The formative years of Joe Strummer are to be chronicled in a new archival release, “Joe Strummer 003: The 101’ers Years (1974-1976)“, due via Dark Horse Records on December 11th.
The set gathers the first known recordings made by the future Clash frontman, documenting the group’s journey from London’s pub-rock circuit to the brink of the punk explosion.
Produced by David Zonshine and remastered by Paul Hicks (The Beatles, David Bowie, The Rolling Stones), the deluxe edition spans three CDs and 48 tracks, including 15 previously unreleased demos and 21 live recordings. Many of the latter have been restored from original cassette tapes, including soundboard recordings unheard for decades.
The set includes a newly mixed version of the band’s “Keys To Your Heart”
The release is housed in a 48-page hardback book featuring rare photographs, illustrations and writings by Strummer, as well as a foreword by Sex Pistols bassist Glen Matlock and new liner notes from former 101’ers drummer Richard Nother Dudanski.
The 101’ers took their name from a squat at 101 Walterton Road, Maida Vale, where the band lived communally. Regulars on London’s mid-’70s pub-rock scene, they mixed rock’n’roll, R&B and rockabilly influences at a moment when punk was beginning to emerge.
Among the collection’s highlights are intimate basement recordings such as “Full Moon”, recorded by Strummer alone at the band’s West London squat, plus early versions of songs that would later find new life in his Clash repertoire, including “Lonely Mother’s Son”, an early incarnation of “Jail Guitar Doors”, and live performances of “Junco Partner”.
Recalling the circumstances that led to the band’s formation, Strummer said: “Within about a year I had formed a band in a squat. It was named ‘The 101’ers’ after our address (Walterton Road, Maida Vale). We ran a club every Wednesday in the upstairs room of a pub. Entry fee: 10p.”
‘Joe Strummer 003: The 101’ers Years,’ the definitive collection of studio and live recordings from Joe Strummer’s pre-Clash band, The 101’ers, will be available November 20th via Dark Horse Records as a 3CD deluxe edition, 2LP and digital. Featuring the first known recordings of Joe Strummer, the collection captures a pivotal chapter in his development as an artist and documents a band caught between London’s pub-rock scene and the punk revolution that was about to unfold.
A special double-LP vinyl edition will be released,
