Combat Rock Tour
Supported by Red Rockers
updated 12 April 2011 - added full review
cdr - Sound 4 – 92.48min – 1st gen - tracks 24 – 94.55min
poorer higher generation copies circulate
‘The lights dim and the Clash come out amidst very bright white lights (and white heat) and Joe Strummer is wearing a white towel over his head as the band launches into an incendiary London Calling. As he comes up to the mic to begin singing he throws the towel off to reveal a seemingly recent Mohawk much to the crowd's delight and amazement!’
Thanks to a very good audience recording the electric atmosphere in the first ever concert in the Bronco Bowl is preserved along with a fine energetic performance, one of the best from the tour.
Thanks to David in Dallas for his full account from back in the day:
First off, the Red Rockers from Louisiana opened the gig with a strong set featuring cuts off their debut album, Condition Red (this was before the second album with 'China' hit big). I remember remarking to my friend Matt Yaeger, who I attended the show with, that the Red Rockers' drummer looked like Jim Reilly from Stiff Little Fingers, and low and behold we found out during intermission that it was him! All in all the crowd seemed to enjoy the Red Rockers obviously Clash-influenced set.
During the 45 minute or so break, my mate and I decided to try to make it down to the first few rows (known at the Bronco Bowl then as 'the golden horseshoe') where we spied some empty seats. Much to our amazement, the security didn't check our tickets and we snagged two seats on the second row center, which were never claimed. Also during intermission, I remember that some old guy who appeared to be in his 60s with curly hair and glasses had a reel to reel tape deck out in the open and was holding a large mic in his hand to record the show from the front row. I also remember that even though we were on the second row, we had to stand on our seat s to get a good view of the stage as this place was packed to the gills.
So the lights dim and the Clash come out amidst very bright white lights (and white heat) and Joe Strumer is wearing a white towel over his head as the band launches into an incendiary London Calling. As he comes up to the mic to begin singing he throws the towel off to reveal a seemingly recent mohawk much to the crowd's delight and amazement. My friend and I had discussed on the way to the gig whether or not we would get a chance to hear much from the first 2 albums, and as I sat there thinking that Joe's mohawk was a good sign, the band stopped and launched into Career Opportunities which had the whole building po-going with a frenzy.
As the band started to do material off of Give Em Enough Rope, London Calling and Sandinista!, I was struck how well Terry Chimes rattled off some of Topper's best chops on the drums. He was particularly hot on Wrong Em Boyo and Brand New Cadillac.
The Clash proceed to play a manic and high-intensity set for the next 100 minutes, which touched all the albums very nicely and made it difficult to guess which direction the band would veer off into next. They seemed to be in very good spirits and rumors we had been hearing in the weeks leading up to the show about the band splitting were untrue, as far as we could see.
Highlights for me included 'Somebody Got Murdered,' 'Clampdown,' 'Safe European Home' and a truly awe-inspiring Garageland. After the show we were deafened, drained and damp, in the best sense.
The next day my other friend called and said that he was about to go down and interview the band for his school paper at the Dunfey Hotel, near downtown. Apparently the band had a day off and were enjoying some Heinekens by the pool before taking the tour bus down to Austin for the next show.
This would be the next to last time I ever saw the Clash (Wichita Falls, '83 being the last) and still remains one of the best, along with Dallas Palladium, Oct '79.
Other recollections etc are at the Dallas Observer
Whenever we old sonsabitches (early 40s, say) sit around to talk about the best shows ever at our favorite venues ever, this one always comes up: The Clash at the Bronco Bowl on June 6, 1982
As far as audience recordings go, worth it and then some -- and the longer it plays, the better it sounds. Like a memory, a bit foggy but perfect nevertheless. .
George Gimarc
Being a huge Clash fan, that Bronco Bowl concert was a killer show for me, but also afforded me an unique opportunity to see how the band reacted to two different crowds. The Dallas show on June 6 was phenomenal. But I also caught the band in their own backyard, at the Brixton Fair Deal (a dodgy old theater) in London on July 10, only a four weeks later. The set was the same, but it was night & day difference. Playing to the hometown audience, there were none of the condescending political jabs, and the audience was simply rabid. This energy lifted the band up to be the best possible Clash they could be. Although they weren't as crisp as the Clash of '79, this '82 tour was a potent one, and the last hurrah of a great band. Now who wants a dub of my audience tape I made that night ? - Also - the band were among the most generous of all that came thru the R&RA, doing a lengthy interview, and volunteering to all sign some 20+ copies of a new photo book that was just issued which I used as a giveaway. Anyone still have one of those? ChrisU
This was my first punk show and it was great. In my memory the band had already played at least one encore, the house lights came on but the crowd wouldn't leave and the band came out and played one more song. Can anybody confirm if it actually went down like that? [the recording certainly confirms that!]
