The end of Strummerville

Long live The Joe Strummer Foundation.

We’ve featured swag from Strummerville in the past. It was the name of the foundation created in the wake of the Punk Rock Warlord’s death 11 years ago. A fine legacy of an artist who championed the little guy through riffs and rage all his life.

This past December 22, on the 11 anniversary of Joe’s death, the peeps behind the foundation announced that the name was changing from Strummerville to The Joe Strummer Foundation. So if you’ve got any merch with the old name, good on ya. But don’t put it on eBay unless you plan on kicking back the profits to the foundation. Don’t want karma to get all white riot on your ass. On the rebaptised website the reason for the change is described as legal. The new name will enable the foundation to pursue objectives with fewer obstacles. You can get the full story here.

Joe’s life and musical career didn’t take a straight line. It’s no surprise that his legacy would be any different. Life is just to messy for that. But persevering and holding onto what you believe in most is the talk that Joe walked. John ‘Woody’ Mellor would probably tell you that a name is not half as important as you’re actions. Just as Strummerville supported underground and independent musicians every day The Joe Strummer Foundation carries on that torch. Other projects the JSF is currently working on include the WAYout Art in Sierra Leone, the Strummerville Music Room at Tilinanu Orphanage, Malawi and Fairtunes in London.

Right now the site is light on merch, but hopefully that’s in the works. To learn more, get involved or simple share the cause head to joestrummerfoundation.org