Swiss newspaper review

Two articles from local newspapers with the reviews of that gig, in German.

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Trabslared by CK at MR

All right, folks, you're getting a treat: and it's not in strict date order, but anyway, here's the first two of reviews from the Clash's gig at The Festhalle, Bern, Switzerland, which led to one of my favorite bootleg titles (We Don't Miss Mick Jones).

My sister translated them for me, but they didn't make it into We Are The Clash. Maybe they'll make it into a future book of my own. 

Here is review #1, from The Berner Zeitung, 2/27/84:

The Clash Had Everything Under Control

Bern Concert of the British Punk Bank Not Fully Convincing

Enthusiasm on the one hand, Perplexity on the other: The Clash was the only good part of the filled to capacity Bern Festhalle but was still not able to enthuse all of those listening similarly. This was due in part to the exaggerated volume and unpersuasive work by the sound mixing crew. Moreover, one heard the Clash in a new position: without the fiery Mick Jones, now with both new guitarists Nick Sheppherd and Vince White, who did set themselves apart with 2 guitar pieces.

Ideally with such a concert by the last important surviving punk band, one would have expected more punks and more atmosphere; but except for the music, the performance in the Festhalle differed not much from an ordinary rock concert. Many blase' people, many drugged and intoxicated. MAybe even these ordinary people were disappointing.

For the past years, the punks stood out in the music business for their 2-3 chores, roaring, and unusual presentations, shoving art rockers and sugar poets from the pedestal. Most notably, The Clash, after the dissolution of the Sex Pistols, as THE Punk Band.

And there they stood on the stage of the Festhalle, where people like Genesis, Zappa, and Procol Harum had preached to their youth, with a light show that everyone in the aforementioned groups were happy to stand in line for, the Revolution announced by decibel waves.

Whoever did not understand English should ask their neighbor for the words, opined singer and chief ideologist Joe Strummer. After the first pair of numbers, however, one sought in vain through the mush of sound to be able to hear the words. Too bad,

Then Strummer, (this not the first time since the LP Sandinista had much to say and is still one of the most aggressive and engaging rock singers of our time. he was in a position to express much with his lyrics, most in fact than the brutality and war videos that were available to be seen on 10 monitors throughout the concert.

The intention of The Clash for their tour motto "Out of Control" remains unclear. The idea that they are not gone yet was proved by over 10 new numbers, very well received by the core of fans in the front row who were romping around.

On the whole, therefore, everything was under control. What the Power began, the rock guerilla appears to not be able to keep entirely up with. The opening act engaging Bucks out of Zurich-recently supported by a keyboarder-put more free energy in their scanty 30-minute set than The Clash throughout the entire concert. Admittedly also loud, but with perfectly mixed sound