Author:All The Young Punks – Iain Key / Solid Bond In Your Heart – Malcolm Wyatt
Two books based around memories, thoughts, and anecdotes of 2 bands from the same time period, and in many cases the same audience.
These books aren’t intended to be a history of the bands, so don’t go expecting to find any new stories or revelations – The Jam book has a slightly more historic bent starting at 1973 (the formation of The Jam) whilst The Clash tale starts in September 1976. From these starting points, chronology follows stopping off at major points for comment and memories from a wealth of contributors – all with a story to tell how those moments are seared into memory.
The authors, I’m guessing, are of a similar age to me as in their introductions they both state they never got to see the bands live (me neither, but I have seen many tribute acts – close enough), and in the case of Iain Key came late to The Clash through The Story Of The Clash compilation in 1988 (me too, and then worked backwards from there).
Knowing the history, music, and reputation of the bands, and not being there myself, these books show a fascinating tale of just how important The Clash and The Jam were to people. And there is a very real connection coming through – reputation suggests, and these stories confirm, that members of these bands would make time for fans on a personal level, and their influence and legacy is only enhanced by that personal connection.
Clash retrospectives rarely (or only briefly) touch on what happened after 1982 and Mick Jones leaving. The 1984 Out of Control Tour, Cut The Crap and the Busking Tour are mentioned, but there is an air of resignation in the stories “OK, it’s not the classic line-up but it’s still The Clash”, showing (like supporting a football team) true fans will follow in lean times as well as halcyon days.
Only downside is the history doesn’t follow through in any depth to Big Audio Dynamite, Havana 3AM, or The Mescaleros (football analogy again: is that a bit like a history of Wimbledon FC talking about Milton Keynes Dons?)
By contrast, The Jam legacy is not so resigned (their split in 1982 marked a full stop, unlike The Clash trying to keep going without Mick or Topper). OK, not every Jam fan followed Paul Weller being a Style Councillor, but you can bet your life that many returned for his solo career (and all its various guises and left-turns), and (speaking from experience) will still shout song words back at the band when From The Jam appear on stage.
“Please welcome the best band in the world”
“The only band that matters”
These 2 phrases (one used for each band) are interchangeable based on the tales regaled by the contributors
Length of Read:Medium
Might appeal to people who enjoyed…
People’s History / Oral History books – sometimes they can be the more interesting than a straight timelined biography, and one can get a stronger insight to thoughts, feelings, and effects of a moment in time. And one also takes away the ongoing influence and legacy of those moments.
One thing you’ve learned
Both The Clash and The Jam – in the scheme of things – had relatively short lives (5/6 years), yet here we are 40 years on and they still resonate with those who were there, those who weren’t (eg me), and I’m pretty sure their influence has touched some who weren’t even born.
I admit the pervading influence may diminish over time, but one hopes that The Jam and The Clash (even though they had no hits) will continue to be recognised in the pantheon of the great and good
@Rigid-Digit Great stuff. Malcolm Wyatt is a pal from way back; I used to write for his Woking FC fanzine; and I am chuffed to have been asked to contribute to Solid Bond, which is endorsed and praised by Weller himself.
Did notice your contribution (admittedly, after you highlighted it on that ther Facebook thing).
Paul Weller famous for moving forward, not looking back has pleasingly recognised his legacy and impact.
It took a good few years before Jam tracks were introduced to his live show, and whilst not going down the nostalgia route has embraced his past.
I believe there was a mutual antagonism and respect between these 2 bands.
He played several jam songs at his first couple of solo gigs then dropped them … that’s entertainment, tales of the riverbank, carnation
Odd thing about the only band that matters (TM) as you rightly say is their lack of hits. Only one top ten (rerelease of Should I Stay) reaching number one in the uk and a highest chart placing of 8 in the states for Rock the Casbah. All rather unpunk.
The last time I saw them was in 1982. Punks made up a tiny proportion of the audience.
Hang about a bit Clive, Deramdaze will be here shortly to confirm that point.
Actually, isn’t ‘not having hits’ a punkier stance than ‘having hits’ ?
IIRC, it had more to do with their stance against appearing on TOTP. No appearance meant less exposure equals lower and declining chart positions.
Pans People did dance to Bankrobber on TOTP.
I remember. It was a bit ridiculous.
Indeed I think their ‘dance’ would have put anyone off buying it.
It would have been Legs and Co by then. These things are important.
They were robbed
As I have mentioned before 17 top 40 hits which meant something in those days. And they were probably on the verge of much more success when they split.
Dai’ll do the maths, I’m sure, but a whole load of them were nearer the number 40 than the number 17.
That’ll confuse him.
A pathetic return for an act who went major label as quick as their skinny legs could carry them, with the full weight of the inky press as an additional back-up, and whose only really big hit was to serve a multi-national company jeans commercial (sweat shops anyone?) so their kids could go to private schools!
We live in a post-truth society, so, if any of that is incorrect – and I don’t think any of it is – I really don’t care.
You’re listening to the no-hits (actually, you probably aren’t) and I’m not… and that is a major result.
“I really don’t care,,,”
Your posting history clearly indicates otherwise
Thanks Deramdaze.
Sad Clash footnote: Johnny Green, Clash road manager, all-round factotum and author of that excellent book A Riot of Our Own: Night and Day With the Clash, died last month. Real name John Broad.
One of my better publishing efforts, with illustrations by the great (and also late) Ray Lowry. It was a hell of a lot of fun to work on. Only sour note: none of the bastards turned up to the launch party.
Thats sad news. He seemed like decent bloke with his head screwed on. It’s a fine book indeed, entertaining and revealing, and thoroughly recommended for anyone with a passing interest in the band.
I can almost hear Deramdaze scratching it off his “to read’ list right now…