The Clash Reissue 'London Calling' with Demos, DVD
NEW YORK (Billboard) - A disc of recently discovered demos for the Clash's "London Calling" and a DVD boasting previously unseen live performance footage will be included in Epic Records' Sept. 21 reissue of the English punk band's landmark 1979 album.
The demos, dubbed "The Vanilla Tapes," were recently discovered in a storage facility belonging to guitarist/vocalist Mick Jones, according to a statement issued Thursday by the Legacy Recordings heritage unit of Epic's Sony Music parent.
The demos include songs that did not make the final cut for "London Calling," although a spokesman said the track listing had not been finalized.
In addition to the original album and the demos, "London Calling: The 25th Anniversary Edition" will boast a DVD chronicling the Clash at that point in its existence. A 45-minute documentary was created by longtime biographer Don Letts, and features recording studio footage, previously unreleased live performances, interviews with Jones, late singer/guitarist Joe Strummer, drummer Topper Headon and bassist Paul Simonon and a conversation with one-time band manager Kosmo Vinyl.
The new edition will also feature full song lyrics, a new essay and photos by band photographer Pennie Smith, who was responsible for the blurry cover shot of an angry Simonon smashing his bass during a gig at the New York Palladium.
"London Calling," the Clash's third album, has come to be regarded as one of the best records of the punk era. Its 19 tracks feature such classics as the title cut, "Clampdown," "Guns of Brixton," "Spanish Bombs," "Rudie Can't Fail," "Death or Glory" and the final hidden tune "Train in Vain."
Vince Vaughn Revs Up 'Speed Racer' at Warner Bros.
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Chim Chim must be doing back flips. Warner Bros. is back on track with development of a live-action film adaptation of the popular Japanese-made cartoon series "Speed Racer," the studio said on Thursday.
The "Speed" project, idling in Warner's slow lane for about a decade, shifted back into high gear after actor Vince Vaughn ("DodgeBall") sold the studio on his own concept for the movie, with Vaughn cast as the title character's mysterious big brother, Racer X, a studio spokeswoman said.
Entertainment trade paper Daily Variety reported that the studio was receptive to Vaughn's vision because it focused on character development and a family story in lieu of potentially costly racing scenes.
A previous incarnation of the project had director Julien Temple at the helm with Johnny Depp on board to star, but Variety said that version stalled over budget considerations.
The Warner Bros. spokeswoman said no other talent was yet attached to the project, and producer Joel Silver ("The Matrix"), who owns feature rights to "Speed Racer," is currently shopping for a screenwriter. Vaughn also will hold executive producer credit.
"Speed Racer," a popular Japanese "anime" that gained a devoted following on U.S. television, centered on the adventures of a young driver named Speed and his supercharged racing machine, the Mach 5.
A colorful cast of characters included the elder Pops Racer, Speed's girlfriend Trixie (known for shouting "SPEEEEEED!" in times of crisis), and the pet chimpanzee Chim Chim. And there was the enigmatic Racer X.
"I've been a fan of the show since I was a kid and always liked the theme of the protective older brother who can't reveal his identity," Vaughn told Variety.
In addition to the recent comedy "DodgeBall," Vaughn's other big-screen credits include "Old School," "Starsky & Hutch" and "Swingers."