http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00004C4L5/qid=1095395302/sr=8-1/ref=pd_csp_1/104-7522424-6987131?v=glance&s=music&n=507846
I was looking for the exact interview and words from Mick Jones or Joey Strummer, but it is on The Story of the Clash I before the song, Capitol Radio.
Now, one webpage doesn't make it gospel, but the statement below in quotes and referenced I would say is rather standard thought and conventional wisdom on how the Clash is perceived in regards to the Pistols. I mean I agree I have listened to a lot of Clash before I would ever put on Never mind the Bollocks; but I know that it is widely regarded that they were influenced heavily and by their own words by the Sex Pistols (and so there is no misunderstanding, this following is not their own words).
" The Clash were formed for ONE single reason. They saw the Pistols and jumped on the wagon, just like every other so-called PUNK band in the whole world. The punk movement turned into a joke in no-time, and the Pistols jumped off! They didn't wanna be stars, and they stopped being it by stop playing. It's as easy as that." - http://starling.rinet.ru/music/temp/sexpistols.html
Ever see older pictures of Mick Jones bands, where he wore glasses and had long hair? They looked like, like a British Rock Band.
What about the 101ers. That was Joe Strummer's band, right?
I hear that they were in the audience at the Ramones July 4, 1976 show.
The Stranglers were also on the bill but already taken as being "too old" and "not punk" by the slightly younger crowd.
Interestingly enough the Clash received a lot of publicity because of their stand for the right to keep and bear arms, not a popular stand in GB.