Out of Control Tour
The Clash go Back to Basics - USA Spring Tour
updated 24 June 2006
updated 2 Feb 2008
cdr 1 - was 5gen - new longer upgrade - Sound 4 - 76min - 3gen? - 21 tracks - last updated - 18 Jan 02
cdr 2 - 1st gen - upgrade - tracks 21
cdr 3 - MASTER - to follow...
I was at the CLASH Fort Lauderdale '84 show. There were a few interesting stories that night! Also, I have a second generation recording of the show. I got it from a fellow named Bootleg Bill who taped many many shows in the Fort Lauderdale area at the time (heck, he may even still be at it). It's a pretty good tape- I give it a 7.5 out of 10 for quality. Please let me know if you'd like a copy or any stories. -mt
A new upgrade has no new tracks but is 5 mins longer, much clearer with with a better balenced bass. Very enjoyable.
An old recording was very noisy, bass heavy recording, though at least the bass was much clear. An above average recording spoilt by to much bottom end. 5th gen source.
It's 1984
Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The most boring place on Earth.. and the Clash are coming to town! Dude, NOBODY of the Clash's stature play in Florida. Nobody! This is big news! My friends and I (the only punk rockers in our suburban development) get our tickets immediately. True, it's not the 'real' Clash (no Mick Jones), but hey a fake Clash is better than no Clash.
A few weeks before the show, a controversy develops. The Clash are playing the Sunrise Music Theatre, a venue which has hosted its fair share of rock shows, but specializes in a more upscale performer. The interior walls of the lobby are decorated with pictures of Frank, Sammy, Englebert those kind of people. Upscale performers attract an upscale audience- the kind of people who will happily fork over a premium charge for the 'dinner seats'.
The dinner seats are the best seats in the house. Purchase of a dinner seat includes, as you might have guessed, dinner. Probably Chicken McNuggets, but I'm only guessing because I could NEVER afford one of those seats.
As one could guess, this being a Punk Rock show, the punks weren't too happy with this dinner seat jive. A hue and cry was raised and I have a vague memory of a petition going around (don't take my word 100% on that, though).
However it happened, the band heard about our dilemma and intervened with the venue management to make ALL seats available at the same price. I seem to recall that it was a bit of a struggle, but the Sunrise Music Theatre eventually caved in. A victory for the people brought to you by the Clash!
After all that, I thought show was a bit anticlimactic. I'd already made up my mind that the band probably wasn't going to be that good. Certainly not authentic. Also, I'd read that the Clash were one of the loudest bands in the world and I was ready to be pummeled. They opened with 'London Calling' and my immediate impression was of how UNLOUD and distant the band sounded.
The music didn't batter me like I was hoping to be battered. There were TV sets (or some kind of video screens) all over the stage showing clips of battle scenes and whatnot. There was much tough guy posing from the new kids, Paul was just kind of there, and Joe was wearing white pants, a white jacket, and I think a blue Hawaiian shirt. He was sporting his Mohawk and kept holding his head while he sang, as if he had a headache. He grimaced like he had a headache, too. He occasionally played third guitar and my thought at the time was 'Why''. The sound was murky enough to where his playing was inaudible.
Overall, between my own bias and the poor sound and the weird presentation with all the TV sets and the obvious posing and Joe's apparent pain in the head, I was a bit disappointed by the show. Not disappointed enough to miss a chance to meet the band, though. The people I went to the show with wanted to get backstage.
Not really my scene, but whatever. There was a whole mob of us outside by the backstage door after the concert. We hung out there for a long time and as the evening wore on, the crowd thinned out quite a bit. Finally, after quite a wait, this Rasta dude opened the door and said in a thick Jamaican accent 'Do you want to meet the Clash'' We of course said 'YEAH' so he said 'Come wit' me' and he led us through the labyrinthine backstage area (where mere mortals are not normally allowed) to the dressing room and there they were!
It was pretty weird for a young kid like myself to suddenly be face to face with the people who I'd just seen on stage in a big theatre- especially Joe and Paul. I'd been reading about them and looking at their faces on album covers for years and there they were. Just like that. All of the band members had girls on their arms.
