How The Clash Changed Music

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A brief documentary about The Clash. Produced and written by Matt Beat. Check out ‪@theclash‬'s music: / the clash - topic
Sources/further reading:
We Are The Clash: Reagan, Thatcher, and the Last Stand of a Band That Mattered by Mark Andersen
Purchase here: amzn.to/45ZewNM
The Clash: Return of the Last Gang in Town by Marcus Gray
Purchase here: amzn.to/3P19c5T
Punk Rock: An Oral History by John Robb
Purchase here: amzn.to/484gFcO
Joe Strummer And The Legend Of The Clash by Kris Needs
Purchase here: amzn.to/45W9Ubb
www.allmusic.com/artist/the-c...
www.theclash.com/gigography
www.theclash.com/discography
www.britannica.com/topic/the-...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Clash
www.theclash.com/biography/
www.setlist.fm/stats/concert-...
www.loudersound.com/features/...
www.concertarchives.org/bands...
An annotated script of this video: docs.google.com/document/d/1G...
#musicdocumentary #behindthemusic #theclash
Today, The Clash is way more popular than it ever was when they were still together.
Sure, the Sex Pistols and Ramones came first, but The Clash were arguably even more influential than both in terms of bringing the entire punk movement into the mainstream, even if that took a couple decades. But while the Sex Pistols sought to destroy rock, The Clash sought to resurrect it, and indeed, they took it in an entirely different direction. This is why most folks don’t even know about The Clash’s punk rock roots- they ended up being so much more than a punk rock band actually, exploring seemingly every music genre in existence.
They planted the seeds of what eventually became known as “alternative rock,” this weird genre that exploded into the mainstream in the 1990s.
The Clash were one of the first significant political bands. They were known for lyrics about social and racial injustice. For years after they broke up, concert promoters consistently tried to throw lots of money at them for a reunion show, but they always resisted.
After all, they didn’t seem to do it for the money. They did it for the passion. They did it for the fans. And that’s why their spirit still lives on.
0:00 Early Years
4:57 Self-titled debut
9:21 Give 'Em Enough Rope
11:37 London Calling
13:31 Sandinista!
15:32 Combat Rock
18:31 Cut the Crap
20:01 Legacy

[@mattbeatgoeson]

What's your favorite song by The Clash?

[@jacob_n_r_z8755]

LONDON CALLING!!!!

[@truevibecheck6927]

Rock the casbah

[@skaboard3119]

probably janie jones

[@morisscramdoodle1220]

Ohhhh ohh guns of brixton

[@Kazzbah]

Spanish Bombs

[@18t32]

The Clash arguably had the most iconic guitar smash ever

[@HenryMyth]

That was Paul Simonon smashing his bass on the cover.

[@mattbeatgoeson]

After Pete Townshend's first guitar smash

[@torgejh9189]

And it's arguably even more iconic that the guitar smashed in the most iconic guitar smash ever was actually a bass.

[@NebMunb]

What a pointless thing to do to. A perfectly good instrument.

[@michaelsmallarz7183]

London calling.

[@iLLWiLL173]

"The Only Band That Matters"... probably the best way to describe the Clash ... absolutely love how they mixed so many genres in their music.. they did it with their own style and it will never be duplicated..

[@mrtulipeater]

“Band”

[@iLLWiLL173]

@@mrtulipeater corrected 👌🏽

[@sheilamcgowan7186]

The jam were far better

[@deerhunter2218]

​@@sheilamcgowan7186No they weren't, the Jam were a great band, the Clash were an excellent band

[@willieluncheonette5843]

hardly the only band that matters. That is complete BS, but the British version of their debut LP is one of the 15 greatest punk albums ever

[@KevXRDuke]

