My Music Monday: The Clash

Last week, reports started surfacing that Jonathan Rhys Meyers (Match Point, Tudors) would be portraying punk great Joe Strummer of The Clash in an upcoming movie called London Town. Set in 70's London, the movie, which began filming in London at the end of June and is expected to wrap up at the end of this month, is about a teenage boy who ventures into the great city in search of his estranged mother when his life is forever changed upon discovering the iconic band. As of now, there hasn't been a release date but it did get me cautiously excited about Meyers' portrayal of one of my favorite lyrical poets of all time and fortunately the film did secure rights to use original songs by The Clash which could be a good sign. I am definitely looking forward to the movie and I am sure as we get closer to it's release, more will be announced, but here are some great photos of JRM in his Strummer get up.

So for today's My Music Monday, I felt it appropriate to share some of my favorite songs by one of my most beloved bands. Strummer left this world too soon, but fortunately The Clash's music will forever live on.

First up, "Know Your Rights" from the album Combat Rock is always my go to get me going song.  Ooh, those guitars get me every time. Swoon.

  I think one of my favorite things I love about The Clash is their reggae inspired sound which is evident is song #2 today, "Straight to Hell" also from the Combat Rock album. Many might recognize this song from when it was sampled by British female rapper, M.I.A. for her song "Paper Planes". Those lyrics, though. I truly love what this band stood for. There will never be another band like The Clash or another front man like Joe Strummer. 

Duran Duran & Some Other Things

Gah, has it really been 2 1/2 months since my last post? I really didn't mean to disappear, but life got in the way and I had some things to take care of. Plus my computer has recently died on me so that's been fun.

 

Anyways, I have wanted to post about this exciting news for a while now and share it with you in case you haven't heard! My favorite boys from Birmingham, England are back and sounding as fresh and fantastic as they ever have. Teaming up with producer Mark Ronson for the second time in a row, along with some help from long time friend Nile Rodgers of Chic, Duran Duran are set to release their 14th studio album, Paper Gods, this September via Warner Bros. Records. The album features guests such as Janelle Monae, former Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist John Frusciante, and a surprising appearance by Lindsay Lohan, which should be interesting to hear.

Paper Gods is willbe released in four formats including a deluxe edition with bonus tracks and a deluxe LP box set so there will be a little something for all Duranies to add to their collections. The first single, "Pressure Off", was released a few weeks ago and has that familiar Mark Ronson "Uptown Funk"/"Girls on Film" vibe going for it. The track also features guests previously mentioned guests Nile Rodgers and Janelle Monae. This song is sure to get added into your workout mix. How can you not want to get moving once you hear it? I loved what Ronson did with All You Need is Now so I really can't wait to hear what he does for this album with these lovely lads. Although Duran Duran is on a small tour now, there has been no dates mentioned of a larger scale tour once the album is released so here's to hoping for a stop in Houston.
 

Some other things...I'll be posting about a few things, some of which are non-music related in a sort, in the coming weeks. I will be going to New Orleans in a few weeks and plan to share tidbits of that trip as well as some upcoming movies that I am looking forward to. For the first time in a long time, I don't have any upcoming concerts planned for a while. I am hoping to catch my friend Jonah Smith's new band The Azalea Project next week when they stop here. Beach House is making a stop in Houston in October as is Garbage so there will be plenty to share from those shows and I will be back next week with more "My Music Monday" posts. Hope everyone is having a fabulous summer so far! Stay cool my friends!