A self guided tour of London's 77 Punk scene
Its 33 years this week since the sex pistols serenaded Queen Elizabeth II on her silver Jubilee. "God Save the Queen/She ain't no human being" echoes through the still air of the Thames. The Pistols, Mclaren and Westwood on board a charted boat loudly mocking the Queens river precession past the Houses of Parliament. Even if you think that the Pistols were commercialised bullocks you have to admit that hiring a boat to tell the HRH that there 'is no future' takes guts. And it changed the face of political warfare.
Its 33 years this week since the sex pistols serenaded Queen Elizabeth II on her silver Jubilee. "God Save the Queen/She ain't no human being" echoes through the still air of the Thames. The Pistols, Mclaren and Westwood on board a charted boat loudly mocking the Queens river precession past the Houses of Parliament. Even if you think that the Pistols were commercialised bullocks you have to admit that hiring a boat to tell the HRH that there 'is no future' takes guts. And it changed the face of political warfare.
Punk music has been a part of my life since before I was born. I grew up listening to UK 77 punk: The Pistols, The Buzzcocks, 999, The Stranglers, Ian Dury, The Members. I've been living in London for 8 months now and while East London has its share of ripped stockings, tight blacks and leather bombers its not where punk started. On my day off I decided it was time to find 77 Punks roots, to go back to the place where it all began.
First things first, I have to look the part. I take my inspiration from Siouxsie, Poly Styrene and throw in a little of Debbie Harry (even though she's American, she is a personal style icon). Leopard print, creepers and more black eyeliner than I have worn since I was 14. I throw on my Joe Strummer denim jacket with the pin I bought in Barcelona- an anarchy sign made of skulls. I delete all the music from my i-phone and replace it with nothing but London 77 punk, and a little from their US counterparts. Later my best friend will applaud me for being thorough and committed.
The clash on kings road. Get in the mood- listen to my mixtape
Chelseas Kings Road is the birthplace of London's 77 punk scene. Today it is more ponce than punk. Walking down from Sloan square I feel rather out of place. Maybe I shouldn't have dressed up quite so 77. I am surrounded by wealthy wives and what a friend had termed 'sloanies'- rich kids that wear designer track pants and ugg boots (like pembroke kids in Adelaide). Sloan Square is a go to destination for boutiques and more high end high street. How can so much have changed in the last 30 years?
