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- GROWING UP WITH THE SEX PISTOLS
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by Alan G Parker with Mick O' Shea
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By:Rotten
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Well, another one to add to the collection, another re-
telling of The Pistols story, But what attracted me to this
while skimming through it before I bought it today, was it
had a large section dealing with The Pistols cracking re-
union shows from 1996 to 2008. An era when I caught over 50
shows by the band, and every one was a joy to watch.
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When I interviewed Mr Parker for this magazine when his Monty
Python project came out last year, We touched upon his works
of Pistols product, and he noted his distaste of their 2002
Crystal Palace show, which, while not their best performance,
heralded some long lost gems from the bands early days, never
to be performed again. But for a man who had made a career
from his Pistols works - Unauthorized DVDS, authorized books,
a Movie, and various TV and radio appearances. He sure knows
how to stick a knife in the back of former subjects.
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As well as having accounts by Glen Matlock, Captain Sensible
and Malcolm McLaren (this edition is a re-issue, which adds a
small section on McLarens' passing), It also serves as a
heavy publicity tone for Parker's WHO KILLED NANCY movie, and
extensive name dropping - the kind of "We met ROADENT in the
pub", "We bumped into Glen in Maida Vale and went to the pub"
kind of thing.....(Including a mention for my old tribute
band), ......Yes, Alan, we know you know these people, and
know them well, but focus on the story, or write a book
about these people.
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We all know the Sex Pistols story, from either side of the
fence, from people who were there (John and Glen both have
penned excellent books on the story). and people who
definitely were not, (Joel McInver and your Swindle book -
Fuck Off!), so I wont bother re-telling it here, Let's get to
my main bone of contention.....
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The book, as I said deals with the Reunion periods, and it
was this I wanted to read, and starting on the high point of
the 1996 Filthy Lucre tour, giving the band kudos for coming
back and being so good. Then its onto Crystal Palace 2002,
which, as I said earlier, was not the best I had seen them,
let alone what Alan had, so much so he and his pals left mid
- show...and as this book would have you believe, so did most
of the audience....(It didn't look like that to me, and I was
there for the whole day!) Not exactly a sell out show, It
was in the middle of South London in a dilapidated Outdoor
Sports Centre, but hey, bands on all day and The Pistols
doing 90 Minutes instead of 55, sure does justify the hefty
ticket fee.
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Then onto the 5 Night stand at Brixton, for the "Never Mind
The Bollocks 30th Anniversary" shows....Here it seems is
where Parker and O'Shea seem to become the hacks only in it
to get somewhere.....firstly getting into the particular gig
free via the stage door, and leaving by the second song in
the show disillusioned by it all..... Well, I was at all 5
nights AND the following Glasgow and Manchester shows, and by
all standards, they were AWESOME affairs, the difference
being I GLADLY paid to get into these shows, Parker and
O'Shea didn't, and have made money off it!
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Further slaughtering of the Pistols Combine Harvester tour of
festivals, involvement with Guitar Hero and the final show at
Hammersmith are talked of, all involving the endless name
dropping. While the, photographs of bootlegs, memorabilia and
tour laminates and posters can be of interest, Its all from
the collections of two men who, without The Pistols in one
way or another, wouldn't be in such regard today.
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Like one of John Lydon's old sayings....."Journalists don't
buy records, and therefore have no right to say what is good
and bad" - Parker and O'Shea have made money off the Pistols
backs and here basically tell us of their distaste of shows
they got into FREE, and The Pistols' (primarily John's) right
to have The Pistols performing at their time of life. They
may not be the sprightly young things they were in 1976 /
1977, They may want to be paid for what they do, BUT IT IS
THEIR RIGHT! - I don't see Alan bitching about Stiff Little
Fingers (who he is friendly with) still performing their old
hits and living in the U.S.A,.
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This book bites the hand that has fed its Author, How much
input is of Mick O' Shea's is unclear, and it marks the end
of Parker's Pistols life........Let's hope so.
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