International News
Deadmau5 behind the scenes
We take a behind the scenes look at the creation of Deadmau5's legendary... [more]
Bloc Party frontman Kele Okereke has accused John Lydon, better known as The Sex Pistols firebrand Johnny Rotten, of “an unprovoked racist attack”. Bafflingly, Lydon has issued a statement categorically denying the incident.
Both musicians are taking markedly different stances. Okereke’s story goes something like this: he approached Lydon backstage at the Summercase festival in Barcelona and asked him if there were any plans to reunite the Sex Pistols’ frontman’s ‘other’ band Public Image Ltd. The response he got was less than welcoming. Bloc Party’s management reported: “The Sex Pistols singer became intimidating and aggressive while his entourage responded with a racist tirade including the statement, ‘your problem is your black attitude.’
“Kele was then set upon by three members of Lydon’s crew who punched him in the face and head as well as attacking people who tried to protect Kele from the assault including Yannis Philippakis from Foals and Kaiser Chiefs’ Ricky Wilson. The incident was broken up by festival security and was later reported to Spanish police. Kele also reported the incident to police in the UK after returning from Spain.” Philippakis is said to have been detained by police. Further to the statement, Okereke himself told media, “I am disappointed that someone I held with such high regard turns out to be such a bigot.”
This all sounds a little intricate for a fabrication, right? Not according to Lydon, who isn’t having a bar of it. “I feel very sorry for a man that needs to lie about what was a perfect evening,” Lydon’s statement reads. “Trouble was brought us, resulting in those causing the trouble being physically removed by festival security…If they need publicity so badly this is the allegation universe they run into.” After denying the claims of racism, the Sex Pistol can’t resist a parting jab at his accuser. “Grow up and learn to be a true man. It’s a shame that the wonderful world of the media is riddled with nonsense like this.”
The “wonderful world of media” doesn’t know what to think…
cheechvda says...
shit thats heavy,,,i dare say rottens crew did say some shit,,,,,johny is pretty much saying "shut your mouth about what happened" ....i really dont apporve any kind of racist comment ,but i stand neutral on this one...johny was out of line for being racist,,,and mr bloc party was wrong by running to the cops.......
marisa jade says...
NO way. Kele had every right to, why shouldn't he run to the cops?? Because he's in a band? Get over it, he has rights to. It's filth like rotten who wreck equality.
westerndog says...
Rotten is a tossbag... It seems to me, if Kele has guys from different bands (Yannis Philippakis and Ricky Wilson) to back up his story it's probably the truth...
Dr Fegg says...
he said she said... believe who you want according to your own universe-view and faith in the media's truth in reporting. Note in the report it says Rotten's "entourage" made the racist remark, not him... But what's rock n roll coming to? Years ago a bit of backstage biff was standard, non-reportable behaviour!
scottyk82 says...
If i see Rotten's useless old ass i will beat him into the retirement village where he belongs. What a hepititis carrying piece of shit. Granted the pistols were ground breaking, but was 2 riff pop music compared to bloc party. Rotten was right tho.. Kele shoulda been a man and head butted Rotten knocking out his remaining 3 teeth - crack head!!!
Bug Powder says...
You Bloc Party fanboy/girls are a laugh, we have no idea what actually went on. Rotten may be a scum bag but that Bloc Party retard is a whiney tosser as well.
marisa jade says...
Who cares, we all know Bloc Party are awesome. Meh
DJ Rushby says...
"granted the pistols were ground breaking, but was 2 riff pop music compared to bloc party"??? what??? where do i begin? The Ramones came b4 the pistols. so not so ground breaking. I don't think i've ever listened to the pistols and thought "this sounds like pop music". And for everyone on block party's side because they like techno, Johnny rotten has done AMAZING electronic work with Leftfield, and Public image Ltd and others. I really like block party, but if you go up to one of the worlds most famous punk rockers, when he's with a bunch of mates, and ask why he isn't in his old band anymore, you might just get thumped. ps there is no excuse for racism
marisa jade says...
He didn't ask why he's not with his old band..mere curiosity to see if they'd do something together again..maybe rotten shouldnt be so jacked up himself..and Bloc Party arent techno..bah thats rediculous