Clash on Parole Tour
Supported by The Specials & Suicide
updated 24 June 2006
updated 1 Aug 2011 - added vers3 recording & vers 4
updated Dec 2014 - added review Staying Free
updated 22 January 2022 - added bw photo on stage
updated Dec 2023 aded Record Mirror review
Audio 1
low gen - Sound 3.5 - 55min - low/m - 17 tracks
misses Safe European Home, Whats My Name
Audio 2
low gen - Sound 3.5 - 55min - low/m - 17 tracks
misses Safe European Home, Whats My Name
Tommy Gun
Audio 3
low gen - sound 3.5 - 59mins - tracks 14
includes Safe European Home, Whats My Name but misses the first 4 tracks - better sound
Audio 4
low gen - Sound 3.5 - 67min - low/m - 19 tracks
includes fans at start - gaps between trks
Tommy Gun
Sound quality
The sound on this recording is very good one indeed, the best of the On Parole gigs (save the Rude Boy excerpts). There is a very good range and clarity of sound, it's only faults are some bass over modulation, lead guitar a little low in the mix and vocals a touch distant.
Joe's rhythm playing comes through very well as do the drums and there is little intrusive talking from the crowd. Of the circulating tapes and cdrs during this period, this one stands out alongside the Paris one later in the year.
Clash residency
Clash On Parole Tour climaxes with their first residency, four nights at The Music Machine. The Music Machine (now Camden Palace) is actually about 20 seconds walk over the road from Mornington Crescent tube, and roughly 5 minutes walk away from Camden Town tube.
The 4 nights recendency were rapturously received in the press and by those in attendance. Rude Boy captures the drama: is there a more exciting moment in rock'n'roll cinema than when the film cuts dramatically into Complete Control at the Music Machine?
Dates
Adverts
Time Out Magazine previews dates at Music Machine
Posters
Tickets, passes
Backstage pass, the 24th
Backstage pass for all 4 nights at the Music Machine - this one given away to a fan by Johnney Green
Snippets
The Music Machine
The Music Machine (later renamed the Camden Palace) began in the 60's and became famous for punk gigs, still in use today as a dance nightclub, it has staged gigs in recent years by Blur and the Oasis.
The Music Machine was a perfect type of Clash venue; sweaty, intimate, seat less, restrained security and within the part of London they lived and loved best. Enjoying greater critical acclaim and increasing commercial success, few other bands (if any) either then or now, would have opted to play four nights here rather than they take the money and play one or two nights at the larger Hammersmith Odeon or similar.
New heights of popularity within the UK music press, the Music Machine residency resulted in some ecstatic reviews (see link).
Steve Jones played the encores
The gig starts with the slow opening chords building, and building then exploding into a brilliant Complete Control (there is a 5 second tape bleed early on). The song ends with rapturous applause and a terrific Tommy Gun then follows with some different lyrics.
The rare Cheapskates is next with Joe shouting, "you tell me" after the "what are we supposed to do" lyrics.
The highlights of an excellent performance are 3 consecutive songs mid-set when they kick into an even higher gear with Clash City Rockers, White Man, and Capital Radio. White Man is introduced as "We'd like to play you number 98 in the charts!".
Joe whispers, "hardly a word they say" over the slow quiet intro to Capital Radio building the tension before the band explodes into the song. The song climaxes with manic ad-libs from Joe and terrific drum fills from Topper. Theres a slight edit following Capital Radio probably for a tape turnover?
Police & Thieves segues into Blitzkreig Bop after further lengthy ad-libs from Joe.
There is an edit after English Civil War which definitely loses Safe European Home (named in one review) and probably What's My Name.
It's then into the finale of the crowd pleasing released songs and the usual 3 song encore ended with a suitably climactic White Riot. A great recording of a great gig, capturing an important part of Clash history.
Steve Jones played the encores though he may have come on as early as London's Burning which has extra umph with a heavier guitar sound similar to Jones's style. CSM comments for the gig of the 26th, that this was one of the tracks he played on. Janie Jones and White Riot also benefit from his guitar playing.
Record Mirror MUSIC MACHINE REVIEW - 24th
On Parole and staying free
SOUNDS Review. Barry Myers
5 August 1978.
The Clash's gig at Music Machine reviewed by Barry Myers
On Parole and staying free
Sounds - Barry Myers (text version)
The Clash
Music Machine Monday 24 July 1978
THE SETTING was the Music Machine for the four-day event heralding The Clash's return to London, winding up their 'On Parole' tour. There was relatively little trouble. Although I witnessed the odd mindless swipe at over-enthusiastic punters, compared to the heavies up Seven Sisters Road the security was restrained.
Record Mirror - Music Machine
Tuesday 25 July 78
Sheila Prophets Read full article
PREVIOUS SIGHTINGS of the Clash in action have been disappointingly distant: the Anti - Nazi League Rally in April, where their music and their message were both scuttled by insoluble sound problems, and before that the Rainbow, always a cold, alien venue, where the band might as well have been on' film for all the contact there was with the audience.