I saw the Clash on Broadway. It was right before I graduated high school in 1981. I lived in NJ. Every Clash fan knows that it was at Bonds. A huge department store on Times Square that closed. It became a club. I was only 17. The drinking age was 18 in NY. I had to buy a fake ID. They had shops that sold them in Times Square. I bought one for $5. It looked like a NJ driver's license. They put your picture on it. We ordered hamburgers at a Beefsteak Charlie's. They advertised "All the wine, beer and sangria you could drink". We sat there for hours. We made friends with the waiter and he sold us some party favors. The first time I ever did blow. It was the 80s!!! Bonds was a complete shithole inside. The concert was great. I have a 13 year old son. I live in Florida. He is a little bad ass grom. I would never allow him to do what I did in 1981. Hahahaha. Times Square was a fucking war zone back then.

[@PinkyJujubean]

Funny story about The Clash..... In the early 80s the members of Madness heard that The Clash were rehearsing at some place nearby and they got some real cop uniforms and decided to prank them by pretending to raid them. The band thought it was a real raid and they quickly flushed their drugs and fled the scene. According to Suggs the guys from The Clash didn't talk them for a long time after that

[@Renee2day598]

😂😂

[@helenbartoszek243]

Mick Jones was in love with Viv Albertine of The Slits. He wrote Train in Vain about her when he used to catch the train to her place, hoping she'd be at home. He would wait hours for her but most of the time he'd caught the train in vain.

[@jemonhasan7365]

You should definitely do one on The Doors or The Who, now those would be awesome:)

[@mattbeatgoeson]

Absolutely to both

[@Mxulin]

@@mattbeatgoeson The Doors!

[@joylessjim]

I would love a video about the doors!

[@DerekDerekDerekDerekDerekDerek]

​@@mattbeatgoesonIron Maiden, the kinks

[@Mcperson823]

​@@mattbeatgoesondo it

[@lucasroche8639]

My dad used to drink in the Elgin pub where the 101ers had a residency, lucky dad! He thought punk was the funniest thing he had ever seen and understood the humour straight away, he even insisted on putting Sid's 'my way' as the last song at the end of every mixed cassette he made. My dad wasn't silly bless his cold dead heart.

[@beatlesareshite]

Punk wasn't played in the Elgin, it was pub rock 101ers so yer talking pish

[@beatlesareshite]

That's bullshit

[@tylerhackner9731]

One of my favorite bands

[@mattbeatgoeson]

I figured you dug 'em, Tyler!

[@wvu05]

Mine, too. Fancy seeing you here.

[@fredgervin9930]

I saw them live, summer of 82, absolutely the most energetic concert I have seen. Everyone was going nuts.

[@kevinsullivan6956]

Saw them on the same tour in Vancouver!! It was mayhem!!

[@Beavis-mw5tu]

I had a chance to go see them in Philadelphia in (iirc) 1982 with my older brother. I was 12 at the time and once my mother heard something about the band on TV she refused to let me go. Still pissed about that to this day.

[@BennSimonn]

We should all be so lucky as to hear "Train in Vain" and "London Calling" enough on radio to think they're "overplayed"

[@klmullins65]

The only Clash song most U.S. stations play is "Rock the Casbah"...its a wonder they even play that one...they've been using the same song list since 1987, except when they occasionally play something "new", like "Smells Like Teen Spirit", or "Under the Bridge"!

[@ickygabe]

The Kinks or Talking Heads next please! Love your style of these videos and of course the main channel, keep up the phenomenal work! Always a pleasure to see an upload hit my inbox!!!

[@mattbeatgoeson]

I appreciate the words of support!

[@atheistleopard618]

*flower song* is pretty good by T.H. , IMO.

[@watching7721]

I'm honestly kinda surprised you haven't covered Sex Pistols, but I won't complain because The Clash is definitely one of the best punk artists

[@lizburton3840]

He's got an episode about Ramones so to round out the big threeTM of the 70s punk he should do a Sex Pistols episode

[@charliearnison4007]

A sex pistols video would only be about 7 minutes long, they only released one album

[@lizburton3840]

@@charliearnison4007 They did an awful lot in their five years of existence!

