Anarchy in the U.K.: The Immortality of the Sex Pistols

Art by: Rebecca Calvar

It was the mid-1970s and English youth was seeking an escape from emerging political issues and the societal norms of prior generations. Stuck between a rock and a hard place, European economic crises and the concept of anarchism struck inspiration and led to the surfacing of raging rock bands. What began as a revolt against institutions and a movement of existentialism and individualism, became the punk movement, and the face of this movement became that of the Sex Pistols. 

Originating in London, England, the Sex Pistols were a band that formed in 1973 but only became the “Sex Pistols” in 1975, having called themselves “The Strand” and “The Swankers” previously (source). This was the same year that Malcolm McLaren became the band’s manager and lead vocalist John Lydon, best known by the stage name “Johnny Rotten,” joined the band. The Sex Pistols consisted of vocalist Rotten, Steve Jones on guitar, Paul Cook on drums, and Glen Matlock on bass, who was replaced by Sid Vicious two years later. 

The band soon became known for their hard attitude, fashion, style, and anti-establishment ideals. Through their music and cultural significance, the Sex Pistols have become a notorious influence for early punk and continue to inspire modern culture. In fact, the Sex Pistols are argued to be the reason the punk movement even took root. The Sex Pistols started the English punk movement, thus allowing later artists to explore emo, grunge, alternative rock, and pop punk subgenres. With a lifespan of just three years, the band was able to completely reinvent rock and kickstart a movement still alive today because of the Sex Pistols’ legacy.

Despite being active as a band for less than three years, the Sex Pistols will forever be immortalized due to their monumental impacts on punk culture. Arguably they were most influential on fashion due to the partnership of Sex Pistols manager Malcolm McLaren and fashion designer Vivienne Westwood, later becoming a key part of the Sex Pistols’ influence on punk culture. Together, the pair started a boutique in London called SEX. The Sex Pistols, outfitted by Westwood, dressed in ripped and dirty clothing that often appeared shocking and alienating. Because it allowed English youth to rebel against tradition both fashionably and institutionally, punk fashion became a DIY movement. Westwood implemented badges, buttons, zippers, and safety pins into the Sex Pistols’ outfits to cheaply customize outfits and promote both the band and their politics. The band thus popularized bondage pants and leather jackets, both of which are still seen today by those influenced by early punk culture. 

Another notable fashion impact of the Sex Pistols is their hair. Vicious sported spiky hair which then became a significant influence on and set the standard for early punk fashion. Moreover, lead vocalist Rotten wore his bright green hair in spikes which also brought attention to and popularized the hairstyle. 

Beyond initiating and popularizing the fashion and hairstyles in the early punk movement in the United Kingdom, the Sex Pistols are revolutionary for their music. Their only album, Never Mind The Bollocks, Here’s The Sex Pistols, is named “the greatest and most influential Punk record of all time” by Rolling Stone. The Sex Pistols’ music rebelled against authority and establishment, criticizing England’s monarchy in their song “God Save the Queen” and calling for revolution. The band’s quick rock beats combined with roaring lyrics and Rotten’s angry vocals made the Sex Pistols a symbol of rebellion against England’s political and economic issues at the time. The 1970s saw high inflation, low employment rates, and strikes in England. 

“Anarchy in the U.K.” was the band’s first single for Never Mind The Bollocks and summoned other punk activists looking to reject establishment and capitalist ideals. The song served as a symbol of rebellion against authority and helped solidify punk as England’s national style during the ‘70s. Similar to “God Save the Queen,” “Anarchy in the U.K.” denounced England’s monarchy and served to condemn the political and economic issues at the time. 

The Sex Pistols performed just as they wrote their lyrics: boldly, brashly, and chaotically. Their songs served as a distinct commentary on England’s politics at the time but the Sex Pistols’ performances were unorganized and mediocre at best. Original bassist Matlock left the band in a mutual decision in February of 1977, but manager McLaren later said he was kicked out due to liking the Beatles (source). Though hardly able to play bass, Vicious replaced Matlock that same month. While performing a show in Islington, North London at The Screen On The Green, Vicious needed guitarist Jones to tune his bass because he did not know how (source). This also came at a time when the Sex Pistols were one of the most popular and notorious groups. 

Vicious’s lack of musical ability showed how thoughtless and rushed the replacement of Matlock was. The Sex Pistols’ 1978 United States tour became more about performances than the actual music. The group had always been known for its high-energy shows, but it turned to chaos because of Vicious’s lacking technical capabilities, highlighting the true disorganization of the group. Vicious’s worsening heroin addiction turned him from an incompetent bassist into a hopeless musician. Animosities within the group were also at a high to the extent that lead singer Rotten barely spoke to his bandmates and left the group upon the end of their U.S. tour later that year.

Despite being a band for three years and being mediocre performers, worsening in the latter half of their career, the Sex Pistols will forever be legendary due to their enduring impacts on punk fashion and culture. Having released one of the most legendary punk albums of all time, they will always be remembered and praised for initiating England’s punk movement and calling for political rebellion during a time of turmoil in the ‘70s. As a cornerstone of punk culture, the Sex Pistols will forever be immortalized.