The Clash - February 1982 Interview in New Zealand

[@erinmcgee1160]

Mick's voice is so sweet, I could listen to it forever.

[@josukefrthistime]

He sounds like my best friend lol. It's like he's an American clone of Mick.

[@davidbeverly6411]

"We're not gonna just fold up." A year after this interview, that's pretty much what they did....

[@rollandjoeseph]

😅🤣

[@unclemort1960]

When Topper joined the Clash Joe was the spokesman ,Mick the sensitive artist,Paul the style maker /cool one so the only `role` left for Topper was the `wild `one he described himself as a `poor mans Keith Moon`.Topper was the groups best musician he could drum rock,reggae,funk and jazz,as well as play guitar and piano.

[@fabiandee8178]

i listen to the performances from 76 and the drumming is not really that great IMO. Topper was an improvement in 77 but still sounds a bit too rock and roll, his drum rolls make me cringe

[@andressepulveda9709]

@@fabiandee8178 well ... they play rock and roll no ?

[@fabiandee8178]

@@andressepulveda9709 haha well it depends if you are using it as a term of insult or not. Of course, punk rock is just rock and roll really, I meant the difference in the rhythm

[@JohnWilliamsFromBluff]

Topper also wrote Rock The Casbah: he was alone in the studio, had the idea and recorded the drums, bass and piano parts. When the others came back he played it, they loved it, then Joe wrote some additional lyrics to fit into the melody. Check you Joe Strummer describing that here kzbin.info/www/bejne/q5-3amCjnNKFatU, and Nick (Topper) describing it here : kzbin.info/www/bejne/p17PiHlujcqLgZY.

[@JohnR32111]

@@JohnWilliamsFromBluff thank you for saying what i would have said myself. He wrote and played 2-3 instruments on rock the casbah. The most iconic Clash song with respect to its popularity.

[@townofed]

If I feel down about the corruption and the stupidity in the world I always know I can turn to the Clash. They are an inspiration. I got politicised because of them and I'm know I'm not the only one. May their music and their legacy live on forever. All Hail The Clash!

[@violetsky5202]

Love this, totally agree.

[@jodespencer4011]

Yes oh yes x

[@wwbuirkle]

Love the Clash but Strummer lost me with his support of the Sandinista's . Half the time I don't even know what Strummer is talking about

[@mankrikswifey]

This looks all friendly and cheerful, but you can clearly tell there is tension between the three and Topper - not out of hatred of course, but disappointment and worry. Topper was out of control, self-destructive and they were too young and had no idea how to help him. There's only so much you can do for a friend until you just have to let him pick up his own pieces. I'm glad Topper recovered from his addiction - too many great musicians let it consume them.

[@mcdaniels6188]

Topper's addiction is one of the sad footnotes in rock history. He was not only a great drummer, but he was the Clash's drummer, one quarter of a band that had chemistry rarely seen. He was precise, inventive, and had both attack and finesse.

[@hellobonappetit1657]

too young?

[@allsystemsgo8678]

Clearly tell? Iol, I if u say so.

[@Clash_CT_Rocker69]

It was not about just so called "hidden tensions", but Mick and Paul overtly mockered with his condition, but part of one of Topper's problem with using of cocaine was definitely one of Mick's biggest sin because he was the one who introduced Topper with cocaine. Young man, constantly far away from home with pockets full of money just to spend it on good fun.. Who would think about downside of such life with 24-25 years old? And that disguisting and mean Paul's remark at end of TV interview; "He call it swimming", regarding on Topper leaving the rest of the band just to go to feed his heroin habit.. That is not the way how 3/4 of band members will help fourth of them, one that is evidentlly falling apart for quite some time.. Nasty remarks two of them about Topper, except Joe, are the best evidence that they were on bad situation as a group, and that are tired one of each others. Soon all will be over once for all, Mick will be kicked out, but no matter Joe and Paul were keept trying to flogging a dead horse while The Clash was dead, but no one was left to say the truth to two of them. Karma is a bitch.

[@Clash_CT_Rocker69]

@One in a million If you ever had a play in a band, you'll be able to notice in this video all the signs how unhealthy relationships starts to looks like.

[@M44444rtian]

Awesome vid! Love it! Joe and Mick look inseperable. I can't help but notice how fed up and annoyed Topper looks. I do love the smirk on Paul's face. So cute. Awesome, awesome, awesome, awesome! Thanks for the upload!

