Bankrobber

"Bankrobber" is a song by English punk rock band The Clash. The song was not released on any of their studio albums, instead appearing on their compilation Black Market Clash. Upon its 1980 release as a single (initially available in the UK on import only) it peaked at number 12 on the UK Singles Chart,[2] and at number 14 on both the Irish Singles Chart and the New Zealand Singles Chart.[3]

For the crime, see Bank robbery.

"Bankrobber"
Single by The Clash
from the album Black Market Clash
B-side"Rockers Galore... UK Tour"
Released8 August 1980
Recorded1980
GenreReggae,[1] reggae punk
Length4:33
LabelCBS 8323
Songwriter(s)Joe Strummer and Mick Jones
Producer(s)Mikey Dread
The Clash singles chronology
"Train in Vain"
(1980)		 "Bankrobber"
(1980)		 "The Call Up"
(1980)

Young Ian Brown and Pete Garner — later of The Stone Roses — were in attendance at the studio recording session of this single. According to Brown, having heard a rumour that the Clash were recording in Manchester, he and Garner were walking through the city centre when they overheard Topper Headon playing the drums at the city's Pluto Studios: Headon subsequently emerged from the studio and invited the pair in.[4][5] The full account of this incident is in John Robb's Stone Roses and the Resurrection of British Pop.[6]

The Clash filmed a low-budget video for the song, depicting members of the band recording the song in the studio, interspersed with Clash roadies Baker and Johnny Green wearing bandanas over their faces, performing a bank heist in Lewisham. During the filming, Baker and Green were stopped and questioned by the police, who thought they were genuine.[7][n 1]

Track listing

Side one
  1. "Bankrobber"

Side two
  1. "Rockers Galore... UK Tour" (Mikey Dread)

Personnel

Robber Dub

"Robber Dub" is the dub version of "Bankrobber". It was to be included in the 12" single for "Bankrobber", but the label decided not to release the 12" single.[1][n 2] The song can be found on their 1980 compilation album Black Market Clash, combined with "Bankrobber" as a 6:16 track, and also on the 1994 compilation album Super Black Market Clash, as a 4:42 stand alone track.

Rockers Galore... UK Tour

"Rockers Galore... UK Tour" is a reworking of "Bankrobber" with Mikey Dread singing new lyrics about touring with the Clash. It is not "Robber Dub" which lacks the Dread vocal and lyrics.[8][n 3] "Rockers Galore" is also featured on their 2006 compilation album Singles Box.

Appearances

Also, "Bankrobber" is featured in Guy Ritchie's 2008 film, Rocknrolla. It is sung alternately by the older 'Johnny Quid', portrayed by British actor Toby Kebbell, in his dingy flat, and by the younger 'John Cole' in the company of his cruel stepfather, the London mob boss Lenny Cole.

Cover versions

Audioweb recorded a rock/reggae cover in 1996 that reached number 19 in the UK Singles Chart.[9][10]

Chumbawamba's 2005 album, A Singsong and a Scrap featured an a cappella cover version of the song.

Charts
Artist Year Chart Peak
position
The Clash 1980 UK Singles (OCC)[2] 12
1980 Ireland (IRMA)[3] 14
1980 New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[11] 14
Audioweb 1997 UK Singles (OCC)[10] 19

Notes
  1. During the filming for the "Bankrobber" video, Clash roadies Baker and Johnny Green faked a bank job in South London. They were stopped and questioned by the police, who thought they were the real thing.[7]
  2. "Robber Dub" is a 'Dread at The Controls' version of The Clash's excellent reggae song "Bankrobber". It was to be included on a 12" single titled "Bankrobber", but the label ended up refusing to release a 12" single version. It is a great song, but doesn't quite match "Justice Tonight/Kick It Over".[1]
  3. "Rockers Galore...UK Tour" is a reworking of "Bankrobber" with Mikey Dread singing new lyrics about touring with the Clash. This is not the same track as "Robber Dub" on SUPER BLACK MARKET CLASH, which lacks the Dread vocal and lyrics.[8]

References
  1. Punknews.org 2002.
  2. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  3. "The Irish Charts". IRMA. Archived from the original on 3 June 2009. Enter "BANK ROBBER" in Search by Song Title and click search.
  4. Spencer, Neil; Brown, James (29 October 2006). "Why the Clash are still rock titans". theguardian.com. Retrieved 17 October 2018.
  5. Robb, John (2012). The Stone Roses: With Exclusive Interviews and New Chapters. Random House. pp. 39–40. ISBN 9780091948580. Retrieved 17 October 2018.
  6. Robb 2001.
  7. NME 1991.
  8. Sony BMG Store.
  9. Roberts 2006, p. 33.
  10. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  11. "Charts.nz – The Clash – Bankrobber". Top 40 Singles.

Sources
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