Sex Pistols Exposé / Ultimate Green Day : PUNK@50 Tour 2025

 23rd August 1975 - John Lydon goes into "Sex" boutique shop, Chelsea, London, Malcolm asks John if he wants to audition as singer for the Sex Pistols.

Malcolm, and the two Johns go for a drink in "The Roebuck", 354 Kings Road, and chat to the other members of the band, Steve, Paul and Glen. They then went to "Sex" boutique shop where John mimed to 'Eighteen' by Alice Cooper from the Jukebox inside. John Lydon was invited to rehearse with the band the next day at The Warehouse Theatre (locally known as The Crunchy Frog), 99 Rotherhithe Street, SE16 4NF, London.

Although the term Punk had existed well before this pivotal moment, we have chosen to celebrate this point in the history of music with a series of dates, commemorating 50 years of Punk, featuring Sex Pistols Exposé and Ultimate Green Day, two of the best bands to pay tribute to two originals who played a huge part in the growth of Punk in the 70s and its resurgence in the 90s, paving the way for Pop Punk.

Punk rock (also known as simply punk) is a music genre that emerged in the mid-1970s. Rooted in 1950s rock and roll and 1960s garage rock, punk bands rejected the corporate nature of mainstream 1970s rock music. They typically produced short, fast-paced songs with hard-edged melodies and singing styles with stripped-down instrumentation. Lyricism in punk typically revolves around anti-establishment and anti-authoritarian themes. Punk embraces a DIY ethic; many bands self-produce recordings and distribute them through independent labels.

The term "punk rock" was previously used by American rock critics in the early 1970s to describe the mid-1960s garage bands. Certain late 1960s and early 1970s Detroit acts, such as MC5 and Iggy and the Stooges, and other bands from elsewhere created out-of-the-mainstream music that became highly influential on what was to come. Glam rock in the UK and the New York Dolls from New York have also been cited as key influences. Between 1974 and 1976, when the genre that became known as punk was developing, prominent acts included Television, Patti Smith, and the Ramones in New York City; the Saints in Brisbane; the Sex Pistols, the Clash, and the Damned in London, and the Buzzcocks in Manchester. By late 1976, punk had become a major cultural phenomenon in the UK. It gave rise to a punk subculture that expressed youthful rebellion through distinctive styles of clothing, such as T-shirts with deliberately offensive graphics, leather jackets, studded or spiked bands and jewelry, safety pins, and bondage and S&M clothes.

In 1977, the influence of the music and subculture spread worldwide. It took root in a wide range of local scenes that often rejected affiliation with the mainstream. In the late 1970s, punk experienced a second wave, when new acts that had not been active during its formative years adopted the style. By the early 1980s, faster and more aggressive subgenres, such as hardcore punk (e.g., Minor Threat), Oi! (e.g., Sham 69), street punk (e.g., the Exploited), and anarcho-punk (e.g., Crass), became some of the predominant modes of punk rock, while bands more similar in form to the first wave (e.g., X, the Adicts) also flourished. Many musicians who identified with punk or were inspired by it went on to pursue other musical directions, giving rise to movements such as post-punk, new wave, thrash metal, and alternative rock. Following alternative rock's mainstream breakthrough in the 1990s with Nirvana, punk rock saw renewed major-label interest and mainstream appeal exemplified by the rise of the California bands Green Day, Social Distortion, Rancid, the Offspring, Bad Religion, and NOFX.

Authenticity has always been important in the punk subculture—the pejorative term "poseur" is applied to those who adopt its stylistic attributes but do not actually share or understand its underlying values and philosophy. Scholar Daniel S. Traber argues that "attaining authenticity in the punk identity can be difficult"; as the punk scene matured, he observes, eventually "everyone got called a poseur".

Sex Pistols Exposé

Website - https://www.sexpistolsexpose.com/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/sexpistolsexpose/

Experience the raw energy of punk with Sex Pistols Expose. Our talented musicians deliver an electrifying journey, from snarling vocals to frenetic riffs. Our ultimate tribute to the band that revolutionise music and culture is a high-octane celebration that will leave you breathless.

Approved by all members of the Sex Pistols, the 'Sex Pistols Exposé' are the worlds number 1 and only professional tribute which brings high expectancy where ever they perform, Branding the well known clobber with Johnny Rotten's snarling persona and Sid Vicious's gimmick, It will bring back the highly loved spirit of 77'.

With 2000+ shows between them all, 15 years plus experience and having played all over the world like USA, Brazil, Japan, Australia and all across Europe including the famous 100 club & Longhorn Ballroom, The fans will get the chance to experience what all the excitement was about.

Occasionally used for TV and film work the contentious quartet will be heard belting out classics like Pretty Vacant, God Save The Queen, Holidays In The Sun and Anarchy In The UK and a few extra's.

With a plethora of witty stage banter and raw energy the Sex Pistols Exposé will have any crowd cheering for more!

Ultimate Green Day

Website - https://5da5cae68c428.site123.me/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Greendaytributeuk/

Ultimate Green Day is more than just a tribute band—it’s a full-blown Green Day experience. Since 2010, these three best friends have been ripping through Green Day's biggest hits, capturing the raw energy and rebellious spirit of one of America’s greatest punk rock legends. From the gritty anthems of Dookie to the larger-than-life rock opera American Idiot, Ultimate Green Day delivers the perfect mix of nostalgia and adrenaline.

With nearly three decades of Green Day’s music in their setlist, Ultimate Green Day nails the vibe, sound, and attitude that made the original band famous. Whether you're a longtime fan or just discovering the magic of Green Day, this is your chance to relive the madness and excitement of a real Green Day concert. Expect non-stop hits, singalongs, and the most authentic tribute out there. Ready to feel like it’s 1994 all over again? Ultimate Green Day’s got you covered!

Mutant Movement

Website - https://mutantmovement.com/punkat50

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/DJMutantMovement

Mutant Movement is a Leeds based DJ/Promoter who has been working with tribute bands for 7 years, as well as hosting events on his own. Having first booked Sex Pistols Experience back in 2019, as they were called back then, they have built and amazing working relationship together, playing most years since then across the UK. With a history working and owning record shops, Green Day were a favourite since their early independent releases 35 years ago and booking Ultimate Green Day has been on his to do list for some time, the first of which being a SOLD OUT date in Derby.

Three of the cities on this tour were actually supposed to be part of the Anarchy in the UK tour but on 1/12/76 the Sex Pistols shocked the nation by swearing on Bill Grundy’s Today programme which led to gigs in Norwich, Derby and Newcastle being cancelled. Leeds Poly on 6/12/76 was the first show to be allowed to go ahead.

Make sure you have tickets for these shows as some, if not all have a good chance of selling out with this pairing of the best in the business, accept no substitute!