In their original incarnation, the Sex Pistols only toured the United States once, in 1978. One of those handful of shows — and probably the most notorious one, after the San Francisco swan song — happened at the House That Bob Wills Built, the Longhorn Ballroom. (The opening band was local should-be legends, the Nervebreakers.) The organizers for the Third Annual Rockers vs. Mods – City of Hate Motorcycle and Scooter Rally are bringing them back on March 20, or at least a decent facsimile, the Steve Jones-approved, not-creatively-named cover band the Sex Pistols Experience. Full press release is after the jump. If you’re around — I won’t be, unfortunately — I recommend plunking down $20 and hitting it up. The Longhorn Ballroom is still a great room.
UPDATE: A nerve-breaking FBvian points out that, in fact, the Nervebreakers will be playing in Austin March 20-21 “in parallel with SXSW” and April 11 at Club Dada. Make the time, folks.
SEX PISTOLS EXPERIENCE: LIVE AT THE LONGHORN BALLROOM
Premier tribute band ensures that anarchy will once again return to the USA
DALLAS, Texas (February 23, 2009) – After 31 years, 2 months and 10 days, the Longhorn Ballroom in Dallas will once again feature the sounds of the Sex Pistols, as the world’s premier tribute band – The Sex Pistols Experience (direct from the United Kingdom) – bring their counterfeit brand of 1970’s anarchy to the venue.
The show will be held on March 20 and highlights the Third Annual Rockers vs. Mods – City of Hate Motorcycle and Scooter Rally. “This is going to be a one-of-a-kind event for the Dallas music scene,” says event organizer Mark Roberts. “After booking the Longhorn for our annual event, we started thinking about the acts that we could book that could take Rockers vs. Mods to the next level. Our first choice would have been the Pistols themselves, but that proved to be a little difficult (to say the least). After reading rave reviews, including those by original members of The Sex Pistols and The Clash, The Sex Pistols Experience became the obvious choice. We’re thrilled that they are thrilled to be performing at the legendary venue.”
Considered one of rock music’s most legendary gigs, the Sex Pistols videotaped performance at the Longhorn Ballroom on January 10, 1978, has become a lasting record of the band’s fateful U.S. tour. A document to the utter chaos surrounding the tour, the film provides a visual reference of the times and shows the Longhorn gig to be a key event in the eventual disintegration of the band. “It has been more than thirty years since the Dallas gig at the Longhorn,” says Roberts. “A new generation of Sex Pistols fans have heard the stories, but were never able to witness the mayhem firsthand. This event will be pure nostalgia for those who attended the first show and a great experience for those who missed it. Echoing the words of Johnny Rotten, this counterfeit gig will leave all in attendance feeling ‘a little bit cheated’ for all of the right reasons.”
The Sex Pistols Experience put on a tribute show that emulates the heady days of the early punk years. Original Sex Pistol Steve Jones has said “They really are the Sex Pistols – Splendid!” While Clashman Mick Jones and punk rock luminary Don Letts have also praised the band, calling their performances “mindblowing and incredible.” The Sex Pistols Experience will be available for interviews on March 19.
Other acts on tap for the Longhorn Ballroom show include Screaming Red, Spector 45, Brian Dunning Trio & Deacon Sean Bar Brawlers. The Lolliebombs Burlesque Troop will host the intermission and additional activities are still in the planning stages. The lineup promises a full-tilt punk rock celebration honoring the (in)famous show which inexorably ties the Longhorn in Dallas to the tumultuous history of the Sex Pistols.
On top of everything else, this will also be the Third Annual Rockers vs Mods – City of Hate Rally so there will also be a vintage Norton’s, Triumphs & Ducatis mixing it up against Lambrettas & rare Vespas.
Tickets for the event will be $20 and a cash bar will be open for drinks. General Admission Tickets can be purchased at www.thelonghornballroom.com. For more information about the Sex Pistols Experience please visit the band’s Web site at: www.sexpistolsexperience.co.uk. Information about the Rockers vs. Mods rally can be found at: www.rockersvsmods.com.
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Gangs of mods and rockers fighting in 1964 sparked a moral panic about British youths, and the two groups were seen as folk devils. The rockers adopted a macho biker gang image, wearing clothes such as black leather jackets. The mods adopted a pose of scooter-driving sophistication, wearing suits and other cleancut outfits. By late 1967, the two subcultures had faded until a revival in the late 70’s. The purpose of this rally is to have an excuse to get out the gear, polish up the Nortons, Triumphs, BMW or Vespas, Lambrettas and Allstates, depending on your allegiance and commemorate this unique period in motorcycle history.
This will be the third Rockers vs. Mods event in Dallas. 2007’s event drew 150 scooters, over 100 motorcycles and over a thousand participants and spectators from word of mouth alone. 2008 will be expanded two-fold and we are planning for another great year. This event will showcase some one-of-a-kind bikes, a raffle, slow races, night rides through downtown, bands, dj’s and general mayhem for Italian scooter and European bike enthusiasts.
