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’.”
More info: www.skyarts.co.uk/video/strummerville
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:
“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:
“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.”
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.”
Excerpt:
“The Drums are among the bands confirmed for the Strummerville camp at Glastonbury this year.
Once again, the charitable foundation set up in The Clash legend’s honour will be hosting its own campfire sessions at the exact spot where Strummer used to have his own fire.
Located at the Unfair Ground, Strummerville will be hosting acoustic performances around the fire starting at midnight and running late into the night.
Alongside the Brooklyn band, sets from Frank Turner, Ali Love, Fionn Regan, I Blame Coco and Lissie have been confirmed, with more names to be announced.”
Strummerville Campfire @ Glastonbury - June 24th / 25th / 26th / 27th
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!).
In true Strummerville spirit, no times will be announced for any performance, the best way to find out is to swing by and say hi during the day to find out who’s playing that night, rest your feet on our many sofas, grab a tea from the cafe or take part in our drumming workshops.
For Joe Strummer, the idea of a “campfire” - any loose assembly of people bonded by the rising flames and the advancing dawn - became an art form in itself.
We’re here to provide warmth, encourage conversation, listen to amazing music and generally spread the love. Everybody’s welcome.
Strummerville 2010 Campfire dates include:
Glastonbury: 24th – 27th June
Lounge On The Farm: 9th – 11th July
Secret Garden: 22nd – 23rd July
Endorse It In Dorset – 6th -8th August
AVAILABLE NOW: The new Film about Strummerville, entitled Strummerville, directed by legend Don Letts - “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 – and man it needs to!” – Don Letts
‘Strummerville’ - Joe Strummer’s political spirit of punk, transcending generations.
To watch the trailer and buy the film - Click Here
Links:
http://www.strummerville.com/strummerville-campfire-at-glastonbury-festival-2010/
http://www.facebook.com/Strummerville
http://www.myspace.com/strummervillelondon
Excerpt:
“In addition to the brilliant music that Strummer made, the movie also showcases some of the young acts that have benefitted from Strummerville’s work — the best of whom are The Riff Raff, Nimmo And The Gauntletts, Smokey Angle Shades and Beans On Toast (who drew two lines underneath my left eye when I saw him at the South By Southwest Music Festival in March).
Strummerville is also affiliated with and supports other like-minded organizations, two of which get special attention in the film. Camden Calling is a non-profit outfit that uses music to help homeless and vulnerable people in the trendy London, England neighbourhood of Camden. The Bragg-founded Jail Guitar Doors, named after a 1978 Clash song, is an initiative which aims to provide instruments to prison inmates to help rehabilitate them.”
We were honoured when Don Letts wanted to make a film about us, and here it is …
“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 – and man it needs to!” – Don Letts.
Click Here to Buy Now - £10 plus shipping
Loads of love,
Strummerville x
Please note:
This DVD is PAL / REGION 2 as per map below
NTSC / REGION 1 DVDs (ie US territory) are in production
However this DVD will play on all multi-region DVD players
“Strummerville is the brand new film produced by musician and film director Don Letts. Inspired by the late Clash lead singer Joe Strummer, Strummerville charts the work of a new music foundation of the same name, which creates opportunities for people through music. In the film we are introduced to various aspiring musicians, but the most interesting aspect was the work the charity has done to reach out to Liverpool youths, such as previous Redtop featured artist Shooting Star Poets and also prison inmates, both providing arguably the film’s most touching moments. You don’t need to know who Joe Strummer was or know who The Clash were to enjoy this film; it’s funny (wait to you see female Camden rapper Dekay) and you may even spot the Roundhouse studios’ as one of the opportunities that the Strummerville charity can give access to.”
The London screening of Strummerville a film by Don Letts - 18th May 2010
We wanted to share this video with you, made by el Parlante Amrillo. It features Don Letts talking about his new film ‘Strummerville‘.