You know - it seems to me that Mark Lee (who booked that show) recently reminded me that the Clash was the VERY FIRST concert that he booked into the Bronco Bowl - so that seems to be where it all started. Mark was moving to the bigger spaces, since his previous shows were at the Hot Klub. It wasn't long before he put the Go Gos into Reuinon, and the Police too if I recall...
ROCnDOC
Those were the days, as they say. Was there at that show..recall the dude next to me had some revolutionary war soldier outfit on...nice. Red Rockers did indeed open that night and really got the crowd going before Joe came on and unveiled the Mohawk
In Redemption Song, Chris Salewicz writes that after the Houston show Kosmo was giving Rockin’ Mohawks to long haired girls until one of their husband’s appeared with a gun! It looks though that Kosmo gave Joe the treatment that night too. Pat Gilbert describes how the Mohawk was adopted in WW2 by the 101st Airborne; a signal that they wished to fight and die with the suicidal courage and passion of Native Indian warriors. Much more of an influence on Joe and Kosmo though would have been De Niro’s Mohawk that he had at the end of Scorcese’s Taxi Driver. De Niro in turn had read soldiers had them when convinced they were going to die. Joe said he had it done to get back to the punk roots and to “look as ugly as possible!” Marcus Gray suggests it spoke volumes about his continuing troubled mental state.
For whatever reason its appearance in Dallas certainly helped whip up an already clearly lively audience and thus inspire one of the best and most committed performances from this tour. Well worth seeking out.
Venue
The Bronco Bowl was opened in 1962 with Hollywood celebrity Jayne Mansfield headlining the event! ‘This entertainment playground included something for every restless soul - slot cars, bowling, pool, archery and golf. Don’t forget the Hinkle’s snack bar, dancing at the “The Pit,” and those great concerts featuring performers like the Everly Brothers, REM, U2, Clash, B-52's the Alarm…an endless list. And, oh, yeah, they had a bowling alley.’
Now sadly extinct replaced by a Home Depot
(Photo courtesy of Gayla Kokel)
One audience recording circulates widely but in varying quality. The best apparently is a 1st generation source and was posted on DIME. It must be very close to the master as another source also labelled as 1st gen is inferior to this. Two differently tracked versions of the best sounding source circulate with one higher volume version suffering from some distortion.
The recording evidently recorded close to the stage, captures the atmosphere well and is complete including the final 2 songs that the band finally returned for! It had good sound fall the vocals and instrumentation are clear although bass capture is not great. Mick’s guitar is high in the mix, unlike a number of recordings from this tour, so the recording has plenty of Clash attack. Some distance and distortion are the few negatives. Crank it up and enjoy!
After the usual Morricone intro fades Joe says “Good evening everybody and welcome to the first ever show at the Bronco Bowl I think. If you get bored with the music there’s a fine Ten Pin bowling alley out the front there!” The band then slam into London Calling to loud cheers and presumably as just before he starts to sing whips off the towel around his head! To reveal his new barnet!
Terry’s drumming sounds leaden as usual but Mick’s solo is clear and Joe’s ‘sea gull’ screams are clear and effective. The very enthusiastic audience shout their approval then its straight into Career Opportunities. Again very enjoyable and there’s real energy and edge to the performances tonight. Mick belts out the lyrics; the guitars have a real cutting edge although veering into distortion in the best Clash tradition!
“Look at the drum kit a minute, please welcome Mr Terry Chimes” who thumps into Car Jamming. The quality sound makes the difficult to transfer live song more enjoyable featuring some of Joes best lyrics on Combat Rock. Mick adds effective guitar effects to Guns of Brixton not extended or exceptional but fine as is Train In Vain.
Next Joe pleases the audience with a Strummer wind up; “OK get your notebooks and pens out! Quit smoking in class. Yes I can see you lighting up those Camel untipped haven’t you read about the nicotine and tar reports? Disgusting! There’s even someone smoking a Lucky Strike over there – what do you think you are a Texan?!” There’s a big roar from the audience and Mick launches into Know Your Rights. Joe’s vocals are drenched in echo and Mick adds some effective and some ineffective guitar licks. The audience shout along to the chorus to Magnificent Seven. Mick “You lot - don’t go bowling!” Plenty of energy and invention Mick’s effects though on the funky bridge are a matter of taste! The band drop it down to drum and bass, “shuush says Joe. “I have been told that Daffy Duck went to the University of Dallas! I need to find out if this is true. Daffy Duck! I hear he got a football scholarship, in fact he was the best quarterback since 1927 and he didn’t even need a helmet and all he did was quack, quack, (in time to the music) quack, quack ending with emphatic QUACK! QUACK!
