After reading about Topper Headon playing on stage with Mick Jones last Friday night in a Ladbroke Grove club it reminded me of a new documentary I watched over the Christmas period called Rebel Truce: The History of The Clash. It lacked live footage but discussed in some length how Mick Jones and Tony James (later of Generation X & Sigue Sigue Sputnik fame) formed the London SS. Paul Simonen later joined the band and before long James and Jones decided to go their separate ways. Paul & Mick then met Joe Strummer while he was playing with the pub rock band The 101ers and the rest is history.

I was disappointed there was no mention or footage of Keith Levene playing second guitar with The Clash as I am a great fan of Levene’s guitar work with Public Image Limited, and again this part of Clash history is always overlooked.

Mick Jones was the only member of the famous four to be involved in the programme and he mentioned a time when the band were given an award and entered into the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame that they spoke about reforming The Clash. It was strange to hear it was only Paul Simenon that didn’t agree to do it.

Tony James and Mick Jones are now playing together again in a new band Carbon/Silicons while Paul Simenon is playing with Damon Albarn in the brilliant The Good The Bad & The Queen.