John Lydon And Kele Okereke's Punch Out
While we were flying back from Chicago, news spread hard and fast about a spat between outspoken post-punk kid Kele Okereke and outspoken punk-punk grandaddy Johnny Rotten, occurring Saturday night in Barcelona. Honestly that would be enough to make it newsworthy in blogland, but it's Okereke's claims of what motivated the attack that make it a different kind of concerning.
Guardian reports:
In an official statement released by the Okereke, who is of Nigerian descent, the singer says he approached Lydon backstage and asked him about the possibility of a reunion for Public Image Ltd, the band Lydon formed following the Sex Pistols demise in 1978. In Okereke's words, Lydon became "intimidating and aggressive while his entourage responded with a racist tirade, including the statement, 'your problem is your black attitude'." An assault allegedly ensued in which three people attacked Okereke.Several other bands witnessed the incident, with Foals' singer Yannis Philippakis and Kaiser Chiefs singer Ricky Wilson intervening on the Bloc Party singer's behalf. "It's not an issue of the physical assault, even though it was an unprovoked attack," said Okereke. "It is the fact that race was brought into the matter so readily. Someone as respected and as intelligent as Lydon should know better than to bring race into the equation, or socialise with and encourage those who hold such narrow-minded attitudes." He added: "I am disappointed that someone I held with such high regard turns out to be such a bigot."
Here's a portion of Lydon's statement in response (also via Guardian):
I feel very sorry for a man that needs to lie about what was a perfect evening ... 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 the show John Rotten and management remained behind to sign autographs, which we did for four solid hours without incident and had a great time talking to other Spanish bands, this seems to have sparked jealousy in certain bands. We are in the middle of a wonderful tour, after 30 years we are achieving a true unity in our audience. They are multi-varied, all ages, all races, creeds and colours. When you are at a festival with bands who are jealous fools, lies and confusion usually follow.
And this bit is probably meant for Kele:
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.
Given all the bands that witnessed the altercation, I imagine there will be some sort of public corroboration (or denial) of Kele's claims at some point. Keep you posted.
Posted at 11:25 AM by amrit in Where's The Beef?
Tags: Bloc Party | John Lydon | Johnny Rotten | The Sex Pistols
Puke Party.
Score = -6
I have to believe Kele at this point. The fact that Rotten said this was because of "jealously" make me think that Rotten is reaching for a defense.
Score = 10
yup. exactly.
Score = 0
his name is *Johnny Rotten* - sounds like a being that has a name to maintain.
Score = -4
I've never thought of Lydon as intelligent, and I wouldn't be surprised if he (and his entourage) did the things he's being accused of. The guy seems like a real jack-ass...and not the funny kind.
Score = 5
bloc party is better than animal collective (aka zzzzzz live)
Score = -9
... I love lamp.
Score = 0
Johnny Rotten...intelligent?
Come on. He makes good music but what has he ever done to merit being called intelligent?
As far as the incident -- Okerke sounds calm and..well, intelligent...while Lydon sounds angry and bullheaded. So I'm gonna have to side with Okerke.
Score = 6
Or Okereke..whatever.
Score = 3
who carezzzzz? stereogum is turning into perezhilton
Score = -5
that's original [*the claim]
Score = -7
Kele love.
i thought it was going to be homophobic when I read the first paragraph, but racial? another yikes. oh well, its prolly just some randos in his entourage.
Score = 4
i think johnny ate a rotten apple
Score = -4
an allegation univere sounds like a pretty scary place... johnny rotten is lame both as a musician and a human being. hope more people realize this now
Score = 4
They're both douche bags in my opinion.
Score = -4
"the wonderful world of the media"
the guy is obviously deluded. he isn't intelligent and in this case I would side with the Bloc Party guy. They're both knobheads though. That's what's important here. They're both knobheads.
Score = 1
the only thing john lydon has EVER done that was worth a damn was the first couple of PIL albums. he's a joke. it seems like all his bravado comes from being in a mediocre punk band that was put together like the backstreet boys. bleh.
Score = 5
There's a lot of Kele haters out there. Why so? His band (in my opinion) doesn't suck, but hey, you can't win over everyone.
In regards to the fight:
Johnny, sorry mate, but you had nothing on the Clash. You’re self-proclaimed “glory days” are over. And I use “glory days” loosely. You’re just a bitter old man who refuses to let go. He needs to act his age not his shoe size!
Score = 4
I'm inclined to distrust the man named "Johnny Rotten," in this particular situation. No, wait, I mean IN EVERY POSSIBLE SITUATION.
Score = 7
Lydon used the "bigger band jealousy" card to bring down bloc party. thats a shame and it shows how desperate they were for a defense. you have to side with bloc party for this one. rotten is an idiot anyways.
Score = 5
oh and i'm getting really tired of the dude with the icon of flash yr dick. seriously, grow up. what are you 12?
Score = 10
Im with tai. enough of the flash yr idiot dick icon. go stand in front of the mirror and do it there, at least someone will be impressed. oh yeah, the real topic we're writing about here is an old fart trying to get another 15 minutes of 'fame' any way that he can. go Bloc Party guy
Score = 5
clearly that old ass hole has something against blacks and gays, hate is what brings the world down to its knees, and as a rocker he really should be pro equality, and love all of his fans not beat them up
Score = 0
i love u steph u are the best u are more than genevive u are cool i will be like u.
Score = -1
and......WE DON'T CARE!!!!!! you're all a bunch of jealous fags yourselves... mediocre band you say?damn fool... you're talking about a band that changed the whole history of music. even the shittty music that you're listening on your 10$ mp3 was influenced by bands like the sex pistols...you don't know what you're taking about, just blabbering around...everyone here was in the backstage of the show when the incident happened? than retain yourselves from stupid comments. what did you nerds realise to criticize rotten?ha?
Score = -1