Clash - Music Machine, Monday 24th July 78
MELODY MAKER 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.

But, before the roseate deluge, a word about the support band, Suicide. They once again showed the yawning gap between theory and practice. People constantly scream for the space and platform to be individual, but when an audience encounters something radically new which doesn't fit the fashion requirements, some feel they have to chuck glasses and hurl abuse.

Still, Suicide remain proud and partially won through, despite the hail of plastic mugs, the chants of "Clash! Clash! Clash" and a hamfisted sound mixer. Their electronic toasting (thanks, Andy) veers wildly between the truly awful and the overwhelmingly hypnotic.

Then came you know who. They've improved just so much and in every direction; and let me tell you I went in a cynical frame of mind. Major league status is just a hit single away. All the elements fuse in a thermal nuclear fission which also allows plenty of room for future development.

The visuals (there is a beefy tank/flag/World War One back drop) complement the movement (the three-pronged assault course is channelled mayhem itself) complements the words (they're getting clearer and clearer, Joe) complements the music (which is more assured and thrusting than ever).

A zippered strike Force that never stints on respect for the audience and that knows the importance and creative kick-back of CHANGE. That's why the Clash have lasted and will continue to last.

The set consisted of half-old, half-new numbers. It kicked off with "Complete Control" and then soared through goldies like "Clash City Rockers" and "Police And Thieves" which segued into "Blitzkrieg Bop" and "(White Man) In Hammersmith Palais" and newcomers like "Tommy Gun", "Safe European Home" and "Stay Free". We await the second album! Sandy, take note.

I do believe lan Hunter was even there.

IAN BIRCH.