The burning debate over what is and isn’t punk still rages to this day. Especially with corporate sponsored power-pop groups that wear designer “punk cloths” and parade themselves under the punk rock banner. This has certainly been a hot topic of debate here at antiMUSIC and it appears that the debate rages in other arenas as well, including the offices of the Long Island Press. 

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.” 

Source links: Click here for the full interview at the Long Island Press website. And Thanks to Blabbermouth.net

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