Joe had one particularly well know Clash groupie as his entertainment for the night (later I found out that it was through her efforts that the whole dinner seat fiasco was put to rest. Still later I learned that she was a bit more than a mere groupie, but that's another story for another time). The new guys especially seemed to be enjoying their female companionship.
I looked over at Nick Sheppard just in time to hear him make a witty remark to one of his chicks. 'Oh, I see they're letting longhairs in tonight', referring to my then (and still) shoulder length hair. I walked over and asked for an autograph, which made him wince a bit. Good!
Then I found myself face to face with Paul Simenon. He was very polite. I felt a need to talk to him. This is how it went:
ME: So, uhhh, do you like playing punk or reggae better'
PS: Both.
ME: (silence)
PS: (silence)
ME: Oh.
PS: Excuse me, I have to go.
ME: O.K.!
I wonder how many 'conversations' like that poor old Paul has had in his life'
My friend (who I had a band with) gave Joe a copy of our record which he graciously accepted. He actually seemed interested in our little 45. I remember his girl looking at me with contempt. I finished getting my autographs and it was time to go home- or so I thought. One of the people I was with found out that the band was staying at a local Holiday Inn and wanted to resume the party there. We drove around for a while trying to find it (against my will) but had no luck, so the night was finally over.
Many years later I finally heard a recording of the gig and it wasn't half bad. The renditions of the oldies were OK but the new songs showed a lot of promise. In fact, this particular tape kindled within me an intense interest in the latter day Clash. I realize now that they were a good band and had a lot to offer- if they had been allowed to. I often ask myself 'What if' What if that band had been allowed into the studio to record Cut The Crap Clash history would have a happier ending and that band would have gotten a fair shake.
I listen to that bootleg of the Clash in Fort Lauderdale quite a bit these days. Now I wish I'd been more open minded about that band's capabilities (I also wish the acoustics had been better at the show). I think I would have enjoyed the gig very much. At least now, more than 20 years later, through the wonder of modern bootlegging, I'm able to.
PS Though the concert technically took place in Sunrise, Sunrise is merely a subdivision (one of too many) of Fort Lauderdale.
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1 |
London Calling |
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THE CLASH Length: 75 minutes |
Any further info / reviews
appreciated
Tour Reviews & Interviews
The Last Crusade
©2005 Chris Knowles
Out of Control T-Shirt
US Tour - Jive/RB Shakedown
front - back
The Clash:
They Want To Spoil The Party So They'll Stay
Bill Holdship, Creem, October 1984
CREEM CONTRIBUTOR Mark Norton and I were talking several days before the Clash "invaded" Detroit, and we began discussing the concept of "armchair activism" and how the Clash probably fit into that category.
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Nashville, TN, | |
| You list the Cut the Crap-era Clash as playing Knoxville on March 27 and Nashville on March 28, 1984, but in fact those two dates are reversed (corrected now)--I went to both shows, and the Nashville show came first. The Nashville show was much better, but was marred by a bizarre crowd incident--my friend Dave W. was involved. He was standing on the bleachers like everyone else, but some drunk sorority girl from Vandy kept kicking him in the back of his legs for half the Clash's set. He finally got fed up and kicked her back, and it sent her falling over. It broke her leg in three places, and show security immediately set after Dave, who had to flee immediately or get the shit knocked out of him. She was taken to Vandy hospital of course, and after hearing about her side of the incident, Joe Strummer and Paul Simonon paid her a visit in hospital before moving on to the show in Knoxville at UT Alumni Hall, a much smaller venue about 3 hours away by car. Tav Falco & Panther Burns did in fact open both shows, but only at the Nashville show were they the full line-up--they played a full opening set at Vanderbilt in the basketball auditorium, but by the time they played Knoxville, the second guitarist and the piano player had quit and--of all people--Alex Chilton was drafted in to play guitar in their place, even though it immediately became clear to the audience that Alex obviously did not know the songs at all. The "band" played about 6 songs in total, and the booing got so bad that the drummer stopped playing several times to smile and sarcastically blow kisses at the audience. GmbH
Vince White describes this gig in his Clash biog, The Last Days of the Clash, page 109. He mentions an interview the band did for Channel 4 which appears on US TV that night. |
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Knoxville, TN, Alumni Memorial Gym on the University of Tennessee campus | |
| Clash in Knoxville, TN on March 28, 1984, at the Alumni Memorial Gym on the University of Tennessee campus.
