The CLASH
Fair Deal

Melody Maker Review

Its five and a half years since I first saw the Clash and times have changed. Fundamentally the Clash are still pretty much the same. The fact they remain a wildly contemporary rock band is a tribute to their subtle shifts in musical and visual styles. Here's how they've gone about it.

Image-wise it's a case of from urban guerrillas to suburban cruisers. Neat body-hugging sleeves sawn-off-at-the-shoulders numbers carried with a swagger and perpetual 150 degree angle twist of guitar. The summer's definitive way of broadcasting a public service announcement.

Politically, they're not afraid to leave themselves open to accusations of naivety. And why not? Not only was Paul Simonen's 'Guns of Brixton' crudely prophetic, but so were 'career opportunities'. Compete Control', Stay Free' and even 'Garageland' to name but a few. For this reason they all merited inclusion.

But politically, The Clash have also broadened their horizons. As every post - 'Safe European home' fan will realise, it is the world which is their oyster, from San Salvador to Siam (where the Combat Rock sleeve was photographed). Hence the frequent use of the slides portraying all manner of international news, from silhouettes of commandos to mug-shots of autocrats. They are all humanitarians after all.

But as politicians The Clash are not. Their approach should realistically be interpreted as that of would be journalists, pointing out rather than pointing at. After all, this last 12 in particular has seen them undergo their fair share of travel in their capacity as Trans Atlantic troubadors.

Which brings us to the Clash as musicians, not their most inconsiderable role. The Clash, as it happens, didn't play a duff song all night, but then they are not renowned for their turkeys. Neither did they go out of their way to promote the new product, but then they never were such suckers for Rock n roll traps.

Still, 'Overpowered by Funk' wouldn't have gone amiss espeicially since they didn't indulge in a whole lot of dub these days (well they have to keep abreast of fashion, don't you know). No. the excesses of last year's tour have been rectified, and it was down to a wide selection of short sharp stabs (cuts) from each phase of their career.

Delivery is most exciting yet a lot more controlled, the almost calculated calmness inevitably introducing a lot more tension into the playing. That this did not spill over into the audience is some indication of the greater maturity they now encourage and adopt. In fact the Clash could almost have been described as laid back.

I guess in 1982 the Clash are still playing real cool lovers' rock.

Mike Nicholls