Culture Clash: Dread Meets Punk Rockers Book

I really enjoyed this. I was part of the music scene in Boston in the late 70's (still am) and worked at Trash and Vaudeville on St. Marks in NY during the Clash's Bond's residency. I sold Paul leather pants, then got to see him wear them on stage that night! I know or have met a lot of the people in the book. In many ways it was a trip down memory lane. I did find it interesting reading about Don's upbringing. I liked all the stuff about Acme and the clothes stores, since I always worked in hip stores myself. When people ask me how I got to meet so many people, I say because I dressed better than most people and got picked out of the crowd....sounds obnoxious I know, but i wore my clothes with attitude. You can wear any rag if you have the attitude to back it up. I was way into reggae, still am really, and realize how lucky I am to have seen Bob Marley, Gregory Isaacs, the mighty Diamonds, Toots....I've met Lee Perry when he was working with my brother in law's band, the Terrorists, he's way on another planet! Don's observations about Joe Strummer are right on the money. I was just saying recently, if he liked you, he would give you a little job, putting you in the fold, could be something as simple as Jan, go make sure so and so gets let in the dressing room! He bought me a drink one night at Foleys, a Boston bar he loved....drink in hand, I started to walk away....He said, where are you going? I said to the ladies room. He took the drink out of my hand, put it on the table and said then leave that here so I know you'll come back! I've seen him in a foul temper too, and if you were smart, you'd give him a very wide berth!
For people reviewing this book who think towards the end Don pats himself on the back over much, he did everything he said he did, so, shut up! We're lucky he had his camera and documented so much for us.loved B.A.D. I saw them 3 times, twice with Don in the band i confess the first time at Metro, I got thrown out before people were let into the dressing room, bagged for smoking pot in the club! I don't know Mick like I knew Joe, but it always amused me that he'd give me the once over and then nod approvingly!
When punk hit, It felt like home to me. I'd lived in P Town in the mid 70s. It was a place where if you wanted to go out with bells on your toes and a bone through your nose, more's the bette, with the understanding that it was way before tattoos were a dime a dozen, and unless you were really into music and had some flair, clothes, over all, were pretty pedestrian.....moving to Boston after that was ridiculously provincial, but one night on the Dudley bus I met the cutest British boy in bondage pants on his way to spin punk records at a party, and did I want to come? I looked like a dork in work clothes so I said no, but filed it away, and within weeks I was in the thick of it! I feel for kids who weren't old enough to experience it. My brother is 16 years younger than me but I will always be his best sister because I took him to see the Clash!