[@vampboimiku4470]

I wished that Keith would’ve stayed longer but the work he did with public image limited is brilliant

[@dannyhudson9200]

this has generally made me happy because i love the clash and i love theses videos as a music lover !!! please dont stop making these videos and keep up the work man !!!

[@EntourageBand_]

This is my favorite video series on KZbin, keep up the great work!

[@Skroskznik]

Keep up the great dives Mr. Beat, love these videos!

[@harveysengers1379]

Much love from the Netherlands mister beat. I don't know how you manage beeing a teacher, a dad, a husband and still manage to make so many content that is right up my alley, but im happy you do. Even my kind of dad humor. All the best, ill be following!

[@firstname__lastname]

The Clash are the definitive punk rock band. Always loved their duel leading vocals.

[@Jonsolski18]

Another fantastic video by Mr. Beat! Thank you so much for taking the time to make these videos. I always love that these are incredibly in-depth about the artist/band. I always learn something new when watching. keep them coming! Some artists I would love to see covered at some point in the future: - Steely Dan - Earth, Wind & Fire - Hall & Oates - Green Day - Madonna

[@KarmaHauntsYou]

Had zero idea you not only have a banger history channel, but you also cover musical history. Beyond hyped to binge all these videos.

[@3rdandzen97]

Such a great video!! Thank you so much for this one, and for all of your videos and the work you put in to them!! Brilliant stuff, just brilliant!! I saw someone comment and suggest The Talking Heads, and I think that’s a fantastic suggestion! Regardless of what you do next, I’m sure it will be great, and I look forward to it! Thanks again!!!

[@anadraham2995]

Thank you Mr. Beat👏 Another fantastic timeline‼️

[@oscarjames9080]

Please never stop making these video Mr Beat. This is my favourite youtube series

[@jamesburgess2k]

Great video! Love learning about the bands that were instrumental to the start of certain genres or movements in music

[@thebadfella5296]

YES I remember requesting this over 2 years ago. Great video, Beat

[@liam2967]

Awesome Video! Definitely one of the greatest bands out there!

[@mattbeatgoeson]

Thank you and agreed about the band!

[@MomentsInTrading]

I saw this Clash in 1981 on the Combat Rock tour. My first real concert. The English Beat opened up. I also saw the Clash again a couple of years later. I also saw the English Beat again, and the Bangles opened up.

[@mattbeatgoeson]

That's amazing. I'm sure back then you didn't realize just how big of an impact The Clash would have.

[@MomentsInTrading]

@@mattbeatgoesonI was an early 80s punk. Here are a few bands I saw- Misfits with Glenn Danzig singing Red Hot Chili Peppers before they were big PIL DK, GBH twice, Circle Jerks I saw Black Flag with Henry Rollins singing. I saw the Stray Cats twice Bunch of others I can’t think of. None were really big at the time except the Clash. I also saw every big punk band then that most people today haven’t heard of. Also when older- REM on the Green tour- tickets bought that day last minute Grateful Dead- Got the ticket day of the show Pink Floyd on the Division Bell tour Eek A Mouse 3 times Steel Pulse twice I saw Lennie Kravitz open up for Andy Summers on a Wednesday night at a local place right before LK’s first album came out, and AS was playing New Age music that wasn’t very popular so there was about 100 people total.

[@williammckay9229]

Saw them Oct.'79 in Houston, Texas. Cullen Auditorium at U of H. I remember opening act Legionaire's Disease singer split his pants mid song.

[@beatlesareshite]

No you didn't... they didn't have such a thing as a combat Rock tour in 81... think again

[@Renee2day598]

Great mini doc! Cheers! 🎉

[@realsolidbongo]

THNK U!! been waiting for this.

[@mattbeatgoeson]

Hope you like it!

