John Lydon, AKA Johnny Rotten was interviewed recently about music and the "new punk bands"


The interviewer asked Lydon, “What is your definition of ‘punk’?” Lydon responded, “Individual. Do-it-yourself. Independent. Free from corporate. (pause) I think that that definitely sums me up.”

The interviewer then asked, “Are there any bands now who...” Lydon obviously knew what was coming and responded, “Anyone who's parading under a hundred-thousand-dollar-plus video is not free from corporate. That's just the MTV advertising agency. I find them all to be just a bit of a sham. I mean I don't mind, I don't care, that's for some people who are into that. But don't be telling me what my life is. Because in the likes of Kelly Osbourne and this silly Lavigne thing, yapping on about what punk is or isn't—it's just unbearable. At their age, if they're calling me old, then I want to know why they haven't done nothing of their own. Nothing. It's all borrowed from my life. Therefore, they have no word of any value in it.”

“You'll find that empty vessels make the most sound,” Lydon said following a half asked follow up question. ”And the ones that proclaim themselves the most punk are the least.”

He went on to speak about the Sex Pistols desire to play Iraq, “It's a simple enough idea. It's for the people of Iraq. I know what being disenfranchised means, I come from that and still am. Here we are, the Sex Pistols, we have no record company backing, we have no sponsorship deal. We're kind of on our own—as it always has been—and these poor bastards have got it tenfold. Nobody's doing anything for them. They're still arguing over water.”

Lydon explained that if the Sex Pistols did play Iraq it would be a benefit show and not a publicity stunt. He also took the opportunity to take a swipe at the Vans Warped Tour. “If we're in this for the money, I'd like you to tell me why we're going out at such a low ticket price, [compared to] your Warped Tours [with] your so-called fake punks, which of course we're never invited on.”

When asked about the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame, Lydon said, “That's one of the very few places in this life I wouldn't break into because there's nothing worth nicking. They put up these exhibitions of the Pistols there. It's all fake! It's all rubbish!”

But he saved most of his venom for Kelly Osbourne when the topic rounded back to the reality TV star/wanna be popstar. “You need to see the rich kids, how they get it wrong: Kelly Osbourne, Kelly Osbourne, Kelly Osbourne. (laughing) Poor girl! Her big rebel statement is ‘I'm a punk!’ (loud laughter) Well sorry missus, but you're not. You're fat, that's all. (laughing) You're a fatty. She's a tub o' lard. (laughing) Cheers.”

F*cking A, Johnny....you tell 'em! :thumb:

He's right about punk! Although I like the new stuff being called punk, it isn't punk. Does that make sense?

He's totally dead on, but it is kind of cruel to pick at Kelly Osbourne about her weight.

LOL! He cracks me UP! And he's right on, punk rock died in 1989 and the bands that claim to be "Punk" these days are a joke.

Yeah, that's a little harsh what he said about Kelly Osborne, but he's Johnny Rotton/Lydon when has he ever said something NICE about someone? :lol:

:lol:

Another thing that get me is how people argue in magazines about how you can't be classed as 'punk' unless you can 'skate'?
can you see Johnny Rotten grinding a stalefish double nac nac in his spare time? could you imagine Sid (back when he was alive)pulling off a 720 air half pike twist inbetween gigs with the Pistols? The Sex Pistols can't possibly be punk!! :rolleyes:

Alright, now that was pretty good to hear from him.

Originally posted by Jasper
Lydon explained that if the Sex Pistols did play Iraq it would be a benefit show and not a publicity stunt. He also took the opportunity to take a swipe at the Vans Warped Tour. “If we're in this for the money, I'd like you to tell me why we're going out at such a low ticket price,

Because the majority of people can't be bothered with the Sex Pistols anymore so they have to keep their prices low? (No doubt if they were as popular as they used to be, their ticket prices would be high)

He does have some good points though. But he was going too far with his comments about Kelly, especially considering she is still pretty much just a kid.

Originally posted by Recker




But he was going too far with his comments about Kelly, especially considering she is still pretty much just a kid.


But you know, with as much $hit as she talks about everybody and as much a media whore as she is, I think shes fair game to be called fat. But, thats just me.

Originally posted by RetroMan
:lol:

Another thing that get me is how people argue in magazines about how you can't be classed as 'punk' unless you can 'skate'?
can you see Johnny Rotten grinding a stalefish double nac nac in his spare time? could you imagine Sid (back when he was alive)pulling off a 720 air half pike twist inbetween gigs with the Pistols? The Sex Pistols can't possibly be punk!! :rolleyes:

True. A punk friend of mine and I once met a guy who was sure you can't listen to Sex Pistols anymore because it's too old. Lol. :(

So, pals (can I call you pals ?) ! We have to stop listening 80's music. Pat Benatar, AC/DC and Sex Pistols sux cause they're old and Avril Lavigne, Justin Timberlake and Beyonce rox cause they're new...

WRONG ! Thanks and good luck for next time !

