It is hard to overstate the reach of this album and what it meant. Not just to music, but to the business. This album proved that you didn't need to have talent to sell records, tickets or even have a huge influence on the world. Sid Vicious was so inept at playing the bass, that they would either turn him way down in concert or shut off his amp all together. The very fact that this band exisisted should be an afront to everyone who values music and musicianship, but instead it is held up as one of the best albums of all time. In fact it made it into the top 50!
I have been listening to this album off and on since I was a teenager. I get it. On every level. I also like it. I really like it as a matter of fact. The album is so liberating, in that it basically tells everyone who cares about the little stuff too much to get over it. Nothing is that important. Let go of all of you PC nonesense and be who you want to be and speak your mind, however stupid you may sound at least you sound like you.
Johnny Rotten's snarlling delivery became the prototype for all of the punk that followed them. They didn't invent punk, but they certainly defined it. To this day, if a band wants to add a little bit of "I don't care" edge to their sound, they channel a little Johnny Rotten snarl. You can hear it everywhere. That's a lot of influence from a one album band. There are a few other albums out there, but they are all compilations and out takes. This is the only official release by the band.
2 Comments
Dec 11, 2014, 1:29:59 PM
Dean squishman - Well here's an album that made an impression. Just the right flavor for that mood you feel---like when you get fired or are otherwise angry about something. The song Anarchy in the UK became an anthem for the disenchanted youth of England and everywhere else. The song Pretty Vacant was one of the first songs I learned playing drums in the first band I ever played in. Our singer could and I think still can do a pretty good Johnny Rotten impersonation. In later years, after I was no longer playing with them they played a Halloween gig at the club in Chapel Hill NC called Local 506. The club chose local bands to come up and be other bands for Halloween and on this ocasion The Dirty Feather Boas became The Sex Pistols. It turned out to be one of the craziest gigs ever. The singer decided it would be pretty punk to not even bother learning all the words to the album and so brought a cheat sheet on stage with him. The crowd which was whipped into a drunken frenzy by this point eventually launched one of the drunker patrons onto the stage to tackle our Johnny rotten by the last song. In true punk fashion the gig ended in a disasterous near riot ---but not entirely to the dissatisfaction of the band. I they appreciated that this moment was a testament to the words uttered by Johnny rotten later on in his band Public Image Limited---Anger is an Energy. And boy howdy---on a musical stage do not be surprised what comes back at you when you are messing with Anger in the form of a song---or in this case---a whole album. I hope to read the recently put out auto biography of Johnny Lydon some time. Over time this album has made me appreciate Joe Strummer and the Clash more and more. Side by side they are a study of form versus fashion. Both must be appreciated but only one stands the test of time.
Dec 11, 2014, 1:29:59 PM
Dean squishman - Well here's an album that made an impression. Just the right flavor for that mood you feel---like when you get fired or are otherwise angry about something. The song Anarchy in the UK became an anthem for the disenchanted youth of England and everywhere else. The song Pretty Vacant was one of the first songs I learned playing drums in the first band I ever played in. Our singer could and I think still can do a pretty good Johnny Rotten impersonation. In later years, after I was no longer playing with them they played a Halloween gig at the club in Chapel Hill NC called Local 506. The club chose local bands to come up and be other bands for Halloween and on this ocasion The Dirty Feather Boas became The Sex Pistols. It turned out to be one of the craziest gigs ever. The singer decided it would be pretty punk to not even bother learning all the words to the album and so brought a cheat sheet on stage with him. The crowd which was whipped into a drunken frenzy by this point eventually launched one of the drunker patrons onto the stage to tackle our Johnny rotten by the last song. In true punk fashion the gig ended in a disasterous near riot ---but not entirely to the dissatisfaction of the band. I they appreciated that this moment was a testament to the words uttered by Johnny rotten later on in his band Public Image Limited---Anger is an Energy. And boy howdy---on a musical stage do not be surprised what comes back at you when you are messing with Anger in the form of a song---or in this case---a whole album. I hope to read the recently put out auto biography of Johnny Lydon some time. Over time this album has made me appreciate Joe Strummer and the Clash more and more. Side by side they are a study of form versus fashion. Both must be appreciated but only one stands the test of time.