Tune du Jour: “Pretty Vacant” – Sex Pistols
THE CLASH of Cover Tunes: The Bollock Brothers vs. Lady Sovereign vs. London Punkharmonic Orchestra
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God Save the Queen
She Don’t Serve No Broccoli
The Original
Sex Pistols:
THE CLASH of Cover Tunes
The Bollock Brothers vs. Lady Sovereign vs. London Punkharmonic Orchestra
The Bollock Brothers:
Lady Sovereign:
London Punkharmonic Orchestra:
SPACE
Oh the disharmony! Much like Harlan County there are no neutrals here. It is your solemn responsibility to decide which cover song prevails. In other words … Which Side Are You On?!!?
Disclaimer: Votes cast from Florida may or may not be counted.
cover me impressed 
40 years have not done justice to the impact this song had when it was originally released. It was entirely experiential – ya just had to be there. I found all three of these covers to be somewhat lacking. LPO was fun for about a minute and then it got too repetitive to hold my interest. Lady Sovereign seemed sincere enough. But the execution just wasn’t there. I think this song loses its impact when transformed into a rap. At least the Bollock Brothers were actually there 40 years ago. So if for no other reason they get my vote.
The Bollick Brothers get the award for best name of a group. Oh to be a Bollick Brother! And their cover was also very good. I like the Punkharmonic Orchestra; very clever and extremely well done. But my vote ultimately goes to Lady Sovereign. They really belt it out with the necessary fervor and angst. It really had me from its opening screech. And I do like the girl-next-door feel of the lead singer.
I bought this 45 the day it came out, and was blown away by the fancy guitar intro and then the thundering drums. Johnny is at his sneering best here, putting the heavy emphasis on the “cant” in vacant. On here in print, it reads like “cant”, but it’s pronounced like…. well, you get my point. I liked about 90% of the Bollock Brothers version. The verses and the backing track were great, but I really felt the way they performed the chorus was just wrong. Lady Sovereign’s version was more consistent, but I dunno…. didn’t thrill me. Classical versions of punk songs are all gimmick, really. I give this one to The Bollock Brothers, but by default.
I was where Dubbs was at till I listened to Punkharmonic…sometimes I guy just needs a little Muzak…