Chuck Prophet - Garage, London, 23/7/2011
by Anthony Strutt
published: 28 / 8 / 2011
intro
Anthony Strutt watches former Green On Red guitarist Chuck Prophet and his new band the Spanish Bombs cover the whole of the Clash's 'London Calling' album in a fabulous night at the Borderline in London
Chuck Prophet was the lead guitarist in Green On Red and has been a solo artist since 1991. Tonight he is playing with a new band, the Spanish Bombs, the whole of the Clash's third album, 'London Calling'. The idea behind this has been put together by a Spanish promoter, and is to get artists to play one of their favourite albums in its entirety. As a Chuck fan, I'm here for this San Francisco-based artist, not because he is doing a Clash record. 'London Calling' was released on the 14th December 1979 as a double vinyl LP, got to number 9 in the UK charts and has one of the most famous covers in punk rock history. I admire and respect the Clash but they have never done things for me personally. Ironically that afternoon I have met Mick Jones, who is playing with Big Audio Dynamite at the Royal Festival Hall the same evening which is really bad timing. Tonight, however, the venue is still jam packed with hardcore Clash fans and after 85 mins they are converted to Chuck, Me, myself, I'm still not into this album at all at the end of it, but it is a lot of fun. Chuck has the voice to do a decent Strummer style vocal, and adds a lot of his own genius to the mix. He opens up with the words, "Ladies and gentlemen, Mr Murdoch. What have you done to my country?" before clashing -my pun intended - into 'Londons Calling'. The support act is Johnny Green, the Clash's original tour manager, who reads from his book, 'A Riot Of Our Own', about his time with the band. , Much as I am not a Clash fan, I could of listened to him all night, as the book is not just about punk, but a time and place in my history. DJ Scratchy, the Clash's on the road DJ, sets the mood by playing vinyl of records that the band were fans of. It is a fabulous night really, ending with 'Bank Robber' in all its punk glory, and which is loud, fast and colourful. God Bless, Joe Strummer.
Band Links:-
https://www.facebook.com/chuckprophetofficial/http://www.chuckprophet.com/
https://twitter.com/ChuckProphet/
https://www.instagram.com/chuckprophet/
Picture Gallery:-
interviews |
Intervew (2012) |
Former Green on Red guitarist Chuck Prophet speaks to Anthony Strutt about his solo career, and his eleventh album, 'Temple Beautiful', which is about his home city of San Francisco |
Interview (2010) |
features |
Ten Songs That Made Me Love... (2017) |
In 'Ten Songs That Made Me Love...' Stephen Simkin reflects on ten of his favourite songs by Chuck Prophet. |
reviews |
Bobby Fuller Died for Your Sins (2017) |
Redemptive latest album from former Green On Red guitarist Chuck Prophet which proves to be one of the highlights of his extraordinary career |
Temple Beautiful (2012) |
Dreaming Waylon's Dreams (2010) |
Let the Freedom Ring (2009) |
most viewed articles
current edition
In Dreams Begin Responsibilities - #15- On Being Dignified and Old aka Ten Tips From Jah Wobble On How To Be Happy.Dennis Tufano - Copernicus Center, Chicago, 19/7/2024
Elliott Murphy - Interview
Wreckless Eric - Interview
Adrian Gurvitz - Interview
In Dreams Begin Responsibilities - #16: Living in the Minds of Strangers
In Dreams Begin Responsibilities - #17: Tom Robinson
Norman Rodger - Interview
Chris Spedding - Interview
Penumbra - Interview
previous editions
Heavenly - P.U.N.K. Girl EPIn Dreams Begin Responsibilities - #5 - ‘We all have good intentions/ But all with strings attached’: Music and Mental Health Part 2
Trudie Myerscough-Harris - Interview
Allan Clarke - Interview
Dwina Gibb - Interview
Madeline Bell - Interview
Joy Division - The Image That Made Me Weep
Beautiful South - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Sound - Interview with Bi Marshall Part 1
Jimmy Nail - Interview
most viewed reviews
current edition
Groovy Uncle - Making ExcusesBill Wyman - Drive My Car
Hawkestrel - Chaos Rocks
Philip Parfitt - The Dark Light
Deep Purple - =1
Ross Couper Band - The Homeroad
Jules Winchester - The Journey
John Murry and Michael Timmins - A Little Bit of Grace and Decay
Popstar - Obscene
Splashgirl and Robert Aiki Aubrey Lowe - More Human
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart