I got a totally unexpected surprise the other day when I got a parcel delivered to work that looked like it came from Amazon. After a few “What the fuck? I haven’t ordered anything”s I opened it and was almost knocked over to see that my mate, Matt Yallop had bought me a copy of “Redemption Song”: The Definitive Biography of Joe Strummer from my Amazon Wishlist.

Wow. I can’t imagine a better unexpected gift. The gift tag reminded me that, although unintentionally, I hadn’t actually spoken to most of my best friends since Christmas. I’m not so sociable these days, I feel like I spent that last 12 years being super-sociable and now I’m all socialised out. It’s like I’ve been to every bar, pub and club in the country and I’m too absorbed in what I’m doing these to poke my head above the screen or the pillow long enough to communicate to people who aren’t within my field of vision. Also most socialising involves consuming incredible amounts of alcohol and well, it makes me too ill to be worth it. When the up isn’t worth the down, it’s time to retire from the game.

And that’s pretty sad really, perhaps a little unhealthy even, but I’m completely satisfied with my little piece of the world’s jigsaw. I should try harder to take time out but I’ll always be thinking that I should be reading some article on securing DNS updates with dnssec, sleeping off my hard week’s work or pinning down all of the phone and ethernet cables that litter my house and getting them out of sight; or some other random work/home task nonsensia. Sad, but I’m striving hard and I’m happy doing it. It’s a trait I inherited.

So anyway, I received this book from Yallop and well, big Internet thanks man, I was genuinely taken aback. I read the first 2 or 3 chapters as soon as I got home. I already have a couple of books on The Clash, A Riot of Our Own: Night and Day with the “Clash” by former Clash roadie Johnny Green and Passion Is a Fashion: The Real Story of the “Clash” by Pat Gilbert are excellent in-depth books which shatter some illusions I had. Don Letts DVD, The Clash – Westway to the World is also excellent. All 3 are serious recommendations for anyone interested in people that made up The Clash.

Such is my obsession with The Clash and the characters within the band that I had to suppress the risk of leaky eyes 3 times in the first 2 chapters which dealt with his death and his funeral. It was really poignant. Joe Strummer was complicated, an outsider and an everyman with an incredible work ethic and view of the world which he was able to present to people and have them internalise as their own beliefs. I’m one such person. I wouldn’t believe in the things I do without Joe Strummer. My senses of right and wrong and what is important and what isn’t would be infinitely less attuned.

As I was only just born when White Riot came out, I missed them first time around, I was a new fan, the scourge of the old fans. I got into The Clash when I was 14 and Should I Stay or Should I Go was on the Levi’s ad. I bought The Story of The Clash vol 1 on vinyl and thought it was a waste of money for a week, but carried on playing it as it was the most money I’d spent on a record at the point. 2 weeks pocket money or something. It sounded so alien and esoteric compared to all other music I’d heard before and then it began to make sense. As time went by I became more and more absorbed by the music, the band, the people and the message until I became the encyclopedia I am today. (Note to self: really must make definitive Clash website and re-write Wikipedia page).

When Joe died I didn’t take it in for a few days and then maybe it took me nearly a year to realise the affect it had one my thinking. As a new fan I still had dreams of seeing a re-formed Clash play just once as a swan-song. It really tugs at me that The Clash are definitely over.

So, my oldest, closest and dearest friends, I haven’t forgotten you and you don’t have to buy me things from my Amazon Wishlist to remind me that you’re still alive, but thanks for caring and thanks Matt for one the best, most tuned-in surprises I’ve ever had. I’m touched.