The Clash - London Calling

The main difference between The Clash and every other 70's punk band was that The Clash could actually play their instruments. In fact, I would argue that the only thing The Clash had in common with other 70's punk bands was their attitude. The music was well arranged and orchestrated, with some songs being heavily produced with horn sections, hardly the off the cuff riff rock that was coming from all the other bands The Clash get lumped in with. While drummer Topper Headon had the speed and endurance to match guys like John Maher (of the Buzzcocks) or Tommy Ramone (Ramones, duh), he had much more finesse and ability, and was a major part of The Clash's success.

When London Calling kicks in the with title track Headon is playing a simple, standard rock beat, kick on 1 and 3, snare on 2 and 4 beat. When the vocals come in and he double times the high hats he give it this slight dynamic that keeps the song moving. Later on in the song during a pause he accents certain parts with snare rolls and trills, but he always comes back into that first beat, right on time. That was the beauty of Headon, he never lost his place.

On songs like Lost In The Supermarket he plays a variety of patterns, but he always keeps his kick drum pumping. If I was a General in the military, I would make everyone march to Clash records. In fact, he keeps his kick drum pumping through most of this record (Koka Kola, Clampdown) but it never gets tiresome.

I wish The Clash had hired Headon from the start, it would be interesting how he would interpret some early Clash songs, like Remote Control or I'm So Bored With The U.S.A, but I guess I'll just have to be happy with what we did get from him.

I just wish he hadn't been a pioneer of Ska drumming. That stone would have been best left unturned.

Audio/Video Evidence: London Calling, Working For The Clampdown