The Mescaleros

The Mescaleros were the backing band for Joe Strummer for three albums prior to his death in 2002. They took their name from the Mescalero Apache tribe. While band members played a great variety of different instruments, they generally consisted of Strummer on vocals, Scott Shields on guitar and bass, Martin Slattery on keyboards and guitar, Pablo Cook on percussion, and Tymon Dogg on violin and strings. Richard Flack also appeared on various effects and instruments. Luke Bullen later appeared on drums and Simon Stafford on bass.

Related Topics:
Joe Strummer - 2002 - Mescalero - Apache - Guitar - Bass

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The band signed with the Californian punk label Hellcat Records, and issued three albums. Following the release of the first, Rock Art and the X-Ray Style, they toured England and North America; sets included several Clash-fan favourites.

Related Topics:
California - Hellcat Records - England - North America - Clash

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Musically, the Mescaleros continued the genre mixing that Strummer was known for during his time with The Clash. Elements of reggae, jazz, funk, hip hop, country, and of course punk rock can be found in the three Mescaleros releases.

Related Topics:
The Clash - Reggae - Jazz - Funk - Hip hop - Country - Punk rock

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Following the release of Global A Go-Go, Joe Strummer and the Mescaleros mounted a 21-date tour of North America, Britain, and Ireland. Once again, these concerts featured Clash material ("London Calling", "Rudie Can't Fail"), as well as classic covers of reggae hits ("The Harder They Come", "A Message To You, Rudie") and regularly closed the show with a nod to the late Joey Ramone by playing The Ramones' "Blitzkrieg Bop". The band is also the subject of a documentary by Dick Rude titled Let's Rock Again! which is set for a DVD release in the spring of 2006.

Related Topics:
Britain - Ireland - London Calling - Reggae - Joey Ramone - The Ramones - Dick Rude - Let's Rock Again!

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Joe Strummer & the Mescaleros' last ever concert was on November 22, 2002, in Liverpool. This show is often overlooked however, in favor of citing the November 16 show at Acton Town Hall. It was this show, which was a benefit for striking fire fighters, that Mick Jones joined Strummer on stage for the first time in nearly twenty years, during the classic Clash song "Bankrobber." An encore followed with both "White Riot" and "London's Burning." Following the conclusion of this tour, the band headed straight for the studio.

Related Topics:
November 22 - November 16 - Acton Town Hall - Mick Jones

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The band's final album, Streetcore, was released after the death of Joe Strummer on December 22, 2002.

Related Topics:
Streetcore - December 22

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The band also made notable appearances on Late Night with David Letterman, Late Night with Conan O'Brien, as well as touring on the Hootenany Festival in the summer of 2001.

Related Topics:
Late Night with David Letterman - Late Night with Conan O'Brien - Hootenany Festival

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