London. (OK UK) Virgin Money, following Virgin records, launch Sex Pistols credit cards and some critics go wild: “Sell out”, “Cash Pistols”. Oliver Kahn, former German goalkeeper is enthusiastic. In his career he used to say: “Bollocks. We need Bollocks”.
In fact, the new cards feature “Never Mind the Bollocks” and “Anarchy in the UK” artwork. This is traditional. Virgin has released Sex Pistols records in 1977. „For a long time now, UK banks have all been the same. They have the same products, the same services and the same attitude towards customers.” Boring Old Cards.
“At Virgin Money, we are aiming to change that” says Michele Greene of Virgin. Does it fit? Sex Pistols and Virgin records, now Punk Rock and banking business? It is a development of Sex Pistols merchandising and marketing: Records, Videos, DVDs, concerts, badges, Vicious Burgers, Sex Pistols Pop Corn, the Great Rock’n’Roll Swindle, Sex Pistols Reunions and now the Sex Pistols Mastercard. Cash from Chaos.
Richard Branson, Virgin Group Founder says: „Even after nearly 40 years, the Sex Pistols power to provoke is undimmed, and we are still being asked to censor the word bollocks in our advertising.“ The Guardian expects that Punks “may be tempted to sign up – not least so that they can cause outrage in National Trust shops and other genteel establishments by flourishing a credit card featuring the word “bollocks”.” They are going to buy John Lydon’s Country butter with the Pistols cards and then shout „Get me out of here“.
One reader wants a Metal Box. Is there going to be a P.I.L. edition?
