Punk Rock Warlord: the Life and Work of Joe Strummer (Ashgate Popular and Folk Music Series)

"Punk Rock Warlord explores the relevance of Joe Strummer within the continuing legacies of both punk rock and progressive politics. It is aimed at scholars and general readers interested in The Clash, punk culture, and the intersections between pop music and politics, on both sides of the Atlantic. Contributors to the collection represent a wide range of disciplines, including history, sociology, musicology, and literature; their work examines all phases of Strummer's career, from his early days as 'Woody' the busker to the whirlwind years as front man for The Clash, to the 'wilderness years' and Strummer's final days with the Mescaleros. Punk Rock Warlord offers an engaging survey of its subject, while at the same time challenging some of the historical narratives that have been constructed around Strummer the Punk Icon. The essays in Punk Rock Warlord address issues including John Graham Mellor's self-fashioning as 'Joe Strummer, rock revolutionary'; critical and media constructions of punk; and the singer's complicated and changing relationship to feminism and anti-racist politics. These diverse essays nevertheless cohere around the claim that Strummer's look, style, and musical repertoire are so rooted in both English and American cultures that he cannot finally be extricated from either."--Provided by publisher This Collection Explores The Relevance Of Joe Strummer Within The Continuing Legacies Of Both Punk Rock And Progressive Politics. It Is Aimed At Those Interested In The Clash, Punk Culture, And The Intersections Between Pop Music And Politics, On Both Sides Of The Atlantic. Contributors Represent A Wide Range Of Disciplines And Their Work Examines All Phases Of Strummer's Career, From His Early Days As Woody The Busker To The Whirlwind Years As Front Man For The Clash, To The Wilderness Years And Final Days With The Mescaleros. Punk Rock Warlord Offers An Engaging Survey Of Its Subject. Introduction. John Woody Joe Mellor Strummer : The Many Lives, Travails, And Sundry Shortcomings Of A Punk Rock Warlord / Barry Faulk And Brady Harrison -- John/woody/joe. Don't Call Me Woody' : The Punk Compassion And Folk Rebellion Of Joe Strummer And Woody Guthrie / Edward A. Shannon ; Joe Strummer : The Road To Rock And Roll / Lauren Onkey ; From The 101'ers To The Mescaleros, And Whatever Band Was In Between : Joe Strummer's Musical Journey (or, Why Woody?) / Brian A. Cogan -- I Don't Trust You. This Is Joe Public Speaking : Why Joe Strummer's Passion Is Still In Fashion / Mark Bedford ; Saint Joe : An Apostate Writes / Alex Ogg -- Why Should You Trust Me? Revolution Rock? : The Clash, Joe Strummer, And The British Left In The Early Days Of Punk / Matthew Worley ; The Creation Of An Anti-fascist Icon : Joe Strummer And Rock Against Racism / Jeremy Tranmer ; The Last Gang In Town : Masculinity, Feminism, Joe Strummer, And The Clash / Maria Raha -- Strummer On Broadway (and Sunset). I Am So Bored With The Usa : Joe Strummer And The Promised Land / Justin S. Wadlow ; Culture Clash : The Influence On Hip Hop Culture And Aesthetics On The Clash / Walidah Imarisha ; Mystery Train : Joe Strummer On Screen / Chris Barsanti. Edited By Barry Faulk, Brady Harrison. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 177-187) And Index. Cover 1 Contents 6 List of Figures 8 General Editor's Preface 10 Notes on Contributors 12 Credits 16 Introduction 18 Part I: John/Woody/Joe 28 1 “Don’t Call Me Woody”: The Punk Compassion and Folk Rebellion of Joe Strummer and Woody Guthrie 30 2 Joe Strummer: The Road to Rock and Roll 42 3 From the 101’ers to the Mescaleros, and Whatever Band was in-between 48 Part II: I Don't Trust You 64 4 “This is Joe Public Speaking” 66 5 Saint Joe: An Apostate Writes 82 Part III: Why Should You Trust Me? 96 6 Revolution Rock? The Clash, Joe Strummer and the British Left in the Early Days of Punk 98 7 The Creation of an Anti-Fascist Icon: Joe Strummer and Rock Against Racism 110 8 The Last Gang in Town: Masculinity, Feminism, Joe Strummer and the Clash 126 Part IV: Strummer on Broadway (and Sunset) 138 9 “I am so Bored with the USA”: Joe Strummer and the Promised Land 140 10 Culture Clash: The Influence of Hip Hop Culture and Aesthetics on the Clash 164 11 Mystery Train: “Joe Strummer” on Screen 182 List of References 194 Index 206