SEX PISTOLS

SEX PISTOLS

The Sex Pistols were an English punk rock band that formed in London in 1975. They were responsible for initiating the punk movement in the United Kingdom and inspiring many later punk and alternative rock musicians. Although their initial career lasted just two-and-a-half years and produced only four singles and one studio album, Never Mind the Bollocks, Here's the Sex Pistols, they are regarded as one of the most influential acts in the history of popular music.

The Sex Pistols originally comprised vocalist Johnny Rotten, guitarist Steve Jones, drummer Paul Cook and bassist Glen Matlock. Matlock was replaced by Sid Vicious in early 1977. Under the management of impresario Malcolm McLaren, the band provoked controversies that captivated Britain. Their concerts repeatedly faced difficulties with organizers and authorities, and public appearances often ended in mayhem. Their 1977 single "God Save the Queen", attacking Britons' social conformity and deference to the Crown, precipitated the "last and greatest outbreak of pop-based moral pandemonium".

In January 1978, at the end of a turbulent tour of the United States, Rotten left the band and announced its break-up. Over the next several months, the three other band members recorded songs for McLaren's film version of the Sex Pistols' story, The Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle. Vicious died of a heroin overdose in February 1979. In 1996, Rotten, Jones, Cook and Matlock reunited for the Filthy Lucre Tour; since 2002, they have staged further reunion shows and tours. On 24 February 2006, the Sex Pistols—the four original members plus Vicious—were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, but they refused to attend the ceremony, calling the museum "a piss stain.

Origin: London, England, United Kingdom

Genres: Punk rock

Years active: 1975–1978. (Reunions: 1996, 2002, 2003, 2007, 2008)

Labels: EMI, A&M, Virgin, Warner Bros.

Associated acts: Public Image Ltd, The Professionals, Rich Kids, Neurotic Outsiders, Vicious White Kids, Sham Pistols, The Faces, Siouxsie and the Banshees, The Flowers of Romance, Edwyn Collins, Man Raze, Slinky Vagabond.

Past members: Steve Jones, Paul Cook, Glen Matlock, John Lydon (Johnny Rotten), Sid Vicious.

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Interview:

'What a fucking rotter!'

This interview is a transcript of Bill Grundy's interview with the Sex Pistols on December 1 1976, broadcast by Thames Television on the Today programme

The original Sex Pistols line-up are seated - from left to right as the camera sees them - Johnny Rotten, Steve Jones, Glen Matlock and Paul Cook. Bill Grundy, the Today show's presenter, sits to their left. Standing behind the Pistols are the punk hangers-on from the Bromley Contingent, Siouxsie Sioux, Steve Severin, Simon Barker and "Simone". Grundy introduces the band to the cameras.

Grundy: [To camera] They are punk rockers. The new craze, they tell me. Their heroes? Not the nice, clean Rolling Stones ... you see they are as drunk as I am ... they are clean by comparison. They're a group called the Sex Pistols, and I am surrounded by all of them ...

Jones: [Reading the autocue] ... in action!

Grundy: Just let us see the Sex Pistols in action. Come on kids ...

[Film of the Sex Pistols in action is shown; then back to Grundy]

Grundy: I am told that that group [hits his knee with sheaf of papers] have received £40,000 from a record company. Doesn't that seem, er, to be slightly opposed to their anti-materialistic view of life?

Matlock: No, the more the merrier.

Grundy: Really?

Matlock: Oh yeah.

Grundy: Well tell me more then.

Jones: We've fuckin' spent it, ain't we?

Grundy: I don't know, have you?

Matlock: Yeah, it's all gone.

Grundy: Really?

Jones: Down the boozer.

Grundy: Really? Good Lord! Now I want to know one thing ...

Matlock: What?

Grundy: Are you serious or are you just making me ... trying to make me laugh?

Matlock: No, it's all gone. Gone.

Grundy: Really?

Matlock: Yeah.

Grundy: No, but I mean about what you're doing

Matlock: Oh yeah.

Grundy: You are serious?

Matlock: Mmm.

Grundy: Beethoven, Mozart, Bach and Brahms have all died ...

Rotten: They're all heroes of ours, ain't they?

Grundy: Really ... what? What were you saying, sir?

Rotten: They're wonderful people.

Grundy: Are they?

Rotten: Oh yes! They really turn us on.

Jones: But they're dead!

Grundy: Well suppose they turn other people on?

Rotten: [Under his breath] That's just their tough shit.

Grundy: It's what?

Rotten: Nothing. A rude word. Next question.

Grundy: No, no, what was the rude word?

Rotten: Shit.

Grundy: Was it really? Good heavens, you frighten me to death.

Rotten: Oh alright, Siegfried ...

Grundy: [Turning to those standing behind the band] What about you girls behind?

Matlock: He's like yer dad, innee, this geezer?

Grundy: Are you, er ...

Matlock: Or your grandad.

Grundy: [To Sioux] Are you worried, or are you just enjoying yourself?

Sioux: Enjoying myself.

Grundy: Are you?

Sioux: Yeah.

Grundy: Ah, that's what I thought you were doing.

Sioux: I always wanted to meet you.

Grundy: Did you really?

Sioux: Yeah.

Grundy: We'll meet afterwards, shall we? [Sioux does a camp pout]

Jones: You dirty sod. You dirty old man!

Grundy: Well keep going, chief, keep going. Go on, you've got another five seconds. Say something outrageous.

Jones: You dirty bastard!

Grundy: Go on, again.

Jones: You dirty fucker! [Laughter from the group]

Grundy: What a clever boy!

Jones: What a fucking rotter.

Grundy: Well, that's it for tonight. The other rocker, Eamonn, and I'm saying nothing else about him, will be back tomorrow. I'll be seeing you soon, I hope. I'm not seeing you [the band] again. From me, though, goodnight.

Interview the Guardian, Saturday 15 September 2007 23.49 BST


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