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Gollums Bar, Mowbray Park Hotel
Genevieves function room of The Mayfair - The Drum Club
the 'shows' generated some excitement
BUSKING TOUR...Joe and Paul took the boys on an impromptu busking tour - playing publicly and outside venues acoustically... the 'shows' generated some excitement about the forthcoming album... They all hitched from London by the M1 and agreed to meet up in the pub near Nottingham Railway Station. The Last Days of the Clash - Vince White pg 226
From Passion Is a Fashion
The Real Story of The Clash by Pat Gilbert (2004), p 352-3:
In May 1985, [Clash manager] Bernie Rhodes, [manager] Kosmo [Vinyl] and Joe [Strummer] devised the Clash’s last hurrah—a busking tour of Britain. The idea was that the group would assemble at [guitarist] Vince’s flat, leave their wallets on the table and hitch to Nottingham with a few acoustic guitars. They’d then see where the wind would take them. Over the next two-and-a-half weeks, Britain’s provincial towns and cities were thus treated to the extraordinary sight of The Clash popping up under railway bridges and in subways to entertain them with Monkees, Chuck Berry, Eddie Cochran and Cramps songs.
The group kipped on fans’ floors and in cheap B&Bs. They survived on the money thrown into their hats. It was a genuinely exiting and unpredictable experience. Joe described it as ‘the best tour we ever did.’
Paul [Simonon] agrees. ‘It was like starting out fresh again,’ he says. ‘It was great. “We’ll meet you in Glasgow in a week’s time,” and the idea was to leave everything behind other than the guitars. You couldn’t take any money with you. We survived by our wits. It was as exciting as the Anarchy tour, you never knew where you were going next. I remember we were in Leeds, it was 2 a.m., and it was outside this black club, and people were coming out and really digging us. There were two white guys and they were shocked it was us. They said, “Where you staying?” And we said, “We’re not staying anywhere,” so they invited us to stay at their mum’s. The money we made from busking meant we could go further, we didn’t have a plan of where to go next. There was no rules. You didn’t have to be on the so-and-so plane at twelve o’clock.’
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Fanzine, Clash busking in Newcastle and Sunderland
Read the full article / Alternate link
Thanks to Conrad Milne / Clash City Collectors | Facebook
The Clash | Just came across this local fanzine from Newcastle Upon Tyne in the loft | Facebook
Just came across this local fanzine from Newcastle Upon Tyne in the loft. The date is June 1985 on the cover.
This article covers their busking visit to Newcastle, Gateshead and Sunderland. Whats this For fanzine
Clash rock The Salem
Sunderland Echo - May 11, 1985
One of the biggest punk bands in the world set out on a very low-key tour armed only with acoustic guitars and a pair of drumsticks. Patrick Lavelle recalls Saturday, May 11, 1985, to Remember When The Clash (pictured below) visited Sunderland.
THEY had played to tens of thousands at concerts in the United States and at least half a million in a Rock Against Racism rally in London in the late 1970s.
And in the 1980s their raw, energetic album, London Calling, was voted the best album of the decade by Rolling Stone magazine.
So what was Joe Strummer and other members of The Clash doing in the Salem Hotel pub in Hendon in May, 1985? "They were having a few drinks," says Marty Yule, one-time drummer with Sunderland’s most well-known punk band, The Toy Dolls.
They were on a busking tour playing venues across the country and they were in Sunderland for a few days, kipping down wherever they could."
The Clash, anti-establishment, anti-racist, anti-violence and anti-commercialisation, were going "back to basics". The band never played live on Top of the Pops and frontman Strummer didn’t like doing autographs. The Clash hated the "celebrity" side of the music business. When they embarked on a national "busking" tour everything was low-key and only those in the know found out where they were playing.
On Saturday, May 11, 1985, The Clash played Gollums Bar in the Mowbray Park Hotel and The Drum Club in Genevieves (The Mayfair in Newcastle Road) that night. But Marty, who now runs Hot Rats record shop on the corner of Stockton Road and Olive Street, remembers The Clash playing The Bunker in Stockton Road in the same week. "I was living in Ashbrooke at the time and my mate Jerome Dagg came round and shouted up to my window ‘The Clash are in the Carlton Bar’. "I couldn’t believe it, but they were there, having a couple of pints."
The Carlton Bar, Sunderland’s punk rockers may remember, was inside Langham Tower, one of the then Polytechnic’s buildings, and attracted students and non-students alike. "The Clash were really down to earth. They were talking to everyone, very approachable," Marty says.
In their few days in Sunderland The Clash did play The Bunker, says Marty, but the gig was cut short. "At the time Alan Christie was the keyholder for The Bunker and the place got packed out once it was known The Clash were there.
