Vocal Coach reacts to The Clash - London Calling (Joe Strummer)

[@magicbrownie1357]

The London Calling album is, in my book, the pinnacle of the punk movement. It grew until this release and afterwards, seemed to be in decline. The album is a masterpiece of angst and anger mixed with real human concerns.

[@corypostell4247]

Even "I'm lost in the supermarket" kinda bumps if you ask me. All together I agree

[@gringogreen4719]

Great album no doubt. That said it really is more of The Clash's departure from punk and its limitations to more rock and roll influences. I would say the first two albums are really punk and the rest is a band eclipsing the movement that spawned them. The Clash are my favorite band of all time.

[@michaeloreilly2533]

It’s not even close. The Clash brought talent and creativity to a genre that consisted of many talentless bands following the axiom of ‘if you can’t play good play loud’.

[@gringogreen4719]

@@michaeloreilly2533 Actually most original punk bands broke out of that rigidity. The ones we know of went on to do other creative things (PiL, Style Council, Adam and the Ants) and the one hit wonders just disappeared. UK 84 was far heavier but honestly I see that as a completely different crowd. I think a lot of players just got better and migrated to other pastures. But original bands like Stiff Little Fingers, Stranglers, and The Damned stuck around and changed their sound much like the Clash. Any given punk scene pretty much has a 2-5 year lifespan in any given town. I think a lot of bands go into inactivity and pop back up here and there. Really any genre does this. I just think the Clash did it the best!

[@kurtsaxton823]

Even though London Calling is a great album it is their sellout album.

[@rowanlau1651]

Interesting that you mention the ska feel. The clash where one of the first punk bands to be inspired and influenced by jamaican music, particularly ska and reggae, tho you hear it more on songs like police and thieves or white man in hammersmith. They even recorded an album in Jamaica, and worked with legendary reggae producers like Mikey dread

[@wyrdhunter]

The Clash have always been considered “the thinking man’s punk”

[@marconi460]

Never heard that statement before, I remember them well from the 70s, but I never really found them to be a hardcore Punk Band like Sham 69, The Undertones, Tenpole Tudor, The Buzzcocks or the early Stranglers. They were definitely a good band though.

[@kurtsaxton823]

True, they were probably the best musicians of that punk time period. London Calling is a monumental album.

[@mattjohn4731]

@@kurtsaxton823 They were good but individually I think they were just ok, except drummer Topper was remarkable. Musically, pretty sure Stranglers and Damned were superior. But I prefer Clash for the People's politics. Stranglers lyrics too sexist, but brilliant music

[@kurtsaxton823]

@@mattjohn4731 I meant good as far as punk bands went for the time. To me they were mediocre at best compared to other musicians of other genres at the time.

[@GigachadAKM]

Wrong. That honor goes to the late GG Allin.

[@chronictown5802]

there will never be another one the likes of Joe strummer..we were so blessed to be born in the same century as this man.

[@travisbunce7334]

The Album that changed Punk Forever. Gone was just the in your face shouting, and anger. In came the melody and the 'I've got something I want to talk about' story telling, and Political Movement Activism where they started calling out Governments, and shit that was wrong in Cities & Town. Nuclear Weapon fears (this song), Racism, Inequality, Poverty. It became a real voice for change, and it all started right here with this Album.

[@rowanlau1651]

gotta say tho man, clash weren't the first punks to dabble in real issue politics, beyond the level of adolescent rage- tho they where the most successful. Crass comes to mind as the first to take punk in a really radical direction politically, much more so than the clash went on to do a few years later. Bit too Avant-garde to hit mainstream however

[@shadowmoon1657]

And now its turned into left liberals, cancel culture, social movement establishment and fascists promoting “equality”

[@Antonio-784]

@@shadowmoon1657 So true, the Conservatives are the new punk!

[@keithevans9544]

@@Antonio-784 Utter bollocks conservatives are what they always were CONservatives.

[@hansnorrman8175]

Well spoken. I m from a small town i Sweden, we were 17-20 at the time and totally dedicated to the Clash…. and still are.

