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NEVER MIND THE BOLLOCKS HERE'S THE SEX PISTOLS
UNITED KINGDOM
35th Anniversary Super Deluxe Boxset Review Feature
(plus double coloured & black vinyl LPs
& Deluxe 2 CD / Digital editions)

Never Mind The Bollocks, Here's The Sex Pistols Super Deluxe Box Set (Universal)

Never Mind The Bollocks, Here's The Sex Pistols Super Deluxe Box Set (Universal)

GOD SAVE THE SEX PISTOLS SUPER DELUXE BOX SET REVIEW

Well, there’s just so much to take in – it can’t be done in one sitting, which is exactly what a Super Deluxe Box Set retailing at £100 should be.

First, the 100 page 12” x 12” 1977 diary.  It seems strange to use the word “beauty” in relation to the Sex Pistols but 1977 The Bollocks Diaries is an item worthy of such an accolade. With its glossy presentation and many unseen pictures, posters etc, it is a joy to behold. In fact, I feel as though I need to wear cloth gloves when handling it, to avoid any finger prints. It belongs in the British Museum.

The fold out NMTB poster is lovely as well, as is the replica A&M God Save The Queen. Just think, Universal own A&M these days, so surely this is a GSTQ A&M original?!

The above, along with the reproduction NMTB stickers and copy of GSTQ hand written lyrics, makes it all highly desirable. But what of the music? This has to deliver if the box set really is as “Super” as it claims.

Firstly, Disc One: Never Mind The Bollocks. At last, a true re-mastering, and it shows. The album has always sounded like a Chieftain Tank, only now you can hear the mechanics in action as it roars into view. Try listening both with and without headphones - both are spectacular. The backing vocals benefit as well as the guitars and drum sound, with subtleties detectable like never before. Same goes for John’s vocals. Submission and New York particularly caught my imagination.

It is important to remember that this is not a re-recording, nothing has been tampered with. What we have here is the best possible sound gleaned from the master tapes. It still sounds like NMTB should – and it is essential that it does. It’s tempting to say it sounds “fresh, like it was recorded in 2012”, but it has always sounded fresh. What is certain is that it will never sound better than it does here. This mastering will ensure it still sounds fresh in 3012.

Disc Two promised much, and proves the jewel in the crown. The 1977 B-sides start proceedings and have been given the same treatment as NMTB. No Feeling, the flip side of the junked A&M GSTQ does, at last, sounds like it should – it’s never before been quite right on any outing – other than on the original A&M.

The Dave Goodman demos from January 1977 follow. Dave was known for tinkering with his demos. Lord knows why. They are punchy and direct, and feature some expert musicianship and inventiveness from Steve, Glen, and Paul, much of which was lost on previous “versions” of the demos. Once again, New York was a highlight for me. Proof positive that untouched original classics should not be messed with.

Disc Two cranks up yet another gear with the Chris Thomas demos and outtakes. Mind blowing stuff. Presented in chronological order of recording (EMI recorded In April now finishing with “Goodbye A&M”), this disc shows the band’s use of the studio developing as they hone their sound to perfection. From the alternative vocal tracks of Did You No Wrong (“my wet head”), Seventeen (“tell me your secrets do”) and Satellite, through the rough mixes on show, it’s all terrific, and (with one exception) previously unreleased.

Did we ever think we would hear two new mixes of Holidays In The Sun, one a rough – but stunning - take, with the song clearly in an early stage of development? Same goes for Body. Oh my. The lyrics differ but are just as scary as the NMTB version; "it was killed for a minor fee". A band argument also follows the track!

The surprising thing is that the recordings are good enough to release as the Pistols debut LP. Most bands would have settled for this. Not the Pistols. Funny that. For a group not supposed to care – they did when it came to creating a musical legacy built to last. Forward thinking from the boys. Also nice to see the original song titles from the time of the demos retained: Unlimited Edition, No Future and Body – nice attention to detail.  
Belsen Was A Gas has of course been made available online – so everyone has had an opinion. The main disappointment is the vocal track which is almost inaudible. Sid does a good job with his bass performance, following Steve note for note, almost. Anyway, there it is, make of it what you wish. It’s certainly better to have it than not.

