International Clash Day

International Clash Day, which happens this year on Friday, February 7, is a reminder not only of The Clash's rich legacy and music, but the band's dynamic sociopolitical impact as messengers of change. The Clash — Joe Strummer, Mick Jones, Paul Simonon, Topper Headon and every musician who stepped into the band, like Don Letts and Terry Chimes—were fierce proponents of fairness and fought against facism, racism, xenophobia, and inequality, via their songs and activism, like the Rock Against Racism movement.

Our friends at KEXP, who began International Clash Day in 2013, are focusing on the climate emergency as their 2020 cri de coeur with Clash for Climate, elevating the voices of activists, scientists, and musicians who are raising awareness and prompting action on an alarming global situation.

At WFUV, we're dedicating time to the Clash today too, with hour-long sets at 7 a.m. with Corny O'Connell and 7 p.m. with Rita Houston during "The Whole Wide World" — in the temporal spirit of the Clash's "The Magnificent Seven." Eric Holland will also have a doublet of tracks at 1 p.m., EST on 90.7, also streaming online.

The band is one of our FUV Essentials too and we encourge you to discover more about The Clash and the Joe Strummer Foundation, which supports musicians and empowerment through music.