[@nigeltwelvetrees7948]

Amelia Amelia Very true that's why Topper buggered off either that or to shoot up!!

[@maddie8415]

I think Topper actually looks more like he's not feeling well than anything, and that does make a person seem annoyed and fed up. It really is sad he fell into addiction the way he did and I do think it could have been the product of feeling like "odd man out". Joe and Mick do seem very close, here. Also sad how they got so distant so fast shortly after this. I don't believe either of them dealt well with conflict at the time.

[@thewhoman3182]

Topper after recording Combat rock be like: 4:53

[@irummia0895]

This interview is premonitory and you can see in Topper someone who feels completely lonely even when surrounded by other people. Alone in his sadness and addictions. That is one of the worst feelings you can have.

[@MrAMO73]

'We'd play to old age pensioners....but we don't have to as the Stones are taking care of that now'. Ha ha! And 33 years later!

[@kylecduncan]

And now 42 years later!

[@Shunshan656]

Stummonon 200 % real

[@sonicjet7759]

Joe and Mick were trying to cheer Topper up about his drug habit :) its a nice try but at this point, the Clash were done as a rock band

[@matedog2]

@highschoolmusical841 Surprisingly enough, Topper is doing quite well these days. He's been sober for about 8 years and lives in Dover. There's a video around of him starting a music scholarship. He looks really good too.

[@bearwardcotehallbearwardco802]

Topper: 'Christ Jesus I need a fix.'

[@BlueDiamondAce]

Wish I could’ve met Joe

[@Guy_de_Lusignan]

i repeat the 4:22 part since years and years now for me it's a major masterpiece music, anyone now's the name ??? i find woody guthrie-shoe your pretty little feet but i don't think it's that, i prefer the clash version :)

[@leannewoodfull]

This has made my day. The Clash are my life and I have never seen this interview! Thanks SO much for putting it up! :)

[@mickjonesteeth]

the start is the sweetest thing ever

[@MinaCiellacet]

Damn if this isnt some sad shit :(

[@kunzumla94]

Wow 1982 I'm 55 now. It's 2021 I saw the clash in London back then.

[@maryburke5423]

Happy they came to Australia in 82. Saw them on a school night …was so brilliant

[@leahflower9924]

The singing in the beginning was really nice

[@maddie8415]

I honestly could have listened to them fumble through folk songs like this for hours.

[@Khultan]

I'd say Topper, in this video, is probably more quiet than normal with what he got himself caught up in.

[@joestrummer3100]

Topper looks like Stan laurel

[@t.f.b.h]

Yeah I agree, Paul was the quiet one.

[@beetleything1864]

I love this band. But WTF are they talking about ??

[@mozdickson]

Dylan Thomas = legendary NZ reporter and music man, also interviewed teh Pistols in London in 77 RiP.

[@Sofukenspeshil]

Dylan Tait .. Dylan Thomas was a Welsh poet, Thomas' connection with Punk Rock was that him and Nancy Spungen and Sid Vicious were all coincidently staying at the Chelsea Hotel NY shortly before their deaths.... (Trivia time, sorry)

[@carlancos2010]

que buen gusto para vestir, de las mejores imagenes y pensamiento de la historia de la música, como nos hace falta Joe Strummer y sus Clash

[@vinto34]

Topper didn't look well in this..looks like he went off to find another shot...the clash were done at this point.

[@stefano720420]

Love without limit for Joe, Topper, Mick and Paul❤

[@loudenkliehr3633]

"I like to live with a paradox" in fact we got one right here. 'E's the drummer. An 'eroin addict in a band with an anti-drug message. A true clash. What if? They blow off touring at the peak of their success and try to get Tops clean instead? Would it have slowed their roll or made their overall message of people are important and need to be their own change even more powerful? Would they have lost their new audience? The ones that loved the hits but couldn't get with the early stuff? Would it have shown that they were sincere that money wasn't a factor? Yeah, clash. They will always be my favorite band regardless.

[@hellobonappetit1657]

i would appreciate YOU READ all the books, chuck, because your comment is untrue, it's ill-based and frankly shows what a UnClash person you are. THE BAND paid to send Topper to re-hab THREE TIMES without prior consent form Topper's mum. It failed thrice. Nobody knew. The band or Topper turned to Townsend who had always been a real altruist and also a fan of young people's music, he recommended Topper to the NY clinic where he went himfelf and got completely clean and consequently, the drummer underwent the ZAPPER technique. Tuff cookie! when it worked with almost anybody, it did not work for Nicky. All paid for by One Pete Townsend who did not get his money back; three years later Topper was sacked. 2 years after that, people forget, he sold junk to a guy who ODeed and died, later he was sent to prison for possession and all sorts. He came back with a single'album featuring Bobby Tench and other musos and was earning a living as a cab driver in Hounslow or Trashville around London. This is the troof, and nothing but...