Opening act was Tav Falco and the Panther Burns, a rockabilly band from Memphis. They were booed off the stage after just a song or two. The band also played a show in Nashville, but I'm not sure if it was before or after the Knoxville concert. Whichever one was earlier was the opening date for the tour. Confirmed dates: Knoxville 27th, Nashville 28th from audience member. |
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Wdiz and Beach Club, Jai-Alai, Orlando FL | |
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Sunrise, Fort Lauderdale FL | |
| Apr 2 | ||
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Fox Theatre, Atlanta GA | |
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The Township, Columbia SC | |
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Carmichael Auditorium, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill NC | |
| Apr 7 | ||
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GWU Smith Center, Hempstead, Washington DC | |
| Apr 9 | ||
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Vassar College, Poughkeepsie NY | |
| Joe contracted syphillis and was treated at a local hospital. It was in the newspaper the next day. I saved the article. The first song they played the floor monitors werent working so joe kicked them violently and one fell off of the stage. He had his newly cut mohawk. I think the first song was know your rights. The show had large video monitors behind them showing them in a car driving around NYC. I bought a shirt there with 2 girls dancing on the front saying "jive after five" on the back said "steel jungle" 84 R & B showdown. I still have it. It was a good show overall despite the sound. It was in the gymnasium at vassar college in poughkeepsie NY. There wasnt an opening band. If you want a scan of the article or tshirt let me know. | ||
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Palace Theatre, State University of New York at Albany, aka SUNY Albany | |
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Expo, Portland ME | |
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The Centrum, Worcester MA | |
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Hofstra University, Long Island NY | |
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St. Lawrence University in Canton, NY | |
| I saw the Clash perform at St. Lawrence University in Canton, NY when I was a mere 6th grader. That concert changed my life. I vaguely remember that it was a Sunday night in '83 or '84. I was also at that show. I had to google search it because, even though I remember it and it was awesome, there was a part of me that didn't think they could have possibly played there... Glad to know it was real - pretty damn awesome! danielle robarge |
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Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey | |
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Civic Center, Providence RI | |
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The Hopkins Center, Thompson Arena, Dartmouth College, Hanover NH | |
| Apr ? | |
Rider College, Lawrenceville, New Jersey |
| I remember seeing Clash 2 in the spring of '84 at Rider College in New Jersey. The band was awesome and I hung around afterwards and got everyone's autograph (including Vince) and spoke with Joe briefly. I asked him what was up with Mick and he replied "the hot news is that Topper is out of the band". I told him the new stuff was great and how I was looking forward to a new album and he replied with something to the effect of they were going into the studio after the tour. I remember waiting and waiting for the new album and rushing home with the 'This Is Englad' 12" (along with the 'Bottom Line' 12") and being worried that the production was a bit weird. | ||
| Apr | |
University of Massuchusetts, Dartmouth MA |
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"First i would like to say the clash made my whole entire life. My parentss owned a restaaurant for 20 years in the 80's we spent moost of our time going to clash concerts in the northeast. I have to share this story for once in my life, The clash was playing one night at u mass dartmouth, my gran worked there and was called to the reheresal site t here was a blood drive and the boys were rehearsing . me gran was called to step it down a bit , she walked on stage and told mick jones to keep it doen and the had a cuppa with the rest of the band, she being english an all with the boyz as thy were from the same stock. Had. a grand time and it is something i will never forget that me grand told the Clash to be quiet!! buttheyhada cuppa and laughed" |
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| Apr 21 | |
see illegible poster |
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The Spectrum, Philadelphia PA, USA |
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Rochester The War Memorial | |
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The Agora, Hartford CT, USA |
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| Apr 26 | |
Stony Brook University Gym, New York |
