Clash (NJ, USA, March 8, 1980) – Complete Soundboard Edition & More

In 1980, The Clash surged to the pinnacle of the era on the strength of their monumental masterpiece, *London Calling*. Now, a powerful new set has arrived, capturing one unforgettable night from that peak period via both soundboard audio and pro-shot video. This release pairs two exceptional recordings from a single concert: the soundboard audio and multi-camera pro-shot footage of the March 8, 1980, show in Passaic. Taking place roughly three months after the release of *London Calling*, the performance finds the band—then the darlings of the music world—operating at the absolute height of their powers. Let’s start by taking an overview of the band’s activities during that period to establish where this release fits in. 1979: Jan 3 – Lyceum Theatre; Jan 31–Feb 20 – North America #1 (8 shows); Apr 29 & May 5 – Europe #1 (2 shows); June 21 – New York show; July 5–Aug 4 – Europe #2 (4 shows) *Aug: Production of “London Calling” begins*; Sept 8–Oct 16 – North America #2 (23 shows) ← *Tribal Stomp Festival 1979* *Dec 14: “London Calling” released*; Dec 26 & 27 – UK #1a (2 shows). 1980: Jan 5–Feb 23 – UK #1b (41 shows); Feb 27 – Paris show; Mar 1–Apr 27 – North America #3 (11 shows) ← ★Here★; May 9–June 5 – Europe #3 (20 shows); June 9–18 – UK #2 (8 shows) ← *Hammersmith 1980*; June 21 – Reykjavik show *Dec 12: “Sandinista!” released*. This was The Clash in 1979 and 1980. The masterpiece *London Calling* was released in December 1979, winning over even the harsh British media and propelling the band to the pinnacle of the era. The Passaic show featured here was the seventh concert of the “North America #3” tour, which supported that album. While the famous *Hammersmith Palais 1980 2nd Night* recording is well-known, this release captures a performance from about three months prior to that. CD: A newly unearthed soundboard recording taken directly from the mixing desk. This release, documenting that very show, comes as a two-disc set featuring both the live audio and the video footage. Let’s start with the live album: although it is in mono, the sound is a direct-from-the-mixing-desk soundboard recording that retains an irresistible, raw, unprocessed quality. There is an immense thrill in having the unadorned live performance poured directly into your brain without any embellishment; Joe Strummer’s raspy vocals and Mick Jones’s guitar reach your ears with the exact warmth they had coming straight out of the console. Even the occasional bursts of feedback are captured exactly as they happened. This rawness is truly wonderful—including the unmistakably 1980s-style tones—making the recording a genuine document of the era. While it may not feel like a standalone official release, it is of such high quality that it could easily serve as a bonus disc in a box set—an “official-grade archival find.” It offers a 100% authentic, raw texture that seasoned soundboard collectors will find absolutely irresistible. DVD Section: Vintage-style monochrome pro-shot footage. The video portion consists of a monochrome, multi-camera professional shoot. If you are reading this, you might already recognize that the Capitol Theatre in Passaic is a hotbed for leaked pro-shot footage. The venue filmed various bands and artists, and our shop has seen great success with releases featuring acts like Rainbow, Rush, and Alice Cooper. This video is the Clash’s entry in that lineage. Like the audio, its appeal lies not in being a polished, pristine production, but in its raw, documentary-like feel. A vintage atmosphere—unique to monochrome—and a sense of exclusivity permeate the entire film, framing the four band members at the peak of the punk scene. It is packed with the rawness and rarity that only an unfiltered record can provide—qualities absent from polished official releases. A setlist from their prime, centered on a historic masterpiece: the audio and video capture a full show from the band’s peak, featuring material from their monumental album *London Calling*. Let’s take a moment to review the setlist. London Calling (9 songs) – Brand New Cadillac / Jimmy Jazz / London Calling / The Guns of… Brixton / Train in Vain / Koka Kola / Spanish Bombs / Wrong ‘Em Boyo / Clampdown, and others (14 tracks) – White Riot era: Clash City Rockers / (White Man) In Hammersmith Palais / I Fought the Law / Police & Thieves / Janie Jones / Complete Control / Garageland – *Give ‘Em Enough Rope* era: Safe European Home / Stay Free / Julie’s Been Working for the Drug Squad / English Civil War / Tommy Gun – Singles: Armagideon Time / Bankrobber… and so on. They generously feature nine tracks from the recently released *London Calling*—including the title track, “Brand New Cadillac,” “The Guns of Brixton,” and “Train in Vain”—demonstrating the spirit and confidence with which they presented their new work to the world. Then, classics from their first two albums come flooding in. Essential anthems like “Clash City Rockers,” “Complete Control,” “Janie Jones,” and “Tommy Gun” are delivered with raw power by a band at the peak of its era, alongside singles like “Armagideon Time” and “Bankrobber.” It is an incredibly intense, full-throttle night that culminates with “Tommy Gun.” This is The Clash at their absolute peak, captured during their most dynamic period. It is a lavish two-disc set that allows you to experience that night in two ways: through raw sound taken directly from the mixing desk and through rare, black-and-white footage from the Capitol Theatre. You get the raw heat of the live performance—something impossible to capture on polished official releases. The set includes a soundboard recording and multi-camera pro-shot video of the March 8, 1980, Passaic concert. The live album disc features soundboard audio taken directly from the mixing desk; while mono, the mix is ​​wonderfully unprocessed, retaining the raw authenticity of the moment—including the occasional bit of feedback. The video disc features a black-and-white pro-shot recording of The Clash at the Capitol Theatre, a venue also famous for shows by bands like Rainbow and Rush. It is a two-disc set that lets you enjoy the four band members at the height of their powers through both sound and vision. Capitol Theatre, Passaic, NJ, USA – March 8th. 1980 CD(78:18) 1. Intro 2. Clash City Rockers 3. Brand New Cadillac 4. Safe European Home 5. Jimmy Jazz 6. London Calling 7. Guns Of Brixton 8. Train In Vain 9. White Man Hammersmith 10. Koka-Kola/I fought the law 11. Spanishs 12. Police & Thieves 13. Stay Free 14. Julie’s Been Working For The Drug Squad 15. Wrong ‘Em Boyo 16. Clamp Down 17. Janie Jones 18. Complete Control 19. Armagideon Time / Justice Tonight 20. English Civil War Garageland 21. BankRobber 22. Tommy Gun SOUNDBOARD RECORDING DVD 1. Intro : Sixteen Tons ★1 min CD 2. Clash City Rockers 3. Brand New Cadillac 4. Safe European Home 5. Jimmy Jazz 6. London Calling 7. The Guns Of Brixton 8. Train In Vain 9. (White Man) In Hammersmith Palais 10. Koka Kola / I Fought The Law 11. Spanish Bombs 12. Police & Thieves 13. Stay Free 14. Julie’s Been Working For The Drug Squad 15. Wrong ‘Em Boyo 16. Clampdown 17. Janie Jones 18. Complete Control 19. Armagideon Time / English Civil War 20. Garageland 21. Bankrobber 22. Tommy Gun PRO-SHOT B&W NTSC Approx.84min.