To support Billy Bragg’s Jail Guitar Doors initiative, an organization which aims to provide instruments to those who are using music as a way of achieving the rehabilitation of prison inmates, July 26th 2010 saw release of a download album from which all profits will be used to fund return visits to UK prisons.
The initiative is supported by Strummerville, the Joe Strummer Foundation For New Music, plus has seen involvement from the likes of Mick Jones (The Clash), Chris Shiflett (Foo Fighters), Wayne Kramer (MC5) and Sam Duckworth (Get Cape. Wear Cape, Fly).
About Breaking Rocks: Released via Silverdoor Records, the album will be priced at £7.99 and will feature 31 tracks, including an exclusive recording of Billy Bragg live from one of Her Majestys Prisons, plus tracks from Pete & The Pirates, Baddies, The Neat, The Victorian English Gentlemans Club, Kids Love Lies, and many more.
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 wanted to share this with you this post made by a blogger who goes under the name of Shazwellyn.
“Let me introduce you to the charity Strummerville! Set up in honour of the late Joe Strummer of The Clash, the trustee’s consist of family and friends who create opportunities for musicians who lack the necessary funds to do so.
They also support projects and organisations based around Joe Strummer’s ethics and beliefs. This ranges from providing instruments to prisoners, to help with rehabilitation (Jail Guitar Doors), to supporting people after murder and manslaughter (SAMM).
As you can see they are not biased in where they direct their help. The key is intervention humanitarian…the common good. Strummer strived for an unbiased world – a world where racism and racial discrimination, whether against whites, blacks and whoever, ceases to exist. He strived for a world against racism by advocating freedom and fairness.
The Strummerville Charity was inspired by Joe – he helped make a difference in the world. From environmental to humanitarian and social issues, through his music he inspired change. The formation of Future Trees (now The Carbon Neutral Company) was his brainchild by instigating the planting of acres of trees and Johnny Appleseed by Strummer was released to advertise this passionate environmental message.
His legacy continues to help the lives of others. From the days he spent around the Strummer Camp fire at Somerset’s Glastonbury Festival, to the united collaboration of musician’s in aid of fundraising for Strummerville (cover of Janey Jones with Babyshambles and friends) – John Mellor continues to leave his mark. Strummer was an inspiration… The Future Is Unwritten!!”
Thank you for the kind words Shazwellyn
Loads of love,
Strummerville x
Strummerville supporters who came out for the benefit in San Francisco were treated to an impromptu performance by our good friend Billy Bragg.
Thanks to Mike for his long standing support in organising the benefits for us and to all the bands and of course to Billy for his love and support.
Strummerville is delighted to be supporting Jail Guitar Doors and their great work and is proud to announce the London Premier of Breaking Rocks – a documentary about the charity on 01 October at the Proud Galleries, Camden, London.
The premier will be followed by live performances from Billy Bragg, Get Cape. Wear Cape Fly. The Rotten Hill Gang featuring Mick Jones, Chris Shiflett (Foo Fighters) Wayne Kramer MC5, Night of Treason.
A night not to be missed
For Tickets visit http://www.ticketweb.co.uk/
For information visit
http://web.me.com/madinertia/breakingrocks
