The Slits' Viv Albertine on clothes, music and boys

[@misfit2022]

As a young boy I had a photo of Viv Albertine on my wall as a young punk, and not many guitarists were on my wall. I once met a friend of Viv's and told her of my crush and she said I know her and my embarrassment was complete. She did offer to introduce us but I bottled it. I used to play along to The Slits Cut as Budgie is amazing on that album and he would only become more amazing with Siouxie mixing in all those polyrhythms. Viv is a legend and may I take this time to say RIP Ari Up.

[@mistersharpus6085]

Beautiful comment mate.

[@zg-mzga]

aw you should’ve mate! i emailed her after a show in the us and she wrote back! i complimented her smile and she replied“thank you dear scott” 💗

[@misfit2022]

@Double Beanie I was a kid and trying not to be pushy but with age comes confidence and had some great nights out with other punks later.

[@at1970]

We all had a crush on her. And Christine mcvie and Cindy lauper and the dancers for the tubes…the music and times were so intoxicating that I felt like I was being washed down a river. Way better than today.

[@eclectica1]

Do you regret not taking the opportunity to meet her now?

[@seanhenriques808]

I’m in the middle of her book right now. It’s a fantastic read. Her style is so easy to follow but the message comes across so clearly. highly recommended.

[@nealesmith3700]

Never underestimate the influence of the Slits. That's the real girl power right there. God bless Viv, Ari and the girls.

[@Kpictures_NYC]

Women are awesome and punk girls are incredible!!

[@robertedwards4102]

Yes I prob as well beki bondage vs

[@yepheth]

Viv is still gorgeous.

[@Deedee-ee1sg]

Its a brilliant book, very funny at times, very moving, sometimes jaw-dropping!! Paints a vivid portrait of the harsh times many of us had in the 70s and 80s. Also shows how many risks we took, many of us girls were in scary situations as young teenagers not realising what we were doing...I myself used to hitch hike to festivals and gigs, on my own, at 14 years old!! I love Viv's solo albums. Went to one of her readings some years back and had brief chat. She's very charismatic and smart!

[@hopebgood]

I just loved The Slits for making such amazing music. As a gay boy back then I had "other" things to worry about too. I still love 'em now

[@purplesunflower8242]

I spent two days in bed reading Viv's book...I was moved by the courage of this Women, and couldn't put it down until finished. ...read it !

[@trishwright986]

Purple Sunflower me too! Have been reading it all day, came here to re-live their songs from "cut" as i am on the part where they're in the countryside recording for Island. Btw, your comment is the best on here.☺💜 "if the kids are united...then we'll never be divided" -sham69

[@Lensman864]

That's NOT the effect it had on me! I'm a similar age to Viv, similar experiences at an early age and I found her vacuous, vulgar and creatively blind.

[@carrieoff]

Me three though over several days and not in bed

[@carrieoff]

Lensman are you male?

[@schnitzelvonknobbschafft2683]

@@carrieoff I'm male, white, middle aged - and her books are some of the best I've ever read.

[@antonhaq3503]

It's a brilliant book, obviously honest and an emotional journey, I think Viv is a brilliant woman.

[@danielaschwarz1971]

Anton Haq Oh yes,she is really a brilliant and still with 60 a good looking woman without surgery and I love to read this book,but in Germany i must find it.....Do you know how expensive it was?Don´t matter i must read it ;-D

[@antonhaq3503]

Daniela Schwarz Did you manage to read it? I usually buy all my books from Amazon, always seem to be the cheapest offers.

[@davidsmith8376]

I'm reading her book and it is superb. It's not the best written piece of work and it jumps around a bit, but it is honest and engaging and so much of it resonates with me although I am a few years younger; I can identify with where she comes from and where she is coming from. I remember seeing The Slits in the late 70's in Newport and they were the weirdest band I had seen to that date. Punk rock was a real awakening for me, like Viv, I thought I could do something, rather than sit on the sidelines and watch. I had never really realised how all of those people fitted together. It's an inspiring book and I'd urge you to read it.

[@revol148]

do you really think punk has stood the test of time? - I beg to differ

[@davidsmith8376]

revol148 Hello. I dont think punk has stood the test of time but I think it paved the way for some great music. I own a lot of stuff from the late 70's but struggle to listen to it now other than the odd song. What I think punk did was open the floodgates for people to realise that they could make music and that you didn't have to make songs that were techincally great, be a virtuoso with your chosen instrument, be signed to a big-name label or make songs 20 minutes long. I would urge you to read Albertine's book; I really enjoyed it and she is one of the people from that era who still have some credibility............anyone for some Country Life butter?

[@revol148]

David Smith the "flood gates" were indeed opened - primarily to a load of people who really should have kept their music ability to their own bedrooms! The fact that the legacy is pretty dire speaks for itself. People are all too happy to talk about the Clash or the Sex-pistols (and even they wrote plenty of dire songs) yet appear to forget the 98% other bands who were awful: Sham 69, X-ray specs,Crass, UK subs, the Dead Kennedy's........erm the Slits! Country life butter? - well both selling music and butter are both parts of the capitalist system and if John Lydon wants to make money in old age I have no problem with that whatsoever. Mind you there are people out there who have never forgiven the Clash to signing to CBS records for 100,000 in the late 1970's!

[@davidsmith8376]

revol148 I dont think it was necessarily about the quality of the music or how long it would last it was more about (for me anyway) people having a go - that you did not need a big corporation behind you; just a guitar and three chords and some mates and you had a band. That some of the music is now unlistenable isn't or wasn't the point. I saw most of the major punk bands (Pistols, Clash (several times), Slits, Buzzcocks, Slits etc) and their music (at the time) was energising and fun and very very accessible - in 76/77 it was 50p or 75p to see the Pistols and others whereas I paid £2 to see the Stones at Earls Court in 76 (an the stage was about half a mile away).

