For an old punk like me, these are bemusing times. The Sex Pistols, those standard-bearers of all things noisy and anarchic, are back in the news. Or, to be more accurate, the graphics produced for them by Jamie Reid, have re-appeared. This should be very good news, but for one sticking point: it's all going on a new credit card. Not the cost, the actual logos, names and artwork are being embedded into the cards themselves.
Yes, Virgin Money - Sir Richard Branson's bank - has actually launched a series of Sex Pistols credit cards, including two featuring the sleeve for the 1977 album 'Never Mind the Bollocks, Here’s the Sex Pistols', with the rude word still intact. A third card features the imagery seen on the single 'Anarchy in the UK'.
Not only can customers choose from these three options, they'll also enjoy new technology which moves all the banking stuff to the rear of the card, maintaining the look and feel of the original artwork on the front.
Michele Greene, Director of Cards at Virgin Money, says. “(The cards) offer better value for customers too. We are one of the few card providers that always give customers the deal they see advertised when they’re accepted, not a poorer alternative, so what you see is what you get. It’s time for consumers to put a little bit of rebellion in their pocket.
It's hard to imagine Johnny 'Rotten' Lydon had this in mind when he wrote and sang “Your future dream is a shopping scheme” on 'Anarchy In The UK', in 1976. Then again, he didn't object to being the star of an ad for Country Life butter, or indeed, going into the celebrity jungle a few years back.
Here's Michele Greene again: “In launching these cards, we wanted to celebrate Virgin’s heritage and difference. The Sex Pistols challenged convention and the established ways of thinking – just as we are doing today in our quest to shake up UK banking.”
Oh, really?
For those too young to remember, the Sex Pistols signed to Virgin Records in May 1977, after being dropped by both EMI and A&M Records, so there is some sort of credible link to Mr.Branson, who commented: “Even after nearly 40 years, the Sex Pistols’ power to provoke is undimmed.
While some fans of the band may take issue with this exploitation of their heroes, others may be tempted to sign up – not least so they can cause outrage in posh outlets and tea shops by flourishing a credit card featuring the word “bollocks”.
Me? I remain a bemused but dedicated old punk, but I don't think a Sex Pistols credit card will find a home in my wallet.
Magnus Shaw is a copywriter and blogger
