Alun Palmer

Joe Strummer — Earthquake Weather (Epic): Uncle Joe is back, and he’s better than ever. The astute voice of Punk has seen fellow Clash member Mick Jones go onto better things with BAD but his career has seemed to stick in a rut. His gig last year at the Palm Cove club with the Latino Rockabilly Band proved he can still cut it. And this delectable piece of vinyl shows he can do his stuff in the studio. Raucous vocals, heavy bass and plundered rhythms from around the world makes your hair stand on end.

The old rebel rocker is still alive — just — though it’s easy to spot he’s mellowing. Strummer now sees himself as a dusty minstrel walking through dry Mexican deserts with his gee-tar slung over his back, and writes his songs accordingly. 2/5.

JOE STRUMMER — Earthquake Weather (Epic): THIS is Strummer’s first proper album since “Combat Rock,” if you don’t count his soundtrack work and the truly dire “Cut The Crap.”

He’s wisely held on to the Latino Rockabilly War, the band that served him so ably on his highly acclaimed tour last year and they don’t let him down here either.

Strummer’s still happy to portray himself as a rebel rocker as the silhouette of him — ciggie drooping from his lips and his guitar slung over his shoulder — on the cover attests.

HOLLERING

What’s surprising is that there’s plenty of fire left in his belly and his dead tone hollering is effective as ever.

The LP kicks off with “Gangsterville,” and proceeds to tread a path through straight ahead rock, street funk, bebop, reggae, folk and calypso. Reminiscent of the same mix of influences that made much of the Clash’s material so interesting, “Earthquake Weather,” is definitely a return to form.

RIPPING

“Island Hopping,” the current single, is a laid back trip through the Caribbean, but shortly afterwards, Strummer’s ripping it up again on the excellent “Shouting Street.” Loads of acoustic guitar work is complimented by Zander Schloss’s blistering lead work, and the rest of the band, notably the bassist, whose name escapes me, are equally tight. “Leopardskin Limousines,” “Sikorski Parts,” and “Jewellers and Bums,” ensure the LP never gets stuck in any particular musical rut.

Although the winsome reggae of “Ride Your Donkey,” can prove grating after a few spins. With that exception, “Earthquake Weather,” is a great record — who would have thought that after all this time Strummer could still come up with the goods.

If this is anything to go by, his gig at the Royal Court in Liverpool tomorrow should be a stormer.
(8 out of 10) J. D.

Photo: Joe Strummer — right back to form. Code NA

JOE STRUMMER — Earthquake Weather (Epic)

BACK in the heady days of the 70s' punk revolution the legend of the Clash was born in anger; but as Puff found out, dragons may live forever but not so little boys (especially punk rockers who set out to live their music to the limit). Enter Mr Strummer with this offering. It’s not earth shattering stuff from Joe, despite the title, but if you enjoyed the Clash you’ll spin this round the deck until real rock comes back into youth fashion.

Joe avoids the temptation to play the other side of Strummer/Jones star duo AKA Jagger/Richard and in the values that were The Clash, keeps to his rock and reggae roots. There’s diversity, humour and the usual value for money with 14 tracks. Personal favourites include Gangsterville, pure anti-establishment Clash mixing rock, revolution and rythm; the more reggae based numbers Dizzy’s Goatee and Ride Your Donkey — pure ska in the tradition of White Man and Robber; and Sleepwalk, a catchy track to end any album on a high note. Good on yer Joe! Life’s still a riot with this boy from Hammersmith Palais.

★★★★ R

Joe strummer returns the debut solo album entitled "earthquake weather" featuring the single "gangsterville": the album is available from your local virgin megastore on i.p., cassette, and c.d.

see joe strummer on tour
october 8th Glasgow – barrowlands
october 7th manchester – international II
october 8th Birmingham – humming bins
october 8th Bristol – studio
october 11th norwich – use
october 17th/13th London – 12th and country club
october 14th Liverpool – royal court
october 16th Brighton – top rank
october 17th caroff – university

meet joe strummer
at these virgin megastores –
glasgow, union st. on october 6th-are froman the d. virgin at marble arch, on 9th Stripper 7th man *casser* – brighton, on october 15th Birmingham/13th Iomghan –
october 8th Kristoverpool – fornpoil – ro.
october 16th Brighton – top rank
october 17th caroff – university

---

JOE STUMMER

THE CLASH were arguably one of the most influential British guitar bands of the late 70s and early 80s. In the right place at the right time, for many they were the real rebels of an era dominated by the hype and often mock shock of punk.