Unusual version Joe certainly having fun!
“Who’s is this snot rag, who’s is it!?” Ghetto Defendant is effective musically and lyrically is followed by a fine Should I Stay, Mick’s lead playing inventive and effective. Joe mysteriously adds “I’d like to thank the mammals there for that record”. ?! OK get your lucky dice out lets sing a song about gambling” Wrong Em Boyo is lively if not exceptional.
Energy levels high through Rock The Casbah, (after an edit) Janie Jones and then I Fought The Law. The band stretch out on Radio Clash and as usual on this tour it’s a highlight. Then another highlight; Brand New Cadillac with great inventive fills from Mick.
Mick picks out the intro to Somebody Got Murdered; exceptionally slow build to the crescendo with the audience clapping along. The band are not on fire tonight but the energetic and committed performances are very enjoyable. Clampdown misses the shouted Mick 1-2-3-4; it’s a good performance but it lacks the impact and excitement that this set closer regularly achieved in previous tours.
The encores begin with Terry thumping out a long uninteresting intro to Armagideon Time as the band members one by one return. It picks up as Joe sings adding long caterwauling with Mick adding effective guitar. It drops down with Paul’s bass quite clear in the mix “lot of people won’t get no hostess cookies, and T bone steaks. come and get it!” Not extended it’s then straight into a stirring Police on My Back, which drops down then builds again effectively. Then straight into Safe European Home; not extended but tight, hard and effective.
Second encore begins with a fine Straight To Hell. Police & Thieves becoming a regular again, drops down effectively again to drum and bass and then Mick adds some discordant guitar effects. Joe then wails ”You are the next generation, as a matter of fact its you! And there’s no getting out of it either yes!” Not exceptional but very enjoyable despite Mick’s choice of effects!
The band then leave the stage but the audience keep clapping for more expecting another encore. But after quite a time the band do not return and the lights and the PA music comes on presumably with the house lights. The audience though show no signs of giving up, clapping, shouting, stamping for more. The PA music goes on for minutes but still the audience keep going undeterred. The taper then gives up(!) as there’s an edit before finally the band return to a roar of approval and launch into Garageland. Mick sings lead on the on the first verse, his duff guitar sound continues but the energy levels compensate and the band deliver. Then its straight into a fine, raw, energetic Clash City Rockers. With a “Thank you Adios” from Joe the gig ends and the audience go home happy.
David [Dallas]
First off, the Red Rockers from Louisiana opened the gig with a strong set featuring cuts off their debut album, Condition Red (this was before the second album with 'China' hit big). I remember remarking to my friend Matt Yaeger, who I attended the show with, that the Red Rockers' drummer looked like Jim Reilly from Stiff Little Fingers, and low and behold we found out during intermission that it was him! All in all the crowd seemed to enjoy the Red Rockers obviously Clash-influenced set.
During the 45 minute or so break, my mate and I decided
to try to make it down to the first few rows (known at
the Bronco Bowl then as 'the golden horseshoe') where
we spied some empty seats. Much to our amazement, the
security didn't check our tickets and we snagged two seats
on the second row center, which were never claimed.
Also during intermission, I remember that some old
guy who appeared to be in his 60s with curly hair
and glasses had a reel to reel tape deck out in the
open and was holding a large mic in his hand to
record the show fromn the front row. I also rememeber
that even though we were on the second row, we
had to stand on our seat s to get a good view of
the stage as this place was packed to the gills.
So the lights dim and the Clash come out amist
very bright white lights (and white heat) and
Joe Strumer is wearing a white towel over his head
as the band launches into an incendiary London
Calling. As he comes up to the mic to begin singing
he throws the towel off to reveal a seemingly
recent mohawk much to the crowd's delight
and amazement. My friend and I had discussed
on the way to the gig whether or not we would
get a chance to hear much from the first 2 albums,
and as I sat there thinking that Joe's mohawk
was a good sign, the band stopped and launched
into Career Opportunities which had the whole
building po-going with a frenzy.
As the band started to do material off of Give Em Enough Rope, London Calling and Sandinista!, I was struck how well Terry Chimes rattled off some of Topper's best chops on the drums. He was particularly hot on Wrong Em Boyo and Brand New Cadillac.
The Clash proceed to play a manic and
high-intensity set for the next 100 minutes,
which touched all the albums very nicely and
made it difficult to guess which direction the
band would veer off into next. They seemed
to be in very good spirits and rumors we had
been hearing in the weeks leading up to the
show about the band splitting were untrue,
as far as we could see.
