The Libertines’ Gary Powell on playing to “racist” Sex Pistols fans: “It wasn’t a joyous occasion”
The Libertines‘ drummer Gary Powell has recalled performing to “racist” Sex Pistols fans whom he claimed threw Nazi Swastika salutes at him.Powell, who has also drummed for Dirty Pretty Things with Libs bandmate Carl Barat, as well as The Specials, the Red Hot Chilli Peppers and the New York Dolls, told NME in a new interview that he was shocked that the Sex Pistols camp allegedly did nothing to condemn the abuse at the gig 20 years ago.When NME quizzed Powell in the latest Does Rock ‘N’ Roll Kill Braincells?! feature on which The Beatles song “angry Sex Pistols fans” sang during a Libertines set in support of the legendary punk band in 2002, Powell answered: “Was it ‘Get Back’? I don’t remember!”The drummer’s answer was incorrect, with NME telling him that the fans were in fact singing ‘Yellow Submarine’ due to the bandmembers wearing matching red tunics.Powell then responded: “All I remember was some Nazi-esque Sex Pistols fans giving me Swastika salutes whilst we were playing, and I lost it and wanted to kick off with those guys. It wasn’t a joyous occasion.