Before I even opened this thread, I knew it had something to do with John Lydon. :lol:

Yeah, he was harsh about Kelly Osbourne, but that's John Lydon. He says what he has on his mind and he doesn't censor himself because it might offend people. If he did that I'd wonder what was wrong with him.
I love John Lydon, even though he's bad mouthed some of the bands/artists I love. John Lydon is on my list of people I'd love to meet.

All in all, I quite like what he had had to say. Kelly Osbourne is an ugly fat person not because she is overweight, but because she has a horrible personality to match her looks. Fatty. She is a fatty ;)

:lol: Gotta love Johny Rotten :lol: He pretty much states it all. This new "punk" thing is an absolute load of pop crap.

Oh, I have to agree with Johny. Kelly is a fatty :lol:

Gotta love Johny Rotten!!

The new music called punk is crap!
Nothing halfway decent since the 80s.

The new music called punk is crap!
Nothing halfway decent since the 80s.

I agree...I wish these new 'punks' wouldn't call themselves 'punks'...

John Lydon always did have everyone sussed out. He's a very clever man. Punk nowadays simply...isn't. In the UK there is a band called Busted who call themselves punk, in the USA they have Blink 182. not only do they have Punk, but they have sub-genres of Punk. eg Emo, skate punk..etc...? It make my blood f***ing boil. There is no Punk now. Where are the protest songs against the war, against the government. Where are the groups like Crass & Dead Kennedys who fought against the capitalism and those in power. I hear no voices anymore. The youth are the generation with nothing to say. The music's so bad they need drugs to listen to it (ohhh controversial) How sad. how pathetic. The youth of today walk into a clothes shop & buy themselves some anarchy.
Forgive the ranting.. :grrr:

Gotta love Johny Rotten!!

Never mind the Bullocks!

I don't even know what is punk anymore. It all sounds the same.

John Lydon always did have everyone sussed out. He's a very clever man. Punk nowadays simply...isn't. In the UK there is a band called Busted who call themselves punk, in the USA they have Blink 182. not only do they have Punk, but they have sub-genres of Punk. eg Emo, skate punk..etc...? It make my blood f***ing boil. There is no Punk now. Where are the protest songs against the war, against the government. Where are the groups like Crass & Dead Kennedys who fought against the capitalism and those in power. I hear no voices anymore. The youth are the generation with nothing to say. The music's so bad they need drugs to listen to it (ohhh controversial) How sad. how pathetic. The youth of today walk into a clothes shop & buy themselves some anarchy.
Forgive the ranting.. :grrr:

you're so right, though. They Do buy it all now. There aren't anymore good protest songs against the system. Dead Kennedys and Sex Pistols, even John Lydon's solo music made you think.
feel free to rant away anytime!
'let them eat jellybeans' says it all

Most of today's punk is not my idea of punk. but there are a few that arent too bad. The Dropkick Murphys... And I love Me First and the Gimmie Gimmies. My all time favorite punk band would have to be T.S.O.L.

Carolyn

Never mind the Bullocks!

That's bollocks, not bullocks. The Sex Pistols were protesting bourgeoise society, not baby cattle :thumb:

I agree with Knightmare. There is no punk music anymore except for what is in us older folks' record collections. Although I do enjoy browsing in stores like Hot Topic, back in the day we made our own styles, we did not have to buy jeans already ripped we did that ourselves, we were original, we were artists in clothing design and makeup. Everything today is store bought. Back then they would not dare play our music on the radio and to this day they are still scared to do that. What does that tell you?

That's bollocks, not bullocks. The Sex Pistols were protesting bourgeoise society, not baby cattle :thumb:
Sorry Proffessor. :thumb:

Johnny is right on and I'm glad he spoke up about Kelly Osbourne!!!!!!! :thumb: Out of all the things that Ozzy gave us......... :dammit: ............why did he have to pass Kelly on too? :(

:duh: I never could quite get over the fact that the Sex Pistols were just a manufactured boy band.

He's right about punk! Although I like the new stuff being called punk, it isn't punk. Does that make sense?

Yes it does. Im still not seeing how bands like: sum 41,good charlotte and avril leivigne are considered "punk"?? god love johnny!!! Couldnt have said it better myself.

I agree...I wish these new 'punks' wouldn't call themselves 'punks'...

I wish they'd call themselves what they are: another "shitty" pop wanna be punk group.

Calling today's "Punk Bands" as "Punk Rock" is like calling Duran Duran "Metal". Ain't gonna happen!

Punk Rock was "More Clearly Defined" in the 70's and 80's. A musical revolt against the ills of society. I have yet to hear today's "Wannabe Punks" do what was done in the 70's and 80's.

