The CLASH

The Clash is a British punk band, formed in London in the 1970s. Known for being one of the major quartets in the history of British rock and punk. The group formed in 1976 and disbanded in 1985. In 2003, the group was inducted into the Rock'n'Roll Hall of Fame. It is composed of Joe Strummer and Mick Jones, on guitar and vocals, as well as bassist Paul Simonon and drummer Topper Headon. Thus, its style is characterized by a protest rock where the lyrics play a primordial role. The group draws on the musical roots of its members, including punk, rock, rockabilly, reggae, ska and dub. Thus, The Clash is one of the first white groups to assimilate reggae.

Their third album, “London Calling”, released in 1979 remains the peak of their commercial success. Because it opens the punk style to other universes, it offers a wider range of styles and influences. Accompanied at the time by a sticker announcing the Clash as “the only band that matters”, the album has since been considered one of the best that a rock band has ever produced. It appeared at number 8 in the ranking referencing the 500 greatest albums of all time according to Rolling Stone magazine. In the middle of a tour, the group managed to record an additional album: Combat Rock, before breaking up for good. With titles such as “Rock the Casbah”, the album entered the charts with force.

According to Maud Berthomier
With the Clash, music becomes a way of being in the world. It questions art, sex and politics, it is a factor of revelations, even of emancipation and revolt. The Clash were and still remain today: the spearheads of an immense joy of living, of a boundless surge of empathy and generosity, and of a profound pledge of frankness and musical requirement. – The CLASH, L'Expérience