The Clash is calling

I am sitting right now in a coffee shop, one that I normally don't hang out in. It is near a ritzy resort here in town, and what I have discovered is that they are playing music that seems to cater to the resort folks like Sade singing "Smooth Operator". I found myself being agitated and not being able to concentrate to be writing here. I know music is very subjective, but I am not personally in harmonic resonation with Sade and the other pop "easy listening" type of music coming from the stereo in here.

So, I finally grabbed my Ipod and listened to The Clash - and within merely moments, I breathed easier, my pulse slowed down and began to be able to concentrate again.

As I listened to The Clash with relief, I couldn't help but wonder - has there been any great and truly meaningful and of substance rock or punk bands since them? I think U2, may be one of course (the only one I could think of). But since then, what bands have really been in any comparison to The Clash and all they stood for, what their songs were lyrically, what they created musically, and were just plain one of the coolest bands in music history in my subjective opinion. They had songs with angst, yet hope - were original, yet also blended other genres of music - they were fashionable, yet not fake or silly - they took strong stands on issues, yet didn't mock others or fans for not agreeing with them.

I love The Ramones, but I can honestly admit their musical writing ability is nothing in comparison to The Clash. Social Distortion is a really good band, even a great band - but seems to fall way short of who The Clash were. Green Day and Rancid are sort of third generational expressions of The Clash in many ways so I don't see them in the same category.

Did rock and punk music died with The Clash? I just cannot think of any band who is in that particular league of both influence and what they created musically since them. Maybe the Sade music (and the band The Eagles have also been playing as I typed this) are clouding my objective thinking. But I am not sure I can think of any band to compare The Clash to since they were around.

That is my wondering of a not very important question as I sit here and now I think I hear a Celene Dion beginning to play in the background.