Sex Pistols @ Brixton Academy 14th November 2007

Sex Pistols circa 2007 - what a bunch of fucking cunts.

Never mind the bollocks - plenty of people sporting those particular T's getting about - and we didn't spot any real authentic punks all dressed up either! - what's the world coming to? Some quite cool merchandise on sale - but boy was it overpriced - with one long sleeved T being sold at £50 - what a pile of old bollocks....

Support was provided by The Cribs and Goldie so there was something going on while we all waited a little impatiently for the act we were all there for.

Quite a mixed crowd for this one - a lot of older folk who clearly hadn't kept all the original gear - we didn't see anyone sporting a safety pin - how wrong was that eh? and many of whom could have fitted in nicely at any event - but many totally pissed off their faces which probably is about as rebellious as most get these days - certainly this crowd were not rebels in any sense of the word - there were a lot of younger folk who were probably a bit curious to know what all the fuss was about - but we just couldn't see any rebels!

Still the Sex Pistols are the original proper in yer face rebels with a past that has to be considered as the most rebellious out there - they didn't give a fuck then - and do they give a fuck now? - nah - probably not beyond propping up those bank accounts on the back of being one of the most controversial bands produced in this country.

Back in the day the Sex Pistols generated outrage with constant tabloid headlines, infamous TV appearances, and much picketing of gigs with declarations that the Sex Pistols were totally degenerate and definitely more than a touch satanic. So controversy was courted and controversy certainly followed these guys around - this band were considered subversive and they had the establishment on the back foot for a short while - but we all know that in the end you're never going to beat the establishment - a sense of outrage was maintained for a while but anything more than that was always doomed to ultimate failure - and so it is with the Sex Pistols - today's social and political climate certainly has the upper edge and rebellion, controversy and subversion are, for the moment, consigned to history.

When the Pistols burst on to the music scene in 1975 they caused a sensation, and their album "Never Mind the Bollocks ... Here's the Sex Pistols," released 30 years ago now, is considered one of the most influential in rock'n'roll history. So whatever you might think of the Sex Pistols these guys had influence - and while they might not be speaking directly to the current generation they can still rebel in their own inimitable style - they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame last year but refused to show up, sending a crude and disparaging handwritten note in place of themselves!

The Pistols were utterly awesome from the off - their look - their lyrics - their music was original with an exciting edge - they were young and most importantly of all they didn't give a fuck which of course made them both controversial dangerous. This band had the lot - murder, suicide, drugs, fighting, blood, gore, vomit - the stuff of every parents worse nightmare - they made an indelible mark on the music scene and they certainly rocked the establishment - back in the day.

But could they cut it in today's climate? What a fucking bunch of cunts - and don't we just love 'em for it? In true Pistol's style out they came and you got just what you expected really. Stonking on stage to Vera Lynn's 'There'll Always Be An England' Johnny was out there and up for it - as irreverent, explosive and utterly 'couldn't give a fuck' as he ever was - with much use of those eyes he still has an utterly intimidating 'don't fuck with me' aura.

Launching into a well received rendition of 'Pretty Vacant' set the scene for the gig. With a rendition of Iggy's 'No Fun' added alongside 'Stepping Stone' we also got 'God Save The Queen', Submission and of course Anarchy In The UK amongst a host of other well known and well loved Pistol's punk including EMI - it was the Pistol's for fuck's sake - and it was utterly brilliant - yup they can still cut it out there - this was nostalgia with a capital N - this was a bunch of couldn't give a fuck survivors having it large - this was rock and roll.

But despite the fact that this was the Sex Pistols and it was a mega gig you couldn't help but feel a tad miserable about what a God Forsaken, miserable compliant society we are now forced to live in - a great gig, loadsa great nostalgia BUT in today's climate I couldn't help but feel that 'Anarchy In The UK' should be re-written and re-named - much more appropriate to be called 'Apathy In The UK' - a point well made by the great J himself when he pointed out that the bunch of fucking cunts that we were - we were all too scared to even light up a fag in a fucking pub! - out of the mouths of....

Just love the Sex Pistols - I loved them when it seemed they might just help change the world and I love them now we know the world will not really change and we're living in a strangely compliant culture - but the great Johnny Rotten is not and never will be compliant - true to himself he might not have changed the world but he did change the music scene - and wouldn't we all be a bit poorer without the likes of the Pistol's? Don't change guys - you give us all a bit of hope...

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