Live Gig Reviews

The SEX PISTOLS ft FRANK CARTER, w/ The Molotovs

The SEX PISTOLS ft FRANK CARTER, w/ The Molotovs
O2 Academy Birmingham
21/09/2024
Live Review by Mare Grills

 

Ok – I’ll go and see the Sex Pistols.  My responsible adult, Kathy Bunting, had a ticket spare, and although I’d been around, and disliked the Sex Pistols when they first launched, I grew to love the music and I figured it would be interesting.  After all, after all these years Punk and Rock aren’t so very far away and the Punks have mosh pits too don’t they?  Also a huge draw for me was that Frank Carter (of the Rattlesnakes and Gallows) is fronting them – what’s not to love?

As someone who has never seen the original line-up, I did ask die hard fans a few questions afterwards.

But first… I always think it’s a little bit rude not to turn up for the supporting act/s, it’s probably the biggest thing that’s happened to them so far and I very often find absolute gems that I track (not stalk, that’s a bad thing) to see how they get on and where I can see them again.  This was an instance of ‘I’m so glad we got here early’.

The Molotovs

Just – WELL because I was lucky enough to be early and on the balcony I could actually make notes (it’s important when your nearly as old as Methuselah without the memory). The band looked about the same age that I was when Punk first hit us and I genuinely regretted not bringing some safety pins.

They absolutely nailed their set, a very energetic three piece, they reminded me of the early Jam; the lead guitar and vocalist sounded very London with a similar haircut to the young Paul Weller and a voice like a cross between Paul Weller and Billy Bragg, (although this guy sang way better than Billy – in my opinion). He seemed a bit shy talking to the audience but confidently announced the songs and his actual stage presence when he was playing and singing was great. He was clearly in his comfort zone and so well delivered and deserved. 

They had bags of attitude, and I loved them.  The bassist was beautifully attired in an extravagant  flowing Union Flag blouse (it wasn’t a tshirt, or a shirt and was too elegant to be a ‘top’), and refreshingly took centre stage with oodles of confidence and stagecraft.

The drummer stood no chance of making a personal statement (although to be fair I couldn’t see much of him from my position), apart from his drumming – fast, accurate and frankly, pretty awesome. 

They kicked off with ‘Johny Don’t Be Scared’, then ‘More, More, More’ and I did write them all down, but seriously? Do your own homework – they’re on the platforms and so well worth listening to.

The band was tight, professional and hooked all of ‘our demographic’. We loved them, it made us feel like we did back then and that the torch was being carried forwards.

I Googled the line up, so if it’s wrong, oops!

Mathew (vocals, lead guitar and songwriter)

Issey (bass and vocals)

Ice (drums)

The Molotovs | London – Facebook

The Sex Pistols

Part of the backdrop of my youth but far too raucous and aggressive for someone brought up on the Beatles, Jim Reeves, James Taylor (Google them) and Rod Stewart. And then I grew up, realised that life wasn’t fair and someone had to shout about it.  I have never been a political bunny and never will be, but I respect people who express opinions provided it’s done in a constructive way – and face it, MUSIC is constructive. It makes you think, feel, agree, disagree, discuss and share.

Enough of the preamble.

They were awesome.

I genuinely remember that when they started they (or so they said) couldn’t play their instruments – I’m probably wrong, but that’s what I heard.

They were amazing – all the songs played so well, so tight, so brilliantly.

The set began with Holidays in the Sun and Frank Carter singing was a joy, all the attitude, all the stage presence, all the everything I was hoping for in an unfamiliar role. By the time they’d got to ‘Pretty Vacant’ I’d dispensed with my ear protection and was singing along with everyone else.  There was an issue in the crowd at this point that Mr Carter dealt with in the proper manner – making sure that the safety of the individual was paramount, so stopped the performance until it was resolved. I’m not sure how that would have panned out back in the day, but it’s a testament to the crowd, and him, that it worked. 

‘Bodies’ was next on the set list and we went mad for it.  From my position, sitting on the steps at the top of the balcony, there was a maelstrom of a circle pit, bouncing, singing and generally having a jolly good time. ‘Silly Thing’ and ‘Liar’ could it get any better? Then came ‘God Save the Queen’. I couldn’t quite make it out, but it could have been ‘King’.

I was kind of happy to be able to look down on the mayhem, but the youth in me wished I still had the energy to be among them.  When Frank left the stage to join the audience and encourage a circle pit around him, that’s where I would have wanted to be, but I’d left my 10 lace ox-bloods at home and I’m not brave enough now.

It was fast, furious and outstanding.  The lovely chap sitting next to me helped me stand so I could toddle off to the loo, and I returned just in time for the encore – ‘My Way’ – Frank made it ‘His Way’, Sinatra and Johny, roll over, and then the icing on the cake ‘Anarchy in the UK’.

I spoke to a number of people who had seen the Pistols numerous times – right from their beginnings; because I was curious as a Frank Carter fan, what their reaction would be to a different frontman. Interestingly, everyone I asked absolutely loved Frank and not one of them had heard of him before (some even said that he was better than ‘you know who’). Just goes to show, doesn’t it, that it’s the music, the songs and the energy that makes something memorable, as well as where you were, and who you were with….

 And then there was a crowd surfing pit thing and from where I was, all I could see sticking out of the top was Frank Carters legs!

I had a wonderful evening with a bunch of Punks that I’d never met before and we were united in an evening of live music – what’s not to love?

Line up:- Paul Cook, Steve Jones, Glen Matlock and Frank Carter

Sex Pistols | The Official Website –

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