This is the eleventh in a series of Rock & Roll features I'm writing for this site. I'm a rock and roller, so this column is a way for me to feature a different album that I like, from different genres every month.
Thirty years ago this month, the baddest, snottiest, most abrasive band in the world came onto the scene with their debut album. The band would blow apart after being together barely two years, but would leave in their wake a music scene completely turned on its head and an album that continues to be as influential and powerful as it was back in October 1977. The band I'm speaking of is the one and only Sex Pistols, and the album is of course Never Mind the Bollocks Here's the Sex Pistols.
I don't remember the first time I heard the name the Sex Pistols... I probably first read it on some punk kid's patches as I seem to recall that is how I first heard about the Clash... but I do remember the first time I heard this album. Growing up in the era where “punk” referred primarily to Green Day in the mainstream, the Sex Pistols were a shock, but also a breath of fresh air as their music actually seemed to be more intelligent and controversial than just blatant aggression or apathy, while still rocking hard.
Although there are some similarities between the 12 tracks of this album, they're all relatively straight forward rockers. This album is anything but boring. In fact, I think you might have an easier time arguing that the Sex Pistols were actually some sort of electrified folk band (not that you should want to argue that in any way) than arguing they were boring. Although the groundwork had been laid by the Ramones, the Stooges, and the New York Dolls, in my mind the Sex Pistols are the quintessential punk band and this album is not only the quintessential punk album, but one of the greatest rock and roll albums of all time.
The opening buzz saw chords of “Holidays in the Sun” set to those marching footsteps seems to set the tone for the entire album. The song is laced with political commentary about the Berlin Wall and the cold war, social rants, and a general aggressive stance, all delivered in Johnny Rotten's trademark sneer. It seems to sum up the band perfectly and totally rocks as well. “Holiday in the Sun” might sound to some just slightly tame alongside “Bodies,” the song that follows it.
Article comments
1 - Brad Laidman
There are maybe four notes by sid on the album. I think only the first couple singles have Glen on them the rest are just played by Steve Jones.
The VH1 Greatest Albums episode on the album is actually pretty brilliant
2 - JC Mosquito
The Pistols were apparently more than just influential, or even ahead of their time - they might even have been prescient. There's no way they could have accepted admittance into the same RNRHOF knowing that Madonna would one day be there with them. Not knocking Maodnna, but you've gotta think that musically she's diametrically opposite to Mssrs. Rotten & Co.
Madonna: "Papa don't preach..."
Johnny Rotten: "I don' wan' a baby / that looks like that!"