A-Side: Bankrobber
B-Side: Rockers Galore . . . . UK Tour
Record label: CBS 8323
Producer: Mikey Dread
Released: 08/08/80
Purchased: August 1980
Aaah, a breath of fresh air. Yet again, blase supergroup, The Clash, manage to keep everyone, except their original fans happy. Infectious monk-like harmonies and lots of percussion provide the reggae backcloth to this somewhat blurred story of a bankrobber.
Whether there’s any truth in the myth, Mick Jones boasts his father was a bankrobber. The B-side features a dub version of the same music enlisting the vocals of Mikey Dread.
CBS allege they’ve released ‘Bankrobber’ by public demand. In other words to keep the British punters happy while The Clash go gadding around the States. Whatever the reason for release, I’m glad they did, even though some must inevitably be disappointed in The Clash’s competent compromise. I suppose it’s what’s known as progress. (Record Mirror, 09/08/80)
The Clash | BankRobber | cbs | 1980
I’ve been as disappointed and as excited by The Clash live as anyone and refuse to mingle with the hardline detractors because this battering of cynicism has done more harm than good.
There seems to be no room in R ‘n’ R argument and criticism for anything more subtle than like or dislike, ecstasy or cynicism, right or wrong, and to change your mind as time goes by is apparently Not A Thing To Do.
I quite like the synth of ‘Robber’, respect the pace and Mikey Dread’s production, don’t love the sentiments, and I’ll probably never play it again. I just wish The Clash would go wild and smash out those strenuous, traditional restrictions. But, then, who are they meant to be pleasing, and how much of it is harming? (NME, 09/08/80)
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