It all started with an idea and an eMail.

A long while back I started posting my Clash photos from the various shows I had attended over the years 1980-1982. My photos of the Clash @ The Palladium NYC 1980, the Clash @ Bonds NYC 1981, and the Clash @ Asbury Park Convention Hall 1982. When I was taking photographs I was more a fan with a camera. I wasn’t officially there as a journalist, but I have always been a documenter. A photograph by nature is a documentation of an event in time. Being a college student back then, if I had the money to spend on film and developing, or at least for the film, I would certainly take my camera to every show I went to. “In those day” (god did I just say that?) anyone could bring a camera into a venue and take photographs. Not so much now unless you’re press, or are sporting a camera phone or small digital number. But back then it was all allowed. No problem. So I have lots of “documentation” of bands I saw through the years. The Clash being one of them.

On March 7, 2009 3:45:30 PM PST I got a very interesting eMail from a gentleman named Daniel Garcia. It was a brief, yet rather interesting eMail, to say the least.

Joe,

I’m Danny Garcia, an independent journalist and filmmaker currently working on a documentary about the end of The Clash.

I saw your pictures in your website and I’d like to talk to you about licensing a couple of them if that’s possible.

Thanks for your time.
Sincerely,
DG
–

Daniel Garcia

Huh? What? Who? Color me intrigued! So I replied …

Hi Daniel …

Yes I’d be interested in licensing photos for your Clash documentary. Let me know which images you are looking to license, what (if anything) you are able to pay, what resolution and size you will need them in, and what format (JPEG, TIFF, Photoshop). You would also need to send me a release form for the photos you will need.

Can you tell me a bit more about yourself, your writing & filmmaking? Can I read or see any of your work anywhere? Tell me a bit more about your Clash documentary. Do you have a working title for it yet? What are your plans for distribution.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Joe

To which he replied …

Joe,

I’m still in preproduction right now. The documentary’s working title is “Armagideon Times: The end of The Clash”. My plan is to finish it first and then look for distribution although I’m already talking to some distribution companies who want to see some bits and pieces once I get down to it.

I already have about 20 interviews lined up and I’m planning on starting filming next month in Paris and London.

I’ll be able to pay you per photograph’s license, obviously the better the price the more I’ll be able to license from you. We’ll get to the pixels and release forms once we reach an agreement, ok?

I’ve been writing in magazines since the late 80′s (Spain’s Popular 1, Cañamo and even a little piece on High Times). I doubt you can read any of it online, but except the High Times piece the rest its in spanish.

I met and interviewed Paul, Mick & Joe in the 90′s. I totally missed the Clash since I was 10 the time they came to Barcelona. My brother was there…bastard!

I’ve done 4 documentaries so far for Barcelona’s BTV. They were pieces on my city’s b-boy scene, graffiti, dj’s and Mc’s. Yes, I got into hip hop thru The Clash as well.

Hope I’ve answered your q’s. Love your pix by the way.

Stay in touch.
Regards,
DG

–
Daniel Garcia

And that is how it came to pass that many of my Clash photos will be in an upcoming documentary film by Daniel Garcia. As was said in other eMails between us, the working title, as numerous as they have been, always include “… The Rise and Fall of The Clash.” So even now … I’m not sure what the finished film title will be, but I have a feeling it will be amazing no matter what it’s called. How could it not be … my photos are in it! Yeah baby! I’m pumped!

Up until just a few weeks ago, I had to keep this under wraps. Danny really didn’t want any leaks about the film dashing about the Internet. But I finally got the “all clear” to write about the film. Um … what I know of it from my end. Which by the way, I still haven’t seen frame one of. Mind you though, I have received a cash wire transfer as payment for photo rights for my Clash photos. I will also be getting a link soon to see the finished trailer, which will include some of my photos. I guess I’ll have to wait for the “premier” to see the whole thing … and to meet Danny face to face. We’ve talked via Skype, eMail, and Facebook … but it will be nice to finally meet.

I’m still amazed that this is all happening. In the months to come as more information is made public, I’ll be able to let you all know more. But The Clash is out of the bag … and hopefully in a cinema near you …. and me!

The internet. It certainly makes the world a smaller place. All of this from a simple eMail. Cheers!