[@stevemance2812]

R.I.P Joe Strummer Long live The legendary Clash!!!

[@TonyCastillo666]

One of the greatest tenors to ever rock n roll…

[@paulclements6277]

Joe strummer had an amazing voice ..full of spirit and determination

[@rjwusher]

I love how open to different genres and techniques you are. This channel is a great way to discover new music.

[@pepijnwarmerdam8784]

You're spot on about the "ska" vibes, the Clash was influenced by reggae and when Bob Marley saw them play live he wrote the song Punky Reggae Party about it. The Clash also covered Junior Murvin's Police and Thieves, wich might be an interresting song for you to react to. (the Murvin version i mean)

[@markchapman4466]

So refreshing to a review that accepts and respects the artists ability and creativity 🖤

[@shirazzza]

The clash & like the Buzzcocks are way better examples of punk than sex pistols IMHO. And yeah you're right about the ska, these people all often played together & attracted the same crowds. RIP Joe Strummer

[@paulclements6277]

Joe strummer was an incredible song writer and musician..the clash were so influential in modern music..the only band that matters.

[@jovailferreira52]

l love you and Clash is my favorite band since l was 8 (40 years ago! Much love from Brazil !

[@TimLeeSongs]

Reasons I love punk: In the mid to late 70’s, music was seen by many as only ‘belonging’ to the intellectual classes…the idea that music was for everyone had been lost. Punk was about giving a voice to people who felt repressed. It didn’t start out as being a particular style, rather an attitude that ‘anyone can do it.’ It’s a really liberating idea. The Clash were one of the most interesting of the punk bands because they were open to incorporating so many different styles, including reggae and ska, which was influential on the two tone, ska revival of bands like the Specials and Madness. They also brought politics into music (along with the Sex Pistols of course) in a way that hadn’t been popularised since the 60s. If you want to check out some other interesting punk/post-punk bands that had their own thing going on, check out Siouxsie and the Banshees, Talking Heads, Television, the Ramones and the Modern Lovers. Thanks as always for listening without prejudice to something you don’t listen to very often.

[@norkannen]

Still have my London Calling album. And also still listen to it. Best punk band from late 70`s imo.👌

[@bjhellstream]

Joe Strummer has one of the greatest rock voices ever. Has nothing to do with range or hitting high notes. Dimash could never do this even with a gun to his head...

[@marlew6629]

dimash. lol

[@mrichmon]

“Down in the Tube Station at Midnight” by The Jam is another track that is well worth listening to. It’s a great example of the complexity and textures in punk. It also captures the grittier side of life that is often lost/scrubbed away in other genres of music.

[@krimzonghost1987]

Oooo... The Jam! YES PLEASE! Good band that doesn't get brought up enough.

[@chrissalo5685]

"They got burton suits, huh, you think it's funny. Turning rebellion into money."

[@JohnJacksonJohnson]

Also, if you know Morse code, the feedback from Joe Strummer's amp is Morse code for the universal distress signal, SOS (3 long, 2 short, 3 long).

[@garystrahan4601]

I need to correct this, SOS is (3 short, 3 long, 3 short). 2 short is the letter I. So what you have incorrectly written as being SOS in Morse code is actually the letters OIO.

[@danknighton3286]

I love the end bit where it sounds like Joe Strummer is about to launch into “Singing the blues”. There’s a primal quality to this song, really raw and edgy.

[@gringogreen4719]

Beth! Oh my God!!! Thank you for covering this! The Clash are my favorite band! To be honest I fell for you over this review...A+ and spot on! I'm a Punk singer and it does take talent to do that kind of singing. It really lies more with personal conviction in what you are singing over style. I live in Arizona so there are times where I can actually sing but due to allergies sometimes I have to revert to more of barking words over being able to sing if I am actually playing. This is because my allergies rob me of lung power and rob my vocal chords of being able to fine tune certain frequencies. So if you read this I might suggest a band called Tiger Army. That said while they are Psychobilly the singer Nick 13 has a few styles. I would suggest checking out three songs. The first one would be "Incorporeal", the second one would be "Forever Fades Away" and then the last would be "Dark and Lonely Night." Thanks again and you are awesome Beth!😎👍✨

[@jon-paulfilkins7820]

Of the Classic British Punk Bands, The Clash, The Buzzcocks and the Damned are probably the ones that still stand tall today. Note London Calling was released only a few months over the very public and in the news Tree Mile Island nuclear disaster in the US. So the line "A Nuclear Error" had an extra resonance.

