Pretty Vacant

The Zoo Crew is spinning "Pretty Vacant" by the Sex Pistols, a track from their iconic album Never Mind The Bollocks, and the Zoo Freaks are surely feeling the raw punk energy. This song, released as the band’s third single on July 1, 1977, hit No. 6 on the UK Singles Chart and marked their first appearance on Top of the Pops. One juicy bit of trivia comes from bassist Glen Matlock, who revealed that the song’s main riff was inspired by ABBA’s "S.O.S."—an unexpected influence for a punk anthem. Matlock shared in a Rolling Stone interview that he heard the ABBA track and it sparked the melodic hook he needed, later joking about receiving Christmas cards from ABBA’s bassist for a decade after mentioning it. The song’s title and vibe were a nod to Richard Hell’s "Blank Generation," but Johnny Rotten twisted it into a sarcastic football chant, emphasizing the last syllable of "vacant" to cheekily sound like a vulgar word, as noted in various accounts.

Another tidbit from Johnny Rotten, also in Rolling Stone, highlights the irony of "Pretty Vacant." He insisted the band was neither pretty nor vacant, using the song to mock the idea of being sucked into societal norms. Rotten’s delivery, described as “anti-singing” by Noel Gallagher in a 2013 BBC interview, added a provocative edge, with Gallagher praising the riff as one of the first every guitarist learns. The song’s video, shot at ITN Studios in London in July 1977, captured the band’s raw attitude, as seen in posts from PunkRockStory on X. Interestingly, Matlock admitted he didn’t realize Rotten had altered the second verse’s lyrics for months because the band played so loudly during rehearsals. The track’s cultural impact is undeniable, with covers ranging from punk reinterpretations to a bizarre lullaby version by Twinkle Twinkle Little Rock Star, as discussed on Acclaimed Music Forums.

The Sex Pistols formed in London in 1975, a brainchild of manager Malcolm McLaren, who envisioned a band to shake up the music scene. The original lineup—Johnny Rotten (John Lydon) on vocals, Steve Jones on guitar, Paul Cook on drums, and Glen Matlock on bass—came together in a gritty, chaotic rehearsal space on Denmark Street. McLaren, who ran a boutique with Vivienne Westwood, saw the band as an extension of their rebellious fashion and anarchist ethos. Early gigs were raw, often covering The Who, but they quickly developed originals like "Pretty Vacant," debuted at Central Saint Martins College in November 1975. Their provocative style, fueled by Rotten’s snarling vocals and Jones’s buzz-saw guitar, caught attention fast, leading to a deal with EMI in 1976. The band’s infamous 1976 Today TV appearance, where Steve Jones swore at host Bill Grundy, skyrocketed their notoriety, setting the stage for Never Mind The Bollocks.

Internal strife shaped their journey. Matlock left in early 1977, replaced by Sid Vicious, whose lack of musical skill meant Jones handled most bass parts on the album. The band cycled through labels—EMI, A&M, and finally Virgin—facing bans and censorship, including police threats over the album’s “bollocks” title, which was later defended as a slang term for clergymen. Despite the chaos, their only studio album became a punk landmark, influencing everyone from Metallica to Guns N’ Roses. The band imploded after a 1978 U.S. tour, with Vicious’s death in 1979 sealing their short-lived but explosive legacy.

Fans can connect with the Sex Pistols through their official Facebook, Instagram, and X accounts, where updates and historical posts keep the punk spirit alive. For deeper dives, fan communities thrive on platforms like Reddit’s r/punk, where discussions about Never Mind The Bollocks range from musical analysis to debates over the band’s controversies. The official site also links to merch and reissues, perfect for Zoo Freaks wanting to channel that 1977 rebellion.