Since the break-up of The Clash, leading lights Strummer and guitarist Mick Jones have taken different directions. Jones quickly formed Big Audio Dynamics, a black and white outfit which experimented with hip-hop, scratching and sampling long before it became fashionable.

Strummer kept a lower profile, surfacing last year with the acoustic sound of his Latino Rockabilty War band on the sell-out Rock Against The Rich tour organised by militant anarchist group Class War.

Forces

Now, both Strummer and Jones have released albums which confirm them as still being among the more innovative forces in modern music: Earthquake Weather: Joe Strummer (Epic): From the opening track, Gangsterville, delivered with quasi-plus introductions, Strummer runs roughened over a variety of styles, stamping on them his own distinctive, dismissive authority.

Strummer also produced the album and the result is a tough, sometimes clumsy mix that is like a breath of fresh air in the stagnant world of "perfect" production.

Strong on acoustic influences, with occasional hints of the basses direction the Clash were beginning to follow, Earthquake Weather is a tough but eloquent collection of songs.

Ironic

Megatop Phoenix: Big Audio Dynamic (CB$): It would be ironic if this was the album that finally earned Mick Jones and Big Audio Dynamics the attention they so richly deserve — because it's not their best work.

This curious album moves the goalposts of both hip-hop and rock, and confirms Big Audio Dynamics as still being ahead of their time.

Richard Jones

Photo: Big Audio Dynamics: their latest is not their best

The old rebel rocker is still alive -just -though it's easy to spot he's mellowing. Strummer now sees himself as a dusty minstrel walking through dry Mexican deserts with his gee-tar slung over his back, and writes his songs accordingly.2/5

■ IF IT'S true that genius is closely allied to madness Joe Strummer must be the new Einstein of rock. Because he's certainly lost his marbles.

He was bad enough when he was fronting those spirited punk rockers The Clash.

Forever spoutin' off on matters social, political, environmental and, above all, comical.

Today Joe has a new solo album in the racks.

Earthquake Weather is a crude slice of vinyl delight.

The perfect antidote to the over produced nonsense that clogs the airwaves.

Sadly Joe blows it with his latest pontifications. "I get a strange swell of pride when I hear of our football hooligans causing trouble abroad," he said last week.

The poor auld eejit.

FORMER Clash singer Joe Strummer returns to Brighton next week as part of a tour promoting his new album "Earthquake Weather".

Complete with a new backing band, Strummer is treading the boards for the first time since last year's Rock Against the Rich gigs.

HEADY

The Clash first rose to prominence as part of the heady wave of Punk that swept Britain in the late 70s. In songs such as "White Riot" they spat out their urban frustration and hate in ways that were as immediate as they were crude.

More recently Strummer has been involved in numerous film soundtracks including "Sid and Nancy". He also made his acting debut this year in the soon to be released "Mystery Train" where he plays a rockabilly drunk.

Sounds Around by Mark Bentley

The new album "Earthquake Weather" continues Strummer's priority of keeping the politics and the passion of the music before any technical effects. Much of the latest studio gadgetry has reputedly been rejected for the raw sound of valve amps and open mikes.

APPETITE

"I want to recapture that appetite for life, that energy of being 16 when the slate hasn't been written on," he said.

Strummer will be donning denim, leather and six string and stepping into the lights of Brighton's Top Rank on Monday, October 16, tickets price £6.50.

BACK in the heady days of the 70s' punk revolution the legend of the Clash was born in anger; but as Puff found out, dragons may live forever but not so little boys (especially punk rockers who set out to live their music to the limit). Enter Mr Strummer with this offering. It's not earth shattering stuff from Joe, despite the title, but if you enjoyed the Clash you'll spin this round the deck until real rock comes back into youth fashion.

Joe avoids the temptation to play the other side of Strummer/Jones star duo AKA Jagger/Richard and in the values that were The Clash, keeps to his rock and reggae roots. There's diversity, humour and the usual value for money with 14 tracks. Personal favourites include Gangsterville, pure anti-establishment Clash mixing rock, revolution and rythym; the more reggae based numbers Dizzy's Goatee and Ride Your Donkey — pure ska in the tradition of White Man and Robber; and Sleepwalk, a catchy track to end any album on a high note. Good on yer Joe! Life's still a riot with this boy from Hammersmith Palais.

JOE STRUMMER — Earthquake Weather (Epic):

THIS is Strummer's first proper album since "Combat Rock," if you don't count his soundtrack work and the truly dire "Cut The Crap."

He's wisely held on to the Latino Rockabilly War, the band that served him so ably on his highly acclaimed tour last year and they don't let him down here either.

Strummer's still happy to portray himself as a rebel rocker as the silhouette of him — ciggie drooping from his lips and his guitar slung over his shoulder — on the cover attests.

