Review - Clash in Toronto

On December 21st, Nick Smash hosted a talk on the impact that the Clash had on Toronto with radio hosts Alan Cross and Ivar Hamilton. But think of it as metaphor for the impact that the Clash had on Toronto in general. 

Nick starts out with some thoughts on the importance of the Clash. This is backed up by Allan Cross experience of finding out about the Clash on Winnipeg radio. That's where he first heard them and how they stood out. And then trying to find them at the local record store. It was a behind the counter purchase (in other words the special records were not in the regular racks). 

Ivar Hamilton had some stories about a variety of punk shows that happened back in the day. the crowd got involved as a hive mind experiment with people sharing stories about shows and the particulars. Nick's brother Simon told the back story to the infamous New Music interview with the Clash at the O'Keefe Centre. And then the piece de resistance was an interview that Ivor Hamilton did with Joe Strummer in '86(?). Could have been the last interview with Joe Strummer in Toronto and he talked about the number of projects he was involved with. There was also a great story about Joe Strummer trying to play the CFNY studio that was on Yonge Street. Something happened where he could not play and he retreated to the street to do a busking session. 

The event was a launch party for a new book that Nick Smash has curated called "Clash in Toronto: A selection of photographs 1979-1984". Photographers who made contributions include Simon White, Don Pyle, Erik Christensen, Joe Coffey, Carm Ferrari, Randy Johnston, Ivor Levene, and Paul Till. The book argues that in the absence of a rock and roll museum, publications like this have to collect these moments. Nick's thoughts along with those of the photographers collect memories for the four times that the Clash played Toronto. I am not sure of there are any copies left, but f you are interested in one reach out to Nick Smash on facebook. Proceeds for this book are going to Strummerville.