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Watch Joe Strummer Dissect the Clash in New ‘Audio Ammunition’ Documentary

the clash, sound system, documentary, audio ammunition

Google Play has released a new five-part documentary about the Clash featuring never-before-seen footage of the late Joe Strummer and fresh interviews with the band’s surviving members. Titled Audio Ammunition, the doc explores the punk icons’ entire career in just under an hour, beginning with a look at the Brits’ early musical inspirations and ending with Strummer’s thoughts on the Clash’s creative process and legacy. Part one is streaming above, and the whole feature can be seen at Google Play. Not so coincidentally, the series surfaced online the same week as the official release of the Clash’s massive Sound System retrospective (“the best box set ever,” according to guitarist Mick Jones).

Housed in an army fatigue-colored boombox case, Sound System collects remastered versions of the first five Clash LPs, in addition to a wealth of singles, rarities, B-sides, demos, artwork, and a DVD featuring all of the group’s music videos. Digital versions of the box set and the remastered full-lengths are currently available through Google Play.

The tech company also tapped a handful of artists to cover a few songs off 1979’s London Calling. SPIN cover star Kurt Vile recorded a languid but mostly faithful rendition of “Guns of Brixton.” Watch Vile perform the classic tune below, and head over to Google Play to download other tributes by Thao & the Get Down Stay Down (“Train in Vain”), Surfer Blood (“Spanish Bombs”), and Slipknot’s Corey Taylor (“London Calling”).

//www.youtube.com/embed/MT7G-jrN0Uk