[@ReallifeUrk]

You can't discount the never mind the bollocks album though. I think the pistols still stand tall

[@johnisaacdavey]

I like this reaction vid. London Calling has loads of great songs on it and expresses lots of different styles and influences.

[@BethRoars]

📖 Get your signed copy of my album Fable here: www.bethroars.com/shop ☀ Pre-save my first single "Power Of The Wolf" on Spotify (it really helps me out!): distrokid.com/hyperfollow/bethroars/power-of-the-wolf 🥁 Become a Patreon Supporter: www.patreon.com/bethroars

[@Turtlefaceful]

That’s pretty damned John Melnor of you.

[@Turtlefaceful]

You should also check out a dvd of Strummer, titled, “The Future is Unwritten.”

[@douglascampbell9809]

I really suggest giving the Dead Kennedys - Police Truck a listen to for punk music. The lyrics ring true today as they did back in 1980. The song was inspired by an incident that occurred in Oakland in the late 1970s. It also functions more generally as an attack on police corruption and brutality.

[@scottmatznick3140]

How did you make a comment two weeks ago on today's video?

[@artefaktedasjournalfurbauk8159]

Hello Beth, that reaction is very cool. Did you react on the Police actually?

[@MrSuperHappyPants]

Wonderful video. I would suggest their video for Bankrobber. Watching the passion pour out of Joe's face is... magical. Trust me.

[@malem67]

Just wanted to say I love your channel and the reacts you post. I love that you are so diverse in the music that you choose and how much you enjoy all the different styles. This is one of my favorite bands and one of their best songs. I bought this record on vinyl in 1982 at the underground in Washington DC. So glad to see you react to it. Keep the great content coming.

[@mollywoodcock5444]

The clash are excellent. Their other singer, mick Jones, I think has one of the 'nicest' voices in punk. Check out train in vain or I'm not down

[@diegoguerrero2179]

I'm Not Down is superb. 💪

[@bertiew6771]

Two words..Stay Free.

[@kentgrady9226]

The Clash drifted so far from what Punk morphed into, they became more Punk than the Punk they were avoiding. Mash up rockabilly, ska, reggae, hints of early rap, and working class disgust - what do you get? You get the Reverend Joe Strummer. Long may he reign.

[@ClayAsbury122]

Mick Jones tapping out SOS in Morse Code on his guitar during the last 10 seconds….Staggering genius.

[@corypostell4247]

I'd recommend so many other clash songs to a vocal coach. But I dig that you gave it a shot. Train in vain would be more up your alley if I had to guess

[@Mr_Pickles_]

I second Train in Vain. There’s such a variety of styles

[@toxicmasculinity4758]

Joe sang the song _Guns on the Roof_ much differently than his other songs.

[@jciwallcrawler3673]

Death or glory

[@drakeswarchannel2530]

You. Dear Lady. Are one of the reasons that Great Britain is truly great.

[@vanlepthien6768]

This always reminded me of the British catastrophe science fiction - from H.G. Well's "Day of the Triffids" to John Wyndham's work.

[@abacus999]

Hi ya, Beth. I really dig your channel. You have a very particular insight that I find interesting. It struck me when you commented on the slowness of this one. So many equate punk rock with "fast" and "aggressive". Much of it is that, but so much isn't. I know it's cliche, but it really is more attitude than tempo. Anyhow, thanks for doing these. Take care.

[@redhotchilifan98]

My favorite band of all time no one was as cool as Joe

[@tonythomas2391]

My favorite punk band and my favorite punk song.

[@ChrisMag100]

Good choice Beth. I recently picked up this album on vinyl. I had never owned any Clash. It’s so fun/good.

