Excerpt:
“The work of Strummerville includes funding for new musicians, providing a DIY platform for un-signed artists to showcase their music, The Rinse Academy, campfire sessions at UK festivals to showcase new talent, rehearsal space and so much more.
This year will see the first ever Strummervile national tour kicking off on October 10th with Rum Shebeen, The Supernovas and Beans On Toast all cramming into the Strummerville bus.”
Excerpt:
“Don Letts, the documentary-maker, DJ, former member of Big Audio Dynamite and an old mate of The Sex Pistols and The CLash, doesn’t do apethy. He has made a short film to highlight the efforts of young bands that are still carrying the flame of Joe Strummer, thanks to backing from the charity Strummerville, set up in memory of the punk visionary and supported by friends including Damien Hirst and Billy Bragg. Bands such as The Riff Raff and Nimmo & The Gauntletts have benefited from Strummerville’s network of live events and rehearsal spaces. The otherwise exasperated Letts found himself ‘really encouraged by the project’.”
Excerpt:
“The afterlife of Joe Strummer is proving to be surprisingly rich. A blockbuster biography, a Julien Temple documentary, a string of tribute records, a limited-edition Strummer Telecaster and a Great Western loco bearing his name are all part of a wider sense that Strummer’s life and work remain an inspirational example. As Billy Bragg puts it here: “He’s not a legend but a legacy.”
Don Letts’ film supplies a snapshot portrait of Strummer’s life and times, including plenty of great home movie footage, and weaves this biographical material into Strummerville’s work. Several of the young acts that have been given a helping hand had only a vague (or no) notion of what Joe Strummer achieved, but all are quick to grasp that authenticity is at the centre of his output. “He was a man of the people,” says Alex Thomson of The Riff Raff, one of the hopefuls helped by Strummerville. “We’re trying to keep the fire burning.”
So far names like Shooting Star Poets and Nimmo And The Gauntletts remain on the fringes, but one senses that Strummerville, as alt.Fame college, will help deliver a breakthrough soon enough. “It’s about making bands stand on their own feet,” says one of the Gauntletts.
Excerpt:
“I’d never heard of Strummerville until they set up camp near the memorial stone last year. Founded by friends and family, shortly after Joe’s death, Strummerville is a registered charity, dedicated to creating new opportunities for aspiring musicians. They set up camp at the festival and build a huge fire which they keep burning for the full five days.
Joe was infamous for his campfires at Glastonbury and it’s rumoured that he once kept one alight throughout a terrible storm, refusing to submit to the fierce wind and rain. Not only is this the perfect tribute to Joe, but the heart and soul of the festival. When that fire eventually goes out, it’s all over ’til next year.”
We are very proud to announce that Darren Ager is helping to raise funds for Strummerville by taking part in the ‘Run To The Beat’ marathon that takes place on Sunday 26th September 2010.
Darren: “I’ve decided to run my first ever half marathon in aid of Strummerville. Joe & the Clash meant a great deal to me during my youth and music still plays a big part in my life. Indeed Joe is now a hero to my 13yr old son so a new generation continues to carry the torch!”
We have set up this button (via PayPal) where you can sponsor Darren.
About Run To The Beat
Now In its 3rd year, Run to the Beat starts and finishes at the O2 Arena and takes runners 13 miles around Greenwich. With 16 specially designed music and DJ stations along the way, Run to the Beat is a great event for both runners and music lovers, and is a great alternative to The London Marathon.
More info:
http://www.runtothebeat.co.uk
Produced by musician and film director Don Letts, Strummerville charts the work of a new music foundation inspired by The Clash’s late lead singer Joe Strummer.
Following his death in 2002, the charity was set up in the spirit of his name the following year to create opportunities for people through music that have the will but not the funds to further their creative talents.
The documentary is spliced with previously unseen footage of the iconoclastic bellwhether in concert and at home; comments on man from the likes of Damien Hirst and Billy Bragg, and their relationship with the charity; and interviews with those who have been affected by his work. A touching tribute to the man of the people.
