Sex Pistols' Artist Thinks Virgin Money's Credit Cards Are Bollocks

1 July 2015 | 11:23 am | Staff Writer

"If it was up to me I would never agree to such usage."

Image from virgin.com

Image from virgin.com

More Sex Pistols More Sex Pistols

Though the gesture was nice, we guess, Virgin Money's idea to create credit cards, a symbol of consumerism, to honour Sex Pistols' anarchic, anti-establishment aesthetic was ironic at best. Now the iconic British band's original artist, Jamie Reid, creator of the Never Mind The Bollocks, Here's The Sex Pistols album art has lashed out in a letter to a journalist.

Journalist Johnny Sharp tweeted a handwritten note penned by Reid, stating the artist's "complete disgust" at the use of his art work for the credit cards.

He goes on to say, "It seems typical of the times we live in. Especially with the Tory (bankers) victory in the last election. It seems so removed from the original 1977 spirit of the Pistols but to be sure these times of questioning and change and alternatives will come again. As the original artist I have no rights over its usage. Virgin have the rights to use it as they like. If it was up to me I would never agree to such usage."

The credit cards were created to "celebrate Virgin's musical heritage" according to Virgin Money's website; as Virgin Records signed the band in 1977, they have the rights to the Pistols' artwork, which includes Reid's art for the singles Anarchy In The UK and God Save The Queen.

Don't miss a beat with our FREE daily newsletter