ABSTRACT
The early politics of the Clash were constructed over a series of interviews given in late 1976 and the spring of 1977. In these, the band was framed – and endeavoured to frame themselves – as a politically committed group of angry young men on a mission to both reclaim rock 'n' roll and somehow demystify and change the world of which they were part. First, Strummer – as vocalist and principal lyricist – found himself having to deal with the pressure of becoming a supposed "voice of a generation". Talking to Record Mirror, Joe Strummer bemoaned the way in which the Clash were expected to act as leaders of a politicized punk movement. Strummer claimed to acknowledge the limits of punk – and music more generally – as a political force. Strummer clearly understood its limitations with regard to affecting real or substantial political change. Politically, Strummer continued to use music as a means of protest.
