Elgin Avenue Breakdown


Elgin Avenue Breakdown is a compilation album by The 101ers, Joe Strummer's band before he joined The Clash. It was released on Andalucía Records in 1981 because of The Clash's popularity but mooted at the time that it was a semi-unofficial release due to Joe Strummer's contractual obligations with CBS. The first 500 copies came with a free poster. Just a few thousand copies were sold. The re-issue by EMI in 2005 has an accompanying booklet with an overview by Allan Jones and detailed notes on each track by Richard Dudanski.

Track listing

Original release
The original Andalucía release of Elgin Avenue Breakdown contained 4 of the 6 songs recorded by Dr Feelgood producer Vic Maile, as a centrepiece. He had agreed to their use on the album in return for royalties. The 101ers owned the rights to the BBC Maida Vale recordings so they could also be used. However most of the Pathway material recorded by Roger Armstrong was not allowed on. There was one exception: 'Sweet Revenge'. Partly this was a cross promotional idea because Chiswick wanted to release the track as a single when they found out about plans for the album. The other fact is that the 101ers had allowed Roger's use of 'Five Star Rock n Roll Petrol' from the BBC Maida Vale Sessions as the B side for 'Keys to your Heart' on Chiswick's 1976 single. Roger felt honour bound to allow the use of one Pathway track on Elgin Avenue Breakdown.
Some observations on the songwriting:
'Usually Woody would come up with the lyrics and an idea for the melody and chords, and then develop it further with Clive, before bringing it to the band room where we would all knock it around until it took final shape.'
In mid-January 1976 Mole was replaced by Dan Kelleher. Here are a few observations on Dan's contribution:
'Apart from his experience and dexterity on bass, he had other skills to offer. The backing vocals was one area that immediately improved with not just his singing but also with the harmony parts that he arranged, and then there were two or three songs on which he sang lead vocal, which would give Joe a welcome breather at strategic points in the set. He also helped me in working out new drum patterns.'
The official credits are for Strummer and the 101ers unless otherwise noted.
  1. "Letsagetabitarockin'" - 2:07
  2. "Silent Telephone" - 2:20
  3. "Monkey Business" - 2:22
  4. "Shake Your Hips" - 3:26
  5. "Junco Partner" - 3:19
  6. "Don't Let It Go" - 2:54
  7. "Motor Boys Motor" - 2:22
  8. "Sweety of the St. Moritz" - 2:24
  9. "Surf City" - 2:47
  10. "Keys to Your Heart" - 3:09
  11. "Sweet Revenge" - 2:57
  12. "Gloria" - 3:34
Tracks 1, 2, 7, 8 recorded 28/11/75, Jacksons Studio, Rikmansworth

Track 11 recorded 04/03/76, Pathway Studios, Kentish Town

Tracks 9,10 recorded 10/04/76, BBC Studios, Maida Vale

Tracks 3-6 and 12 recorded 18/04/76, The Roundhouse, Chalk Farm on a cassette by Mickey Foote
Re-release
  1. "Letsagetabitarockin'" - 2:08
  2. "Silent Telephone" - 2:21
  3. "Keys To Your Heart" - 3:44
  4. "Rabies " - 3:13
  5. "Sweet Revenge" - 2:58
  6. "Motor Boys Motor" - 2:23
  7. "Steamgauge 99" - 3:36
  8. "5 Star R'n'R" - 2:56
  9. "Surf City" - 2:49
  10. "Keys To Your Heart" - 3:08
  11. "Sweety Of The St.Moritz" - 2:24
  12. "Hideaway" - 2:48
  13. "Shake Your Hips" - 3:37
  14. "Lonely Mother's Son" - 3:46
  15. "Don't Let It Go" - 2:51
  16. "Keep Taking the Tablets" - 4:04
  17. "Junco Partner" - 3:31
  18. "Out of Time" - 2:56
  19. "Maybelline" - 1:57
  20. "Gloria" - 8:04
Tracks 1,2,6,7,11,12 recorded 28/11/75, Jackson's Studio, Rikmansworth

Track 3 recorded 10/03/76, Pathway Studios, Kentish Town

Tracks 4,5 recorded 04/03/76, Pathway Studios, Kentish Town

Tracks 8,9,10 recorded 28/03/76 and 10/04/76, BBC Studios, Maida Vale

Tracks 13,14,16,17,19 recorded 21/05/76, Camberwell Art School, London

Track 15 recorded 18/4/76, The Roundhouse, Chalk Farm

Track 18 recorded 21/03/76, Wandsworth Prison, London

Track 20 recorded 22/05/76, Cellar Club, Bracknell

Personnel

;The 101ers
;Technical