advice to the young audience. A fine Bankrobber next with Mick and Joe trading lead vocals. An edit at the end of the song restarts with the intro to
Complete Control. The sound has dipped a little maybe because the taper has moved position; certainly there is talking near the taper now unlike before. The sound is a little more distant and Mick’s guitar is too far back in the sound to be effective.
Lightning Strikes has a similar sound although Mick’s guitar is higher in the mix. Ivan Meets GI Joe is split into two tracks on the CDR and on the second half of the song the sound improves again back to the same quality as before. “The chopper descends, this is Radio Saigon on AFM talking (tracers?) can be fun but lets talk about the waste, how do you do when you shoot your buddy and you want to tell him that he’s sorry” is Joe’s intro to an excellent Charlie Don’t Surf with Mick playing some great atmospheric guitar.
“Ring ring” repeats Joe over the intro to Magnificent Seven; another highlight showcasing in particular Topper’s powerhouse drumming. Mick’s “You lot” calls come through powerfully and Joe adlibs “now the sun is going down its getting to evening”. Joe sings Broadway in a soft plaintive voice over Mick’s delicate playing. Somebody Got Murdered literally builds the set through to an intense finale followed by at Joe’s request Career Opportunities with Mick and Joe trading then sharing vocals. Then its straight into Clampdown with the recording providing plenty of enjoyable detail in the twin guitar attack. Joe adlibs about college, Geiger counters and Three Mile Island and the powerful performance just lacks an inspired stream of consciousness rant from Joe.
The encore fades in seamlessly with One More Time. Joe counts the band in after a long Topper intro and Mick’s guitar rings out as the band launch into a fine performance. Mid song Mick’s backwards guitar effects swirl around Bonds effectively before the ‘fireworks’ effects come in less so. There are then loud cheers followed by a male and female voice. Their words are unclear but they do repeat, “We love you Clash”. Curiously the male voice sounds not a little like the El Salvadorian speaker from the previous concerts. It does not appear to be a stage invasion and Joe comes back in unfazed.
Mick’s intro to Brand New Cadillac hangs in the air awhile before Joe comes in and the band blast into an all signals peaking into the red performance. Next its straight into a further highlight; Police and Thieves. The audience roar at the recognition of the song’s intro and the band do not disappoint. As the song drops down to drum and bass Joe moans and woahs softly then Mick plays some great guitar lines over the top as Joe gets louder and the band build to a crescendo. There is no Joe inspired rant though before Topper brings the song to a close. The audience roar their applause and the band charge through Janie Jones to complete a very fine concert, albeit a shorter one than the evening shows.
As the band leave the stage Mick is amused that a concert has ended when as he says “…its still light outside”. The recording ends with Joe saying to the young faithful and newly converted and with concern for one lost fan, “See you again, alright. Before I go I’ve got one announcement. Will David Lobanstock meet him at the mixing desk, alright”
'I saw the Clash at Bonds' - Facebook page
Popular Facebook group that recounts memories for the Bonds residency. Well worth a read.
Did you go? What do you remember?
Info, articles, reviews, comments or photos welcome.
Please email blackmarketclash
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Joe Strummer was obviously annoyed at this, finally kicking the TV in I was lucky enough to see the Clash play twice--a great show at NYC's Palladium and one of their famous shows at Bonds. The latter show was a little lackluster, finally catching fire around halfway in--kicked off by a rousing version of Complete Control as I recall. One moment I remember clearly: a crew member put a small TV onstage so Mick Jones could watch the band perform on the Letterman show, pretaped earlier in the day. Joe Strummer was obviously annoyed at this, finally kicking the TV in. - Marlowe
greatest live band As for greatest live bands well i saw the clash in nyc when they sold too many tickets for bonds in Times Square and were obliged to play something like 2 weeks straight to honour all the tickets sold. This was the sandinista tour but the show covered every period and was quite simply amazing. Strummer got visibly pissed off when the crowd did not sing along with the obvious anthems but then you can’t expect perfection from a rock audience.Support that night was funkapolitain and the slits which blew my mind as i had no idea they were on the bill. Pearl harbour was the dj between sets.
Support acts There were a ton of opening acts at the Bonds shows, and none were memorable.
The New York Nobody Sings - Clash at Bond's reposted from my blog...
Remember When - The Clash Photos at Bonds Casino – 80s Retro Punk Rock So a few years later, when we got to do the printing for the official Clash at the Bonds Casino gig in NY City, we where ecstatic. We printed the shirts, drove them to NY City, sold them in the streets...
They Shoot Actors, Don't They? Bond's Casino
The Clash at Bonds Casino, Times Square, NYC gigs 1-3 of 17.
IT'S ALL THE STREETS YOU CROSSED NOT SO LONG AGO -The Bow-Ties that Bond BOND INTERNATIONAL CASINO--1530 Broadway, on the east side of Broadway between 44th and 45th Streets. (Often referred to as Bond's.) A short-lived discotheque most famous for hosting the "Clash on Broadway" residency in 1981,
Jo Streno Personal memories
RETRO MEMORIES The Clash at Bonds Casino, Times Square, NYC gigs 1-3 of 17.
Did you go? What do you remember? Info, articles, reviews, comments or photos welcome.
