A Riot of Our Own: Night and Day with the Clash

I loved this book! I found it so refreshing from anything else I have ever read about the Clash. What is so appealing about it is that, being told by an ex-roadie of the band he has the perspective of a fan, a friend, and a co-worker. Johnny Green exposed the band as humans, not icons.

If you want to read a book about the Clash that is honest and true, this book by Johnny would be the one. It's not a book full of conjecture aimed at demystifying the band and their aims. It's written by someone who was there and lived it, not concerned with being wordy and erudite, it's simple and right on the money. Johnny is one of the sweetest human beings, and never sounds like he has an axe to grind. Clearly Joe stands behind this book or he wouldn't have written the introduction. If you want to get a better handle on Johnny, find the video Rude Boy, not much of a plot, but amazing live and studio footage, and some pretty amusing stuff featuring this author! An extra added attraction...Ray Lowry's illustrations are fantastic.

It's great to see how the best rock and roll band treated their help. And the message from Joe in the beginning lets you know it's all good. Speaking of Joe, Green's little story on how Strummer couldn't handle his girlfriend was right to the point of how cool the book was. How one of the most articulate political artists in pop music couldn't treat someone so close to him is so perfect. And it's not dramatized like one of those stupid biopics, it's just human and downbeat and true. And the messings with politics, drugs, drinking and the road were perfect too. I forgot they didn't get their fame until later. And you'll remember alot when you read this book too if you are a fan (like why the drums in Train in Vain are the way they are..?) It's just pitch perfect. Let's you in on so much that you wanted to know. And the ending (last page) fits the book in so many ways. Not necessarily a bio either, just how they work on the road and the studio. And if the creation of art fascinates you as it does me, this is so worth it.

I'm a fan of the Clash and so was predisposed to like this book--but I think it stands very well on its own and is worth reading even if you aren't much of a fan. Green and Barker's conversational, witty tone keeps the narrative briskly rolling along and Ray Lowry's brilliant artwork is the perfect visual equivalent to 70's punk music.

What a blast! I read this book in one day, I just could not get enough of its personal, unpretentious and colorful tone. Johnny Green has written a sly, thoughtful, and very sharp memoir of his days with the almighty Clash. Here one actually sees the courage and stamina and wit it took to be a punk rock band in the 70s--Green writes vividly of the police troubles, the riots and the madness (and poverty) of life on the road. He also does a great job of sketching the personalities of the Clash men: Strummer comes off the best, with his man-on-the-street persona, his gentle whisper in conversation, his concern for his downtrodden fans, and his insatiable interest in life around him. Jones is the prima donna, a "muso" with a definite vision for his band, fueled by coke, pot and women. Simonon is the sharp, funny, beautiful one, very cool. Topper's spiral into drug abuse begins near the book's end--he's the guy that just goes along, but Green always seems impressed by his talent. We see here how The Clash were truly trailblazers; albums like "London Calling" and "Give 'em Enough Rope" are among the finest British rock'n'roll ever recorded. I love this book, found it more insightful than the recent bio, "Last Gang in Town"; the Clash finally became real people to me, involved with the real world and people of all types. The Clash still remain, for me, the Only Band That Matters. Thanks to Johnny Green for putting his story to paper! (and after all this, won't you give me a smile???)