Deep Dive: The Clash, Big Audio Dynamite

Big Audio Dynamite is a morphing collaborative of musicians and genres.  Mick Jones of the Clash formed BAD in 1984, after Joe Strummer fired him from the Clash.  Briefly, he worked with British super group of sorts, General Public.  The original collaborative of General Public included former members of The Specials, The Beat (AKA English Beat), Dexys Midnight Runners, and Jones of the Clash.

Jones attempted to work with Topper Headon of the Clash on this project.  Heroin gripped Headon, and Jones quickly canned him.  The group itself shifted sounds, influences, and members with every album and tour.  A later version, dubbed Big Audio Dynamite II, yielded the hit song, “Rush.”