| Hi, great site. I attended the first Pier 84 show, and both the Hofstra University and Stony Brook shows. The 2nd Clash were excellent, I was crushed when that Jose Unidos record came out, it was beyond disappointing. Anyway I hope to write some recollections for you of the shows soon, as they were all amazing in their own way. Thanks, Ed Fingerling"
"I was at the 1984 Stony Brook University show--I was the 14 year old kid sitting on the speakers right off stage" Brian Vince White describes arriving in New York in his Clash biog, The Last Days of the Clash, page 118 "1984 in Stony Brook. That show sucked big time, they came out (minus mick - this was lawsuit time or something) and then played like 2 or three songs and walked off - they never came back, all my friends were furious, i was like, "yeah mee too, fuck joe strummer," and as we were filing out of the gym we walked past the stage and i was like "oooh joe strummer was drinking out of thissee here solo cup!!" I grabbed it and slugged down the rest of his beer." Julie "I attended the 1984 Clash show at Stony Brook University and it was nothing like what was described. I remember being thrilled that I would be able to see them in such a small venue. I also remember going to buy tickets and the gathering crowd was very excited to be able to go see The Clash show. The night of the show, the crowd was loud and rowdy. At the time, this college had the reputation of being a liberal hotbed and being very open minded. Unfortunately most of this "liberal" crowd expected Mick Jones and The Clash from Combat Rock and so they were a little let down. Despite all this it was a rocking show as the guitars were cranked up. I can't recall the setlist but they played a wide selection of songs. My friends who were not Clash fans thought that they put on a good show. Joe looked very cool in his mohawk and was quite the showman.The Clash were definitely there for more than 3 songs!" Gene |
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Colgate Uni, Hamilton New York | |
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Buffalo, New York |
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Toronto Maple Leaf Gardens, Canada | |
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Montreal Forum, Canada | |
| I still have mixed feelings about the May 2, 1984 Montreal Clash Mack II gig. Joe had this white suit and Paul wore camouflage trousers. The other guys ? Can't remember, except they looked punk. Pete messed up at least three times, which got Joe very irritated. Maybe it was just a bad day... It was an all-seated floor, but when Joe told the crowd to get up and dance, it was a rush to the stage that made the Forum bouncers very scared ! The cops were called in and one punter stole a police cap and gave it to Joe, it was hilarious ! As for the setlist ? I remember they played In the Pouring Rain and Sex Mad Roar, among others. BtT | ||
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Ottawa Civic Centre | |
| supported by the Wise Guys. tics $12.50 | ||
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Physical Auditorium Complex (PAC) University of Waterloo Campus in Waterloo, Ontario |
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Detroit Fox Theater | |
| Vince White describes these gigs in his Clash biog, The Last Days of the Clash, page 140 | ||
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Detroit Fox Theater | |
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Hara Arena, Dayton OH | |
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Veteran’s Memorial Hall, Columbus OH | |
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East Lansing, Michigan State University | |
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Cleveland Public Hall | |
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Mecca Auditorium, Milwaukee WI | |
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Civic Center, Saint Paul MN | |
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Civic Center, Des Moines IA | |
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Aragon Ballroom, Chicago IL | |
| Vince White describes this gig in his Clash biog, The Last Days of the Clash, page 148 | ||
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Davenport Masonic Hall, IA | |
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Kiel Opera House, Saint Louis MO | |
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Kansas City Starlight Bowl, MO | |
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Omaha Music Hall,NB | |
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Denver Red Rocks, CO | |
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Salt Lake City Exhibition Hall, UT | |
| Vince White describes these next few gigs in his Clash biog, The Last Days of the Clash, page 159 | ||
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University of Oregon, Eugene OR | |
| The Last Days of the Clash, page 161 | ||
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Paramount Theater, Seattle WA | |
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Vancouver PNE Coliseum, B.C. |
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the promoter gave this number: For more information please contact: Eliot Hubbard (212) 975-5051 ...ticket |