Basically Disc Two is a fan’s dream. It’s been in my CD player/iPod constantly and I love it. If you don’t, I’m so sorry, nothing will be good enough. It’s magical. Thank you Universal!

On Disc Three we have two soundboard recordings from summer ‘77, the ideal time to capture the band during such a turbulent year. Sid is at his peak in terms of performance, pounding away – it leads to a very compact sound. Although too rudimentary for the studio, it works in claustrophobic club surroundings; brutal, intense, and at times disconcerting. Wasn’t that the Sex Pistols in 1977? The Trondheim show was previously available as part of the limited Kiss This box, back in 1992. A further 2 decades has passed since, so it makes a welcome return here.

One week later - 28th July - the band was captured in Stockholm. This recording brings back so many memories for old time bootleg collectors. Released incomplete many times over the years, here we have the full concert which includes No Feelings and No Fun, (both missing from the vinyl bootlegs). The gig serves as reminder that away from the mayhem back in the UK, the Sex Pistols could breathe and show what a tremendous live rock and roll band they were, notwithstanding Sid who doesn’t let his band mates down.

Disc Four – the DVD. First up: the Riverboat Party footage in perfect condition. If it was an event taking place in recent times, the full show would have been recorded from multiple angles and so forth. But the filming we do have captures the spirit of the day, from the paranoia, the blistering performances in cramped confines, through to the Police bringing it all to an end. Doesn’t it just show how loathed the band were at this time? Don’t the Police overreact to a band playing music on a river? Perhaps that is what makes it all so encapsulating and poignant. Everything the Pistols stood for, and the threat they posed, is here in this film.

Also in perfect condition, is film of the Pistols in Stockholm. The six songs caught on film from 28th July have been around for decades in various Nth generation bootleg copies; New York & Seventeen have previously showed up as extras on the NMTB Classic albums DVD. Now we have it all together – it will forever remain the best filmed document of the Vicious line-up delivering the goods in 1977. Close-up - excitingly filmed - with great sound, it just had to be included in the box set.

A real treat are the three songs recorded at the Winter Gardens, Penzance, during the SPOTS tour. Again it’s hard to fault the performance of the Pistols, it is epic stuff. By late ’77 the audience were well and truly acting like Daily Mirror Punk Rockers, flicking endless V-signs at the camera. Much more importantly, the band is incredible. Again.

The newly compiled Holidays In The Sun video is expertly edited together from late ’77 footage, making it an authentic addition to the established videos for GSTQ and Pretty Vacant. Watching this on TV with the sound turned up makes your hair stand on end. Another triumph.

Interestingly, the DVD disc also pulls together audio only interviews conducted during 1977. So why choose these particular interviews? The Heyday Interviews conducted by Judy Vermorel in August 1977 are important for many reasons. They were recorded to form the basis for Fred & Judy Vermorel’s authorised book on the Sex Pistols, originally called simply Sex Pistols (Star Books 1978). It was the only biography put together during the band’s short career, and consequently the questioning is not provocative, but seeks to delve beneath the surface for all the right reasons – to let us know the truth behind their story. The interviews with John, Steve, Paul and Sid, first saw the light of day back in 1980 as the unofficial Heyday cassette released on Factory records, and then in 2003 on CD via the Boutique Label, this time including the interview with Glen.

You may or may not have these, but either way, as part of the 1977 theme of the box set, it’s nice to have them included. The famous BBC Radio 1, Rock On, December ‘77 John Tobler interview with John and Sid is here as well, and for the first time in a full, uncensored form. We can now consign the badly edited, butchered versions to the back of the cupboard, if not the bin. If you’ve never heard it, this review will remain spoiler free, just bear in mind that a month later the band was no more.

So, is it all worth it? When Universal took over the Pistols catalogue I feared a rehashing of everything the average fan, let alone the hardcore collector, would have in their possession, with a few novelty incentives thrown in.

Thank God, Universal have not taken the easy route, they’ve taken the hard one. The Pistols don’t come cheap, and UMC have wisely invested a lot of resources into this project.

