Terry Chimes, founding drummer of the seminal punk band The Clash, has shared candid reflections on the band’s tumultuous early years, including a near-fatal fire incident and the internal tensions that ultimately led to his departure. These revelations come as Chimes launches a new podcast series, Rock’n’Roll Confessions, featuring in-depth conversations with notable musicians, including first guest Paul Simonon.
In December 1976, just months after The Clash’s debut performance opening for the Sex Pistols in Sheffield, the band faced a life-threatening situation at their rehearsal studio in Camden, North London. After returning from a gig, they found their cars locked behind a bolted gate and were forced to spend the night inside the studio. To keep warm in the freezing conditions, they lit a single-ring electric cooker, around which they slept using foam cushions. One of the cushions caught fire, releasing thick, toxic smoke that filled the room. Choking and gasping for air, the band members only survived because their sound engineer, Mickey Foote, detected the hazard in time.
This incident occurred in the early stages of The Clash’s rise, preceding their signing with CBS and the release of their debut album in February 1977. Despite their growing popularity, the band’s trajectory was marred by internal conflicts and violent episodes at concerts. Chimes recounted a particularly volatile gig at the University of London Union in October 1976, where the group was supporting Shakin’ Stevens amid escalating clashes between punks and Teddy Boys. On another occasion at Guildford Civic Hall, a confrontation between attendees and off-duty soldiers led to a police intervention and significant venue damage.
Chimes said that beyond the violence, fundamental ideological differences drove his decision to leave the band in April 1977. Raised in a stable, optimistic family in East London, he found himself at odds with his bandmates and manager Bernie Rhodes over their grim outlook and principles regarding money. “It became quite Stalinist,” he recalled, referring to the band’s reluctance to earn or keep money. Chimes sought financial independence and personal enjoyment, expressing a desire to save for a sports car, a stance that conflicted with the collective’s anti-commercial stance. He also resisted restrictions such as the band’s rule against eating at restaurants after gigs, which he saw as impractical.
Although Chimes initially quit, Rhodes persuaded him to stay on until a replacement drummer was found. After auditioning nearly 200 candidates without success, Chimes played on The Clash’s debut album, credited humorously as “Tory Crimes” to reflect political disagreements within the group. He described long, stressful recording sessions, including an extended dispute between guitarist Mick Jones and bassist Paul Simonon over the bass sound, which was ultimately resolved through multi-track recording.
Following his departure, Chimes faced personal challenges, including a mugging in East London. He later rejoined The Clash briefly in 1982 for a U.S. tour after drummer Nick “Topper” Headon was dismissed due to drug issues. Beyond his music career, Chimes qualified as a chiropractor in 1994, illustrating a significant shift from his punk roots.
His podcast offers fresh insights into his experiences and relationships within the band, providing a new platform for reflection on The Clash’s legacy and the complex personalities that shaped one of punk’s most influential acts.