It was about 1987 - as a 15 year old boy - when I first discovered punk rock music. The first recording I managed to get hold of was a cassette copy of 'Ramones Mania' by the Ramones. It really opened up my ears to what I felt was an incredible energy and the excitement was intoxicating. Following the Ramones tape, I began to acquire further recordings by bands such as: the Undertones, Stiff Little Fingers and the Buzzcocks. Little did I realise that this was just scratching the surface of punk - an immense musical genre that keeps on giving today, albeit in a less exciting era. Years later I would become aware of other brilliant bands including the Damned, Generation X, the MC5 and Iggy Pop & the Stooges. The Slits, however, never really came under my radar.
When I first heard them, Britain's first all female punk band didn't sound to me like a typical punk outfit. Instead they performed what was more akin to dub reggae. Whilst there have been many tribute acts to the Ramones there are unlikely to be many to the Slits, as they were not easy to replicate. Their music was so idiosyncratic and hard to copy. This contrasts sharply with much of the punk bands of the day.
So, I was - sorry to admit - unaware of the Slits when, as a young boy of 16, I first began to be excited by the sound of punk. Viv Albertine's memoirs provide a fascinating insight into how a group of four girls (Albertine, Ari Up, Tessa Pollit and Palmolive) battled the punk wars and left their marks on the music scene (with the inevitable sexism and abuse that came with it). If there is one word that sums up this book it is 'physical'.
Born in Australia, Albertine and her family move to the UK in the 1960's. Following her schooling she enrolls in Hornsey School of Art, eventually progressing to Chelsea School of Art in 1976, where she meets Sid Viscious and together they form a 'bedroom band', the Flowers of Romance (a name dreamed up by John Lydon). Although the band never went on to record any material, it could be said to have launched Albertine's career in the music business as soon she would accept an offer to become guitarist with the Slits.
During their time together they recorded two albums, 'Cut' and 'Return of the Giant Slits', eventually disbanding in 1982. One of the band's greatest fans was the BBC DJ, John Peel. He was, Albertine states, one of the few men that really understood and respected them for what they were. Following the split, Albertine went into a period of depression and mourning, becoming thoroughly disillusioned with the music business. Punk - at it's core - was DIY. The idea that with a relatively small investment you could create - be that as a musician, a photographer, a journalist or a film maker, among other occupations. The idea was that instead of sitting on the sidelines complaining, you could be part of the action too.
Sadly, this way of thinking has largely disappeared from popular culture. Indeed it's more difficult than ever before to make money from music or art. In addition, people have become consumers and collectors happy to accumulate material rather than make it for themselves. Making music, these days, is much more of a labour of love - a means to an end, rather than an end in itself. That's probably where the power of punk lies. It was a way of meeting - developing networks and building friendships.
In her highly regarded memoir, Albertine demonstrates her ability to forge connections and to meet people. From dossing around with Viscious to taking drugs with Johnny Thunders to being intimate with Mick Jones she was right there in the thick of the action of the UK punk scene. It is a searingly honest account of a life lived fast and dangerously. How many of today's youth could say they had as interesting a life? I'd say not many.
So when the Slits split Albertine is crestfallen. It must have been like a light going out, a stereo being switched off. In the years since the band's demise, Albertine developed herself admirably. First, she worked as a fitness instructor, then she turned to film production and became a successful film maker, shooting videos for MTV and the BBC, among other projects.
Earlier, I said this book could be described as 'physical' and this is born out as the reader is told of the various health challenges Albertine has faced in her life. After trying many times for a baby (eventually going for IVF) she falls pregnant, only to lose her baby. However in 1999, after almost giving up hope of having children, she gives birth to a daughter. Not long after this she is diagnosed with cervical cancer. Reading about this period in her life, it is clear that her daughter was a major reason for her recovery and return to health.
The former Slits guitarist has had many relationships with men and they have played a big part in her life. However, I strongly suspect - as with all of us - that love, true love, is what she was really seeking out, rather than simply sex. Her parents divorced when she was younger and this must have had an impact on her life. Indeed, she herself ends up getting divorced from an unhappy marriage.
The late 1970's was a period of intense artistic creativity through various mediums. All this energy was supercharged by the media who gave what became punk plenty of prominent coverage. This book chronicles those times. If I had one criticism it would be that the author, on occasions, goes into a little too much detail on some of her relationships with men. One encounter comes to mind with an American actor, Vincent Gallo. To this reader, it seemed pages were wasted on telling us about him. Less would have been better. It was, I felt, unnecessary.
So, Viv Albertine is a survivor. Music Music Music Clothes Clothes Clothes Boys Boys Boys is a brilliant way to tell the world: 'Fuck you, I've achieved!' Well she certainly has packed in a huge amount into her life. Next December she's due to turn 70 and this multi-talented woman's book is rightly seen by many as being one of the greatest memoirs ever written. Advance birthday greetings to her. An absolutely inspirational woman. This book should be read by all who love creativity and art. Albertine is an intelligent, creative person and she reflects this throughout the book.