[@CameraCombo]

That was great. Good work and synthesis.

[@dbhllproductions6544]

Yes! I’ve been waiting for this one for a couple years. The clash are my favorite band are your band history videos are some of my favorites. Would love to see one on Van Halen!

[@truevibecheck6927]

Been waiting for this one 🎸🤘

[@mattbeatgoeson]

Right on

[@keithjericho1953]

Omgg i love your vids Ive been binging them for the past 2 days and I discovered amazing music because of it. Keep it up!

[@mattbeatgoeson]

Glad you like them!

[@voodoochile804]

First, I think this is a very fine description of what The Clash were about. Also the reading is perfect. For the future I would like to hear about The Pogues and The Pretenders. Thanks a lot!

[@drewcama2488]

Police and thieves. The Clash was a total out of the blue discovery for me and an immediate favorite band in 1985.

[@skipperboab]

another banger as usual mr beat

[@mattbeatgoeson]

Thank you!

[@van.halenfalen]

Love these videos dude

[@mattbeatgoeson]

Thank you!

[@salva2714]

Always stoked when I see that notification for an upload, man

[@mattbeatgoeson]

I'm happy you dig the vids!

[@MrBarrystuart]

Great documentary - good job !

[@tonyfluxman7596]

A wonderful documentary!

[@mickeymalone7577]

Been getting into them lately. It's very fun listening to them and hearing my dad's stories about them when they were at their height.

[@benl326]

Obviously I’ve been aware of them for a while, but recently I’ve been on a real Clash kick, so this excellent video couldn’t have come at a better time. They’re quickly becoming one of my favourite bands of all time, and I’d certainly argue that there’s never been a cooler band- in attitude, aesthetic, and sonic innovation- than The Clash. The Strummer/ Jones partnership is fascinating to me, as is the bands complex history and refusal to rest on their laurels. They truly are one of the trailblazers of modern music, it’s amazing to feel so inspired by songs written such a long time ago. Long live The Clash 💥

[@beatlesareshite]

Mate rhe Clash don't slowly Grow on you... you're either a Clash man or you're miles away. It's INSTANT wi the Clash. Not a fckn project.fckn yanks man

[@Beavis-mw5tu]

One of those rare bands whose B sides were every bit as good, or better, than their A sides. Sides 3,4, and 5 of Sandinista are a good example... much better than side 1.

[@mtgrove8916]

I really enjoy this series, can you do a brief history of Pearl Jam or the Red Hot Chili Peppers next?

[@mattbeatgoeson]

Eventually I plan on covering both. Thanks for the kind words!

[@rosswebster7877]

IMO The Clash surpassed the Sex Pistols tenfold.

[@das0ul177]

Second the chilis

[@skaboard3119]

YES YOU DID IT GREAT AS ALWAYS

[@ilijadimitrovski1789]

Thank you for doing the Clash 😊

[@csmith1298]

Hi Mr. Beat. Ran into you at a gas station/restaurant about 6-7 months ago and complimented your work because you deserve it. Forgot that I forgot to subscribe. Oof. Then I saw this about my favorite group. Remembered and subscribed. Well done as usual. Cheers.

[@csmith1298]

Oops. Forgot to answer the question at the end. Favorite song: One More Time. Favorite record: A complete cop-out 3 way tie between London Calling, the U.S. version of The Clash, and Sandinista!, though London Calling is probably the best. Again, well done and cheers. Keep making videos.

[@user-qt7nq5xl1m]

Mr Beat ROCK'S once again bringing us the history of one of my childhood favorites🎉

[@jks_racing]

My favourite band of all time! Great video!

[@athen2379]

never been able to find a good vid that documents their story. thank you

[@shannonschaerer1010]

Holy S!!! I thought I knew a fair bit about The Clash, but I guess I didn't!! -LOL!! The amount of information you crammed into 21:45mins is Amazing! I learned a LOT more about the history of the band - who left & where they went to, dates, times, EVERYTHING that occurred & WHEN & WHERE is FANTASTIC!! This is probably the best "history" video of any band I've SEEN in a WHILE!! Thank you VERY MUCH!!

