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The Clash Trivia Questions

How much do you really know about The Clash? Below are 8 true or false statements. Click each one to reveal the answer and explanation.

1.

The Clash released a double album of punk covers as a surprise follow-up to 'London Calling.'

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Easy
✗ FALSE

'London Calling' was a double album, but their next release was 'Sandinista!', a triple album with original songs, not covers.

2.

Joe Strummer was briefly a member of The 101ers before forming The Clash.

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Easy
✓ TRUE

Strummer fronted the pub-rock band The 101ers from 1974 until leaving in June 1976 to form The Clash, just before their debut gig in July 1976.

3.

The Clash's original drummer was Terry Chimes, who left before their first album was recorded.

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Medium
✗ FALSE

Chimes played on the debut album and early singles, but left shortly after; he returned briefly for 'Combat Rock.'

4.

The Clash’s bassist Paul Simonon learned to play bass specifically for the band.

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Medium
✓ TRUE

Simonon was an artist with no prior bass experience. Recruited as a guitarist, he was moved to bass by manager Bernie Rhodes and learned from scratch, with Mick Jones teaching him basic lines.

5.

The Clash's song 'London Calling' takes its title from a BBC World Service station identification phrase.

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Medium
✓ TRUE

Joe Strummer heard 'This is London calling' during a BBC news broadcast about the Three Mile Island accident, which inspired the song's title and apocalyptic theme.

6.

The Clash headlined the first-ever Glastonbury Festival in 1970.

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Hard
✗ FALSE

The first Glastonbury Festival took place in 1970, but The Clash formed in 1976. They could not have headlined it.

7.

Mick Jones wrote 'Should I Stay or Should I Go' about his girlfriend at the time.

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Hard
✓ TRUE

Mick Jones wrote the song about his then-girlfriend Ellen Foley, who gave him an ultimatum over his commitment to their relationship or his music career.

8.

The Clash once recorded a song with Bob Dylan, but it was never released.

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Hard
✗ FALSE

No collaboration with Dylan ever happened. The myth may stem from their shared 1980s political themes.

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