Sex Pistols reunite for Guitar Hero III track

58 Comments by Justin McElroy Sep 25th 2007 2:56PM
Filed under: Sony PlayStation 2, Sony PlayStation 3, Nintendo Wii, Microsoft Xbox 360, Rhythm

In what is perhaps the first incidence of the phrase "You know, just like Living Color" being accurately applied to the Sex Pistols, Activision has announced that the U.K. punk outfit has gotten back together to rerecord "Anarchy in the U.K." for Guitar Hero III. The song had to be recreated, as the original master tapes had been melted down by Sid Vicious shortly before his death and injected into his blood stream. No, just kidding. He crushed them up and snorted them.

We'll admit to being of mixed opinion on this news. While we're happy that enough members of the band are still alive to make this sort of thing worthwhile, we're a little bummed that we'll be pretending to be the Sex Pistols circa 2007 when we pick up our plastic axes instead of Sex Pistols circa edgy.

Tags: activision, guitarheroiii

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(Page 1) Reader Comments

JodyAnthony (VGDF): Sep 25th 2007; 3:04PM

one of these guitar games needs the song The Magnificent Seven by the Clash.

Raikage (NDF - PK THUNDER RING): Sep 25th 2007; 5:03PM

OMG I LOVE THAT SONG!!! Glad someone here likes good music...

Jesse Bones: Sep 25th 2007; 3:05PM

Reforming for a video game to play "Anarchy in the UK"? Ladies and gentlemen, meet irony.

Matt B (SDF ): Sep 25th 2007; 3:15PM

Sid tells the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame to "Fuck off!" yet he will do something for a video game. Wow!

ill trooper: Sep 25th 2007; 3:21PM

Matt, you probably know that "Sid" died long ago in 1979... So it follows that you should know he had nothing to do with this decision.

In a way, it's very, very "Sex Pistols" to get paid for this sort of thing - kids playing the song in a video game when it would probably take the same amount of time to learn it for real. The 'Swindle' continues with this one!

RolexDPracer: Sep 25th 2007; 3:44PM

The irony happened back in 1977 when The Sex Pistols signed a contract with EMI. lol

Matt B (SDF ): Sep 25th 2007; 3:06PM

Another 3 chord song, awesome. What's next? Wild Thing? Every Rose has its Thorn?

Plaid Ninja: Sep 27th 2007; 1:50PM

What does it matter if its 3 chords? Its a good song. Isn't that what matters? Who wants to play a song that sucks. Life Wasted, for example.

Richard: Nov 12th 2007; 2:10PM

actually its elevn chords, and sid died in 1979. figure it out.

Martez: Sep 25th 2007; 3:07PM

The Sex Pistols sucked.

JodyAnthony (VGDF): Sep 25th 2007; 3:07PM

vinny: Sep 25th 2007; 3:15PM

i would have preferred "Anarchy in the U.K." by the band Green Jelly, kudos to anyone who knows this band

Matt B (SDF ): Sep 25th 2007; 3:16PM

3 Little Pigs!!!!

T3H WICKERMAN: Sep 25th 2007; 3:19PM

im still trying to forget the shitman. Sex pistols offered nothing to music that the clash, crass, or any other act didnt do better. John Lydon is a clown and a has been. He and dave perry should start a band called the mouthy little t@ats.

JodyAnthony (VGDF): Sep 25th 2007; 3:19PM

kudos to me

OnimushaSoki: Sep 25th 2007; 3:34PM

Didn't they do the soundtrack for MAXIMUM CARNAGE on Genesis/SNES as well? x_x

Synner: Sep 25th 2007; 3:44PM

You mean the band Gren Jello of "Three Little Pigs" fame until nabisco (or general foods, Whoever owns jello) served a cease and desist?

danny.: Sep 25th 2007; 3:54PM

I am pretty sure you mean "Anarchy in Bedrock"

Raikage (NDF - PK THUNDER RING): Sep 25th 2007; 5:05PM

Man I almost thought I forgot that 3 little pigs song... O well

Levi: Sep 25th 2007; 6:39PM

You mean Anarchy in Bedrock. But still, you were close.

"Cuz I, wanna beeeeeeeeeee, Fred Flintstone! Yabba-dabba doooooooooo!"

deaftly: Sep 26th 2007; 12:19AM

funny enough, i thought it was anarchy in bedrock also, but its on the track listing its called "anarchy in the u.k." yabba dabba doo

minus_273: Sep 25th 2007; 3:17PM

Anyone know if there are any sex pistols songs mocking the holocaust on GH?

T3H WICKERMAN: Sep 25th 2007; 3:21PM

the only thing good to come out of this band was when they their scene died and metal came back. The game is called guitar hero, and not 3 chord hack hero.

ill trooper: Sep 25th 2007; 3:33PM

Lighten up bro, your minor attempt at a footnote revision to history won't change the facts: that this was an important band for more reasons than the music.

"Anarchy in the U.K." is an awesome song and if you can't feel the reasoning for it being included, you're probably the type of guy who would pick the technical prowess of Steve "Guitar Center" Vai over someone with a message and a heart for what they're trying to communicate, even if the musicianship is mediocre, as was the case with the Sex Pistols.