Here’s what el Parlante Amarillo had to say on their website:
“The leader of the legendary band The Clash, Joe Strummer, not only made history as a musician and visionary, but that still leaves a mark on new generations of artists through Strummerville. Don Letts made a documentary about the Foundation, and with it brings us closer to punk Strummer’s legacy.”
We are excited to be off to Sheffield next week to open the Sensoria Festival with the European premier of Strummerville - a Don Letts film.
Sensoria is the UK’s festival of music, film and digital - the 7-day hive of activity takes place 23 – 29 April.
Following the screening there will be a Q&A with Beans On Toast and Trish Whelan director of the Strummerville charity. There will be live sets from Strummerville bands Smokey Angle Shades, Beans On Toast, The Riff Raff and Nimmo & The Gauntletts.
Hot from a world premiere at SXSW in this documentary, Grammy award-winning filmmaker Don Letts shows how Joe Strummer’s unique contribution to the music world is manifesting itself through a charity set up in his memory - Strummerville. The film features contributions from supporters and founders of the charity, including Billy Bragg, Antony Genn and Damien Hirst, plus wonderful footage of Strummer himself.
Tickets are available in advance at www.showroomworkstation.org.uk or sensoria.org.uk or call 0114 275 7727
Showtime is Friday 23 April at 7pm at
Showroom Cinema, Sheffield.
Strummerville are fresh off our amazing trip to SXSW where we presented our take-over on the opening night of The British Music Embassy and our official showcase at Prague on 17 March.
Thanks to Supernovas, Smokey Angle Shades, Nat Jenkins, Beans On Toast and The Riff-Raff for making our debut at SXSW such a great experience. And thanks to Billy Bragg, Get Cape Wear Cape Fly, Chis Shiflett, The Good The Bad and Wayne Kramer for their support and awesome shows.
We were joined in Austin by Don Letts who presented his film also called Strummerville at the Paramount on 19 March. Big thanks also to Don for his wonderful support.
It truly was a positive and powerful experience for everyone involved.
Grammy-award winning filmmaker Don Letts talks about “Strummerville,” the documentary focusing on the charity that rose up in the aftermath of the death of Clash singer / guitarist Joe Strummer, during the film’s World Premiere at the 2010 SXSW Film Festival.
Letts also talks about his work as the first house DJ at the Roxy in London, which helped influence the Ska and Punk movements producing bands like the Clash and the Sex Pistols.
SXSW: Don Letts (’Strummerville’) from Devin Pike on Vimeo.
[via Red Carpet Clash]
Letts On his film “Strummerville” and Texas:
Don Letts talking about Strummerville New Music Foundation
[via Ping Wi-Fi]
STRUMMERVILLE’S FIRST U.S OUTING
What do Billy Bragg, The Foo Fighters, The British Music Embassy, the Strummerville family and legendary British filmmaker Don Letts have in common? All of these tastemakers in film and music will be celebrating Strummerville’s debut at this year’s SXSW Music and Film Festival.
Strummerville is a proactive charity, set up by family and friends in the wake of Joe Strummer’s death in 2002. Since then it has built a strong community network - offering otherwise unfunded bands and solo performers the chance to record, rehearse and play live. A regular feature at Festivals in the British Summer season, Strummerville’s work goes on all year internationally. Offering mentoring services, a magic bus on loan for gigs and tours, partnering with projects from Belfast to Bogota and a range of charities including The Amber Trust (helping blind and partially sited children enjoy music) and Jail Guitar Doors (helping prisoners gain access to guitars) Strummerville insures the spirit of the man who inspired its creation lives on in the most practical manner.
March 2010 marks Strummervilles’ debut at the internationally renowned SXSW Music and Film festival:
On the evening of Monday 15th March Strummerville will takeover the British Music Embassy. Hosted by Chris Shiflett of the Foo Fighters the night will feature performances from the infamous ‘National Treasure’ Billy Bragg in addition to some of Strummerville’s finest bands: Get Cape Wear Cape Fly, Smokey Angle Shades, Beans on Toast, Nat Jenkins, The Good The Bad, and The Supernovas.
