The Clash on the Clash: Interviews and Encounters

It's hard to believe that Joe Strummer, the face of the Clash, has been gone for 15 years now. Today Clash records have an urgency and immediacy that sounds as fresh as they did in 1977, which is a big part of why the band is still so highly revered. In that spirit, it is appropriate to explore the history of the band through the eyes and words of those who were there, experiencing the music as it was originally performed. In this title, Egan (Fleetwood Mac on Fleetwood Mac) curates a collection of interviews and articles from the band's beginnings, including the earliest press coverage, to decades after its demise (the most recent contribution is from 2008). The pieces are presented chronologically but do not demand chronological consumption. Throughout, Egan's excellent annotations provide context and structure to the interviews and articles. His selections including many legendary names in rock writing: Nick Kent, Mikal Gilmore, Lenny Kaye, and Lester Bangs, among others.