HOLLERING

What's surprising is that there's plenty of fire left in his belly and his dead tone hollering is effective as ever.

The LP kicks off with "Gangsterville," and proceeds to tread a path through straight ahead rock, street funk, bebop, reggae, folk and calypso.

Reminiscent of the same mix of influences that made much of the Clash's material so interesting, "Earthquake Weather," is definitely a return to form.

RIPPING

"Island Hopping," the current single, is a laid back trip through the Caribbean, but shortly afterwards, Strummer's ripping it up again on the excellent Paris, and "Jewellers and Bums," ensure the LP never gets stuck in any particular musical rut.

Although the winsome reggae of "Ride Your Donkey," can prove grating after a few spins.

With that exception, "Earthquake Weather," is a great record — who would have thought that after all this time Strummer could still come up with the goods.

If this is anything to go by, his gig at the Royal Court in Liverpool tomorrow should be a stormer.

(8 out of 10) J. D.

Joe Strummer — right back to form. Code NA

Joe Strummer Earthquake Weather Epic

W hen last seen around these parts, Joe Strummer was headin' that-away, tail between his legs after trying to launch a reconstructed Clash on Cut the Crap. Personally, I thought that album's "We Are the Clash," which cast the band as a punk-era Monkees, was kinda cute, but Joe did betray the rebel tenets of his tribe by clinging to a phenomenon better left to die naturally.

Actually, Strummer's been plenty busy since that 1985 debacle, coproducing Big Audio Dynamic's No. 10, Upping Street with mate Mick Jones and contributing soundtrack music to the Alex Cox films "Sid and Nancy," "Walker" and "Straight to Hell," as well as Permanent Record (a fine half-LP with a band called the Latino Rockabilly War). But Earthquake Weather marks his official return, and he's never sounded better. Leading a tight, flame-throwing quartet, old Strummer rocks out with the zeal of a younger man, using blast-fur-nace vocals to evoke a bracing Clash vibe, minus the un-cool nostalgia. Although they don't try to recapture the brutality of punk, the supporting players make enough noise to keep Strummer on his toes. He barks passionately on such brusque rockers as "King of the Bayou" and "Sikorsky Parts," then growls with conviction on the tender ballads "Leopardskin Limousines" and "Sleepwalk." One of Strummer's pecu-liar "gifts" is his ability to sound like he's shouting at any volume.

Note also his knack for singing in tongues—no matter how you strain to untangle the words, he seems to be spouting gibberish. Crack the code with a lyric sheet, however, and Strummer emerges as a poet who smothers his sub-jects in oblique imagery. Curbing the guns'n'money motifs of yore, he conjures jazz immortals on "Dizzy's Goatee," looks askance at the glamorous life in "Slant Six" and ponders heartache in the ferocious "Passport to Detroit," recalling the electric Dylan's amphet-amine babble.

The fire of the singing, stoked by Zander Schloss' brawny lead guitar, underscores Strummer's persistent compulsion to go for broke. And judging from Earthquake Weather, rock'n'roll middle age has left Joe more driven than ever, destined for bigger mistakes and grander successes. He's one cool jerk.

—Jon Young

Joe Strummer Earthquake Weather Epic records

Lester Bangs — THE rock critic of the seventies, best known for declaring he would "suck Lou Reed's cock" if given the chance—loved the Clash. He loved that they were "righteous," singing about the right issues, the right way, with the right conviction. He loved the way they hung out with their fans after the show and stayed in everyday people hotels.

It's a good thing Lester's dead. First Mick Jones, now leading the techno-dance band Big Audio Dynamic, makes a hobby of complaining about the way his manager made the band stay in rainy hotels where fans could walk right up to them. Now Joe Strummer comes out with Earthquake Weather.

You saw it in the record store, right? There's Joe, once half of the songwriting team that drove the Clash to greatness, playing James Dean again — cigarette hanging from his lips, guitar at his hip, standing in the final light of the sun. But wait a minute, what's going on here? Isn't that a swimming pool? But huff, Joe's standing on a diving board somewhere in California, doubtless in the backyard of some godawful California dream home. What happened to our angry young man? This is the kind of California that would have made Lester nauseous, and if he had heard Joe scream "Let's rock again" before the first word of "Gangsterville," he would have been physically ill.

Maybe it's unfair to compare Joe Strummer to the Clash. But why else would you buy Earthquake Weather, anyway? As you've already guessed, Earthquake Weather doesn't look too good when you hold it up to the old Clash. With the exception of "Gangsterville," the album's promising first song, or "Shouting Street," the only place Joe can work up the halls of shout (about a girl, of course), "Earthquake Weather" sounds similar to the music of "Sandinism!" or "Combat Rock," if a touch slower and less spirited. Nowhere does it approach the power of the Clash's first three albums. As he tells you, "Revolution came, revolution went."