"The only problem was The Bunker didn’t have a licence for live concerts, so they had to be called off the stage. There were fears we might get closed down." During their time in the North East - they also played in Gateshead and outside a gig in Newcastle by The Alarm, says Marty - a local photographer, Gerry McCulloch, captured them on stage and off. "Gerry took some great photographs," says Marty. "I think he still has them but he’s now living and working in the film business in London."
Legendary punk rockers The Clash play Sunderland
Sunderland Echo -
11th May 2019 / Link
May 11 marks the 34th anniversary of a surprise appearance in Sunderland by legendary punk rockers The Clash.
The band visited the city as part of a low key nationwide busking tour in 1985 and performed in Gollum's, a basement bar at the Mowbray Hotel, and at the Drum Club night club, in the Mayfair Suite, in Newcastle Road. PDF
They also reputedly performed in - or at the very least visited - the former Salem pub, in Hendon, The Bunker musicians' collective, in Stockton Road, and the Carlton Bar, at Langham Tower, part of what was then Sunderland Polytechnic, across the same weekend.
Lead singer Joe Strummer and company - minus fellow frontman Mick Jones after his departure from the band - mingled freely with fans as they carried their own instruments while walking between bars and venues.
Having never appeared in Sunderland during their 1977-82 heyday, this was the only time the group ever performed in the city before eventually splitting up in 1986.
The former Mayfair Suite, in Newcastle Road, Sunderland.
Gollums Bar, Mowbray Park Hotel
No known audio or video
On the Saturday night,they played a set at Gollums bar, before the Drum Club set. The lads had spent the two hours previous to Gollums drinking in THE SALEM bar, Hendon. Recording Exists. See The Last Days of the Clash - Vince White pg 232
Local fanzine reports that only 3 tracks were played as the place was too rammed, however with 6 tracks recorded that's incorrect. Question is, did the band cut short the set to 6 songs?
Marty Yule
That pictures from Gollums by the way. I must of been standing next to you!
Kevin Sole saw them in Sunderland, Carlton Bar, The Bunker and Gollums, great memories
That was a mental gig in a tiny basement room!!
I got to the Gateshead Station gig. Afterwards we got the train back home and went for a drink with them in the Salem.
The Gollums gig was originally booked for local band 'Patrick'...who eventually 'supported' The Clash that evening.
That was a mental gig in a tiny basement room!!
Then it was onto The Drum Club for the final show of the day....... i was 16 at the time, i saw the clash 3 times in one day.....life somehow was never the same again!!
Cheers Dave
I saw The Clash play in the Carlton Bar at Sunderland Poly.
At the time, I was a student living nearby, and I'd walked up to have a pint.
Normally, you'd just stroll in. This night, it was chaos, with people milling about outside and the door shut.
I managed to ask Hazel (possibly Heather) who ran the bar what was going on by shouting through the glass. She yelled back: "The Clash are playing."
The place was packed out and she wasn't letting any more in.
Not wanting to miss it, a few of us managed to sneak in round the back through a fire door and sure enough, there was Joe, standing on a table singing. No amplification, obviously, and the drummer was playing on the back of a chair.
Can't remember what they played - although Janie Jones rings a bell - but it was certainly a memorable night.
Either later that night or the next night I also saw them at The Bunker, where Strummer wasn't impressed when a lad climbed on stage and tried to join in. I think he was pretty promptly shoved back where he came from.
As a footnote, the same kid, a student, was killed a while later when he fell out of an upstairs window of a house on Tunstall Road, round the back of Ashbrooke cricket ground.
Phil Smith - philip.smith4[a]virgin.net
they also got pissed with everybody before in a pub called the salem
John Bryant - link - 2019
A downstairs bar called Gollums the Genevieves nightclub.....it was 1985 mind you but they also got pissed with everybody before in a pub called the salem... The rough part of town It was a saturday night....i finished work at 6 and walked along to the mowbray for a pint to be greeted by a board outside saying "Live tonight.....THE CLASH".....true story .Vince i see you are friends with Russell Dunbar.....he was there
Friday 10th May 1985 - The Bunker Group 35
Friday 10th May 1985, the Clash as part of their busking tour played an impromptu gig at Stockton Road Bunker.
They started in Carlton House, student bar, after closing time they went on to the Bunker, and ended up at the Drum Club [the Mecca on Newcastle Road]. They stayed in Sunderland for the full weekend.
Black and White photos by Gerry McCulloch, colour ones at the Drum Club by Alf Dryden.
Gollums Bar
Bunker Group - Sunderland
The Bunker Group 35 | Facebook
Friday 10th May 1985, the Clash as part of... - The Bunker Group 35 | Facebook
They all came back to my flat it was a once in a lifetime event.
