The Early Gigs The 101'ers were formed in May 1974, the name came from the squat they inhabited-101 Walterton Road, and not the torture room in George Orwell's book. 1975/76 Progression I've always thought there were three stages to The 101'ers career. The first stage was the Charlie Pigdog Club and Elgin gigs, the second stage was when they were playing more recognised venues such as The Windsor Castle, Hope and Anchor and Red Cow. The last stage would have been when they were playing at various venues, colleges and universities up and down the country, and also when they managed to get 4 overseas gigs in Holland and Belgium. The penultimate gig took place at The Golden Lion on Fulham Road, the gig was free to get in and by all accounts The 101'ers played very well...after the gig Keith Levene and Bernie Rhodes gave Joe 48 hours to decide whether he wanted to be in the new band (later to become The Clash, of course) and the rest, as they say, is history. The 101'ers last gig was at Clare Halls, Haywards Heath on June 5th 1976. It's well documented that Joe didn't want to play any of his 101'ers songs in the new group, however one early Clash song called 'How I can Understand The Flies' is about the conditions inside the Orsett Terrace squat. 'Junco Partner' and 'Jail Guitar Doors', songs which The 101'ers played were later played by The Clash, and The 101'ers most famous song 'Keys to your Heart' would sometimes feature in the Clash' setlist. Band Members It's near impossible to say exactly who was in the band, and when. From what I can make out the band originally consisted of: Antonio Narvaez on drums, however days (or weeks) before the first gig he went on holiday so was temporarily replaced by Richard (Dudanski) Nother. Antonio Narvaez would return, for 4 gigs: One at the Royal College of Art in October, one at the Lancaster Rd squatted cinema, and the first 2 Charlie Pigog Club gigs, Blackmarketclash says he left on 5th February 1975. Richard Dudanski would take up the stool full time. Richard's brother Pat Nother played Bass but according to Joe in the 1981 Melody Maker feature he left as he couldn't believe he was in a group! Pat would be replaced by Marwood Chesterton, nicknamed Mole for because "he doesn't come out till night" (See 1981 Melody Maker Interview. Simon 'Big John' Cassell and Alvaro Pena Rojes on Sax, again in the 1975 Melody Maker article ***Coming Soon*** there is reference to "a horn section of maybe 4 or more sax players". Tymon Dogg played violin although it is unclear how many gigs he played with the band. Julian Yewdall played Harmonica (or maracas, or both), but would leave the group although he did stay on as the bands photographer and at one point, manager. Alvaro and Simon would also depart the band, followed by Mole who was replaced by Dan Kelleher. The 101'ers would now be a classic 4 piece consisting of Richard Dudanski on drums, Clive 'Evil C'Timperley on lead guitar, Joe Strummer on rythmn guitar and 'Desperate' Dan Kelleher later on bass and keyboards. I can't imagine Dan or The 101'ers playing the keyboards live so his keyboard input was probably restricted to in the studio. Perhaps the most accomplished musician, Clive Timperley joined the band around 3 gigs in. The 101'ers (or the squat they inhabited) also had a resident dog called Trouble or Charlie. You can just make him out on these two pictures on Alvaro's site here. The dog died sometime in the 1980's. The Hearse The old Hearse was bought by the band in 1974 for £50. During I believe the 'second stage' they bought a van to transport their equipment. The late, great Sex Pistols soundman describes the van and meeting The 101'ers before the 3rd April Nashville Rooms gig, on his website: "Suddenly this old van spluttered round the corner. It had slogans painted all over it, the doors were literally tied on with string and the passengers were hanging out of the windows engaging the passers-by. It kangarooed to a halt a couple of inches away from me." After The 101'ers Joe Strummer went on to play with The Clash (as well as many other bands), Clive Timperley played guitar for The Passions, Richard Dudanski drummed for (amongst others) The Raincoats and Johnny Rotten's post Pistols band PIL, and is now in a band called El Doghouse. Dan Kelleher played withThe Derelicts and then the Martian Schoolgirls. I believe Simon Cassell went on to be a lawyer. Alvaro Pena Rojes moved to Germany and is still involved with music and has his own label 'squeaky shoes records.' Julian Yewdall of course released a book with pictures of The 101'ers. Tymon Dogg played on The Clash' Sandanista and still writes music and tours. With regards to Antonio Narvaez and Pat Nother I have no idea what they went on to do. Reunion I've touched on this in more detail on The Tabernacle, London 2003 page. Richard Dudanski, Clive Timperley, Dan Kelleher, Simon Cassell and Tymon Dogg would all play at The Tabernacle on 20th April 2003, a tribute gig for Joe. Richard Dudanski would play at another tribute gig, this time in Granada, Spain on 20th August 2003. I have also read a reference to Joe, Mole and Richard playing a gig at The Tabernacle in 1980,and Blackmarketclash lists an Elgin Avenue reunion gig in 1981 but I don't have much information on either of these gigs.
The band were originally called 'El Huaso and The 101 All Stars.' It was under this name they debuted at The Telegraph Inn, Brixton on either Friday September 6th 1974 or more likely on Saturday 7th September 1974 supporting local reggae group Matumbi. That evening they played just six songs, and had to borrow equipment from Matumbi who were late themselves due to their truck breaking down. The next set of gigs would take place at The Charlie Pigdog club. After the Charlie Pigdog residency the band would play The Elgin on Ladbroke Grove.