Punk rock was built on rebellion, raw guitars and the refusal to bow. Yet despite its cultural export from Britain to America and back again, the movement was never unified. If anything, it was full of ideological minefields and artistic rivalries. At the centre of this was John Lydon: the sneering front man of Sex Pistols who carved his identity on disruption and disdain. Over the years, Lydon’s barbed comments about other punk bands became as infamous as his own band’s snarls. Here are five acts he’s consistently taken aim at—and why.
The Ramones
Lydon’s contempt for New York’s legendary trio is stark. “I was up and kicking a long time before them spastics,” he once said of the Ramones, adding that their formula “uniform studded leather jacket nonsense” helped kill punk’s edge.
The Stranglers
One of the UK’s tougher pub-punk exports, The Stranglers won mainstream hits but, for Lydon, failed live. He once joked about escaping one of their gigs to go “in the toilet with a safety pin and soap,” dismissing their on-stage power.
Green Day
When Billie Joe Armstrong’s pop-punk wave hit, Lydon didn’t hold back. “I think Green Day fucking stink. I think they’re the biggest load of fake nonsense I have ever seen,” he declared. “Silly, rich fat kids.” His fury stemmed from what he saw as commercial punk masquerading as rebellion.
Patti Smith
Though many view Smith as a foundational figure in punk and proto-punk, Lydon called her importance “severely overrated.” He rejected the notion that punk’s roots rested in New York, positing instead that early UK glam and pub acts were its true birthplace.
The Clash
Perhaps most notably, Lydon attacked The Clash, accusing them of offering “nothing… other than this abstract socialism.” He claimed their message lacked real character development and mocked their political posturing.
Whether you view him as a provocateur or purist, one thing is certain: John Lydon still believes in punk’s original fire—and he doesn’t hesitate to tell you when he sees it fading.
