John Lydon Says Kneecap Want a ‘Good Kneecapping’ Amid Controversy

Because the controversy surrounding Belfast hip-hop trio Kneecap continues to swirl, former Intercourse Pistols vocalist John Lydon has weighed in on the controversy.

Lydon, who fronted the pioneering U.Ok. punk band from 1975 till 1978 and on their quite a few reunions till 2008 as Johnny Rotten, made his feedback within the wake of the myriad controversies confronted by Kneecap in latest weeks.

Nonetheless, whereas talking to Good Morning Britain on Wednesday (Could 8), this system’s host introduced up a latest incident during which Kneecap issued an apology for archival footage which confirmed the group allegedly calling for the loss of life of British MPs (members of parliament). 

Filmed at a London gig in November 2023, it seems to point out one member of the band saying: “The one good Tory is a lifeless Tory. Kill your native MP.” On the time, the Conservative Celebration – also referred to as the Tories – had been in authorities with a big majority.

“Should you’re advocating the loss of life of one other human being, then you haven’t any trigger by any means,” Lydon mentioned in response to the incident. “You’re my enemy from right here on in for the remainder of your mediocre existence. You shouldn’t be speaking like that, you shouldn’t be making enemies of your fellow human beings. Aside from that, possibly they want a bloody good kneecapping!”

Within the context of the matter, ‘kneecapping’ – the time period from which the trio take their title – refers to how Northern Eire paramilitaries would take the legislation into their very own fingers throughout The Troubles by inflicting accidents on these accused of prison or delinquent behaviour, normally with a gunshot to the knee.

Lydon additionally commented on Kneecap’s obvious makes an attempt to generate controversy within the fashionable age by claiming they’re taking cues from the Intercourse Pistols’ playbook. “I believe they’re following what they suppose is the Intercourse Pistols route,” he added. “It’s useful, isn’t it, if you get the Monetary Occasions propping you up.”

Kneecap made world headlines following their look on the Coachella pageant in April, the place they projected sturdy anti-Israel sentiments throughout their set – sentiments which that they had claimed had been censored throughout their first weekend look.

“Israel is committing genocide in opposition to the Palestinian individuals,” the projected messages learn. “It’s being enabled by the U.S. authorities who arm and fund Israel regardless of their conflict crimes. F–okay Israel; free Palestine.” 

The backlash to Kneecap’s feedback had been swift and different, with Sharon Osbourne calling for the band’s work visas to be revoked forward of one other North American tour later within the yr, whereas the trio would quickly cut up with their reserving agent, Unbiased Artist Group.

Lydon has been fairly prolific by way of public remark in latest weeks, having just lately taken to disparaging the nascent model of the Intercourse Pistols which have been touring with Frank Carter on lead vocals, and distancing himself from any potential reunions along with his former bandmates.

“Not after what I think about their soiled deeds, allow them to wallow in Walt Disney woke expectations,” he mentioned in response to the notion of returning to the position of vocalist. “They’ve killed the content material, or finished their greatest to, and turned the entire thing right into a garbage, childishness, and that’s unacceptable.

“Sorry, I’m not going to offer a serving to hand to this any longer, so far as I’m involved, I’m the Pistols, they usually’re not.”