The British Library is currently putting on an exhibition entitled Punk 1976-78, which looks at some of the first bands to emerge on the British punk scene. This sounds like a great idea, but it’s marred by one problem: not enough focus on bands from the era that featured women. While bands like The Clash and The Buzzcocks, are represented in the exhibit, women-led bands from the era such as X-Ray Spex and The Slits went unmentioned. After hearing of this, Viv Albertine, the guitarist for the Slits, decided to do something about it. Specifically, she defaced the exhibit.
Albertine crossed the names of the Pistols, Clash, and Buzzcocks, writing the names of The Slits, X-Ray Spex, and Siouxsee & the Banshees in their place, while also writing “where are the women?”
Viv Albertine is still more punk rock than you! @britishlibrary (pic @jjuuddggee) pic.twitter.com/AjATV7KSz6
— Faber Social (@FaberSocial) July 14, 2016
It’s hard to deny that what Albertine did here was pretty damn punk rock. While The British Library likely had noble intentions here, it’s still unfortunate that their attempt to pay tribute to one of the most important eras in music history was so neglectful of the impact that women had on the movement, and Albertine’s decision to take matters into her own hands represent both the rebellious spirit and the DIY attitude that made punk so vital in the first place.
(via Pitchfork)
