Spencer, Neil. “We’re into chaos.” New Musical Express, 21 Feb. 1976, pages 2 Reprint.
"We’re into chaos"
— Neil Spencer in New Musical Express, reports back on the debut of the Sex Pistols at the Marquee Club, Soho, February 1976.
— the Sex Pistols’ notorious first public gig, marked by chair-throwing, confrontational antics from Johnny Rotten, and scantily clad dancers.
New Musical Express | 21 February 1976 Reprint
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We’re into chaos
The Sex Pistols play their first public date at the Marquee Club in Soho.
PHOTO: The Sex Pistols (l-r) Johnny Rotten, Steve Jones, Paul Cook and Glen Matlock – outside the Marquee at 90 Wardour Street, London. They will be banned after just one gig there, playing support to Eddie & The Hot Rods on February 12, 1976
“Hurry up, they’re having an orgy on stage,” said the bloke on the door as he tore the tickets up. I waded to the front and straightaway sighted a chair arcing gracefully through the air, skidding across the stage and thudding contentedly into the PA system, to the obvious nonchalance of the bass, drums and guitar. Well, I didn’t think they sounded that bad on first earful - then I saw it was the singer who’d done the throwing.
He was stalking round the front rows, apparently scuffing over the litter on the floor between baring his teeth at the audience and stopping to chat to members of the group’s retinue. He’s called Johnny Rotten and the moniker fits.
Sex Pistols? Seems I’d missed the cavortings with two scantily clad (plastic thigh boots and bodices) pieces dancing up front. In fact, I only caught the last few numbers; enough, as it happens, to get the idea. Which is... a quartet of spiky teenage misfits from the wrong end of various London roads, playing ’60s-styled white punk rock as unselfconsciously as it’s possible to play these days - i.e., self-consciously.
Punks? Bruce Springsteen and the rest of ’em would get shredded if they went up against these boys. They’ve played less than a dozen gigs as yet, have a small but fanatic following, and don’t get asked back. Next month they play the Institute Of Contemporary Arts if that’s a clue.
I’m told the Pistols’ repertoire includes lesser-known Dave Berry and Small Faces numbers (check out early Kinks’ B-sides leads), besides an Iggy and the Stooges item and several self-penned numbers like the moronic “I’m Pretty Vacant”, a meandering power-chord job that produced the chair-throwing incident.
No one asked for an encore but they did one anyway: “We’re going to play ‘Substitute’.”
“You can’t play,” heckled an irate French punter.
“So what?” countered the bassman, jutting his chin in the direction of the bewildered Frog.
That’s how it is with the Pistols - a musical experience with the emphasis on Experience.
“Actually, we’re not into music,” one of the Pistols confided afterwards.
Wot then?
“We’re into chaos.” Neil Spencer
Don’t look over your shoulder, but the Sex Pistols are coming
Sex Pistols /// and bodices) pieces dancing up front. In fact, I only caught the last few numbers; enough, as it
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New Musical Express | 21 February 1976 Reprint