Remember Whensday – Sex Pistols at the 100 Club

On this day in music, March 30, 1976, the Sex Pistols played their first show at the 100 Club in London. They would eventually continuing playing at the 100 Club in a weekly residency. It was this venue and many others after it that spurred the popularity of punk music and the Sex Pistols.

The Sex Pistols originally evolved from the Strand, a 1972 band that involved teenagers Steve Jones, Paul Cook, and Wally Nightingale. Over the years the lineup switched members for various reasons, one being the length of hair, until they eventually reached the line-up in early 1976 of Johnny Rotten, Steve Jones, Glen Matlock, and Paul Cook. Their punk attitude and cutting-edge fashion allowed them to quickly gain fans who were entranced by their unique stage style.

Debuting at the 100 Club was very influential for the Sex Pistols. Other famous bands that have played there are The Rolling Stones, The Clash, and even Louis Armstrong. Typically seen as an old-soul, the club gained extreme fame during the punk years and even hosted the first international punk music festival. At first compared to the Ramones, due to their similar punk style, the Sex Pistols were able to distance themselves by describing their lack of interest for the band and their image. They then went on to create their iconic image with the help of friend Helen-Wellington Lloyd with the cut-up lettered classic Sex Pistol logo.

Their music as well as their behavior brought the Sex Pistol’s their international attention. Considered to have the Number Two album of all time by Rolling Stone, Never Mind the Bullocks and the Sex Pistols will always be a true story of the reckless lifestyle of punk-rock music. And to think, it all started with a chance to debut at the 100 Club in London, England 30 years ago today.

About Julia Antonson

I’m majoring in Natural Resources and Environmental Science and minoring in Chemistry. When I am not exploring the great outdoors, you can find me watching The Office while eating an obscene amount of Thai food. If you have any music questions, I’m definitely not the right person to ask.

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