[@soundofhistory_]

You beat (pun intended) me to it! I'm working on a Clash video right now. This is great!

[@townsendo]

I love the Clash ! Great telling of their story !

[@damienmatrozis7992]

The clash! What can i say. Inovative. Best change in music between 76 - to 82

[@DylanHub]

All of your videos are so well edited and accurate! Great work on this one!

[@jpbishi]

So happy you finally got to the Clash. Now do Air Supply, just want to hear Mr. Beat name all their album titles ;)

[@bred2018]

this video format is golden

[@davidtardio9804]

Great choice. Well done. Please do the Who when you get a chance.

[@jonathanrossddsmhs1271]

Thanks Mr. Beat!

[@Tybr0]

Well Mr. Beat. Didn’t know ya had a music channel as well! Currently watching it all lol

[@ClockworkMusics]

Awesome video man. Love these type of videos ive tried to do my own lol but shorter. :)

[@MoviesNStuff]

You should do one for a Prog band.. maybe Yes or King Crimson? Or perhaps someone like Van Der Graaf Generator

[@mattbeatgoeson]

Well The Doors are coming up soon

[@MoviesNStuff]

@@mattbeatgoeson But are the doors prog?

[@wvu05]

Sonny Curtis had a strangely diverse songwriting career. His biggest songs were "I Fought the Law," "Love is All Around" from _The Mary Tyler Moore Show,_ and a song for Keith Whitley.

[@Beavis-mw5tu]

Wasn't Love is all around covered by Husker Du? Brilliant!

[@wvu05]

@@Beavis-mw5tu Not sure, but I remember the Joan Jett cover.

[@aluncurtis6124]

Give 'em Enough Role is amazing. Raw, angry and polished just enough to enable it to transcend pink but to still retain maximum balls. Stand out track? Julie 's Been Working For the Drug Squad.

[@ucok7043]

thanks for the video

[@giausername]

sandinista is one of my favorite albums ever ! i love living in frame right now

[@mattbeatgoeson]

I do think Sandinista! is underrated

[@user-no9xk8mg1x]

Love ❤ it!!!

[@airlessness8431]

You should definitely do one for Van Halen. Very interesting stuff you could cover. For them, it’d be awesome! Keep it up, love your content!

[@spoon4055]

Great Video!! I would absolutely love it if you could make a video on Electric Light Orchestra, my favorite band with a fancy history and beatlsque sound

[@mattbeatgoeson]

Sure thing and thank you :)

[@fredmcgill848]

I remember seeing an interview with Strummer before he died where he was talking about the band breaking up. He looked like someone describing watching their dog get hit by a car. Combat Rock would be my favorite album & Lost in the Supermarket is my favorite song. That song turned into a joke with my daughters & I in the years when they would go grocery shopping together.

[@shanereynolds4276]

You should have mentioned their Bonds international Casino concert in NYC. Originally 8 concerts but the promoters oversold tickets so the Clash made sure they played enough shows for every ticket holder. Not to mention all the amazing bands that opened like Dead Kennedys and Bad Brains.

[@2001lextalionis]

Yes they canceled the other shows, namely the selector which I bought tickets for. Didn’t have enough scratch for both shows. So I missed out on both. Wouldn’t trade the experience for anything

[@JacksContent]

I am actually curious to see you do the band "screaming trees" weird old band that I've always wanted to know the backstory of

[@edwardovargas2534]

Great video as usual!! Loved the clash since I was a child. I would love for a brief history on Pearl Jam, Korn or Alice In Chains ❤❤

[@mattbeatgoeson]

Thank you! Also, since Pearl Jam and Korn are still technically together, I'm more than likely to cover Alice in Chinas first!