Joe gave up on us. He's still bored with the U.S.A. and wants to tell us about it in detail in songs like "Slant Six" and "Highway One Zero Street" ("where Elvis buys his Pabst"), but lacks the spirit to do anything about it.

The biggest surprise on this record is that it shows Mick Jones wasn't the only one in the Clash.

Joe Strummer Page 6 Weekend/December 8, 1989

JOE STRUMMER — Earthquake Weather (Epic):

THIS is Strummer's first proper album since "Combat Rock," if you don't count his soundtrack work and the truly dire "Cut The Crap."

He's wisely held on to the Latino Rockabilly War, the band that served him so ably on his highly acclaimed tour last year and they don't let him down here either.

Strummer's still happy to portray himself as a rebel rocker as the silhouette of him — ciggie drooping from his lips and his guitar slung over his shoulder — on the cover attests.

HOLLERING

What's surprising is that there's plenty of fire left in his belly and his dead tone hollering is effective as ever.

The LP kicks off with "Gangsterville," and proceeds to tread a path through straight ahead rock, street funk, bebop, reggae, folk and calypso.

Reminiscent of the same mix of influences that made much of the Clash's material so interesting, "Earthquake Weather," is definitely a return to form.

RIPPING

"Island Hopping," the current single, is a laid back trip through the Caribbean, but shortly afterwards Strummer's ripping it up again on the excellent "Shouting Street."

Loads of acoustic guitar work is complimented by Zander Schloss's blistering lead work, and the rest of the band, notably the bassist, whose name escapes me, are equally tight.

"'Leopardskin Limousines," "Sikorski Parts," and "Jewellers and Bums," ensure the LP never gets stuck in any particular musical rut.

Although the winsome reggae of "Ride Your Donkey," can prove grating after a few spins.
With that exception, "Earthquake Weather," is a great record — who would have thought that after all this time Strummer could still come up with the goods.

If this is anything to go by, his gig at the Royal Court in Liverpool tomorrow should be a stormer.
(8 out of 10) J. D.

joestrummer returns! the debut solo album entitled "earthquake weather" featuring the single "gangsterville" the album is available from your local virgin megastore on i.p., cassette, and c.d.

see joestrummer on tour
october 6th glassgow-barrowlands
7th manchester-International II
8th Birmingham-humming bird
9th bristol-studio
11th norwich-uea
12th/13th london-town and country club
14th liverpool-roval court

VIRGIN

meet joestrummer

at virgin megastores
in london, brighton

BIRMINGHAM-BRIGHTON-DUBLIN-EDINBURGH GLASGOW-argyle st&union st LEEDS-LONDON-owford st & marble arch MELBOURNE NOTTINGHAM PARIS SYDNEY

and glassgow. see press for details.

JOE STRUMMER EARTHQUAKE WEATHER 

DEBUT SOLO ALBUM 
NOW AVAILABLE ON LPCDMC 

INCLUDES THE SINGLE CANGSTERVILLE  45347 1/4 

SEE JOE STRUMMER ON TOUR 

OCTOBER 6th GLASGOW, BARROWLAND
OCTOBER 7th MANCHESTER, INTERNATIONAL 2
OCTOBER 8th BIRMINGHAM, HUMMINGBIRD
OCTOBER 9th BRISTOL, STUDIO OCTOBER 11th NORWICH, U.E.A. 
OCTOBER 12th/13th LONDON, TOWN & COUNTRY
OCTOBER 14th LIVERPOOL, ROYAL COURT 
OCTOBER 16th BRIGHTON, TOP RANK
OCTOBER 17th CARDIFF, UNIVERSITY

VIRGIN

JOE STRUMMER earthquake weather 

joe strummer returns! the debut solo album entitled "earthquake weather featuring the single "gangsterville" the album is available from your local virgin megastore on l.p. cassette, and c.d. see joe strummer on tour october 6th glasgow - barrowlands 

7th manchester-international II 
8th birmingham-humming bird 
9th bristol-studio 
11th norwich-uea 
12th/13th london-town and country club 
14th liverpool-royal court 

Virgin - VIRGIN megastores 
BIRMINGHAM BRIGHTON DUBLIN EDINBURGH GLASGOW-argyle st & union st LEEDS LONDON-oxford st & marble arch- MELBOURNE NOTTINGHAM PARIS SYDNEY 

Meet joe strummer at virgin megastores in london, brighton and glasgow. see press for details.