SPILL NEWS: ‘JOE STRUMMER 003: THE 101’ERS YEARS (1974–1976)’ – JOE STRUMMER’S FIRST KNOWN RECORDINGS BROUGHT TOGETHER IN ONE DEFINITIVE COLLECTION

JOE STRUMMER 003: THE 101’ERS YEARS (1974–1976) – JOE STRUMMER’S FIRST KNOWN RECORDINGS BROUGHT TOGETHER IN ONE DEFINITIVE COLLECTION

DARK HORSE RECORDS

Dark Horse Records is proud to announce Joe Strummer 003: The 101’ers Years, the definitive collection of studio and live recordings from Joe Strummer’s pre-Clash band, The 101’ers. Featuring the first known recordings of Joe Strummer, the collection captures a pivotal chapter in his development as an artist and documents a band caught between London’s pub-rock scene and the punk revolution that was about to unfold.

Produced by David Zonshine and remastered by Paul Hicks (The Beatles, David Bowie, Rolling Stones) and available on November 20th, the 3CD deluxe edition features 48 tracks and is housed in a 48-page hardback book with slipcase. The book includes a foreword by Sex Pistols bassist Glen Matlock, a history of The 101’ers written by band member Richard Nother Dudanski, along with illustrations and writings by Joe Strummer.

Disc 1 collects the band’s studio recordings, including select newly mixed tracks. Disc 2 features basement tapes and demos, including one of Joe’s most intimate recordings, “Full Moon,” recorded alone at the band’s West London squat. Disc 3 is dedicated to live recordings, including first performances of “Junco Partner,” which he later went on to famously cover with The Clash and an early version of “Jail Guitar Doors,” originally titled “Lonely Mother’s Son.” The demos and live recordings have been carefully restored by Paul Hicks from the original cassette tapes, including performances recorded directly from the soundboard, bringing recordings unheard for decades back to life.

A double LP edition is also available and includes the complete studio recordings on the first LP, with highlights from the basement tapes and demos on the second.

The 101’ers took their name from 101 Walterton Road in Maida Vale, where the band lived together in a squat and first came together as a house band among its occupants. They became regulars on London’s mid-’70s pub rock scene, building a following through pubs, clubs and squat benefits across London and beyond. Their sound mixed rock & roll, R&B and rockabilly, just as punk was beginning to emerge.

In April 1976, The 101’ers shared the bill with the Sex Pistols for two shows at London’s Nashville Rooms. The encounter proved pivotal for Strummer, who became increasingly drawn to the energy of the emerging punk movement. The 101’ers played their final show on 5th June 1976, with Strummer’s soon-to-be Clash bandmates Mick Jones and Paul Simonon in the audience.

The 101’ers’ brief run captures an important moment just before British punk changed everything. These recordings document the earliest chapter of Strummer’s recorded musical life, the beginnings of his songwriting voice, the raw energy of The 101’ers and the sound of an artist on the cusp of a new musical era.

“The Labour government introduced the Rent Act in 1965. Its purpose was to protect tenants in rented accommodation. Unfortunately, it backfired as most laws do – and the result was landlords found a loophole and switched to short lets, which were not covered. There were thousands of empty houses in London, and the councils actually employed gangs to come in and smash up these lovely Victorian houses, remove floorboards, rip out wiring, destroy the plumbing so squatters couldn’t live in them. Now being homeless, I ran into some old friends who were squatting on West 9. Within about a year, I had formed a band in a squat. It was named ‘The 101’ers’ after our address (Walterton Road, Maida Vale). We ran a club every Wednesday in the upstairs room of a pub. Entry fee: 10p”

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Background Photo Credit: Julian Yewdall