updated 20 May 2015 - added full review
Audio 1
Sound 2.5 - 1hr 40min - gen? - tracks 24
Car Jamming
Sound quality
The only circulating recording is a good audience recording, it’s not from the master though and an upgrade would be very welcome. All instrumentation comes through well, lead guitar is to the fore, bass is there but distorted, sound is clustered in the mid-range with little top end and vocals suffer from distance to the stage. Someone is chatting through most of the gig near the taper and should have been throttled!
The recording though captures the quality and energy of the gig despite its deficiencies.
the band playing a memorable and longer set than usual
The Clash had not played in Bristol since June 1980 at the Colston Hall but in 1982 to end their UK tour they played two nights at the more Clash friendly Locarno Ballroom, a 2,500 standing venue, which on both hot sweaty nights (Joe refers to the free sauna) was packed to the rafters for (from all accounts and the recording) very memorable gigs and a fitting end to what turned out to be Mick Jones’ last Clash gigs in the UK.
The second night was affected by Joe having a cold and an exasperated band quitting the stage for a time due to spitting. The first night though from the circulating recording shows no sign of end of tour tiredness indeed the band playing a memorable and longer set than usual.
On the second night the band were supported by Mikey Dread and Peter Singh (an Asian Elvis impersonator called Elvis Patel!) however there is no sign of Mikey’s presence as would be expected on this first night. Anyone know the support acts on the first night at the Locarno?
Photos from the Bristol Locarno gigs; http://www.80srockpics.com/the-clash.html
The only circulating recording is close to the audience master tape and despite its limitations captures the live Clash sound well (Mick’s guitar to the fore) and is well worth seeking out as it captures one of the best nights of the tour.
Punk gear from Bristol
Tickets
The Locarno Ballroom, Bristol
Previous Clash gigs in Bristol had been at the Colston Hall and the University but they had played the Locarno ballroom previously in 1978.
The Locarno was located inside the New Bristol Centre on Frogmore Street and was owned and operated by the Mecca Leisure Group, which also had a cinema, ice rink, casino and bowling alley. It welcomed some huge names over the years including David Bowie, Jimi Hendrix and The Clash.
The New Bristol Centre or Bristol Entertainments Centre. This complex opened in 1966 and included. Mecca, having spent £2 million on building, spared no expense in making the opening of the ballroom one of the gayest nights of the year when the Locarno Ballroom first opened. Before it became the 02 Academy, this building in Frogmore Street was nightclub Locarno, which formed part of the huge New Entertainment Complex.
The Locarno Ballroom operated from 1966 to 1983, hosting many popular music acts over the years.
This venue went through many different names. In the late sixties it was home to the Electric Village prog night, which brought Jimi Hendrix to town in 1967. In 1972, you could have seen David Bowie and the Spiders from Mars supported by Thin Lizzy. The Studio/Locarno subsequently played host to the likes of The Clash, Spirit (supported by The Police!), Elvis Costello, Joy Division, Iggy Pop, U2, Kraftwerk, Iron Maiden, Faith No More, Living Color and Ozzy Osbourne.
After it closed, the building was repurposed, with the cinema part becoming the "Rock" nightclub in 1999, which later became the Carling Academy and then the current O2 Academy Bristol. The rest of the New Bristol Centre complex was gradually demolished in the late 1990s including the 2,000-capacity Locarno ballroom with an illuminated ceiling. Only the ice-rink and the cinema survived, the rest being demolished in 1998 and subsequently the site given over to student accommodation.
The cinema closed in 1996 and was converted into a nightclub in 2000, originally called Rock, and now is 02 Academy Bristol.
Timeout - 12 Sorely Missed Bristol Venues and Clubs
45worlds - Locarno Ballroom
Concert Archives - Locarno
Bristol247 - Former Bristol Music Venues
Bristol Post - 15 Bristol Nightclubs You Might Remember
“Woah, woah, woah” but Terry thinks its Guns of Brixton
The recording begins with the usual intro music before Joe says “Good evening and welcome to you all. Ladies and gentlemen, London Calling to the faraway towns” A strong performance like most this night followed by Clash City Rockers and Radio Clash, Joe instructing the band to bang out each song without pause to keep up the momentum and energy levels. Radio Clash sounds fresh and vital on this tour, the band are clearly pumped up, responding to the energy of the packed, standing audience. After introducing Terry, its Car Jamming, fine performance again shame sound is not better, an upgrade to the master would make this a very enjoyable recording.
