Psycho on The Clash

Stuart Pearce appeared in The Observer today as one of number of people nominating thier favourite Clash song of all time.

Bucking the trend of most of the choices, Pearce opted for 'Complete Control':

When I was 14, I was living with my mum and dad in
Kingsbury, north west London. After school, I'd be straight up to the bedroom to
get the records on. The walls had posters of all the bands I liked: the Clash,
Stranglers, Stiff Little Fingers, Bowie. I had a Lurkers set list and a massive
'Holidays in the Sun' Pistols poster. I didn't have a clue what I wanted to do
back then - I still don't now - I was just into music.

Back then, I didn't want to hear any slow songs or
ballads; I just wanted something fast and loud that I could sing along to and
jump up and down on the bed with a baseball bat like an idiot. 'Complete
Control' was the rawest song I had; everything I wanted was on it. I can still
remember my old girl coming in and telling me to turn it down.

I'd play 'White Riot' before I went out to play, mainly
at Forest; that was my musical peak, because I was captain. Brian Clough sort of
turned a blind eye to it, really.