Punk rock, with its loud, abrasive guitars and politically charged lyrics, was more than just a musical revolution. It seeped into every form of artistic expression, from painting to stand-up comedy, creating a strong graphic identity for the scene. The Clash, one of punk’s defining bands, fully embraced this visual power.
Formed in 1976 at the height of London’s punk movement, The Clash quickly emerged as a key player in the scene. Guitarist Mick Jones founded the band, but it wasn’t until the dynamic frontman, songwriter, and activist Joe Strummer joined from The 101ers that the band truly took shape. Despite focusing on songwriting and live performances, The Clash always paid close attention to their visual identity.
Jones, Strummer, and bassist Paul Simonon had all attended art school and understood the significance of visual art. Consequently, The Clash developed a distinctive visual style that complemented their eclectic sound, which blended punk, rockabilly, dub, ska, and even hip-hop.
The Clash’s cover art became renowned across the punk scene. Their singles, EPs, and albums were consistently adorned with striking artwork. Releases like ‘White Riot’, ‘(White Man) In Hammersmith Palais’, and the ‘Cost of Living’ EP featured standout designs that set them apart from other major label bands.
Their most famous cover art came with the 1979 release of London Calling. The album marked a shift from their punk roots to a more varied and enduring sound. Its cover, a homage to Elvis Presley’s self-titled album, features a black-and-white photo of a faceless figure smashing a guitar, with bold pink and green text.
The figure in the photo is The Clash’s bassist, Paul Simonon. During a 1979 show at the Palladium in New York City, Simonon became frustrated with bouncers preventing the audience from standing up. Annoyed by the situation, Simonon vented his frustrations on his bass guitar.
Photographer Pennie Smith captured this moment, but she initially felt the photo, which was out of focus, was not suitable for the album cover. However, Ray Lowry, who frequently worked on the band’s art and design, saw its potential and transformed it into the iconic London Calling cover.
Simonon has played various bass guitars over the years. In the London Calling music video, he uses an Epiphone Rivoli Bass. However, his main choice was the Fender Precision Bass, which he praised for its weight and fuller sound in an interview with Fender.
The Fender Precision Bass, favored by many celebrated bassists from John Cale to Carol Kaye, was also used by Simonon’s punk contemporary Sid Vicious. The very white Fender Precision Bass that Simonon smashed during that iconic New York performance is now on display at the Museum of London.