Joe issues an urgent “Woah, woah, woah” but Terry thinks its Guns of Brixton so it quickly breaks down and the band goes into Joe’s intended The Call Up after he continues his siren impersonation “Woahs!” Next it is Guns of Brixton followed by Somebody Got Murdered with Mick’s guitar loud and clear and again Terry tries manfully the crescendo drum intro but can’t quite pull it off! Clampdown again is unusually mid set as at Brighton. Mick plays a variation on his lead guitar intro at start, the band rip it up with Joe adding some largely unclear adlibs but it’s not extended and indeed there’s an abrupt ending without the usual finale.
The band go straight into Wrong Em ‘Boyo with again a variation to Mick’s usual intro and then stops completely and Joe go’s “anyone have any idea what to say here?? Brakes start all over again” A highlight the band stretch out adding to the usual arrangement clearly enjoying themselves. Joe’s in good voice on a pumped up Magnificent Seven with some adlibs “get away from that crowd get out of your face…dark blood chocolate little bit of British, how do you say it - stupidity!”
The second CD restarts at first bars of Stay Free; Joe provides unusually some ethereal “woo, wooo” backing vocals, behind Mick’s lead vocals. The final instrumental coda sounds great with Mick’s lead guitar to the fore but the annoying tit continues talking away near the taper! English Civil War again sounds great but an edit mid song loses a chunk.
“Hey down the road came a Junco Partner” Micks guitar playing sounds great adding splinters of steel around Joe’s vocals. Mick’s contribution to Know Your Rights also adds to a very good performance. “We need your help to Rock The Casbah” is followed by Mick’s intro to Police On My Back which is loud clear and strong, Mick belts out his vocals. The main set unusually ends with Police & Thieves; Mick plays an inventive variation on his solo and the sound quality improves a little mid song. Drum and bass drop down section again a highlight and although the song is not extended and no memorable Strummer rap it’s still very enjoyable.
The recording continues right through to start of the first encore and Armagideon Time; the chat near the taper continues unabated. No segues now mid song but plenty of Joe adlibs,, some great Mick guitar fills and the band ending the tour on top form. An energetic Should I Stay or Should I Go goes into I Fought The Law ;Terry again largely failing on the crescendo intro!
Recording again continues through to the second encore with the enthusiastic Locarno audience clapping, stamping, cheering, and whistling for more interrupted finally by Mick’s battery of effects over Terry’s thump thump bass drum intro to (a fine) Straight To Hell. “We’d like to attempt Pressure Drop by Lee Perry and Junior Murvin” says Joe getting the Toots Hibbert written Maytals number mixed up with Police & Thieves. Not played since Bonds on 13th June 1981 this may have been Terry’s first performance of the song live, certainly it’s the first recorded version circulating. Joe belts it out over Terry’s rather heavy drumming and after Mick’s fine solo it drops down to drum and bass. It’s enjoyable more for its scarcity value than its musical qualities though.
The band then crash into I’m So Bored With The Usa debuted with Terry the night before at Brighton. This second Terry attempt sounds more together and is another highlight. The gig ends with the usual Garageland without the repeated intro refrain of recent nights. End of tour almost but no sign of wilting the band delivering a memorable gig. No doubt the Locarno venue and audience helped. Joe leaves the stage with a quip; “Just to let you know there’s no extra charge for the sauna, good night!”
Traxmarx - includes this gig
I was at Bristol Locarno/Studio. Brilliant night. I managed to get some photos on the old Kodak Instamatic too. Saw them several times in Bristol over the years. Live they simply had it all.
Did you go? Comments, info welcome...
Info, articles, reviews, comments or photos welcome.
Please email blackmarketclash
Extensive archive of articles, magazines and other from the Casbah Club Tour of the UK, July, August 1982
Full page - Articles Magazines - Dates - Fanzines - International Articles - Joe Goes Missing - Photos Joe running London marathon - Passes - Posters - Snippets - Audio/Video
|
|
Setlist
|
1 |
London Calling |
|
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
|
Topper sacked, Joe disapears
ARTICLES, POSTERS, CLIPPINGS ... A collection of A collection of known articles from coveringr the period of the Tour can be found here.
Extensive archive of articles, magazines and other from the Casbah Club Tour of the UK, July, August 1982
VIDEO AND AUDIO Video and audio footage from the tour including radio interviews. Radio - Joe Strummer Interviewed by Lisa Robinson around June 1982
|
.gif){kind=small}
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/