[@adamfindlay7091]

Joe has soul. ☮️ Check out a live recording/video of them cause the whole band's amazing . Joe stood up for alot of things when it wasn't necessarily Easy. Vocally and lyrically Joe was alot more than a first listen would suggest.

[@randyburbach417]

My favorite thing is the sardonic tone in his voice when he sings "and after all this, won't you give me a smile?"

[@785boats]

One of my favorite bands from that later era of Punk. Yep, as previously mentioned by Rowan, the beginnings of the flavours of Ska & Reggae influences creeping into their music. AAAAAHHHH!!! the memories. Thanks. I must dig out the old vinyl and give it a spin. It's been too long.

[@briangregory6303]

Their Rock The Casbah was a huge hit in its own right.

[@DoppelgangerShockwave]

Far too often people think music should only be about phenomenal performances with masterful vocals ale Elvis Presley, but those who think music should only be that way are misguided. Music can also be a champion for a cause and impact your soul in a different way. That's The Clash. They were never about being a band like Queen. They spoke for the people, singing their blues, telling their message of despair, and pushing back at the higher echelon for making the working class live such a melancholic life. I love both The Clash and Queen, but it's The Clash who changed my world forever because they spoke out in such a profound way that it literally shaped me into the compassionate human I am today. The Clash are from London, and they're from a time period when England was in a profoundly bad place with a very bad economy. And I would like to think that things improved for England because of them, the Sex Pistols, The Damned, and others who came up into the Punk Rock world in England in the mid-1970s.

[@edwardrink4174]

You'd like some of their deeper tracks too on the very same album and on their next one, Sandanista. They were extremely eclectic and jazz sounds and rhythms were definitely in the mix. Really enjoyed you enjoying The Clash. Their music brings me joy and it makes me glad to see it bring joy to someone else as well. Cheers! 🍻

[@Sylveryse]

An amazing song from one of my favourite albums!

[@MinbadTheFourth]

If London had an anthem, that would be this song

[@robperry5293]

I have always thought this song was about WW2 and London calling the USA. Though I am 100% American, I can relate being my mother was born in the US but was raised in London and was there during the blitz... Yep I'm getting old. I saw the Clash in concert great show!

[@redfiveroe1138]

Mick Jones and Joe Strummer are in high on my list of bands with 2 lead singers. They both also know how to play the part of back up perfectly when the other is on lead. They add so much to each other's performances without stealing the spot light in the process.

[@FlamesCagney]

"We're here and you are gonna listen" good 1.

[@anthonyboucher7077]

Would love to hear your take on Joey Ramone - the most distinctive voice of punk.

[@guitaleleoeuvre]

Ditto!

[@ChrisMag100]

Definitely. Maybe something like their cover of “What a Wonderful World” would be interesting for her to react to.

[@rodrigobiagi5665]

If she does I subscribe (bonzo goes to bisburg please!)

[@ChristopherRios23]

The clash yep one of my top 5 bands London calling is way ahead of its time

[@ianwilson6879]

Got to listen to lost in the supermarket, and Spanish bombs, of the same album, best album I ever bought

[@PAINTuRED]

You need to take into consideration the context of the times when this song was written. It's a setup device, as a visualization of a powder keg on the brink of exploding. You feel the tension Strummer exudes in his lyrics and vocal performance. That entire album, in my opinion, is more about a shift away from punk rock, and towards Strummer's messaging about the expanding of the class divide between the aristocrats and the working class. Racial division, apartheid and injustices, will be reoccurring themes which will eventually culminate into the album, Sandinista, which would defy any specificity of musical genre, and I would argue was one of the most important influences of the 80's on street culture, Rock music (Punk as well as the sound of Seattle) and early New York Hip-hop.

[@andrewhowe9800]

"its full of youth and angst" my god girl, welcome 2 music.

[@HPHSGermany2010]

Glad you picked out the ska vibe. Jamaican music was such a huge part of the Clash's ethos. Thanks for checking them out. We Clash fans are pretty passionate about them!

[@izabeldiaz-cortez2763]

Oh. My. Goodness. This makes me SO happy, you’ve NO idea. Merry Christmas to me.

