It is 25 years since the Sex Pistols caused outrage with their irreverent rendition of God Save the Queen in Her Majesty's Silver Jubilee year.

To mark this year's Golden Jubilee, a Sex Pistols box set is being released by Virgin, who the band signed with after being dismissed by A&M in March 1977.

"It is not even a definitive greatest hits ensemble, with the entire comedy punk era of Sid Vicious and Tenpole Tudor a notable omission," wrote the BBC's Chris Charles.

"Instead, you get one disc of Never Mind the Bollocks, with added extras, a collection of instrumentals and out-takes (fillers if you prefer the colloquial term) and a ropey old live compilation guaranteed to give aural displeasure."

But what did you think?

Is this a must for punk fans? Or have the anarchists sold themselves down the river for a quick buck?

I remember the avert for God Save The Queen 25 years ago. It said, "It won't be on the album. It might not even be out for long". Of course it was on the album. I didn't buy Never Mind The Bollocks because of that advert and I won't be buying the box set. Not so much "Never trust a hippie" as "Never trust the Virgin Records' Marketing department".
Danny Farquhar, Scotland

The BBC didn't have a good word to say about the Pistols 25 years ago - thank God we're in the 21st Century now.

No wonder they left out the "comedy". John Lydon was the Sex Pistols and without him, there was no intelligence. The man's insight was a shinning light and once he went, what could the Pistols be?
Gail, Un-united Kingdom

The Sex Pistols finished when John Lydon left the group therefore any of the pub singalongs or novelty records released by those who called themselves Sex Pistols' afterwards are not notable omissions since they are not really by the Pistols.

The live disc is a superb representation of the band when they were a living, breathing, gigging entity before the media circus began and gives the lie to those that said they couldn't play. And let's face it, for a band that produced one album and four singles (a total of 15 self-penned songs) the fact that this discussion page even exists shows what an effect they've had on popular music over the last 25 years.

Still, at least Mr. Charles is keeping up the BBC tradition of slagging the Pistols off at every opportunity instead of recognising them as the most influential band this country has ever produced.
Philip Collins, UK

I fail to see how releasing a new compilation can be viewed as a sell-out.

As for Mr Charles' "review", it shows the usual high standards that make BBC reviews such a joy to read. Someone should tell him the Tenpole Tudor period represents a time when The Pistols were a brand, not a group. If he really thinks these are "notable omissions", I suggest he gets his ears checked.
Tim Porter, UK

Talk about flogging a dead horse! Surely the "Kiss This" compilation of a few years back (which covered the post-Lydon years quite nicely, as well as coming with a live disc) was a more worthwhile purchase than this cynical re-packaging and re-releasing of material which has either been readily available for the past 25 years or which should have been left in the vaults where it belonged?

Never Mind The Bollocks is rightly seen as the definitive Sex Pistols statement by many - and this exercise in money-grabbing by the Powers That Be at Virgin (in collusion with the Pistols themselves?) just makes a mockery of everything the band once stood for.... remember them as they were, not as they are now that the dollar signs have coloured their collective vision.
Paul Gibbinson, UK

I bought the box set and think it is a complete waste of money.
Kevin Watts, UK

I love the Sex Pistols, however, I would prefer to remember them as they were and not what they have become. I won't be buying the boxed set - I have the original and that suits me just fine. With their change in views recently, I wonder if they like The Damned now? Perhaps Johhny should think about a tour together - now that would be a show!!!
Sherry, Canada

Contrary to popular belief, cashing in on punk is, in itself, punk. Once again the copycat "punks" of today are being shown up for what they are by luring them to waste their hard-scrounged cash on this pile of.. well you know what.

I'll sit back and smirk with Rotten at this little joke, and never mind the box set.
Karl, Germany

Punk never was about box sets or suchlike. You ought to be ashamed of yourselves.
Gerald, UK

It's Virgin Records who are releasing the box set, not John Lydon.

Why does the BBC still try to put John Lydon down. He's one of the most relevant lyricists ever.
John, England

I think Virgin have already released enough Pistols albums, with too much overlap between them. Personally, I have Never Mind The Bollocks (representing much of the best Lydon-era Pistols) and The Great Rock'n'Roll Swindle album, with my favourite post-Lydon tracks, plus a compilation of early versions of their songs. It'd be nice to have an album with the remainder of tracks that I haven't got in this small collection, but every Virgin album I've looked at has no more than three tracks I don't already have. Even John Lydon is upset at this state of affairs, as I'm sure he's the last person who wants the Sex Pistols to be seen as sell-outs!
Matt Kimber, UK

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