Mini Clash Reunion in London

Long-estranged Clash collaborators Mick Jones and Joe Strummer shared a stage for the first time in nearly twenty years on Friday night at a charity gig in London. After Strummer and his current outfit the Mescaleros played a set on behalf of the British Fire Brigades Union at Acton Town Hall, Jones joined in for an encore that included Clash songs "Bankrobber," "White Riot" and "London's Burning."

The last time the two shared a stage was at a 1983 California festival show following the Clash's tour in support of Combat Rock (1982). Strummer kicked Jones out of the band not long afterward, and disbanded the Clash altogether in 1986 after recording only one more album, 1985's Cut the Crap.

After Friday's impromptu reunion, Strummer and Jones said it felt good to be back onstage together. And the previous Friday, after learning of the Clash's election to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Strummer told Rolling Stone, "You sort of grow up and stop grousing. You bury the hatchet, or you just sort of forget what the hatchet was."

Neither Strummer, Jones or other Clash members Topper Headon and Paul Simonon has yet committed to performing when the band is inducted into the Hall in March, but Strummer did say that he would support a one-night reunion.

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Song Stories

“Youth Knows No Pain”

Lykke Li | 2011

“Like on 'Youth Knows No Pain' — we are the ones that should demonstrate, because we can take it,” Likke Li said. “We can pierce ourselves, take Ecstasy, dance all night and still go to work at our McDonald's jobs.” Despite the hedonistic sentiment in the song, the Swedish singer also admitted in hindsight her youth had repercussions. “I remember when I was 18-19 and feeling that I know it all,” Li said. “I always feel that I know it all. But that song is about realizing you don’t, and reflecting, ‘Boy, if I only knew what would follow.’”

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