Here is a list of known articles around the time of the tour. If you know of anything that is missing please do let us know.

Poster

Rhodes, Mandy. "There's Still a Riot Goin' On." Sounds, 8 June 1985, p. 21. Photos by Ronald Simpson.

THERE'S STILL A RIOT GOIN' ON

In 1985, The Clash returned to their roots with an unorthodox tour of spontaneous, amp-less performances across Scotland, reconnecting with working-class audiences and reaffirming their anti-establishment ethos. Rather than cashing in on fame, they used busking and community gigs to spark political conversation and collective action, insisting that real change comes from the people-not just the music.

SOUNDS - June 8, 1985 - Page 21

THERE'S STILL A RIOT GOIN' ON

MANDY RHODES Pix: Ronald Simpson

PHOTOS: THE CLASH: we do not wear hair gel

The Clash are back, busking their way round the country and dishing out their dole queue battle cries with renewed fervour. Can they still incite a white riot? Are they rockin' the casbah? And is there still a chance it can all smash the system..?

"Kick over the wall, cause governments to fall / How can you refuse it? / Let fury have the hour, anger can be power / D'you know that you can use it?" - The Clash, 1979

THERE'S STILL A RIOT GOIN' ON

Back in 1977, the Clash were touring Britain in the back of a small van, turning up at venues uninvited and humbly asking to play. Eight years on, and the Clash once more are touring Britain in the back of a small van. They're turning up at venues uninvited, and they're asking to play...

The Clash, as we're all well aware, have become one of the most successful and long-lasting rock bands to emerge from the punk era. The reasons for their longevity as a band can be attributed in no small part to their strong Socialist principles - they always did have more holding them together than a few safety pins. They filled the largest and most prestigious concert halls, and attempted to enlighten the right-wing bastions of Reagan's America as well as the rest of the world with their raucous political messages.

Today, the Clash could easily pack any venue they chose to grace with their presence. They could follow the dubious example of the Stones, if they cared to, and charge outrageous prices for a ticket to view the spectacle. Instead, they're turning up all over the place - from tiny little Glasgow bars where they're greeted with disbelief and open arms, to the front door queues of gigs by such as The Alarm, where, though the punters are full of appreciation, the band in question might have a thing or three to say about possible upstaging.

When Strummer's lads are performing a repertoire of their golden oldies - not an unpolished gem to be seen, and every one a proven winner - there could well be some sympathy felt for the band inside.

So, just what is the purpose of this 'Bum Tour'? Have the band come full circle or would they like to have?

Strummer answers as though it's obvious:

"We're doing the tour for ourselves, we enjoy it more this way. We wanted to get out on the streets again, we wanted to get back to our roots and find out what direction we should take now."

And..?

"No, we haven't found it yet."

The boys chose to get back to their roots - and back on the street - with an initial burst of impromptu busking on one of Edinburgh's busiest thoroughfares, swiftly followed with appearances at community groups and at small, unpublicised (though always, somehow, packed) gigs. Admission prices weren't even asked, and clubs like La Sorbonne and Coasters bulged at the seams early in May.

At the height of their first flush of fame, Joe Strummer had grunted,

"As a group with flash appeal, we can use our privilege to get the message over. Tell the people to rise up."

That was then. How would the band go down in an even more downtrodden land in 1985? Certainly, the energy of the audience at the shows was unquestionable.

Largely consisting of the young and unemployed, the common allegiance was their grievance against "the system" that deprives them of work, accommodation, and any measure of self-respect.

A night of light entertainment wouldn't be accepted. They were inspired and united, for once, if only to hear the call for change. Now, more than ever, the message of the Clash needs to be sung loud - to pick up on the feeling in the land.

That happened.

"You saw the spirit of the crowd tonight," rasped Joe, after an especially noisy gig. "They made the night. They have the potential and the energy to change the system."

Self-delusion? A dream world? At least they're getting involved.

During their visit to Scotland's capital, the band spent time at Jimmy Boyle's Gateway Exchange, a drop-in centre for young people, and specifically for those with drug-related problems. They heard details of its work and heard about communities like Wester Hailes, a sprawling council estate in Edinburgh.

Said Joe:

"We have the highest regard for the Gateway and for communities like Wester Hailes. We've met the people there and heard about what's happening, everyone feeling a part of something, realising that, by getting together, they can improve their situation."

It is a difficult and often criticised combination - it looks hypocritical when such vast amounts of money can be made out of pop. But the Clash seem to see their role as solely that of a vehicle for others to use.

It's the people who must advocate and demand the changes, but the band will help by getting people together in one place, listening to the sounds of defiance.

"We want Thatcher and Reagan out, we want a change in the system," says Joe. "We're not saying we have the answer, though, not at all. That's why we're doing this tour - to talk to people, maybe to find a way to create change."

Regardless of the fact that the Clash played without amps or mikes, the message was as loud and as clear as ever on those days and nights up in Scotland. Using only acoustic guitars and an oil can for a drum, they belted out a battle cry, and the feeling was one of solid unity.

White riot? It's still too early to say.

And what now?

"Oh, we'll be busking outside a Bruce Springsteen show next."

MANDY RHODES

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Enlarge image

Drumming Man

85 07 13 Record Mirror-Topper Drumming Man

Back on Topper

1985-06-15 Record-Mirror-Topper new single

Sounds, Exit the Dragon, Topper Interview

85 08 03

Record Mirror- Topper interview

1985-08-03

Artwork for single Are You ready for War

Joe and Spain - "I Need Dodge"

by Chris Chaplow

Joe Strummer (1952-2002) was founder and lead singer of the punk rock band The Clash. His life story and the rise and fall of The Clash are well documented. Less known, especially in the UK, is his strong association with Granada and San José (Almería) in Andalucía. Detailed below is this association, presented in chronological order and including as many detailed place names as possible so that Joe Strummer and The Clash fans can follow the trail.

Part One Spanish Bombs

https://www.andalucia.com/history/people/joe-strummer-clash

Archived PDF

PART TWO - I NEED A DODGE

https://www.andalucia.com/history/people/joe-strummer-clash/part2/I-need-a-Dodge

Archived PDF

Youtube

Friday Night Doc - 'I Need A Dodge! Joe Strummer on the Run'. The story of Joe Strummer's self-imposed exile in Granada in 1985/6.

Youtube

A documentary about Joe Strummer by Carles Prats, Antonio Jesús García and Javi Navarrete. Assistant director: Pau Bacardit. Photography: Los Isleta, Carla Söme, Sol Úbeda. Production, Maria Prats, Marisa Álvarez. Motion Graphics: The Craft Brothers. Music: Carles Prats Jr. Javier Gedeón, Christian Rey.