this week in 1976

End of May The punk scene was now well and truly under way. The Sex Pistols have developed a loyal following around London and a curious audience of Stooges and New York Dolls fans across the country.
The Buzzcocks were desperately seeking a drummer and bass player for a support slot at the Pistols gig booked for 4th June in Manchester.
The surviving members of the London SS were just about to put the final touch to their transition into the Clash. One story goes that while Joe Strummer was walking round Camden market, Paul Simenon and Mick Jones approached him with line

" We think you're a great guitar player, but your band are shit" referring to the recently defunct 101er's. Apparently as they walked towards him, Strummer was about to do a runner , thinking he was about to be beaten up. He joined Jones and Simenon and with Terry Chimes on drums, the Clash was born. Since seeing the Pistols in March, Joe Strummer had been looking for a new direction more in keeping with the times. Paul came up with the name and was responsible for the quasi-military look of the band. His art school background shows up in the stenciled logos and Jackson Pollock style paint spatter shirts.

June 4th The Sex Pistols play in Manchester at the Lesser Free Trade Hall. The gig was organised by Howard Devoto and Pete Shelley of the Buzzcocks. Unfortunately Buzzcocks do not play because they have not found a bass player or drummer and so organise the Mandala Band as support. It was at this gig that they met Steve Diggle who was dragged in off the street by Malcolm McLaren who was outside drumming up trade. Amongst the audience were Morrissey ( a big New York Dolls fan later to form the Smiths), Tony Wilson (Granada TV presenter who would found Factory Records) and other local lights like Jon the Postman . These people would spread the word around Manchester and ensure a huge turn out for the next Pistols gig in July.