“Pistol” is getting terrible reviews. The six-part FX-produced miniseries about the punk-rock catalyst Sex Pistols can be seen on Hulu.
“More junk than punk.” “The least punk biopic ever.” “The tame version of a Sex Pistols biopic.” “Limps along when it should roar.”
Such feedback will generate a snarky “told you so” from Sex Pistols singer John Lydon (ne Rotten), who sued in an unsuccessful attempt to stop the project.
“Pistol” is the brainchild of guitarist Steve Jones and based on his memoir, “Lonely Boy: Tales from a Sex Pistol.”
I tend to defer to Lydon because of his intelligence and integrity. His book, “Rotten: No Irish, No Blacks, No Dogs” might have been a better blueprint. But Jones won the day.
I haven’t yet watched “Pistol.” I will, and judge for myself.
It’s impossible to imagine failing to tell this story in engaging and entertaining fashion. The Sex Pistols original run was 1975-78. They changed culture in the UK and music everywhere. Few bands have been more important.
The Sex Pistols did one terrific LP and broke up. That’s the punk thing to do.
The Sex Pistols were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006 but declined to attend the ceremony, calling the museum “a piss stain.” That’s even more punk.