"'The only band that matters.' There is charismatic hubris in this phrase, a declaration of radical faith. Fuck the past, the future is here and everything in music will be ruthlessly revamped in its wake. And when the description was applied to the Clash, it was easy to believe. Today, though, it’s easy to scoff at. Since the death of front-man Joe Strummer in 2002, the Clash have ascended into rock-and-roll mythos. No fewer than thirty books have been released on the band or on Strummer. Some of them are wonderful. Others are shallow and sloppy hagiographies. Their music has been used to hawk everything from boots to smartphones. Centrists in progressive clothing like Beto O’Rourke receive high praise for quoting 'The Clampdown' to Ted Cruz. Separating what’s commodity and spectacle from the band’s actual contribution is getting harder. ..."
Jacobin
Voice: We Have to Deal With It: Punk England Report by Robert Christgau (January 9, 1978)
Music you need: The Clash. This is punk rock. This is the only band that matters. (Video)
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