[@loudenkliehr3633]

I didn't claim that any of that didn't happen if you happened to READ ALL that I wrote instead of trying to read INTO something I wrote. Break it down for me, you TRUE CLASH person. Tell me exactly what I said that was untrue. Did I say that they didn't try? No. I didn't. Did I offer up facts that were untrue? No. Once again. I didn't. I did say that they were a band with an anti-drug message that had a drummer that was a heroin addict. Is that true? Fuck yeah it is. So what's up your fucking bum that you feel the need to take a shot at someone who's a huge Clash fan asking "What if?"

[@hellobonappetit1657]

they were all addicts...only Topper made the wrong choice of substance. You pointed the finger. Your judgement isn't untrue but you fail to inform...about the fact that 3/4 of the band tried and failed to cure their drummer...It's not as if Strummer was writing about dope in one corner of the room and Topper calling the pusher from the call box. Amen. You're absolutely forgiven.

[@loudenkliehr3633]

They were all doing drugs, yes. I'm reading "A Riot of Our Own" as of today and I'm surprised of how much coke was being consumed on the first American tour. I know that Mick, Joe, and Paul were HUGE pot heads. I recall in Salewicz's Strummer bio that Mick and Joe started crying when they found out that it was next to impossible to get pot in Japan. Topper chose the drug that's the hardest to go without and one that also started rendering him ineffectual at times when it was necessary to be starched up and ready to go.Joe has said In hindsight he wishes that they would have stopped and all have taken time to get right. Randal Doane, who wrote "Stealing All Transmissions, said in an interview "Had they taken a break early on, maybe Headon would have pursued proper treatment for his drug problem..." But though Tops did try to kick while still a member from what I've read it wasn't until after he was sacked that they paid for rehab and he failed. Tell me which book says different, please, so that I may correct my knowledge. But yeah, Joe was writing anti-drug songs, plus coming out against drugs to the public via the press, and Topper wasn't on the phone to the dealer, but he was doing dope. As early as 'London Calling' Tops was snorting heroin (along with coke which the rest of the band, particularly Mick, were sharing) and they were working on 'Hateful' for one example. By the way, my Clash reading list: Last Gang In Town, Passion Is A Fashion, Let Fury Have The Hour, The Future Is Unwritten, and have Stealing All Transmissions on the way. Any thing else I should grab? Forgiven? Gee, thanks. I can sleep tonight. You're alright.

[@electricleg207]

Certainly a group full of contradictions ,we all know Joe`s later regret`s about sacking Topper and Mick ,but as he said things always moved quickly within the group .They certainly could have made at least one more great album .I`m sort of glad they never reformed -too easy. Best band ever.

[@sammencia7945]

Weeks or days before Topper's using got him sacked. Greatest band of my generation on its last legs.

[@MsMissymelbourne]

i saw Topper once outside the shops in Shepherds Bush .his purchase?a bottle of vodka

[@allsystemsgo8678]

It's a shame they couldn't stay together. Torn apart by the usual drugs and ego.

[@Sofukenspeshil]

Went to their concert at Logan Cambell Centre, Auckland.. Twice. Was the best! Haha and look at those old Railway workshop trains ... Probably built in Otahuhu by South Auckland apprentices and tradesmen. Sweet.

[@dd2451]

Yeah hard to tell if that is Auckland or Wellington railway yards.

[@rickprol-pc8ds]

A poignantly sad video interview. Such great artists, great spirits, so creative, Gifted. Strummer the Heart and Brains of the group. They certainly changed things alright! LOVE THEM !!!!!!!! Of course I love the Sex Pistols but The Clash I mean there is so much more to love!

[@paulgrahamedwardspencer5161]

Sunbathing code word for doing smack topper's body language says so much here tension amongst the other 3 its like he's not there

[@PeterMcLennan]

This looks like it was shot down at Auckland railway station on Beach Rd, interviewer is the late Dylan Taite. Thanks for posting!

[@rollandjoeseph]

Just like myself when i was younger and playing music, they also protrayed the "tough guy stance" but age humbles everybody ..funny how life works!

