Fred Armisen Pays ‘Tribute’ to the Clash in Funny or Die Spoof (Video)

Former “SNL” funnyman Armisen trots out his Ian Rubbish character to pay satirical homage to the punk legends

“Saturday Night Live” alum Fred Armisen brings satirical new meaning to the old saying, “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery” in his new video homage to punk pioneers the Clash, posted on Funny or Die on Wednesday.

Dusting off his Ian Rubbish character, Armisen sits down with former Clash guitarist Mick Jones and bassist Paul Simonon to discuss how the Clash and Rubbish’s band, Ian Rubbish and the Bizzaros, influenced each other. Or rather, how the Bizzaros shamelessly ripped off the Clash at every turn.

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After “London Calling,” the Bizzaros blasted out “Camden Beckons.” “Sandinista” gave rise to the Bizzaros’ “Acapulco.” You get the idea. (What, no “Cut the Crap” spoof? Oh, right — that album never really happened if you close your eyes and wish hard enough.)

“In a way, they did a sort of past-tense copy of us,” Armisen-as-Rubbish posits in the video.

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The video culminates with Armisen, Jones and Simonon jamming on a new tune, “Hey Policeman!” Which shockingly enough, is about law-enforcement officers, as Armisen reminds us multiple times.

The video corresponds with the Clash’s newly released compilation of the group’s five studio albums, but before you go rushing out to the record store (or your favorite internet-based music merchant), check out the video below and share your thoughts in the comments section: Huh-huh, or nuh-uh?

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