LEFT OFF THE DIAL - The Sex Pistols

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THE SEX PISTOLS

The Sex Pistols may have only been together for a few brief years but created what was likely the most explosive period in the British music scene. They caused a huge stir in the late 1970s in Britain with their provocative anarchic presence. They were more than just a mere band, they were a phenomenon. Their pioneering raw, nihilistic punk sound and abrasive attitude gained them instant notoriety. They sang about anarchy, abortion, violence, fascism, and apathy. Formed in 1975, the band consisted of four original members - Glen Matlock, Steve Jones, Paul Cook and John Lydon, a.k.a Johnny Rotten. They soon began playing in London art colleges, and by early 1976 had attracted a small but ardent following.

They released their first single Anarchy in the UK in 1976 and an interview appearance to promote the single provoked national outrage as the band swore repeatedly on early evening television. This thrust the band into the national spotlight, but the single was quickly withdrawn and they were dropped by their record label. It wasnt long before Virgin records signed them up, ensuring the epochal God Save The Queen was released in time for the Queens Jubilee celebrations. Despite receiving no airplay and many outlets refusing to stock it, it went straight to the top of the national charts. Glen Matlock was kicked out of the group before release of God Save the Queen and replaced by Rottens old friend John Ritchie a.k.a Sid Vicious who first had to learn how to play the bass. The group's eagerly anticipated and now classic punk album Never Mind The Bollocks was released in November 1977 and immediately topped the charts. They were increasingly being banned from playing at many venues because of their violent undertow. After the first album, the band embarked on a US tour where Rotten left the group. They recorded their final album The Great Rock N Roll Swindle without Rotten and split up shortly afterwards. Vicious sadly died of a heroin overdose not long after the band split. All the other members became involved in other groups, Rotten formed Public Image Limited and enjoyed a good deal of success and Matlock, Cook and Jones worked with a variety of acts. The original band reformed in 1996 to embark upon a reunion tour. In the time since their original implosion, an endless stream of outtakes, demos, repackaging, and live show recordings have been released which over time has helped enhance their cult status.

DISCOGRAPHY:

Never Mind The Bollocks	1977	Virgin Records
The Great Rock 'N' Roll Swindle	1979	Virgin Records
Sid Sings	1979	Virgin Records
Flogging A Dead Horse	1980	Virgin Records
Kiss This (compilation)	1992	Virgin Records
This is Crap (compilation)	1996	Virgin Records
Filthy Lucre Live (live recording)	1996	Virgin Records
The Filth and The Fury (compilation)	2000	Virgin Records
There is No Future (compilation)	2001	Sanctuary/Trojan