Mixing NMTB from the master tapes is what we’ve always wanted; now we have it. And it’s bloody good. But it is the appearance of the genuinely unheard demos and mixes on Disc Two that lifts this collection into the stratosphere. The discovery of these tapes represents the Howard Carter / Valley of the Kings moment for Pistols fans. It won’t happen again, just be glad it did. And enjoy it. Even the Dave Goodman ’77 recordings sound fab now. The live audio and videos have been presented in the best possible condition; in as complete a form as is (now) known to exist. Let’s not forget the new Holidays In The Sun video, another indication of Universal’s commitment.

I’ve hardly touched on the lavish 100 page Bollocks Dairies, or the A&M single. These alone would make the package worthwhile.

What do you mean you are still undecided? For crying out loud, buy it and embrace it. Now.

Review by Phil Singleton

Sex Pistols re-release Never Mind The Bollocks
24th September

Sex Pistols announce details of 35th Anniversary ‘Never Mind The Bollocks, Here’s The Sex Pistols’ super deluxe box set to be released September 24th through Universal Music UK

As one of the most iconic and influential albums in music history ‘Never Mind The Bollocks, Here’s The Sex Pistols’ still sounds as powerful and unique as ever, 35 years since the original release. As such an important musical and cultural force the album changed the landscape for records and the music industry. The Sex Pistols defined a generation and captured a feeling within the nation that simply no one else could of.  The band created a truly distinctive sound and ‘Never Mind The Bollocks, Here’s The Sex Pistols’ impact and influence still strongly resonates with musicians, artists and people to this day. To celebrate its 35th anniversary, Universal Music UK has assembled a super-deluxe box set release that really does this legendary album justice.

While many fans will undoubtedly be of the opinion that there can be very little left in the Sex Pistols vaults that hasn’t already been seen and heard, followers of the band will be thrilled by the treasure trove of music, footage, interviews, pictures and artifacts confirmed to be included.

The original master tapes from the ‘Never Mind The Bollocks, Here’s The Sex Pistols’ recording sessions in 1977 were thought to be lost for many years.  Now thankfully rediscovered during the recent move from Virgin Records to Universal Music Catalogue in January 2012 the tapes have been remastered, for the very first time, by Tim Young under direction from original producer Chris Thomas. Some real treats have also been found along the way. The find that will perhaps excite fans the most is the lost 1977 demo studio recording of ‘Belsen Was A Gas’, the only original Sex Pistols composition of the era thought not to be recorded.

Other treats include the inclusion of six demos first included on the infamous ‘Spunk’ bootleg album, released for the very first time in their original, untouched form following the very recent discovery of their original master tapes. These, combined with a selection of unreleased Chris Thomas demo’s and outtakes from the recording of the album – including tracks with Sid Vicious on bass – plus a wealth of live audio and visual material all from 1977 make up a box set that will truly satisfy fans of the band.

Never Mind The Bollocks, Here's The Sex Pistols Super Deluxe Box Set (Universal)
Original NMTB Master Tape Box

Below is a breakdown of the contents:

CD1 - Never Mind The Bollocks Here’s The Sex Pistols: 2012 Re-mastered, from the thought lost original master tapes with process overseen by original producer Chris Thomas. 

CD2 – 1977 Studio Rarities & B-Sides: Previously unreleased 1977 recordings including the legendary Belsen Was A Gas with John on vocals plus the original single b-sides, again all remastered from the original master tapes.

CD3 – 1977 Live: High quality live recordings from 1977, most of which are previously unreleased.

DVD – 1977: Live 1977 DVD produced by Julien Temple and featuring many previously unseen performances plus DVD extras of promo videos and radio interviews.

1977 Diary: Hardback 100 page 12” by 12” diary with quotes, rare and previously unseen photos, memorabilia and exclusive images.

7” Single: Replica of the withdrawn God Save The Queen A&M single.

Poster: 3FT by 4.5FT Never Mind The Bollocks replica promo poster.

Stickers: Reproductions of the original Never Mind The Bollocks promo stickers.

Lyrics: A copy of the original handwritten lyrics to God Save The Queen will also be included.

Never Mind The Bollocks, Here's The Sex Pistols Super Deluxe Box Set (Universal)


NEVER MIND THE BOLLOCKS HERE’S THE SEX PISTOLS
Super Deluxe Box Set Track List

CD1 – Never Mind The Bollocks Here’s The Sex Pistols*

1. Holidays In The Sun
2. Bodies
3. No Feelings
4. Liar
5. God Save The Queen
6. Problems
7. Seventeen
8. Anarchy In The UK
9. Submission
10. Pretty Vacant
11. New York
12. EMI

CD2 – 1977 Studio Rarities & B-Sides
The single b-sides remastered.

