Formed in London in 1976, the Clash are arguably the most enduring and influential British punk band. The band released their self-titled debut in the UK in April 1977 and quickly became the rising stars of the UK punk scene with songs such as “White Riot” and “London’s Burning.” The following year, the Clash – with their classic lineup of Joe Strummer (lead vocals and guitar), Mick Jones (lead guitar), Paul Simonon (bass) and Topper Headon (drums) – released Give ‘Em Enough Rope which continued to build on their popularity.
By the end of the 1970’s and the release of their third album London Calling, the Clash were legitimate stars and probably the most popular and acclaimed punk band in the world. WIth diverse tunes and strong songwriting, London Calling was praised by critics and loved by the public, driven by songs such as the title track, “Lost in the Supermarket” and “Train in Vain.”
A year after London Calling – in December 1980 – the Clash released their most challenging effort to date with the 3 LP, 36 song Sandinista! – a record of mixed styles such as reggae, disco, jazz and funk. Although the album was commercially successful, it was considered a bit of a letdown from the previous record. The Clash would turn things around with the release of their 1982 smash hit Combat Rock, which contained the hits “Should I Stay or Should I Go” and “Rock the Casbah” (their biggest hit in the US peaking at #8). With the US market now firmly in place, the Clash seemed destined to take over the world. However, tensions in the band would see the departure of Jones and Headon. Strummer and Simonon agreed to carry on for another album – the much maligned Cut the Crap. The album was a critical flop and commercial disappointment and curiously did not even include bass guitar from Simonon; making Joe Strummer the only original member to participate on the record. Shortly following the release of Cut the Crap, the Clash decided to break up.
While no member ever individually created music that had the impact or success of the Clash, each of the four members of the classic lineup made significant contributions to the world of music. Sadly, the band never fully reunited and only collaborated in portions prior to Strummer’s death in December 2002. In March 2003 – three months after Strummer’s passing – the Clash were inducted in to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The legacy of the Clash will endure forever as one of the best and most innovative punk bands that took their music well beyond their original sound. The list below shows the members – Jones, Strummer, Headon and Simonon – and their various bands and projects following the release of their last full album together. – Combat Rock.
Joe Strummer
The Clash
Cut the Crap (1985)
Solo records
Sid & Nancy soundtrack (1986) – performed two songs (“Dum Dum Club” and “Love Kills”)
Walker film score (1987) written and performed by Strummer
Straight to Hell soundtrack (1987) – performed two songs (“Evil Darling” and “Ambush at the Mystery Rock”)
Permanent Record soundtrack (1988) – Joe Strummer wrote and performed five songs with his backing band Latino Rockabilly War (“Trash City,” “Baby the Trans,” “Nefertiti,” “Nothin’ Bout Nothin'” and “Theme From Permanent Record – Instrumental Score”)
Earthquake Weather (1989) – solo album with his backing band Latino Rockabilly War
When Pigs Fly (1993) film music scored by Strummer
Gross Pointe Blank (1997) film music scored by Strummer
Chef Aid: The South Park Album (1998) Strummer wrote the song “It’s a Rockin” World” and performed with band that included Flea (Red Hot Chili Peppers) and Tom Morello (Rage Against the Machine)
Joe Strummer and the Mescaleros
Rock Art and the X-Ray Style (1999)
Global a Go-Go (2001)
Streetcore (2003)
Big Audio Dynamite
No. 10, Upping St. (1986) – joined forces with former bandmate Mick Jones’ band, co-writing five songs and co-producing the album.
Mick Jones
General Public
All the Rage (1984) – Jones was a founding member of General Public, along with members of the Beat (The English Beat in the US) as well as members of Dexy’s Midnight Runners and the Specials. Jones left during the recording of the debut album. Jones played guitar on some of the songs, including US Top 40 hit “Tenderness.”