[@johnhmaloney]

Great reaction and analysis. The Clash fused a lot of other genres with punk, which certainly set them apart and made them the legendary band that they were, but I don't know if it makes them the best example of the genre per se. If you decide to react to more punk bands, I'd recommend The Ramones, Joey Ramone is imo a highly underrated vocalist, and my personal favorite punk band is Bad Religion, who you might find particularly interesting because they use a lot of vocal harmonies.

[@normanleroy1874]

There is so much great punk. I'd suggest Bloodstains by Agent Orange or Kids of the Black Hole by The Adolescents for American punk. Maybe something by the Dead Kennedys, too, California Uber Alles or A Growing Boy Needs His Lunch (I think Jello Biafra would intrigue you as a vocalist. You might like X, maybe Johnny Hit and Run Paulene, The Unheard Music or Motel Room in My Bed for their incorporation of male and female voices in punk. There's just a whole world of music there, have fun exploring!

[@nattankress]

This was a transformational album, if you compare London Calling and Sandinista with the earlier The Clash and Give'Em Enough rope you can see the transformation, from a pure punk sound in for example, Career Opportunities or White Riot or London's Burning to a sound that would inspire the alternative music of the post punk era in the 80's and 90s

[@333Saffie]

I love the look on your face while you're trying to figure out wtf is going on.

[@josiemaxj763]

definitely check out more clash songs, as the vocalist of the clash just happened to be whoever was singing!

[@darrylwiggins1156]

Punk is youthful anguish.The Clash elevated that into a artform.That is the band legacy and the world's gift by them.

[@johnyoung8430]

Beth I think two punk records worth a review is Stiff Little Fingers- The price of admission and New Model Army - vagabonds or Love Songs. Probably A typical punk tracks.

[@Dirk-Merkeldunk]

Please check out English Civil War by The Clash. After all, they are the only band that matters. ❤️

[@leatherman8357]

🖤🖤🖤 old punk here, the Clash was among the first I listened to. Interesting you mention the ska vibes.

[@elliefitzpatrick2791]

I love The Clash! I’d love you see you review some of the songs Mick Jones sang on. He’s got a totally different voice and it’s really interesting the way they play off each other

[@punkisinthedetails1470]

Merry Christmas from everyone in Ho Chi Minh

[@davidmichaelson1092]

I love the Clash. And for many years of her childhood my daughter loved the Clash. Happy to see you discuss them. Request: Henry Rollins. Check him out.

[@driplordvonskullmangler6106]

I'd love to see your take on Alton Ellis's You Make Me So Very Happy

[@bryanclouse9579]

Joe Strummer is timeless.

[@Srikstar]

The Clash - The only Band That Matters ❤️👍 Joe Strummer is the poster boy of Thinking Man's Punk 🙏 RIP Joe 🙏🙏❤️

[@eddieble024]

That bass is just nasty ❤

[@johncorrao2588]

The Clash are awesome

[@ronaldmilner8932]

Great reaction Beth to perhaps my favorite song, band, & Album! I just became your newest Sub!

[@raineramelung7380]

I was a punk in the early 80....I like this so much.. As must be payed at my funeral.. Some day..! ⚰️🍺Cheers an greedings from north germany

[@emileconstance5851]

Beth, if you love the Albert Bridge, you should consider reacting to The Pogues' lovely song, "Misty Morning Albert Bridge." Would love to hear your comments on Shane McGowan's vocals--unique and unconventional.

[@racinnut77]

I wore out the album, then the tape cassette. I couldn't wear out the CD despite my best efforts.

