The event is put on by Strummerville: The Joe Strummer Foundation For New Music; a charity created by Strummer’s family in his honour, with all proceeds from the event going to the benefit which aims to offer support to young and upcoming musicians.
Bassist of The Rumjacks, Johnny McKelvey, and his band have been involved in the event throughout its entire lifeline and says that the event just gets bigger as the years go on. “The event is a massive success ever year, and it just keeps getting bigger and bigger and bigger. Basically, [performing at the event] there’s us from Sydney, The Smith Street Band – who are from Melbourne, Steppin’ Razor, The Bennies and The Operators, and we all get together to pay tribute to Joe, whether that be Clash songs or Mescaleros songs. It’s always a great time!”
Each band that performs at the event bears a resemblance to the music created by the late Strummer in one way or another, with each act primarily being based on punk – the genre which Strummer and his bands helped mould from the ‘80s, during his work with The Clash, up until the time of his death, with his work as the founding member of The Mescaleros.
“[The best bit about it is] every band that plays is a punk/ska band that has been influenced by Joe and his bands in one way or another. We all play in the same vain as The Clash or The Mescaleros. Each band [on the night] plays three to five Strummer songs, and then has the opportunity to play some of their own songs. It’s just a really good night, and everyone always has fun performing in it. And it sold out last year, so you know that it has to be good!”
But none of this could happen without the foundation that brought it all together: Strummerville, the foundation that was started by Strummer’s family in his honour as a means of paying homage to his work and the legacy that he left behind. As described by McKelvey, the foundation was started as a means of offering support and assistance to upcoming musicians.
“All proceeds from the event will go to Strummerville, which is the charity foundation that was started by Joe’s family. Basically, it’s for up and coming acts that are struggling financially with their dream of getting into the industry, so Strummerville aims to support them as much as they can. I know that one of Joe’s daughters is still very heavily involved in the foundation, and it’s just a really good cause.”
When asked what it was like to be performing Strummer’s music year after year, McKelvey sees it as more of an honour than anything else.
“Clearly we’ve all been influenced by Strummer and his music in one way or another, and being such fans definitely helps. Sometimes choosing which band is going to play which songs can get pretty heated, but it’s all in a good fun – it’s basically first in, best dressed. We have a love for all of [the songs], though, obviously.”
