Upon first glance, our own Consigliere seems like any other suburban Dad and upstanding member of his quiet, leafy neighborhood. But inside, there’s a party going on. And if the soundtrack to that party wasn’t the Stones or a southern rock anthem we think it might be something sour and spry from the Sex Pistols. Below, please find notes from Consigliere’s choice for the 1970’s, the lone and legendary release from the Sex Pistols.
Members present: Swedish Oxers, William A. Rawls, Cuban Pete, Ms. Mistoffeles, Plan B, Consigliere, Charlie Face
Members absent: ILoveDisco
Favorite song: “God Save the Queen”
Discussed: Enormous impact of this one-album band, like a shooting star, providing the spark and then fading; deep, authentic response by band to British class system/establishment; Malcolm McLaren’s perhaps overstated role in the band’s creative output; Vivienne Westwood’s influence in adding a political element to the band’s anger; band (and punk) coming from the fringes but affecting everyone; rap as having a similar groundbreaking feel to punk, developing out of a niche scene; group was angry and contrarian but did not offer an alternative; difference between making a statement and creating a movement; long history of bad boys selling records (KISS, Led Zeppelin); success predicated on “nothing to lose” mantra, difficult to sustain; Sid Vicious’ creation of the Pogo dance; question of whether group’s music offers more than energy and stimulation and can stand on its own; group’s success laying the groundwork for the Clash to take it to another level; melodic and tight sound despite the chaos of the band and general lack of musicianship.
Next album, courtesy of Plan B: Paranoid, Black Sabbath (1970)
