MAHHSIVE / JAH ROTTEN 12/15/2011

"Punk and Reggae poles apart one would think. Heavy slow bass driven toons versus tinny white boy thrash. Quasi mystical ganga based black man beat versus white swastika toting amphetamine driven nihilism. Punk and reggae became further intertwined because of two of punks most influential figures, Mr Rotten and the boys in the Clash. reggae was very much a part of their musical scene and growing up and each vied to say they loved it more than the other as an influence."



"For the Clash they covered Junior Murvin's Police & Thieves, wanted a Notting Hill riot of their own, had Lee Perry produce one of their finest singles Complete Control and worked alongside Mikey Dread on their sprawling Sandinista album while wearing initially clothes with Prince Farianisms like' Heavy Manners' sprayed on them.

Jah Wobble in PIL would utililise the pounding reggae bass on a many a toon and as Haile Unlikely Vs the Steel Leg recorded his own groovy 12". Contrasting this is the two very different experiences of the boys visiting Jamaica. For the Clash it was a heavy trip resulting in the song 'Safe European Home'. For Rotten, him and Letts spliffed out to sound systems and generally had a good time at Virgin's expense as can be seen right."


Jah Rotten

- http://www.punk77.co.uk/punkhistory/reggae.htm