Tonia Liddle - Yeah I was there back then. I remember Sue Donkin shouting at my window saying the Clash are in Sunderland an playing at the Langam tonight. I didn't believe it. So I got on my bike looking for Carl Steabler an avid fan as I was but couldn't find him. They all came bk to my flat it was a once in a lifetime event. Fantastic memories. remember Billy Brag coming to the bunker? . Me and Sue Donkin ran the cafe next door , absaloutly fantastic times xxx
Christopher Rudd - Remember our Carl telling me about this what a memory that must be.x
I remember that too. I was actually talking to my daughter about it 2 days ago. She’d come across a song she thought I’d like, I fought the law. I’ve brought her up proper like.
Steve Kilburn - I was there had to pay an extra 50p to get in drum club I think it went straight into bouncers pockets .
The drummer playing an orange plastic chair
Alan McNeil - I remember that night so well. Followed them all over & had to pay extra at the Drum Club as you're saying in the comments. For me, what sticks out was the drummer playing an orange plastic chair at The Bunker. Good times!
They did a set for free drinks
Gillian May Donkin - I remember when they were at the drum club and they did a set for free drinks,... I was at the bar getting served as they negotiated the terms
Everyone followed them around town from The Carlton
Alan McNeil - I was there (& at the Carlton, & the SU, & at the Bunker). Unfortunately no photos exist any more that I know of.
Definitely. Basically, once word got around, everyone followed them around town from The Carlton, which is where they started out early evening, if I'm not mistaken. By the time it got to closing time, we all headed over the bridge. I thought it was the Drum Club, but if you say Gollum's I'll take tour word for it (chemically enhanced as I was). They put their prices up
Photos are definitely from Gollem's
The Bunker Group 35 - They played the Drum club, but the photos are definitely from Gollem's. It was Sean Moore who was going to open the Bunker to let them play
Ran out of money, so couldn’t go over to the Drum club
Jonathan Munro - Yeah. Caught them in the Carlton and then followed to the Bunker on the Friday. Ran out of money, so couldn’t go over to the Drum club. But got a fiver together on Saturday to go down to gollem’s
Fiona Baldasera - I was at the Gollum’s gig with Ruth Joseph. I was 15 & she was 14.
Lindsey Haswell - I saw them at the Drum club, I was only 16 and looked about 7 years old, the lad that worked in the record shop in Blandford street & his mates took me… albeit it was not the first gig i’d been too, its one I’ll never forget !
One of the most inspiring nights of my young teenage life
Graeme Cook - One of the most inspiring nights of my young teenage life, when I still lived in Sunderland
Steven Farrell - Saw them at Sunderland Mayfair on the same night (Drum Club).
They played Gollums on the Saturday then went to the Drum Club
Gail Henderson - They played Gollums on the Saturday then went to the Drum Club on the Saturday ( as I was there and met them). Thought the drum club was only on a Saturday night?
Genevieves function room of The Mayfair
The Drum Club
Audio
crowd sing a long - Sound 3 - 20min - low? - 6
I Fought the Law (tape)
Acoustic Toon 7" Vinyl
1 track - Pressure Drop - Upgraded sound
Pressure Drop (Acoustic Toon 7" bootleg)
Sound quality
Much like Back to Basics LP recorded at Newcastle but slightly lesser in sound and with more crowd participation.
It a more dynamic sound than Edinburgh, and maybe Glasgow, but the instruments are nearly buried in the crowd sing a long. It is a little thin at the top end but clear of any distortion.
If you know of any recording, email blackmarketclash
Joe turned up with the new gang at my Indie club in Sunderland
Many years of DJing and promoting later Joe turned up with the new gang at my Indie club in Sunderland - busking tour. People always get the name wrong.
This was the second busk of the night. Previously done at Gollums a bar associated within the Mowbray Park hotel S'land.
Sunderland Mayfair - in the Genevieves function room which was named as THE DRUM CLUB for my indie nights.
Joe talked to me about perhaps going to Glasgow next. Could I see him ok for some expenses. It was the best 30 quid I've ever given away.
Sunderland Mayfair - in the Genevieves function room
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The Clash playing The Drum Club
Did you go? Comments, info welcome...
Info, articles, reviews, comments or photos welcome.
Unknown Busking Photos
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The Drum Club
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Pressure Drop |
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If you know of any recordings, email blackmarketclash
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)
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Busking Tour1985
ARTICLES, POSTERS, CLIPPINGS ... A collection of and other items the Busking Tour
VIDEO AND AUDIO Video and audio footage
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Reagan, Thatcher, and the Last Stand of a Band That Mattered By Mark Andersen, Ralph Heibutzki
by Jacopo Ghilardotti Chapter: Il Ritorono
Features archival footage and new interviews to tell the story of the band's final days. The four primary members of the band - Jones, Joe Strummer, Paul Simonen and Topper Headon tell their sides of the story as do Nick Sheppard and Vince White, both of whom replaced Jones, and original drummer Terry Chimes, who returned to replace Headon in 1982.
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Book: We Are The Clash:
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