Big Audio Dynamite
The band was formed by Mick Jones in 1984 and would later be known as Big Audio Dynamite II and Big Audio and was also abbreviated at times as BAD. While sounding slightly familiar to the Clash due to Jones’ vocals, the band combined Punk, Reggae and Hip Hop into their sound. Although the band never achieved massive international success, their first six albums would land in the UK Top 100 and they had two Top 40 UK hits – “E=MC2” (#27) and “Medicine Show” (#11). Meanwhile in the US, the band had minor success with two albums landing in the Top 100 as well as a Top 40 single in 1991 with “Rush” (#32). The single would also be a #1 hit in New Zealand and Australia as well as #1 on the US Alternative Airplay chart.
This is Big Audio Dynamite (1985)
No. 10, Upping St. (1986)
Tighten Up Vol. 88 (1988)
Megatop Phoenix (1989)
Kool-Aid (1990)
The Globe (1991)
Higher Power (1994)
F-Punk (1995)
Entering a New Ride (1997)
Carbon/Silicon
Jones’ next project following Big Audio Dynamite, Carbon/Silicon created rock songs with sampling. Jones formed the band with Tony James (formerly of Generation X and Sigue Sigue Sputnik). Most of their releases have been of the digital only variety along with a few physical releases listed below.
The News EP (2007)
The Magic Suitcase EP (2007)
The Last Post (2007)
Carbon Casino live album (2007)
“Why Do Men Fight?” single (2008)
Gorillaz
Jones appeared on the the title track to the 2010 Gorillaz album Plastic Beach, along with Paul Simonon. Both Jones and Simonon were part of the live band for the Plastic Beach tour. Jones would also appear on the next album – 2010’s The Fall – own the track “Amarillo.”
Production Credits
Up the Brackets by The Libertines (2002) – Jones produced the debut album by the Libertines, which is considered by many critics to be one of the best British rock albums of all-time and one of the best albums of the 2000s. The album featured two UK To 40 singles – “Up the Bracket” (#29) and “Time for Heroes” (#20).
The Libertines by The Libertines (2004) – Jones returned to produce the second album by the Libertines. The album is also highly regarded by critics as one of the best British albums ever recorded. The record went to #1 on the UK album charts and generated two massive UK singles – “Can’t Stand Me Now” (#2) and “What Became of the Likely Lads” (#9).
Down in Albion by Babyshambles (2005) – The Libertines lead singer Pete Doherty formed a new band in 2005 and asked Jones to produce the debut album for Babyshambles. The album reached #10 on the UK album charts. Two of the songs Jones produced on the album became Top 10 hits in the UK.
The Third by Kitty, Daisy & Lewis (2015) – British rock family trio’s third album.
Paul Simonon
Havana 3 am
Havana 3 am (1991) – band formed with Gary Myrick, who is best known for his band Gary Myrick & the Figures . The band only recorded the self-titled album.
The Good, the Bad & the Queen
Band formed with Blur’s Damon Albarn, guitarist Simon Tong from the Verve and drummer Tony Allen of Fell Kuti’s band Africa.
The Good, the Bad & the Queen (2007) – the debut album was very successful in the UK, peaking at #2 on the album charts. They also released two Top 40 UK singles from the album – “Herculean” (#22) and “Kingdom of Doom” (#20). In addition to success in the UK, the album also reached the Top 10 in Germany, Ireland, Scotland and Switzerland. The album had moderate success in the US as well, peaking at #49.
Merrie Land (2018) – eleven years after the debut, the band released their second album. Considering the successs of the debut, the second album was a commercial disappointment, peaking at #31 in the UK.
Gorillaz
Simonon appeared on the the title track to the 2010 Gorillaz album Plastic Beach, along with Mick Jones. Both Jones and Simonon were part of the live band for the Plastic Beach tour.
Topper Headon
Solo Records
Waking Up (1986) – Headon’s only solo album. He also released an EP in 1985 as well as two other songs as a solo artist.
