Sex Pistols – Live In The USA 1978

These three shows from the Pistols’ ill-starred American tour in January 1978 have little musical value. The gigs are chaotic and the tour itself was a paranoia-riddled comedy of terrors.

Their opening set at Atlanta’s Great Southeast Music Hall was in a shopping mall with the 500-strong audience swamped by reporters, TV crews and cops. Steve Jones’s guitar is out of tune and Sid Vicious’s bass is out of time with Paul Cook’s drums. “Aren’t we the worst thing you’ve ever seen?” Johnny Rotten sneers.

They’re at their strongest on this 3xCD set at their fifth show, at Dallas’s Longhorns Ballroom – a former topless bar – on January 10^th. (And were even better in San Antonio, which sadly isn’t included.)

John is chirpier and Steve locks in well with Cook although, even here, the sound quality is foggy.

The final gig, San Francisco’s Winterland, was dubbed “the worst rock ‘n’ roll show ever”, perhaps rightly. The sound sucks and nobody on stage or off sounds like they’re enjoying it.

It was John’s last gig. He tells the crowd “I’ve had enough of this.” And says, “This is no fun,” before the song of that name – less an introduction, more a summary.

“Why should I carry on?” he asks, adding later, “Ever had the feeling you’ve been cheated?”

Split Dogs. Here To Destroy.

Punk fans would be better advised to check out these spirited Bristol-based rock ’n’ rollers.

The Split Dogs combine pace and passion with handsome hooks. Huge raucous numbers like Monster Truck nod to glam rock as well as punk.

The uplifting Lafayette is about a Wolverhampton Northern Soul club frequented by singer Harry’s mum, while the driving Precious Stones hits out, among other things, at music being commoditized. I'm pretty sure John Lydon would agree.

Banks. Off With Her Head.

The US alt-pop star’s 5th album feels like a natural progression from her breakthrough 2014 debut album Goddess. Banks’s mellow vocals bless 12 exquisite emotive songs utilising her trademark distortion, deep bass and reverb. Love Is Unkind is haunting, Best Friends is sublime. It’s brimming with moody melancholy. Bewitching.

Muireann Bradley. I Kept These Old Blues.

The County Donegal teen breathes new life into gems like Blind Blake’s Police Dog Blues and Elizabeth Cotten’s [CORR] Freight Train with her nimble guitar picking and captivating vocals. Her folky take on When The Levee Breaks is jauntier than Led Zep’s classic version. Some of these wonderful songs are more than 100 years old.

bdrmm. Microtonic.

Once happy shoegazers, the Hull quartet moved closer to ambient music on their second album and embrace dance on their expansive third. The pulsing, atmospheric John On The Ceiling mines themes of doubt and uncertainty. Lake Disappointment is edgier while Infinity Peaking hits a slower, dreamier vibe. A gamble that pays off.