Amsterdam will pay tribute to the greatness that was Clash lead singer Joe Strummer not once but twice over the next few days. Joe passed away four years ago this week.

Firstly the band will play on Thursday 21st at the famous Wedgewood Rooms in Portsmouth. Ian has played here more than any other touring musician so it’s very close to the Amsterdam heart. Neville Staples Specials are also in attendance and our boys will be playing a full set. Tickets are available from
www.wedgewood-rooms.co.uk.

The night after on the 22nd Ian and Paulie will again honour Joe with an acoustic set at the Carling Academy in Liverpool. Other acts to appear on the night include The Crescent, The Aeroplanes, Western Promise and Radio Clash. Tickets are available from Ticketweb or Seetickets, or you can pay on the door.

Plus, there are photos from the current studio sessions in the photos section of this website, as well as Paulie’s blog live from the studio, in the forum.

Tickets for Amsterdam’s first ever unplugged show featuring the gang and a gaggle of other musicians are now on sale at www.liverpoolphil.com.

The boys also hit the studio this week down in Somerset to begin work on the third Amsterdam album in earnest.

Keep your eye out for the annual Amsterdam interview reviewing the year with journalist Alan O’Hare which will be up live on the site very shortly.

Ian was also recently featured in the Liverpool Daily Post, where the newspaper took a look at his city centre flat. Read the full article at icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk.

The festive season officially bagan last night following Amsterdam’s Christmas show and party at the Borderline in London.

Paulie resumed his new role, kicking things off by singing the call-to-arms intro from Takin’ on the world, and with the crowd happy to help out for the duration of the set, it wasn’t long before the packed venue was in full Christmas party mode.

With the lovely Anna Jenkins helping out on violin for some of the older numbers, the set included:

Intro (Paulie)
The gangster
Class war in the bedroom
Nostalgia
Joe’s kiss
Raid the palace
Fair blows the wind for France
Love phenomenon
Arm in arm
Takin’ on the world
Does this train stop on Merseyside?
New one
You’re a phoney
Intro
Glorious day

Megalomania
Town called malice