Highlights for me included 'Somebody Got
Murdered,' 'Clampdown,' 'Safe European Home'
and a truly awe-inspiring Garageland. After
the show we were deafened, drained and
damp, in the best sense.
The next day my other friend called and said
that he was about to go down and interview
the band for his school paper at the Dunfey
Hotel, near downtown. Apparently the band
had a day off and were enjoying some Heinekens
by the pool before taking the tourbus down to
Austin for the next show.
This would be the next to last time I ever saw
the Clash (Wichita Falls, '83 being the last)
and still remains one of the best, along
with Dallas Palladium, Oct '79.
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3
4 |
London Calling |
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Any further info / reviews appreciated
Combat Rock Advert
with Tour Dates
Unknown US magazine cutting
Joe/ Combat Rock
The Clash sucess with political songs
Fred Robbins
Joe found - US Tour 'On'
says Kosmo Vinyl
NME May 1982 & US newspaper
NME Joe Goes Missing - Clash to postpone first dates, rest of tour in jeopardy
NME Clash blow - last two dates (uk)
US Newspaper - Strummer back, drummer gone - US dates 'on'
Any further info / reviews
appreciated
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Belgium | |
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Rumours of a warm up gig for the Festival | |
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Convention Hall, Asbury Park NJ |
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Convention Hall, Asbury Park NJ |
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Convention Hall, Asbury Park NJ |
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Fox Theatre, Atlanta GA |
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The Warehouse, New Orleans LA |
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Hofheinz Pavilion, Houston TX |
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The Bronco Bowl, Dallas TX |
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City Coliseum, Austin TX |
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City Coliseum, Austin TX |
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Civic Auditorium, San Francisco CA |
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Golden Hall, San Diego, CA |
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| supported by The English Beat | ||
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Mesa Community Center, Phoenix AR | |
| supported by the English Beat |
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Hollywood Palladium, Los Angeles CA |
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| supported by the English Beat |
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Hollywood Palladium, Los Angeles CA |
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| supported by the English Beat advertised on poster re: hollywood palladium 82 shows; the Ministry opened for the Clash? |
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Hollywood Palladium, Los Angeles CA |
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| supported by the English Beat re: hollywood palladium 82 shows; the Ministry opened for the Clash? | ||
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Hollywood Palladium, Los Angeles CA |
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| supported by the English Beat advertised on poster re: hollywood palladium 82 shows; the Ministry opened for the Clash? |
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Hollywood Palladium, Los Angeles CA |
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| supported by the English Beat advertised on poster re: hollywood palladium 82 shows; the Ministry opened for the Clash? |
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County Bowl, Santa Barbara CA |
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Civic Auditorium, San Francisco CA |
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Civic Auditorium, San Francisco CA |
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Kerrisdale Arena, Vancover, Canada |
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Maxbell Arena, Calgary, Canada |
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Kinsmen Fieldhouse, Edmonton, Canada |
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| Supported by Harold Nix Well I was there and it was great. Very hot. The band stopped and threatened to quit playing unless thefighting at the front stopped - Joe was concerned about the stage sharpies damaging the kids. A great show. punkhistorycanada.ca documents one persons experience and has a photo of the edmonton concert. Your spelling of Kinsmen is wrong - you have. Regards and thanks for thegreat site! Judith Lake
Yah, Yah, I know ...they signed to CBS. Some even hailed that as the end of punk when it happened. First Concert I ever saw, which always sounds cool to youngsters. However, I was 15 and really missed a lot of prior concerts and gigs (punk and otherwise) that I should have attended. Also, I was a little intimidated with the festival seating (there was some dangerous overcrowding up front), and I hung in the back for more than the first half of the Clash performance. After-all, it was only a few years after the Who tragedy in Cincinnati. The Clash paused the show and moved some people over the stage a couple times early on. The sound was much better when I went down on the floor. However, I did snap this long-shot when I was in the balcony. The largest original punk concert that occurred in Edmonton in the "old days". There was a big rush on tickets when they were released, but the show never did quite sell-out which I thought was pretty lame on Edmonton's part. I remember hearing a few hardcore people were trying to act up all punk - I don't give a f*ck - and got tossed by security before the Clash started. Now that is truly lame. I guessing attendance was less than 5,000. Ottosbro
I was there too ! I slept all the way from Jasper - waitressing at Jasper Park Lodge for the summer. We arrived just in time for the show so I was completely sober and the show was still awesome...I remember those "pauses" when the wood at front of the stage collapsed and all the splinters / nails ended up in front of the crowd who were pushing ahead. I was glad to be sober in the end because I don't think anyone would have noticed me had I stumbled....cethlyn I was at this show. 17 trs old at the time. I was BLOWN away!!Bee Dee |
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