Joe Strummer’s Pre-Clash Output Collected on New Box Set The 101’ers Years

Joe Strummer’s earliest known recordings are being collected in a new box set, Joe Strummer 003: The 101’ers Years (1974–1976), set to arrive November 20th via Dark Horse Records.

Alongside the box set announcement comes the release of “Keys to Your Heart (2026 Mix)” remastered by Paul Hicks, who has previously done work with the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, and David Bowie.

“Keys to Your Heart” showcases both the future rock and roll sound the Clash would pursue over more straightahead punk from London Calling on as well as an interesting psychedelic texture that didn’t make it through to Strummer’s more popular work. Still, the voice and songwriting are unmistakable, showing Strummer always had it even way back when.

The box set is set to contain three discs with 48 total tracks split between studio recordings, demo and basement tapes, and live recordings from Joe Strummer’s time in the London pub rock scene prior to the punk revolution. It also includes a 48-page hardbound book featuring a foreword written by Sex Pistols’ bassist Glen Matlock as well as a history of the 101’ers written by fellow bandmate Richard Nother Dudanski alongside writings from Strummer.

The set will also be available as a double LP, with the first platter devoted to the complete studio material while the second will feature highlights of the demos and live performances.

One of Strummer’s writings detailing the origin of the 101’ers reads, “The Labour government introduced the Rent Act in 1965. Its purpose was to protect tenants in rented accommodation. Unfortunately, it backfired as most laws do – and the result was landlords found a loophole and switched to short lets, which were not covered. There were thousands of empty houses in London and the councils actually employed gangs to come in and smash up these lovely Victorian houses, remove floorboards, rip out wiring, destroy the plumbing so squatters couldn’t live in them. Now being homeless, I ran into some old friends who were squatting on West 9. Within about a year I had formed a band in a squat. It was named ‘The 101’ers’ after our address (Walterton Road, Maida Vale). We ran a club every Wednesday in the upstairs room of a pub. Entry fee: 10p.”

Pre-orders for Joe Strummer 003: The 101’ers Years (1974–1976) are available at Dark Horse Records.

The box set follows Joe Strummer 001 and Joe Strummer 002: The Mescaleros Years, the latter of which was the subject of Consequence‘s 2022 interview with Strummer’s widow Lucinda Tait.

Listen to “Keys to You Heart (2026 Mix)” and see the album art and tracklist for Joe Strummer 003: The 101’ers Years (1974–1976) below.

Joe Strummer 003: The 101’ers Years (1974–1976) Artwork:

Joe Strummer 003: The 101’ers Years (1974–1976) Tracklist:

Disc 01: Studio Recordings

01. Letsagetabitarockin’
02. Silent Telephone
03. Keys To Your Heart (2026 Mix)
04. Rabies (From the Dogs of Love) (2026 Mix)
05. Sweet Revenge
06. Motor Boys Motor
07. Steamgauge 99
08. 5 Star R’n’R (2026 Mix)
09. Surf City (2026 Mix)
10. Keys To Your Heart (Single Version)
11. Sweety of the St. Moritz
12. Hideaway

Disc 02: Basement Tapes / Demos

01. Motor Boys Motor
02. Green Love
03. Keys To Your Heart
04. Gyrate To The Rhythm
05. Sweety of the St. Moritz
06. Bo Diddley 6 Gun Blues
07. Silent Telephone
08. Boo The Goose
09. Sha-La-La-La-Lee
10. Letsagetabitarockin’ (Acoustic Demo)
11. Full Moon (Acoustic Demo)
12. Sweet Revenge
13. Smokin’ & Jokin’
14. Jambalaya (On the Bayou)
15. Sweet Revenge (Acoustic Demo)

CD 03: Live Recordings

01. Letsagetabitarockin’
02. Shake Your Hips
03. Back In The U.S.S.R.
04. Lonely Mother’s Son (Jail Guitar Doors)
05. Don’t Let It Go (Hold On To What You Got)
06. Motor Boys Motor
07. Keys To Your Heart
08. Boppin’ The Blues
09. Surf City
10. 5 Star R’n’R
11. Too Much Monkey Business
12. Willie And The Hand Jive
14. Junco Partner
15. Silent Telephone
16. Promised Land
17. Rabies (From the Dogs of Love)
18. Keep Taking The Tablets
19. Steamgauge 99
20. Roll Over Beethoven
21. Gloria
22. Maybellene