Photos
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Setlist
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1 |
London Calling |
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There are several sights that provide setlists but most mirror www.blackmarketclash.co.uk. They are worth checking.
from Setlist FM (cannot be relied on)
from Songkick (cannot be relied on)
... both have lists of people who say they went
& from the newer Concert Database and also Concert Archives
Also useful: Ultimate Music database, All Music, Clash books at DISCOGS
Articles, check 'Rocks Back Pages'
The drama of the Bonds residency
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1 2 3
5 6 7 8 9 10
12 |
The Clash arriving in New York and the build up The remainder of the residency |
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1. Background: The Clash at Bond's
Italy to New York
When The Clash landed at JFK airport in New York on the night of the 25th May 1981 they had no idea that their residency at a Broadway nightclub would create such a furore and nationwide media coverage that it became a pivotal event in their assault on America, helping to propel them into the major league Stateside. As Kosmo Vinyl has succinctly put it, “People who didn’t have straight trousers and short hair suddenly knew who we were. It got out - it was big!”. The Bonds concerts became one of the most enduring aspects of the Clash legend. ... more ...
The remainder of the press coverage once the bad had agreed to ensure all ticket holders got in by adding 8 more dates.
A collection of articles covering the bands arrival into New York including previews of the week. Also includes the WNEW preview broacast with Meg Griffin.
4. Bonds News Reports
Audio and video reports covering the ticket fiasco. Fascinating watching / listening that captures those three days well. Includes notes.
5. Ticket Fiasco
Numerous articles and audio and video reports covering the ticket fiasco.
6. The remainder of the residency
8. Longer history of Bonds plus old photos
9. Posters and adverts
Bits and pieces inclduying all adverts and posters.
10. Badges, FSLN handouts, flyers, Clash press releases ...
11. Clash on Broadway Reels
What was filmed and what happened to it?
13. Photos
Random phonts bundled here.
14. Comments
Comments for those who attended one of the gigs
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ARTICLES, POSTERS, CLIPPINGS ... A collection of A collection of articles, interviews, reviews, posters, tour dates from the Clash's residency at Bonds, New York. Articles cover the period from July through to the end of September.
VIDEO AND AUDIO Video and audio footage from the tour including radio interviews.
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Italy to New York
When The Clash landed at JFK airport in New York on the night of the 25th May 1981 they had no idea that their residency at a Broadway nightclub would create such a furore and nationwide media coverage that it became a pivotal event in their assault on America, helping to propel them into the major league Stateside. As Kosmo Vinyl has succinctly put it, “People who didn’t have straight trousers and short hair suddenly knew who we were. It got out - it was big!”. The Bonds concerts became one of the most enduring aspects of the Clash legend.
WNEW Bonds week
Prior to The Clash's arrival WNEW FM ran a Bonds Week with Meg Griffin. It includes an intro to the Clash at Bonds week with a montage of old interviews and Clash tracks
Listen again here:
Bonds News Reports
28 May - 30 May 81 - updated 5 Jan 2009When the probelms started on the 29th at the venue the news media decsended and there s both audio and video circulating that captures those few hectic days.Audio: 30 mins of TV and Radio interviews, news and commentary.
Video: The Clash - News Reports about Bond's Casino Shows - June 1981
Video - Clash on Broadway Reels -
Clash On Broadway - 19:50
The Clash / Sound System box set
It is not clear which of these comes from which night?London Calling (first night?)
This Is Radio Clash (Tom Snyder show)
The Magnificent Seven (Tom Snyder show)
Guns Of Brixton (first night?)
Safe European Home (first night?)
A good listing of the contents of the The Clash's Sound System box set can be found here.
For a full details on video from the opening shows go to the 28th
For information on the Clash on Broadway reels go here
Private Super8mm film footage of the rucus outside Bonds
Someone had a video camera and has more and better footage from outside.
Press Conference - "See out"
Would like the full press conference.
Video from Bonds
There's a lot of material now floating around all mixed up, here's the older offical stuff
1. Essential Clash DVD
cut down version of CoB from Westway but with unseeen angles and clips. Includes an edited London Calling [audio is unmixed pro recording from 9th].
2. Westway to the World BONUS footage DVD
Includes nearly full tracks of - London Calling [Trick of Treat audio] - Guns of Brixton [dubbed partly] Safe European Home [dubbed with studio single] - Charlie Don't Surf [original sound but from mixing desk] - Radio Clash [original sound but from mixing desk]. Also includes a mash up of a lot of footage from New York and outside Bonds such as the riot.
3. Video - press conference, backstage, 16 Tons play on, London Calling nearly full [probably the same length as Westway? but the sound plays on to a montage of NYC/Clash pictures]. The sound is remixed from [Trick or Treat bootleg] radio broadcast from the 9th June as Westway. 5.38min
4. MTV Rockumentary is same as Westway/Clash on TV/Essential DVD but with only very edited clips of the press conference and London Calling. Nothing new except a couple of comments form Mick and Paul.
5. Clash on Broadway Reels
Extensive details here
6. 60minute doc never realeased, various shots
7. Full multi camera shoot of the 13th evening
Never released except two tracks on 6 above.
8. Video shot across various shows
but particulalry full show from the 3rd
9. As 8 above, and Don Letts footage of Mag 7 from the 2nd June
But only partial so patched up with other audio and cut video. Though partial soundboard.
Tom Snyder show NTV
The complete Clash appearance circulates on Clash On TV Vol.1 in very good quality (apart from some ghosting) from a TV rebroadcast (better than the YouTube broadcast below). For many years Clash fans had made do with very poor quality video copies of this important Clash footage.
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