MELODY MAKER: Clash - Music Machine
Monday 24th July 78
25th JULY 1978 EDITION
CLASH
NO two ways about it. All I can do is echo and re-emphasise Chris Brazier's sentiments in MM of two issues ago:
the Clash are THE punk rock group. On Monday at London's Music Machine (the first of a four-night stint there) they were superlative.
Sounds: Suicidal success
Blackmarketclash | Leave a comment
Alternative Ulster fanzine
NME T-Zers, (Clash) Gets the Hump
I saw all the clash gigs (4) there. Brilliant
I saw all the clash gigs (4) there. Brilliant. I followed them a lot back then. We were punks from the neighbourhood and someone from the band..usually Joe or Baker or JG would let us in through the back door. Once we had to scale 30 feet up a drain pipe to the dressingroom window. The MM bouncers were animals and there were always a lot of fights in there.
This was a remarkable gig
Wasted days / 26th or 27th
This was a remarkable gig. The first time I saw the Clash live. I went after work from Hall & Hall's. We finished work quite early at 4.30 pm so there was too much drinking time before the gig began. I remember Suicide, a New York experimental electronic duo, who the crowd did not like. Then I fell asleep at the back of the hall, only waking up in time for the encore! Still great stuff and I remember the backdrop to the stage with the flags and stukas on it. After this I had to get two night buses back to Brixton. Consequently I overslept my alarm, missed the special works bus from Brixton (the workforce was primarily West Indian) and had to go into work by tube and train instead. I was hellishly late. I should have taken a sickie…
Did you go? Comments, info welcome...
Info, articles, reviews, comments or photos welcome.
Please email blackmarketclash
Photos from the 24th
The Clash at Music Machine, 4th July 1978. Photo © by Dawn Wirth
Monday the 24th
Photos from the 4 nights
The Clash giving it all onstage at The Music Machine (Camden Palace), London in 1978 Max Browne recalls, "This was the first time I'd seen the band and it was on their home ground at The Camden Palace in 1978. Their power was shattering - visually, aurally and socially of course. White lightning flashed on musical crescendos that seemed to singe the hair, crowd surfing, fans jumping up singing with the band until they were whisked offstage, only to be instantly replaced - all part of The Clash at their peak. Mick Jones glanced at me in the box and I pressed the shutter."
14 Excellent Photos
1978 The Clash performs at Music Machine, London with The Slits, Phil Rambow and Friends and Innocents Pic Neil Anderson
The Clash Official | Facebook
24th?
More photos
Tommy Gun/Suicide T-Shirts sold at gigs
Extensive archive of articles, magazines and other from the On Parole Tour, June - July 1978
Archive - Snippets - UK Articles - Video-audio - Social-media - Photos
|
Setlist
1 |
|
![]() |
Extensive archive of articles, magazines and other from the On Parole Tour, June - July 1978
Photos
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'
Stream, download, subscribe
Stream and download The Clash here:
https://TheClash.lnk.to/BestOfAY
Subscribe to The Clash's YouTube channel:
https://TheClash.lnk.to/YouTube_Subsc...
Follow The Clash:
Official website - https://www.theclash.com/
Facebook - / theclash
Twitter - / theclash
Instagram - / the_clash
Follow The Clash on :
Twitter: http://bit.ly/I0EsOs
Facebook: http://on.fb.me/1eQ196D
Subscribe to our channel to watch more: http://bit.ly/1jY5CFd
OUT ON PAROLE TOUR JULY '78 ARTICLES, POSTERS, CLIPPINGS ... A collection of Numerous articles, interviews, reviews, posters, tour dates from The Clash on Parole Tour, June & July 1978
VIDEO AND AUDIO Video and audio footage from the tour including radio interviews.
|
Hundreds of fans comments about the gigs they went to...