Excerpt:
“Given that it is a documentary about the innovative music charity set up by Clash frontman Joe Strummer’s friends in the aftermath of his untimely death in 2002, it’s hard to think of an individual more suited to the task of directing it than Don Letts. This pioneer of punk/reggae fusion was pivotal member of the punk community, a close associate of The Clash, and a member of Mick Jones’ post-Clash band Big Audio Dynamite. Letts went on to direct Westway to the World, the cornerstone film documentary on the subject of The Clash.
Whilst his pedigree is unquestionable and his ensuing direction of Strummerville cannot be faulted, this is neither a film about Strummer nor The Clash. Instead, it is the briskly but efficiently told story of Strummer’s namesake charity, which has grown quickly from its inception in 2003 to greatly increase its remit; beginning with a vague intention to carry on Strummer’s legacy and DIY ethic, the charity has stumbled into vital relationships with other organisations and into the provision of free support and near-free studio time to artists in desperate need of a step up. Avoiding the term “bands” is wise here as before long, Strummerville demonstrates the surprising breadth of musical styles it has supported in its short but productive existence so far.”
Excerpt:
‘For those who don’t know, Strummerville is a registered charity that aims to keep Joe’s memory alive. Strummerville offers support, resources and performance opportunities to artists who might not normally have such access, among them the extremely talented band, the Riff Raff. Here’s their insider’s Glastonbury journal…
The festival started early for us this year; we, the Riff Raff, arrived on site with the Joe Strummer New Music Foundation (www.strummerville.com) on a (happy) Monday. With the sun beating down on our backs, we walked the two miles from the car park (carrying equipment) to the Joe Strummer field located in the opposite corner of the festival. For us, the first few days before the public arrives were spent constructing the stage and camp area around the Strummerville field, drinking copious amounts of local cider and eating good food.”
Excerpt:
“Strummerville, Glastonbury - The spirit of legendary Clash guitarist and devoted Glastonburian, Joe Strummer, burns on at Strummerville, where organiser hope to light the weekends biggest campfire.
The spot - near Shngri-La field is where Joe used to host his own parties. Over the weekend bands including The Drums, Frank Turner and Lissie will drop by for acoustic sessions … everybody’s welcome.”
Excerpt:
“Strummerville will be kicking off this year’s festival tour at their natural home, Glastonbury festival. They will be lighting the campfire (the biggest campfire at Glastonbury) Thursday night and keep it burning till Monday morning.
Situated in the Unfair Ground field in the exact same spot where Joe Strummer used to have his fire, the strummerville campfire sessions will start at midnight every night and will run until 3am. Confirmed acoustic performances from bands include a mixture of Strummerville supported bands and bands who are fans of Joe Strummer himself, such as: The Drums, I Blame Coco, Beans on Toast, Handshake, Sound of Rum, Ali Love, Lissie, Fionn Regan, Frank Turner, Depot, Nat Jenkins and many, many more (some who can’t be announced!). ”
Excerpt:
“Strummerville - a charitable foundation, set up in Joe Strummer’s honour - have announced a few of the bands playing their annual Campfire event at Glastonbury Festival.
Situated in the ‘unfair ground field’ in the exact same spot where the Clash frontman used to have his fire, the campfire will be lit on Thursday and it’ll be kept burning until Monday morning, during which time several artists will stop by between midnight and 3am every night to play acoustic sets.
Confirmed acts so far include: The Drums, I Blame Coco, Beans on Toast, Handshake, Sound of Rum, Ali Love, Lissie, Fionn Regan, Frank Turner, Depot and Nat Jenkins, with more to come.”
Excerpt:
“The Drums played an intimate campfire show in the early hours of this morning (June 27) in the Strummerville area of Glastonbury.
The New York four-piece played their set on the area’s tiny bunting-laden stage, playing through small amps in front of a campfire and a few hundred festival-goers.
The timing of the set had been kept secret with the area largely unmarked, lending a sense of surprise to the show.”