1. No Feeling
2. Did You No Wrong
3. No Fun
4. Satellite

Dave Goodman Jan 1977 demos recorded at Gooseberry Studios **
5. New York
6. Unlimited Edition (Demo Version of 'EMI')
7. Liar
8. Pretty Vacant
9. Problems
10. No Future (Demo Version of 'God Save The Queen')

Chris Thomas Demo’s & Outtakes***
11. Did You No Wrong (March 3rd 1977)
12. 17 (April 21st 1977)
13. Satellite (April 22nd 1977)                                                                                 
14. Submission (April 22nd 1977)
15. Holidays In The Sun (April 22nd 1977)
16. EMI (April 22nd 1977)  
17. 17 (May 16th 1977)
18. Holidays In The Sun (June 11th 1977)                                                                                          
19. Body (Demo Version of 'Bodies') (June 11th 1977)
20. Submission (August 12th 1977)
21. Belsen Was A Gas (original demo) (19 September 1977)****

CD3 – 1977 Live
Ssamfundet Club, Trondheim, Norway - 21st July
1. Anarchy In The U.K.
2. I Wanna Be Me
3. 17
4. New York
5. EMI
6. No Fun
7. No Feelings
8. Problems
9. God Save The Queen

Happy House, Stockholm, Sweden - 28th July***
10. Anarchy In The UK
11. I Wanna Be Me
12. 17
13. New York
14. EMI
15. Submission
16. No Feelings
17. Problems
18. God Save The Queen
19. Pretty Vacant
20. No Fun

DVD – 1977
Riverboat Party, The River Thames, London - 7th July
1. Pretty Vacant
2. Anarchy In The UK
3. Problems

Happy House, Stockholm, Sweden - 28th July***
4. Anarchy In The UK
5. I Wanna Be Me
6. Seventeen
7. New York
8. Problems
9. No Fun

S.P.O.T.S. Tour - Winter Gardens, Penzance, Cornwall – 1st September***
10. Problems
11. No Fun
12. Anarchy In The UK

DVD EXTRA’S
1. God Save The Queen video
2. Pretty Vacant video
3. Holidays In The Sun video
4. The HeyDay Interviews. Interviews by Judy and Fred Vermorel recorded in August 1977 with:
  a. Steve Jones
  b. Paul Cook
  c. John Lydon
  d. Sid Vicious
  e. Glen Matlock
5. BBC, Radio 1, Rock On, December 12th 1977 – John Tobler interview with John and Sid (previously unheard full uncensored version)

OTHER CONTENT

1977 (The Bollocks Diaries)
100 page full-colour hardback diary detailing every significant band event in this explosive year. Written by former Mojo editor Pat Gilbert, the book includes multiple quotes from key figures, previously unseen photos, recording details, memorabilia and much more.  

+ replica A&M GSTQ/No Feeling  7” single.

+ 3FT by 4.5FT Never Mind The Bollocks Here’s The Sex Pistols replica promo poster.

+ copy of original handwritten lyrics to God Save The Queen.

+ Replica Never Mind The Bollocks Here’s The Sex Pistols promo stickers.

Content Key/Bullet Points
* = remastered from the recently found original album master tapes by Tim Young under the guidance of original producer Chris Thomas. 

** = these 6 demo’s would make up the legendary ‘Spunk’ album but are heard here for the very first time in their original, untouched form following the very recent discovery of the original master tapes.

*** = All tracks previously unreleased except Submission (Disc 2 track 20) which unlike in 2002 when it first appeared is now mastered from the original tapes.   

**** = This is the legendary original demo featuring John Lydon on vocals and is taken from the recently recovered original master tapes.

Additional notes and confirmation for the hardcore fan / GSTSP visitor.

The box set focuses on 1977.

Absolutely everything on the box comes from the original master tapes (including NMTB and the Dave Goodman produced recordings).

The January 77 Goodman tracks are unreleased mixes and include some additional banter; as do the Wessex outtakes.

