The Sex Pistols, who were managed by Malcolm McLaron were on the fore front exposure of expressing their disillusionment and anarchist nature by gaining media attention with headlines such as "The filth and the fury " (Daily Mirror, 2/12/1976). "Mainstream punk bands merely gesture at radicalism and politicization (if they shows any overt interest in politics at all); underground punk articulates extreme political views with action, within performance and sometimes more broadly ". One example of the Pistols actions to gain such media attention was releasing their single ˜God save the Queen' on Queen Elizabeth II's silver jubilee and only two days before the release they set sail down the River Thames " mocking the Queen's own river procession, passing the Houses of Parliament and the Westminster Pier performing the song - which lyrically contains controversial messages such as "God save the Queen, the fascist regime ". Of course this can be also be interpreted as another way to promote the single, as it peaked at number two in the billboard charts, however I believe its effect ultimately led to more fans and connection to the frustration felt by a lot of Britain's youth. .
During the 1970's Britain was experiencing a surge of racial tensions under the Labour government with nationalist group The National Front leading the campaign to "Keep Britain White ". Eric Clapton made his political stance known in 1976 during his headline concert in Birmingham were he claimed his support of political candidate Enoch Powell and was quoted to have said "I think Enoch's right . we should send them all back. Throw the wogs out! Keep Britain white! " Yes, Eric is most certainly allowed to have his own opinions on such matters, however I believe once a musical performance begins to spout off on something fans have paid not to hear, the sudden outburst turns what was originally a piece of entertainment into a potentially racial movement.