[@sean.anthony6044]

I just realized your Mr.Beat and I wash your history videos and now I discovered this channel I be watching your music/band videos and I’m only now realizing your now connected this 😭😭

[@jakeavdem9345]

We need “A Brief History” on New Order. Great videos!

[@ig-8887]

PLEASE do one on the Grateful Dead. Theres so much to talk about, and their history is really interesting too.

[@hollyhoman1625]

Definitely one of the best bands ever. I got to see them once live when they opened for the Who in October of 82

[@HarvestStore]

Great video.

[@mattbeatgoeson]

Thanks!

[@clarkmain1438]

The BEST concert I've EVER been to❤

[@skotadistisgtech]

Another great video. Really good Mr. Beat. You should definitely do the story Of the RHCP.

[@joelgreenlee9421]

I'm a huge reggae fan so my favorite song is Bankrobber and my favorite album is London Calling. I'd love it if you could make a similar show about the Beat/English Beat. Lots of cool stuff and I don't think enough Americans know enough about how amazing they were

[@bcrisler]

Damn, you do a good job. Real facts and smart observations and what not. Aces.

[@Awesomebaconman123]

Oh the beat goes ooon, after the thrill of playing is gone. Also Mick Jones wasn't exactly blown away by the Sex Pistols. It was more of a competition, it was The Ramones that Jones was blown away by and The Sex Pistols gave him the confirmation to keep going.

[@mattbeatgoeson]

Fair enough!

[@fooman65]

Just wanna say? Great channel and content and getting the facts right too, great research. How about MC 5? You'd do a good job on them for sure

[@AKK.04]

I think you definitely should do King Crimson or Camel next. Two of the most iconic Prog Rock bands

[@hollin220]

If there is no dancing in your Revolution it is not worth fighting in. Spanish Bombs is my favorite song

[@masterofwheat]

hey there! so i have been asking this for a while, but i was wondering if you could cover any rock n roll classics, such as chuck berry, little richard, or fats domino! keep up the good work!

[@mattbeatgoeson]

I have a surprise contemporary of them coming soon! Hopefully you dig it. :)

[@regera_1]

Another Banger! I'll try requesting another one, how about "A Brief History of ABBA" I'll keep trying getting my suggestions on a video someday

[@unitedmad9580]

Perfect video! Although I think you should’ve mentioned that the band ditched Bernie Rhodes in 1978, and then brought him back in 1981. That was very significant.

[@viktortano6762]

i love your videos, Could you do a brief history of Deep Purple plz, That would be a really interesting video

[@durangomcmurphy1529]

Excellent Video . Very informative and well spoken voice over . I always thought the Clash were Bob Dylan if he had had an abusive father . "The Only Band that Matters " indeed . My favorite Clash tune ? Bankrobber or Jimmy Jazz . Hard to say . Peace on .

[@henryvegter8773]

I never got into punk but I heard London calling and more early 80’s and was hooked. 😜

[@davidlyon1899]

''For me the clash was over, without Topper'' Joe Strummer.

[@curly_wyn]

Great video, Matt! Although, I have to say that the “Cut the Crap” album that you made up is really cute lol. There IS NO sixth Clash album!

[@2001lextalionis]

Complete control has so much passion so it’s my favorite Best album was the first one

[@oliver29731]

My favourite Clash song is Janie Jones and The Debut album is my favourite, would love to see you do the cure next

[@mattbeatgoeson]

A lot of folks seem to want to see The Cure

[@chopsssschreib]

Yessssss, the clash were so good

[@ChefDavesVomlette]

Great video! Can you do a brief history of Devo or Fleetwood Mac next?

[@dmnbranza8604]

I love all ur videos, they are so explained and so interesting. My idea is that u should try KISS, Iron Maiden or AC\DC next

[@joaodmveigas]

Nice video, can you make paramore`s history? Cheers from Portugal!!