And Lydon's next band, Public Image Limited, still has resounding influence today - just ask James Murphy and LCD Soundsystem.

NATO_Duke: Sep 25th 2007; 3:36PM

Trooper is on the money here.

T3H WICKERMAN: Sep 25th 2007; 3:41PM

If i want a punk band with a message i listen to DK. The Pistols are over rated and The Ramones did it first.

Rubang B (NDF - Heart): Sep 25th 2007; 4:17PM

Props to ill trooper.

Personally, I think the Sex Pistols sucked and were huge sell-outs, and I feel the same way about the Ramones, but hey, who's counting? They're still both important historically and could be fun to play along with in this game. I'm more of a Public Image Ltd. man myself.

All I want is to play "Kool Thing" on expert.

Crono (NDF - French Taunting from Holy Grail Ring): Sep 25th 2007; 5:38PM

Trooper,

You mean people with talent, as opposed to flavor of the month?

Then yes, I'd prefer steve vai over My Chemical Romance.

ill trooper: Sep 25th 2007; 7:08PM

Chrono, really now... Where in my post did I talk about 'Flavor of the Month' or 'My Chemical Romance?' You're really reaching. I know you're trying to involve me in your example somehow, but I've never been there.

Let's get together in 25 years and see if My Chemical Romance has similar impact as the Sex Pistols, and then your convoluted deduction might make sense.

Plaid Ninja: Sep 27th 2007; 12:55PM

I never liked the Ramones. As for bands selling out, they set the standard. I know they're widely considered punk, but they're very happy and bouncy. But really, what band wouldn't sell out? Oh no, more money! Run away!!!!!!

When artists start giving their music away for free and charging reasonable rates for shows then I'll say gee, there's a band that didn't sell out. Otherwise they're all in the same boat.

Bukster: Sep 25th 2007; 3:27PM

And Sid never played on "Anarchy". He was hired after Glen Matlock left the band. Damn kids don't know your music history.

mccomber: Sep 25th 2007; 3:30PM

If Sid appears as some sort of undead bass guitar boss, I'm all for it. Otherwise...

NATO_Duke: Sep 25th 2007; 3:35PM

I dunno why everyone is so harsh here on the pistols. I dont think they deserve all the hate. I for one am happy to see them do something together again.

Either way, people are confusing Sid and Rotten I think. Sid is a little too dead to either agree to something or to place his likeness in a game.

OnimushaSoki: Sep 25th 2007; 3:35PM

Daft Punk is playing at my house. My house. :o

Christopher7xii: Sep 25th 2007; 3:38PM

Actually they already reformed to create a brand-new song for EA's Skate. Wouldn't be surprised if they put out an entirely new album next year.

Plaid Ninja: Sep 25th 2007; 3:47PM

Hmmm... Anarchy in the UK? That song is good, but why not God Save the Queen? Oh well, at least there's no My Chemical Romance this time.

Poisoned Al: Sep 25th 2007; 4:56PM

Nah, "Bodies" would be GREAT for GH3!

Matt B (SDF ): Sep 25th 2007; 5:02PM

"Bodies" by The Smashing Pumpkins is what I hope you mean.

Plaid Ninja: Sep 27th 2007; 12:36PM

Bodies would be a good song. Hell toss in all of Never Mind the Bollocks.

Hmm... bollocks, I guess that's where the Smashing Pumpkins come in.

Kidding!!

Ok, maybe not so much. I've listened to a little bit of that last cd. Bleh.

Synner: Sep 25th 2007; 3:54PM

Just Wondered how they are going to tame down a song that is essentially the dictionary of curse words set to music? Are they making it instrumental?

In all actuality it will probably be them covering the motley crue cover of them :)

Danny: Sep 25th 2007; 4:14PM

I am an anti-Christ, and I am an anarchist....

Oh thanks, Joystiq. That will be in my head all day now.

why not the LS2LS7?: Sep 25th 2007; 4:21PM

You've got all the members of the band you need to record the song. Sid never played his own instrument.

I'd say these guys are a bunch of sellouts, except they were created as a cash-in band by Malcom McLaren on day 1 anyway.

The only good part of Joe Strummer dying is that it means the Clash can't get back together and make asses of themselves.

Fullmetal Salchemist: Sep 25th 2007; 4:21PM

"instead of Sex Pistols circa relevant."

Fixed.

Rubang B (NDF - Heart): Sep 25th 2007; 4:22PM

To quote Billy Joe Armstrong of Green Day:

"I am the antiChrist!
Buy some more of my merchandise!"

A little pot and kettle, but it's still a good quote.

eric: Sep 25th 2007; 4:22PM

Ever get the feeling you've been cheated?

unfriendly_cat: Sep 25th 2007; 4:30PM

As much as I like the Sex Pistols (which is quite a lot), I don't think they were ever particularly edgy.

Also, Richard Hell and the Voidoids did it first, and they had a true genius guitar player in Robert Quine.