There are other surprises including Belsen Was A Gas and demos with Sid playing bass. A take of Submission with Sid is the only previously released Wessex outtake - including on bootleg.

None of the other Chris Thomas produced outtakes have surfaced anywhere, including on the Party Till You Puke bootleg.

Stockholm audio is the FULL concert, and never released in its complete form, not even on the bootlegs.

Trondhiem has been deleted 20 years and never had proper release.

The Holidays In The Sun video was edited especially for the box and features footage of Penzance and Berlin.

The super deluxe box set will blow your socks off.

[with thanks to Rambo & Scott]

Never Mind The Bollocks, Here's The Sex Pistols Super Deluxe Box Set (Universal)
Never Mind The Bollocks 35th Anniversary
Double vinyl / 2 CD Deluxe / Digital Editions Full Details

Never Mind The Bollocks Double Coloured Vinyl LP (one pink and one yellow) limited to 1,977 copies worldwide. Includes repro stickers.

DISC 1 (sides A & B) - Never Mind The Bollocks Here’s The Sex Pistols
Remastered from the long lost original master tapes.
Side A: Holidays In The Sun / Bodies / No Feelings / Liar / God Save The Queen / Problems
Side B: Seventeen / Anarchy In The UK / Submission / Pretty Vacant / New York / EMI

Disc 2 – 1977 Live
Happy House, Stockholm, Sweden - 28th July
Side C: Anarchy In The UK / I Wanna Be Me / 17 / New York / EMI / Submission
Side D: No Feelings / Problems / God Save The Queen / Pretty Vacant / No Fun

Above also available in black vinyl, limited to 5000 numbered copies.

Never Mind The Bollocks 2 CD Deluxe edition

CD1 - Never Mind The Bollocks Here’s The Sex Pistols
Remastered from the long lost original master tapes.
Holidays In The Sun / Bodies / No Feelings / Liar / God Save The Queen / Problems / Seventeen / Anarchy In The UK / Submission / Pretty Vacant / New York / EMI
Plus the b-sides: No Feeling / Did You No Wrong / No Fun / Satellite

CD2 – 1977 Live
Happy House, Stockholm, Sweden - 28th July
Anarchy In The UK / I Wanna Be Me / 17 / New York / EMI / Submission / No Feelings / Problems / God Save The Queen / Pretty Vacant / No Fun.

S.P.O.T.S. Tour - Winter Gardens, Penzance, Cornwall – 1st September
Problems / No Fun / Anarchy In The UK

Never Mind The Bollocks Digital edition

Never Mind The Bollocks Here’s The Sex Pistols
Remastered from the long lost original master tapes.
Holidays In The Sun / Bodies / No Feelings / Liar / God Save The Queen / Problems / Seventeen / Anarchy In The UK / Submission / Pretty Vacant / New York / EMI
Plus the b-sides: No Feeling / Did You No Wrong / No Fun / Satellite

1977 Live
Happy House, Stockholm, Sweden - 28th July
Anarchy In The UK / I Wanna Be Me / 17 / New York / EMI / Submission / No Feelings / Problems / God Save The Queen / Pretty Vacant / No Fun.

S.P.O.T.S. Tour - Winter Gardens, Penzance, Cornwall – 1st September
Problems / No Fun / Anarchy In The UK

Ssamfundet Club, Trondheim, Norway - 21st July
Anarchy In The U.K. / I Wanna Be Me / 17 / New York

Never Mind The Bollocks, Here's The Sex Pistols Super Deluxe Box Set (Universal)
See also
UMC Single LP + CD 2012
UMC Double Black Vinyl LP 2012
UMC Double Coloured Vinyl LP 2012
UMC Standard CD Re-issues 2012
UMC Japanese NMTB CD 2012
UMC Thailand Super Deluxe Promo Double CD

 

Universal Music Index >

Special thanks to Rambo, Scott Murphy & Universal

©Phil Singleton / www.sex-pistols.net 2012
All rights reserved. Not to be reproduced without permission.

God Save The Sex Pistols ©Phil Singleton / www.sex-pistols.net 2012


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God Save the Sex Pistols

God Save The Sex Pistols ©Phil Singleton / www.sex-pistols.net