the world is drowning and i live by the river!

If the apocalypse were upon us, I would want only to hear one thing, London Calling by The Clash. As institutions crumbled to the ground, engulfed in flame and people screamed in rioting masses, I would stand calm amongst the pandemonium, earphones in and i-pod volume up. The ice age is coming, the sun's zooming in Meltdown expected, the wheat is growing thin Engines stop running, but I have no fear Cause London is drowning and I, live by the river.

These politically charged and fearfully foretelling lyrics shook up the UK rock scene and forever earned The Clash their title GODFATHERS OF PUNK. Recorded at Wessex Studios and first released in 1979, London Calling was a testament to world turmoil and an anthem for pissed off punks. During this time, lead singer, Joe Strummer, was a self-proclaimed news junkie whose writing revealed a dark and sinister world. Arguably their most renowned track, London Calling illustrates just this. Strummer wrote of the March 1979 Three Mile Island reactor meltdown and the coming of the third World War. The track name comes from BBC’s radio station identification used during World War II. “This is London calling…” was heard as bombs dropped and civilians died. It is now heard while wicked bass guitar pounds out an SOS beat and angry punks mosh in circle pits.

Although once criticized for being too ambitious, The Clash have stood the test of time and proven to be the most fitting musicians for the end of the world. Their rebellious reggae rockabilly will continue to foretell such an apocalypse. In the meantime, you might want to prepare yourself. Listen to the following tracks: White Riot, Rock the Casbah, Janie Jones, and Spanish Bomb and horde as much vinyl as you can!

-mh