STRUMMERVILLE SXSW 2010 BRITISH MUSIC EMBASSY SHOWCASE RSVP CLICK HERE
Get Cape Wear Cape Fly aka the introspective Sam Duckworth received critical acclaim for his debut album ‘Chronicles of a Bohemian Teenager’. A cross cultural line-up of Northern Irish, German, English and Italian members The Smokey Angle Shades take their name from a flying moth and create a world where the bar room rave ups of The Faces meet joyful country capers, spiced with psychedelic whimsy. Beans On Toast, a topical Troubadour, in the style of his East London (The) Clash inspired forbearer Billy Bragg, is a regular MC at Strummerville events with songs that are a jostling blend of humourous aside and a hardnosed invective. Nat Jenkins - Intense Richie Havens flare ups, finely plucked emotional landscapes; rock swagger and pop nous indicate a singer songwriter for all seasons. The Supernovas, a young band from Holloway North London with a sound influenced by the political attitudes of Castro and Chavez, combined with the wry irony of Morrissey, and the cutting observational skills of Lennon. And The Good The Bad bringing the finest New School Surf and Flamenco to the masses. On Wednesday 17th March Strummerville will kick off proceedings on the official opening night of the SXSW Music Festival by holding a second showcase at the renowned Prague. Wayne Kramer, singer, songwriter, producer and esteemed guitarist, will join the line-up for this special occasion.
On Friday 19th March ‘Strummerville – a film by Don Letts’ will premier at the Paramount. The film, directed by the London born, Grammy award winning filmmaker and artist Don Letts, captures the very essence of Strummerville. The film journeys through the past six months of the diverse Strummerville calendar, including interviews with the bourgeoning talents and the friends and family of Joe who work hard to keep the charity going. The documentary also includes unseen footage of Joe Strummer taken from Don’s personal archive. On the film Don says, “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 – and man it needs to!”
Don Letts was the first in-house DJ at London nightclub Roxy, playing a mix of punk rock, dub and reggae. Letts’ music choice influenced Joe Strummer and The Clash; he is credited as the DJ that single-handedly turned a whole generation of punks onto reggae. He became a close friend of Joe’s and is pictured on the cover sleeve of the 1980 release, ‘Black Market Clash’. His first film The Punk Rock Movie (1978) catalogued the Punk movement in the UK. He has directed many documentaries and music videos since and in 2003 his film Westway to the World featuring The Clash won a Grammy for ‘Best Long-form Music Video’
For more information please contact:
Kate Head: kate@stokedpr.com
Zoe Stafford: zoe@stokedpr.com 020 7841 4875
From the 1976 jukebox at The Clash’s Rehearsal Rehearsals HQ, through his own music to his turn-of-the-century radio show, Joe Strummer never stopped loving reggae music and its culture. As Chris Salewicz’s sleevenotes state on this heart-felt project organised by Canada’s Prince Blanco, “Strummer lived on the dub side of life.” In other words, with Joe, anything was possible. He would have revelled in these new versions of Clash classics by a cast of contributors hailing from both Canada and the UK.
A few chills are spilled when the set kicks off with Dubmatix, joined by former Big Audio Dynamite members Don Letts and Dan Donovan, bringing London’s Calling into the 21st Century on a rolling dubscape, with bleakly majestic spirit intact. Each track’s a riot of its own, delivered with a mixture of celebration and suitable recklessness, other highlights including Creation Rockers’ sinuous Complete Control, Infantry Rockers’ haunting Rebel Waltz and John Brown’s Body’s feisty Bankrobber. The fact that proceeds go to the Strummerville charity is just another reason why no one who’s ever been touched by Joe or The Clash should be without this marvellous tribute. For more info, visit www.shatterthehotel.com.
Synopsis
Joe Strummer’s untimely death in December 2002 sent shockwaves around the world of music and beyond. Yet friends and family were determined that his spirit would live on.
In this documentary, Grammy award-winning filmmaker Don Letts shows how Joe’s unique contribution to the music world is manifesting itself through a charity set up in his memory - Strummerville.