Wikipedia - band mambers
Wikipedia - The Clash
Search all of facebook
Search all of Twitter
Search for a local library
Search auction site
Search flickr
Search Instagram
Search the internet
Search The Internet Archive
A complete treasure trove of archive of audio (official, unofficial), readable books, magazine
Magazine searches
Creem Magazine [US]
Record Mirror [UK]
Rockscene Magazine [US]
Boston Rock [US]
British Library [UK]
Nothing Else On Flickr
Large catalogue of music magazines
Fanzine searches
Slash Fanzine [US]
No Mag Fanzine [US]
Damage Fanzine [US]
Dry zines Fanzine [US]
Auction sites
Great for rare sales such as posters & tickets
Photos.com
includes images
Heritage Auctions
Past - Current
Image search
Getty Images The Clash here
Need to vary search and year
The Clash Art for Sale - Fine Art America
Collection of Clash images, need to vary search and year
WireImages here
Brixton Academy 8 March 1984
ST. PAUL, MN - MAY 15
Other 1984 photos
Sacramento Oct 22 1982
Oct 13 1982 Shea
Oct 12 1982 Shea
San Francisco, Jun 22 1982
Hamburg, Germany May 12 1981
San Francisco, Mar 02 1980
Los Angeles, April 27 1980
Notre Dame Hall Jul 06 1979
New York Sep 20 1979
Southall Jul 14 1979
San Francisco, Feb 09 1979
San FranciscoFeb 08 1979
Berkeley, Feb 02 1979
Toronto, Feb 20 1979
RAR Apr 30 1978
Roxy Oct 25 1978
Rainbow May 9 1977
Us May 28 1983
Photoshelter here
Sep 11, 2013: THE CLASH (REUNION) - Paris France 2 IMAGES
Mar 16, 1984: THE CLASH - Out of Control UK Tour - Academy Brixton London 19 IMAGES
Jul 10, 1982: THE CLASH - Casbah Club UK Tour - Brixton Fair Deal London 16 IMAGES
1982: THE CLASH - Photosession in San Francisco CA USA 2 IMAGES
Jul 25, 1981: JOE STRUMMER - At an event at the Wimpy Bar Piccadilly Circus London 33 IMAGES
Jun 16, 1980: THE CLASH - Hammersmith Palais London 13 IMAGES
Feb 17, 1980: THE CLASH - Lyceum Ballroom London 8 IMAGES
Jul 06, 1979: THE CLASH - Notre Dame Hall London 54 IMAGES
Jan 03, 1979: THE CLASH - Lyceum Ballroom London 19 IMAGES
Dec 1978: THE CLASH - Lyceum Ballroom London 34 IMAGES
Jul 24, 1978: THE CLASH - Music Machine London 48 IMAGES
Aug 05, 1977: THE CLASH - Mont-de-Marsan Punk Rock Festival France 33 IMAGES
1977: THE CLASH - London 18 IMAGES
Any further info, articles, reviews, comments or photos welcome.
Submit an article here
We are looking for scans - articles - tickets - posters - flyers - handbills - memorabilia - photos - comments / any information - you might have.
Please like and post on our Facebook page or alternatively email blackmarketclash
You can also follow us on Twitter
We also have a Clash Twitter list of other notable Clash Twitter accounts here
Blackmarketclash Links
Extensive links page can be found here with links to web, twitter, Facebook, traders etc..
If Music Could Talk
The best Clash messageboard and which also has links to downloads on its megalists
www.Blackmarketclash.co.uk
Go here for uploads and downloads. It's not a massive space so its on an as and when basis.
Also go to 101 Guitars for downloads
Contact your local library here and see if they can help.
If you are searching for articles in the USA - DPLA Find the local US library link here
WorldCat? - find your local library Link
British Newspaper Archive - United Kingdom Link
Newspaper ARCHIVE - USA+ Link
Historical Newspapers - USA & beyond Link
Elephind.com - international Link
New York Times - USA Link
Gallica - France - Not very helpful Link
Explore the British Library Link
Trove - Australia National Library Link
The Official Clash
Search @theclash & enter search in search box. Place, venue, etc
The Official Clash Group
Search @theclashofficialgroup & enter search in search box. Place, venue, etc
Joe Strummer
And there are two Joe Strummer sites, official and unnoffical here
Clash City Collectors - excellent
Facebook Page - for Clash Collectors to share unusual & interesting items like..Vinyl. Badges, Posters, etc anything by the Clash. Search Clash City Collectors & enter search in search box. Place, venue, etc
Clash on Parole - excellent
Facebook page - The only page that matters
Search Clash on Parole & enter search in the search box. Place, venue, etc
Clash City Snappers
Anything to do with The Clash. Photos inspired by lyrics, song titles, music, artwork, members, attitude, rhetoric,haunts,locations etc, of the greatest and coolest rock 'n' roll band ever.Tributes to Joe especially wanted. Pictures of graffitti, murals, music collections, memorabilia all welcome. No limit to postings. Don't wait to be invited, just join and upload.
Search Flickr / Clash City Snappers
Search Flickr / 'The Clash'
Search Flickr / 'The Clash' ticket
I saw The Clash at Bonds - excellent
Facebook page - The Clash played a series of 17 concerts at Bond's Casino in New York City in May and June of 1981 in support of their album Sandinista!. Due to their wide publicity, the concerts became an important moment in the history of the Clash. Search I Saw The Clash at Bonds & enter search in red box. Place, venue, etc
Loving the Clash
Facebook page - The only Clash page that is totally dedicated to the last gang in town. Search Loving The Clash & enter search in the search box. Place, venue, etc
Blackmarketclash.co.uk
Facebook page - Our very own Facebook page. Search Blackmarketclash.co.uk & enter search in red box. Place, venue, etc
Search all of Twitter
Search Enter as below - Twitter All of these words eg Bonds and in this exact phrase, enter 'The Clash'
www.theclash.com/
Images on the offical Clash site. http://www.theclash.com/gallery
www.theclash.com/ (all images via google).
Images on the offical Clash site. site:http://www.theclash.com/