Clash Takes on the World: Transnational Perspectives on The Only Band that Matters

The Clash's debut album, "The Clash," was influenced by classic American rock and roll, but their later albums such as "Sandinista!" and "Combat Rock" experimented with a range of musical genres, lyrical themes, and visual aesthetics. "The Clash Takes on the World" explores the transnational aspects of The Clash's music, lyrics, and politics, bringing together literary scholars, historians, media theorists, musicologists, social activists, and geographers from Europe and the US to interpret their negotiations with reggae music and culture, respond to socio-political issues, reconcile their anti-capitalist stance with their success, and address their inclusive, multicultural stance.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 27 December 2018
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing Plc

The Clash, on their debut, boldly proclaimed their boredom with the United States, but their music was far from parochial. Mick Jones' songs like "Hate and War" drew heavily from classic American rock and roll, while their cover of Junior Murvin's reggae hit "Police and Thieves" showcased their already diverse musical influences. Their subsequent albums, such as "Sandinista!" and "Combat Rock," saw them explore a vast array of musical genres, lyrical themes, and visual aesthetics.

"The Clash Takes on the World" delves into the transnational dimensions of The Clash's music, lyrics, and politics, offering a truly global perspective. It brings together scholars, historians, media theorists, musicologists, social activists, and geographers from Europe and the United States, employing a range of critical approaches to analyze The Clash's work. The book addresses crucial questions such as how to interpret their interactions with reggae music and culture, how they responded to the specific socio-political issues of their time, including economic recessions, the Reagan-Thatcher era, and burgeoning neoliberalism, as well as international conflicts in Nicaragua and the Falkland Islands. It also explores how The Clash reconciled their anti-capitalist stance with their own success and status as a global commodity. Additionally, the book examines their avowedly inclusive, multicultural stance, reflected in their musical diversity, and how it squared with the experience of witnessing the band in performance.

"The Clash Takes on the World" is an essential read for scholars, students, and enthusiasts of The Clash, as their popularity continues to endure. The book provides valuable insights into the band's artistic and political legacy, shedding light on their enduring influence on music, culture, and society.

Weight: 430g
Dimension: 155 x 230 x 14 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781501348099