[@evenflow1981]

Enjoying you venturing into different genres and ones that aren't neccessarily known for their vocals.The Clash are an incredible group and a perfect representation of the melting pot of the UK and London in particular ( they apparently took their name from a priece of graffiti in Camden where the sounds of reggae and punk from adjacent neighbourhoods "clash" ). Would love to see you analyse Dire Straits live version at Alchemy of 'Sultans of Swing'

[@epastor]

I love The Clash but I would have love to see a reaction of a live song, they have incredibles live songs such as Complete Control or English Civil War…

[@joeniedbala]

Beth, punk is so often pidgeon-holed as one particular type of music that is supposedly fast, always aggressive (more on that in a sec), and played without regard for musical ability. This is wholly not true. Punk, at least what was called punk for the first two decades or so of the genre's existence, was more about conviction and getting your message across at all costs. It focused less on virtuosity than allowing for deficiencies in ability to be accepted as long as what you had to say had merit. It was all about the passion of playing rather than focusing on the technique. The result was "punk" being as diverse as The Clash, Buzzcocks, Patti Smith, The Voidoids, Ramones, Bad Brains, and Black Flag, but also Violent Femmes, Television, X, and so, so many more. Each of these artists has a distinct and intelligently conceived style. And incredible musicianship was often a genuine hallmark of so many punk bands, with people like Robert Quine, Billy Zoom, Mike Watt, Dr.Know and others being considered as virtuosos by many.

[@keithevans9544]

Was watching a channel the other day when X-ray specks were called postpunk!,the bands were all different musically and only the hardheaded thought they sounded the same.

[@MichalGlowacz86]

I chose a good moment to subscribe - clicked that button like 2 days ago, and now here we go - The Clash! Though it's really easy to say that they're not your cup of tea, I would encourage you to explore their music further, cause they were the pinnacle of the entire genre (well, at least in the English-speaking world). Unfortunately, contemporary punk rock got mostly dumbed down, both musically and lyrically. The Clash however made actually good music, they were experimenting and mixing styles, and maybe you'll find soemthing you like (based on your comments I would suggest "Jimmy Jazz"). What about some Pogues now?

[@Grant_Ferstat]

The Clash are on a whole other level to being simply "punk". Musically, politically, and socially.

[@ftlpope]

Milton Nascimento please, please!

[@CoolFellaProductions]

You should listen to Joes later music. His vocal growth was incredible.

[@liagrimmie]

True ❤

[@barbaravs1814]

Ah, The Clash 💘 the only band that matters

[@quintinallen7219]

Beth, you are so beautiful!! Thanks for the video!

[@caseyjones0113]

R.I.P Joe Strummer ❤️

[@punkisinthedetails1470]

I never felt so much alike

[@rockyramone1128]

Best ALBUM ever

[@michellechase4753]

Give The Clampdown a try.

[@punkisinthedetails1470]

There's twenty-two singers but only one microphone ?

[@grimwulf8547]

yea the clash were a bit different from most punks, they could sing and play their instruments lol

[@mythosmetal]

"Wintersun - Sons Of Winter And Stars (TIME I Live Rehearsals At Sonic Pump Studios)" please.

[@dathorndike4908]

It must have been cold as hell when they shot this video.

[@mauricecanney7472]

Try out The Stranglers "Peaches"

[@invecta18]

Hi Beth, I was always hoping you would do a reaction video of Pentatonix video ."90's Dance Medley". The fact that you grew up in Europe would bring a very meaningful opinion and observation as it is a Medley of 17 90's songs. They just released a new one " The Prayer" and even for Pentatonix, it is really over the top. I will leave a link with hopes you might drop test it and see,. Thanks Beth , We love you @

[@davidalden656]

I think "Bankrobber" would be an interesting song for you to cover by the Clash. The vocals are really interesting imo

[@QuincyPostman]

Joe Strummer, best front man ever

[@RegulationGamingHP]

I mean next time the punk topic comes around, you have some fabulously unique vocalists to choose from: Jorge from The Casualties, Jello Biafra from Dead Kennedys, Glen Danzig from The Misfits.. i mean there isn't really a "punk" style, there's am entire gamut that's utterly fabulous.

[@princeofcupspoc9073]

Train spotting. Aircraft spotting. Bird watching. Bridge spotting?

[@waynesmith7410]

At the time this was about the spectre of the cold war, and London being a prime target in a nuclear strike. In that event there would be little hope of survival. This was all about punk defiance. Even if the whole city is burning; "I live by the river!!"

[@Mojooverlord]

The beeping at the end of the song is Morse for S.O.S. _ _ _ . . . _ _ _