CLOTHES, CLOTHES, CLOTHES,MUSIC, MUSIC, MUSIC, BOYS, BOYS, BOYS by VIV ALBERTINE
Apparently, Viv was in The Slits, an all girl punk band in the 1970s. Although, I was a teenager in the 70s; while she was hanging out with The Sex Pistols and sleeping in squats, I was sellotaping together Donny Osmond posters from the Jackie and being a swotty Patrol Leader and Prefect!
Yet, although I was never a punk, I absolutely loved this book. Each chapter is about a different year in her life. I could relate to so many of the events and people she mentioned. Viv writes with great humour and emotion. Post-Punk, she worked as a film-maker, artist and Pineapple dance coach, even settling down at the seaside with a husband and daughter! She is a true survivor of both serious illness and a brutal father.
A truly fascinating woman – I may never be a punk but I would love to meet her.
I loved the reminders of how hard it was to contact folk in the 70s and 80s. Very few of her friends even had landlines, so putting together a gig involved a lot of bus journeys and plenty of change for call boxes.
Viv kept loads of souvenirs from her punk days. My favourite? A wee hand written poster with the eternal words “On After Top of the Pops!”
Isn't it funny how toilet roll has changed over the years?
Reform given huge donations by crypto currency billionaires