[@waynedaly100]

wow when Topper walked off, Mick said he is gone lol

[@stitchgrimly6167]

Poor Topper withdrawing in another country with no support. Must've been so shitty to have accomplished so much and all that came of it was sickness and alienation.

[@maddie8415]

I could listen to them fumble through folk songs like this for hours, they sound great. I think my favorite part is towards the end where Mick makes a face at Joe singing "sister is gonna kiss my red ruby lips" 😂

[@vernongoodey5096]

To be honest in this clip Topper looks more like Stan Laurel (it’s meant as a compliment) as I always say Stan was the first with a punk hairstyle and in car music check out their movies)

[@J0N_]

What song is joe singing at the end? Anyone??

[@sonicj2133]

I think Topper was heading to the train station bathroom to shoot up some Heroin, so if you're down with that...

[@deanappleby6982]

Only dumbasses do that taps forehead

[@camwells9726]

Logan Cambell Centre , went both nights , what a band they were

[@simondavies4]

3. Getting into art school matters more than going to art school.

[@blades92]

I know alot of you feel it's sad that the clash split, including me but at the same time we've gotta' be grateful we had such a great band that not only created great music but that also inspire other great bands and spread a message, that up til then hadn't been spread. You've gotta' be thankful for that I feel :)

[@TMFitness]

I wouldn't have it any other way. Rebellions, by nature, never last long, but the Clash changed music forever in those 7 years.

[@jchow5966]

Strummer was so cool. What a great band.

[@GoCotton]

Great video. Love the ending

[@18thandaddison]

+GoCotton They were the best at driving a message but having fun at the same time. Never too heavy

[@heathcornbeef]

I was 12 years old when they did this interview here in Aotearoa New Zealand 24 years later my first son of three was born and his name is Strummer Clash Palace (palace is my surname)

[@benthings9578]

What is jacket is joe wearing in this?

[@fairlightcmi]

Topper my beloved

[@Fractalite]

Priceless. Must have been on the same tour they played Sydney Australia maybe March 1982 at Capitol Theatre. Saw them first and last dates.

[@jodespencer4011]

Oooh I love these x

[@garyhughes7518]

Free Julian Assange

[@KrystalStardust-i9c]

Topper Hendon is so cute,

[@therainage]

Beautiful video

[@ivsa28]

haha topper is so funny, he is like some sculpt!;)

[@TheGazzaful]

Topper? Was he always the quiet one ?

[@jchow5966]

Lol.

[@shakeygould8839]

Say you will never spit up and then kick mick that year

[@charlesncharge]

what's amazing when you think about it the clash were only really together for 7 years. that's 2004 if we're talking today... so much in such a small amount of time

[@Khultan]

It's 2012, I'd have to say that the art movement seems to be one of the arts that has been identified as one of the more effective means of expression. I'm just saying this from my era and my generation.

[@cla5h88]

@matedog2 That's the one at the end, I found out that the one at the beginning is "Oh Shenandoah" =)

[@AshleyRox14]

Ahhhhh! I love when Clash interviews are put up that I havent seen before. Thank you thank you thank you!(:

[@matedog2]

@cla5h88 "Whose Gonna Shoe Your Pretty Little Foot " apparently.

[@rasulf]

This was great thanks.

[@Marleystrummer]

Is it at Wellington railway station? my home town, I would have been 9!

[@Victor-mg5ds]

Dylan tait interview.

[@SuperstarNeilC]

Topper off to score a hit, lol

[@paulgrahamedwardspencer5161]

Rob the drug dealer

[@Victor-mg5ds]

Definite otahuhu

[@matedog2]

@TheGazzaful I'd say Paul was the quiet one.

[@m.g.5207]

what's the name of the interviewer ? In 1979 he interviewed Bob Marley (also in New Zealand).

[@hellobonappetit1657]

Dylan Taite Reporter (maybe)

[@perkydog4294]

Dylan Thomas

[@dd2451]

@@hellobonappetit1657 Yeah it's Dylan Taite. Was a legend in NZ.

[@cla5h88]

what is the name of the song?

[@Stranglerxx77]

Tops iz in ze heroin dazzzeee.......and the rest know its near the end....still a great band , joe [failed genius , hypocrite , heart of gold ]....SANDINISTA !

[@danschreffler1280]

Bye Topper!

[@animaction65]

Lady GAGA is listening...

[@QuirkyFifa]

What's that song in the beginning??

[@martynw377]

Shenandoah by Bob Dylan