As long as their is a Johny Rotten in the world, Punk is still alive but it isn't where today's youth are claiming it to be!

i was born in 81 and i wish i had been as old as i am now back then in that time where punk was punk cause i will agree now of days it's just gettin shitty what society has turned something we love so much into and out it to shame. Now i will agree alot of bands now of days do suck but there are some new bands that well are just good at what they do i don't need to name them if you wanna know caue your interested in hearing them and not bashing them then contact me. But for most of what i listen to is 70-80's punk and even though i've never been a true punk cause i wasn't around to enjoy those years of the real punk era im living like that today and to me being punk is just more than music and fashion if you don't feel the same that's fine i don't expect anyone to but for me it filled a void that i was missing in me and made me complete and satisfied with who i am and my attitude towards life i don't need flash new clothes i shop at thrift shops and just buy whatever fits i don't even care what brand or label it is and then i design them myself with band si enjoy and whatever else i wish because this is my artistic release about who i am i like to show that im an artist and let ppl know that and not give a **** what they think and i've always been like that and always will so **** off with the whining about the new punk who cares? like i said there's soem bands out there you should check out and we'll never ever forget all our fav bands of the 70's-80's that will inspire our lives forever.

What does a REAL punk rocker think of todays punk rockers?


"Today's punk rockers" do NOT exist!!!! There is no one that anyone who posts on this board can make a claim for anyone who could be considered "punk".

Steve Diggle and Johnny Lydon(Rotten) are correct,"there is no such thing as punk rock anymore. Punk today is utter shiite!!!".

As an old punk rocker myself I'll offer my thoughts for what they're worth (not much, I know lol)..... we don't think about them at all. And we certainly don't give a rats what they call themselves or what music they care to make :D

"Today's punk rockers" do NOT exist!!!! There is no one that anyone who posts on this board can make a claim for anyone who could be considered "punk".

What does this mean :confused:

What does this mean :confused:

it "means" that there is no one out today that can be labeled as a "punk" band. Not Greenday, not Blink 182, not Good Charlotte, not Avril Levigne, No one.

Take trhe words of the Buzzcocks Steve Diggle"punk's been dead for 20 years, maybe more". Just because some Record label or some "clueless asshat"in some shitty record mag wants you or I to believe that someone is "punk" and calls them that, doesn't mean they are.

Thats like the folks who continue to refer to: the Bravery and the Killers as "new wave". How so? because some shitty magazine who worships the labels and gets paid fat cash from them to say this bologna says so?

it "means" that there is no one out today that can be labeled as a "punk" band. Not Greenday, not Blink 182, not Good Charlotte, not Avril Levigne, No one.

Take trhe words of the Buzzcocks Steve Diggle"punk's been dead for 20 years, maybe more". Just because some Record label or some "clueless asshat"in some shitty record mag wants you or I to believe that someone is "punk" and calls them that, doesn't mean they are.

Thats like the folks who continue to refer to: the Bravery and the Killers as "new wave". How so? because some shitty magazine who worships the labels and gets paid fat cash from them to say this bologna says so?

I agree about today's punk rock: it doesn't exists. ;)

However, if you were to take The Killer's album back in time to 1987, they would be classified as New Wave and nothing else.

I agree about today's punk rock: it doesn't exists. ;)

However, if you were to take The Killer's album back in time to 1987, they would be classified as New Wave and nothing else.Agreed! They would be classed as a new Wave Band. Punk died somewhere around 1978 when the music companies signed every punk band they could and the entire genre sold out to the corporations.

Over here in the UK I don't think I have ever heard the killers called punk. Though I have heard them called "Old school New wave" a few times, which does fit them well. But then there is a whole wave of that sort of thing comming through.

Now, I like the Good Charlottes, Blink 182, Green Day, Offspring and many more, but I always considered them guitar pop or Punk Influenced Rock. as to "real punk", That for me has always been about a can do attitude where raw enthusiasim and emotion coupled with a large dose of bloody mindedness (usualy) has ploughed over any lack of musical ability.

As for Mr Lydon, He is (and always will be) a talented winker* who thankfully always speaks his own mind :thumb: (though often manages to anoy me doing it)

Hell, I was at a folk orientated festival earlier in the year, I saw more punk attitude there than I've seen in 'rock' for a long time.

(* Misprint ;) )

i write this in disgust. punk never died. it just slowed down in the late 80's-early 90's. it's a slap in the face to all the bands out there today. now i know blink 182, all american rejects, good charlotte aren't punk and they have nothing to do with punk. but there are hundreds if not thousands of real punk bands out there playing the music that they love. most of them just play the local circuit. just look in your local paper and you'll see many bands playing.
i do feel like punk has kinda been sucky since 2000. there really hasn't been many new bands worth listening to. but it seems like every city has some sort of scene.

Punk music has been dead since the term punk was coined.

Punk Rock has changed and with everything we are used too, we won't let go of it.

I was born in the late 70's and grew up with Iron Maiden, Metallica (http://www.metallica-central.com), Accept and Helloween. I loved it and think most of the Metal Bands of today sound crappy.

To make a long story short. The new bands are good or at least some of them, but we don't see it because we love our music way to much. By the way: I think Kelly Osbourne is fat.