For those of us who were around at that turbulent time in British society in 1977-78 - this is more than just a bio of the Sex Pistols - but indeed a full scale sociological study of the “winter of discontent”  and the formation of a fashion , a music , a live music venue network , indie record labels - indeed a huge artistic and cultural movement that spawned New Wave - and still reverberates today.

Central to the story is music manager , show biz impresario and general blagger - Malcolm McLaren and fashion designer and style visionary Vivienne Westwood- and their clothing store on the Kings Road,London “Let It Rock” and later “Sex”.

(Malcolm McLaren and Vivienne Westwood)

In 1971 in the UK -there was a huge rock and rock revival - 50’s fashions recreated : biker jackets , Edwardian jackets , brothel creepers - as well as a return and an appreciation of a simpler direct form of music.

Add fetish and bondage influences - and that all adds up to the stripped down punk aesthetic and bondage pants.

The book is a deep dive at all aspects of society and institutions not keeping up with the trends - ie. radio , TV ,live venues and record companies.

(Sex Pistols)

Its a great read - I remember at the time it felt like “year zero” and the start of something new and exciting.

Originality was of paramount importance - by all means reference certain influences such as the early Who (indeed the Pistols would cover “Substitute” by the Who) - but not be a covers bands and instead write your own genre.

For me personally it was the New Wave aftermath and all the great bands that followed the initial Punk explosion - think: Siouxsie and the Banshees , The Stranglers, The Jam , The Boomtown Rats , X Ray Spex , Adam and the Ants etc.

Let us not forget the influential people on the scene early on : Jordan - who managed the Sex boutique - as well as Soo Catwoman - both style icons that would influence future fashion and popular culture.

(Soo Catwoman)

(Jordan)

Its a great read - check it out !

More info:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/330729.England_s_Dreaming