Brewed Fresh Daily

Alright, this has been on my mind for a while. I was OK until I started reading some other people's blogs that talked about the passing of Joe Strummer, specifically this one. Just as an aside, I can't believe how little respect corporateamerica has for Strummer's work. I was in Barnes and Nobles last night and I asked about the two Mescalenos releases. They don't have 'em.

Anyway, back to the point. I feel like an era is passing. I started with the death of Joey Ramone. Their first album was the watershed event when it comes to the punk rock movement. To hear Joe tell it, that album was a major influence in the story of the Clash and punk rock in England. It's difficult to believe that it was over 25 years ago that the quintessential punk album was released!

But the icons of my era are aging. I hate to sound morbid, but I wonder who's going to be next? I really don't want to think about it, and I sure don't want to wish it on anyone. I hope all of you are taking care of yourselves! Sure, I don't want any of my heroes behaving like Sir Paul, but you can stick around a little longer, can't you?

This next bit I'll fully attribute to Denis Leary in his No Cure for Cancer rant. Why are all the good guys dying? Joey and Joe have both passed, but other "popular" icons, like Rod the Body and Mick the Lips are still kickin'! Then there's the Oz. Where's the justice in that?

One more thing, since Thomas Mulready doesn't have a CoolCleveland website up yet, I'll pass along what he said in this week's newsletter:

Joe Strummer R.I.P.

"The Clash popularized punk, changed the course of music, and set the standard, not only for integrating politics and music, but for infusing music with meaning. Although MTVers will remember Rock The Casbah and Should I Stay or Should I Go, I suggest you pick up their third album, London Calling, (called the best album of the 80's by Rolling Stone even though it was released in 1979) with versatile drummer Topper Headon allowing them to broaden their palette to include reggae, rockabilly, pop, ska, swing, dub, anthems, shuffles, New Orleans R&B, even a radio hit (Train In Vain). Unlike the Sex Pistols who imploded or Blondie who sold out or The Ramones who stayed underground or Pere Ubu who went over the mainstream's head, The Clash spoke loud and clear to everyone. At the Akron Civic Theatre in '82, they even introduced NEOhio to rap and hip-hop by bringing along opening act Grandmaster Flash. Too bad Strummer, who wrote, sang and served as the band's conscience, won't be around to premiere his tribute to Nelson Mandela, co-written with Bono, for AIDS Awareness in Africa in Feb., or to be inducted into the Rock Hall with his band this coming March. If anyone deserves to be there, he does."

Thanks for letting me get that of my chest. I feel slightly better about it, but I'm sure it's only temporary. I'd appreciate hearing from you. See where it says "have a cup?" right below this. That's it. Please click on that and leave a comment.