LOS MONDO BONGO

The all-star cast of Los Mondo Bongo pays tribute to legendary Clash frontman Joe Strummer.

It's hard to believe that Joe Strummer is no longer around. His unexpected death seven years ago, in Dec. 2002, shocked all punk rockers around the world. However, the Clash and Mescaleros mastermind is still very much alive thanks to his words and music.

Now several of his friends have put a musical tribute together and are touring under the banner of Los Mondo Bongo (taken from a Mescaleros song).

The five-piece includes Mescaleros percussionist Pablo Cook and drummer Steve "Smiley" Barnard, as well as bassist Derek Forbes (Simple Minds), guitarist Steve Harris (Gary Numan) and vocalist Mike Peters (The Alarm).
Complete with Ray Gange (Rude Boy) DJing on all dates.

Tracked down in London where he's finishing off a spoken-word project with Keith Allen (Lily's father), Cook happily spoke about the tour and how it came to fruition. "Smiley and I occasionally do these tributes to Joe, like Strummercamp. 'Internet' Anthony [Davie], a good friend of Joe and the Mescaleros was approached by a few people with the idea of doing a one-off gig. We did one in Italy and it came off really well, so we decided to do more."

Looking back on the Mescaleros, Cook says there was no master plan in forming the band. "Like anything to do with Joe, it started in the pub. Originally, it was going to be Joe, Bez from Happy Mondays and myself, but we were always too drunk and going to too many festivals to get it together," confesses Cook.

"With their bracing guitar chords and a Latin rhythm to the percussion, Los Mondo Bongo are impossible to resist - they pump the adrenaline and move the feet." Oxford Post

with Support from JUST BRAGGIN

the superb and passionate Jim covering Billy Bragg songs.

A mate of mine has put a lot of time & a reasonable amount of cash into getting this night on,tickets are available over the bar at The Clarry,or online,or gimme a shout & I'll see Bri for you.