The film features performance footage and interviews with exciting Strummerville artists such as Riff Raff and Smokey Angle Shades. There are also contributions from supporters and founders of the charity, including Billy Bragg and Damien Hirst, plus wonderful footage of Strummer himself.
Director Bio
An award-winning filmmaker and music-maverick, Don is a cult figure in the world of arts. In 1978 he made The Punk Rock Movie and went on to direct over 300 music videos for the likes of Bob Marley, The Clash and Elvis Costello. Don’s films include the acclaimed Dancehall Queen, PUNK: Attitude and The Clash: Westway to the World, for which he won a Grammy in 2003.
Thanks to everybody who contributed to this project and great night at Inn On The Green on Friday 5th to mark the release of the Shatter The Hotel Album.
Special thanks to Prince Blanco without whom none of this would have happened … we salute and thank you sir.
Tune in to a great live podcast recorded on the night from Pete Colgle’s Podcast Factory. Listen to interviews with Prince Blanco, Mighty Howard, Dubmatix and Citizen Sound and tracks taken from the Shatter The Hotel album and our Strummerville Winter Sessions album (this podcast is also available for free download).
Shatter The Hotel 14 track album/CD is available to buy from our online shop or download now from iTunes.
Pictures from the night - courtesy of Edward Bishop
To celebrate the UK release a launch event will take place on 5th February 2010 in the heart of Clash-land at Inn on the Green, tucked under the Westway between Portobello Road and Ladbroke Grove. Scheduled to appear on the night are: Dubmatix, DubCats, Wrongtom, Citizen Sound, Chomsky Allstars and Don Letts along with special guests.
In the spirit of Joe Strummer’s connection with Reggae and Dub, Shatter The Hotel explores what he once described as the “rasta - punk interface”. The energy of punk fused with the rebellious sound of dub and reggae.
This collection of songs brings together some of (his) Joe’s friends, and collaborators as well as artists and producers that have been touched and inspired by his music and message. Tracks selected from the Joe Strummer and Mick Jones catalogue have been re-interpreted by artists that come from the UK, Jamaica, Canada and the USA.
Don Letts is credited as the DJ that single-handedly turned a whole generation of punks onto reggae. A friend of Joe’s, he is pictured on the cover sleeve of the 1980 release, ‘Black Market Clash’. He opens and closes this compilation alongside Dubmatix and former Big Audio Dynamite band-mate Dan Donovan with their take on London Calling, the track that propelled The Clash’s influence across the pond to the USA. Dubmatix (aka Jesse King) has toured North America and Europe extensively, collaborating with legendary reggae heavyweights such as Sugar Minott, Michael Rose, and Alton Ellis. Shatter The Hotel’s associate producer names London Calling as one of his favourite albums of all-time so reinterpreting the title track with Dan and Don( )was in his words ‘a labour of love’.
Dubmatix - London Calling (Album Version) [feat. Don Letts & Dan Donovan]
The compilation ranges from straight-up roots dub to contemporary reggae sounds to dubbed out punk and dub-house styles including Lost In the Supermarket by South London producer, Wrongtom (Hard-Fi’s tour DJ and remixer), Creation Rockers’ interpretation of Four Horseman and Rock the Casbah by Nate Wize from Toronto who has DJ’d or performed alongside the likes of MIA, Blondie and Roots Manuva. His version features Jamaican vocalist Ammoye.
Joe Strummer’s friend and biographer Chris Salewicz has provided the sleeve-notes for Shatter the Hotel along with renowned photographer, Adrian Boot who has provided the images of Joe.
Proceeds from the sale of this release will benefit Strummerville: The Joe Strummer Foundation for New Music, a registered charity set up by the friends and family of Joe Strummer the year after his death that seeks to reflect Joe’s unique contribution to the music world by offering support, resources and performance opportunities to artists who would not normally have access to them.
For more information please contact:
Mark Matthews (aka Prince Blanco)
Email: shatterthehotel@gmail.com
Web: www.shatterthehotel.com
