The 1970s punk movement gave birth to some important bands, but none were more important than The Clash. They pushed and broke musical boundaries, while fusing musical experimentation with a socio-political conscience and it’s hard to think of a band before or since that have exerted such universal influence. 

 

Their passionate, political agenda continues to inspire new fans and musicians alike. Indeed, the issues The Clash tackled are as relevant today as they were in the late ’70s/early ’80s. Dubbed “the only band that matters” in their heyday, the same could be said almost 40 years later.

 

Originally conceived as a double album, 1982’s Combat Rock was edited down to a single together with legendary producer Glyn Johns. Recorded in New York, this album soaked up the atmosphere of the city’s vibrant hip-hop and graffiti art scenes, mixing funk, rock, hip-hop and reggae. Combat Rock featured a cameo from beat poet Allen Ginsberg and paid homage to the Scorsese film Taxi Driver. This record was the last to feature the classic Strummer-Jones-Simonon-Headon line-up.

 

1.  Know Your Rights

2.  Car Jamming

3.  Should I Stay or Should I Go

4.  Rock the Casbah

5.  Red Angel Dragnet

6.  Straight to Hell

7.  Overpowered by Funk

8.  Atom Tan

9.  Sean Flynn

10. Ghetto Defendant

11. Inoculated City

12. Death Is a Star