Excerpt:
“What a weekend Coco had at Glastonbury, playing three shows in one day on Saturday!
It all started in the scenic surroundings of the Park Stage, which Coco opened on the second day of the festival and provided the perfect wake up call and cure for those with hangovers.
That was followed by an acoustic show at the chill and charge tent before Coco followed The Drums with an intimate set at Strummerville round a campfire just after midnight - the perfect end to the perfect day.
Look out for a blog from Coco about the festival coming soon…”
Excerpt:
“So you mudda skuddums going to Glastonbury this year, be sure to make your presence felt at the Strummerville campsite this year. Strummerville will be lighting the campfire (the biggest campfire at Glastonbury scuse me!) Thursday night and keep it burning all around the clock.
Located in Unfair Ground field in the exact same spot where Joe Strummer used to have his fire, the strummerville campfire sessions will start at midnight every night and will run until 3am.”
Related Links:
http://flyingwithanna.wordpress.com/2010/06/22/glastonbury-2010-a-few-things-you-should-do/
Strummerville Campfire Tip #2
Excerpt:
“Yes, it’s that time of year again when the whole country unites behind a common cause, dresses up in ridiculous outfits, drinks far too much alcohol and gathers together to watch their heroes bring them joy. No, not the World Cup, we’re all too hardened by dozens of disappointments for that - we’re talking about Glastonbury Festival.
This year the biggest festival of them all turns 40 – so what better way to gear up for Glastonbury than to offer 40 top tips for what to do at Worthy Farm this year. Sure, it might take as long to read as it will to get through the legendary Glasto queues, but it will be a lot more fun.”
Excerpt:
“Letts said of his film, ‘In a cultural climate that feels like punk never happened, Strummerville (the film) serves as a timely reminder of a way forward. It worked back then and it can work again.’ To see Joe’s ethos in practice leaves you with a lump in your throat. As he said ‘Everybody has a story to tell,’ and this film explains how his organization helps a new generation tell theirs.”
Excerpt:
“Situated in the Unfair Ground field in the exact same spot where Joe Strummer used to have his fire, the strummerville campfire sessions will start at midnight every night and will run until 3am. Confirmed acoustic performances from bands include a mixture of Strummerville supported bands and bands who are fans of Joe Strummer himself, such as: The Drums, I Blame Coco, Beans on Toast, Handshake, Sound of Rum, Ali Love, Lissie, Fionn Regan, Frank Turner, Depot, Nat Jenkins and many, many more (some who can’t be announced!).”
Excerpt:
“Continuing, the singer mused on the connection between The Drums and classic 60s pop. “We try to write simple, classic pop melodies, that’s what those ’60s girl groups did so well. So it makes sense. This is the thing that I’m most excited about.” Meanwhile, The Drums are set to play a special set at Glastonbury this weekend. The band are scheduled to play at the Strummerville campfire, created in honour of legendary Clash frontman Joe Strummer.”
This film is a available on DVD exclusively from our website, click here for more info
Excerpt:
“Strummerville is an organisation I have a lot of love for. Joe Strummer was a hero of mine. His death affected me greatly and I wanted to do something to pay my own tribute and conceived and delivered Charlie Don’t Surf: A Cinematic Tribute To Joe Strummer. It took place at the Curzon Soho in London in 2005 and celebrated the film work of Joe, as actor and composer. The event was staged in association with Strummerville, the charity set up in his name following his death. When I heard that Don Letts had a made of film of the work they were doing, I knew I had to spread the good word.
Trish Whelan, director of the charity explained how the film came about:
“I guess [it] came about when Don saw so much good stuff going on around the charity and he got a real sense of the work we are trying to do here. He was the perfect person to tie it all in. He was so close to Joe for all those years and has such a great handle on good music and I really feel he managed to tap into the essence of Joe and the real essence of how we work here”.
Strummerville helps young, aspiring, struggling musicians get the basics to succeed. They help supply places to rehearse, places to record, exposure, advice and support and as with everything surrounding Joe’s life, the pool of talent to draw from is extensive and special.”
