I haven't read such nonsense here since, well, I'm sure if I sifted through Pat's posts I could come up with something. Honestly, how much of The Clash have you listened to?

Do you know anything of "White Man In Hammersmith Palais", "London's Burning", "Complete Control", "Hate and War" "I'm So Bored With The USA"?? Their first album is my all-time desert island disc. Nothing gets my attention like their debut. It's indispensable, like oxygen.

Have you ever listened to the entire "London Calling" album? Do you only know them from their later hits "Rock The Casbah" or "Should I Stay...". If so, these aren't representative of their magnificence.

Did you ever see them in concert? I did, six times. Other than Springsteen during the "Darkness on the Edge of Town" tour, nothing, nothing I saw was nearly as riveting as Joe Strummer in front of that freight train of a band.

Ironic how a such a slam could occur on a thread devoted to the band that defines insipid, "Boston" (and hey, I went to college there, and I love the city, but have no use for the band).

I urge you to go to Youtube and check out "Clampdown", "Safe European Home", or "Police and Thieves".

I'm not sure what to make of the comment related to their politics. They certainly leaned left, but had no problem slamming China over treatment of Tibet, or the Soviets for invading Afghanistan.

The influence of The Clash continues to grow, and further comments from me would be redundant. LISTEN TO THE MUSIC! And I'm sure Chairman Ed will have offer a few shot across your bow.

Peter T.