[@revol148]

David Smith big corporation behind you? eh - ALL the bands were signed to major record labels not some sort of Kibbutz style collective! People formed bands to make as much money as possible (and who can blame them?!) If it wasn't about the quality of the music then really why bother - they did and we witnessed the results in the form of Crass, Exploited, Sam 69.I'll take your word about the book - I've read the reviews - hearing about her Labia, domestic life in Hastings and the fact that she gave poor blow jobs to Johnny Rotten don't really interest me.

[@andreasalvi312]

I just finished her book, I totally loved it, I totally loved her

[@desiredqued]

wow, not familiar with Viv Albertine but this now enriched woman through life experience has inspired (me) this weathered black man from Tottenham. Ordinarily we should have nothing in common, Punk!

[@ealees]

Loved the book book it was the first book I have picked up for more than 20 years, and went on to read Steve Joneseys, Chrissie Hynde, Billy Idols and Glen Matlocks while on holiday. I always loved punk since 1978-79 missed the first wave 75-77 I was only 14 in 1976 and black sabbath sounded much harder than the stranglers no more heroes to a young kid at 14. Thanks for putting it alll down on paper . now discovered books in my mid 50s

[@zg-mzga]

billy idol’s book is amazing. jonesy’s audiobook is my preferred. him speaking it is like one of my favorite albums

[@Khultan]

Viv's book puts an entirely down to earth approach and my impression of Sid or John shatters the media portrayal.

[@007mrjd]

Worth reading Viv's book - very enlightening!

[@davidram9511]

She said it people “music is dead now “ how true and sad

[@dickenya3278]

There are great punk bands out there trying. Check out this band called Side Eyes, they blew my f*cking mind! kzbin.info/www/bejne/mneUoYd4jNKnaZI

[@BibleBlack667]

I'm nearly half way through her book now. I can only echo what others have already said. It is an excellent book and if you only have the vaguest interest in punk, girl musicians, the 70s, whatever, I'd urge you to read it - it's about all of those things and more - but fundamentally it's about a woman finding her way in life - not a typical girl, but a girl that many could learn from, in whatever era. Read it! And, RIP, Ari and Nora...

[@ADubSupremeReggaeBand]

We ❣The Slits! They are a major influence on our punky reggae sound & vibe... RIP Ari Up!

[@mautnerr]

Very wise words. Viv is definitely a woman to be looked up to.

[@NilezII]

Early Punk was loaded with girl power! Nina Hagen, Alice Bag, The Slits, Blondie, Lydia Lunch, Poison Ivy, Polly Styrene, the list goes on & on.

[@lodgechant]

Oh what a brilliant interview! Thank you!

[@tonstrahler5179]

Great words about the change of the music into industries

[@MrMoon-cg2yy]

Yep people do some pretty silly embarrassing thing between the ages of 15 and 25. If one doesn't cringe at some of the memories of back then I suspect they have no memory(s).

[@MrSausagess]

Her first book is absolutely fantastic and extremely funny. What a woman! Get It Now!!

[@riffraffrichard]

Fantastic woman, i love the slits. I know what she means about musics position in culture now. However, i still think its one of the most powerful art forms, you can unite and instantly change peoples feelings with it. The business is dead but i still think it will always revive in new ways as when your hear something good you cant deny it.

[@davidlafleche1142]

Viv Albertine would have been better off if she weren't famous.

[@PresentingReality]

Great Interview. So feisty. I want to read her book now.

[@purplesunflower8242]

+Shazin Please read the book !

[@michaelkurtz4447]

I'm reading the book and it's quite good. It's honest, engaging, and what you would want in a rock and roll memoir. Regarding TheGreadIndoors anti-feminist comment. A "feminist" is someone who believes in equal rights for women and men. That's it. 99% of all people are feminist.

[@TheGreatIndoors1979]

Hi Michael, I believe in equal rights for men and women and I am, partly for that reason, not a feminist. I'm quite aware of the general dictionary's description of feminism, but that doesn't say anything about their activities and behavior. You will find that most people don't want to call themselves feminists, even though they will probably agree with the dictionary's definition, because of the stigma the word feminist already has in the general public. Basically, to call yourself a feminist, you must believe in patriarchy theory. That is the very basis of feminism, like someone who believes in the resurrection of Jesus Christ is a christian. I, on the other hand, don't believe in patriarchy theory, and therefore can't call myself a feminist. (Nor would I want to. What's wrong with calling yourself an equalitarian?) And then you have things like: rape culture, the wage gap and gender quota's, the 1-in-4 rape statistics etc., which are all phenomena that can be debated (which it has been already). However, returning to Viv's book, MinSinging's comment just made me curious about what she had to say personally about feminism. Does it play a great part in her memoir, or is it something that remains in the background? Thanks.

[@gamelamelan]

TheGreatIndoors1979 fuck you

[@corneliusagrippa4613]

Michael Kurtz That number is waaaay too high. Don't give in to delusion.

[@paulaborges9872]

Michael Kurtz That is the most naive, deluded point of view possible. If 99% of people in the world wanted gender equality, gender inequality wouldn't exist. The fact is whenever there is inequality, someone is benefitting from it. And those who get the benefits don't give up easily.

[@paulaborges9872]

Michael Kurtz Men can be supporters of the feminist cause, of course, but they should probably think twice before calling themselves feminists, as they lack the experience of what it feels like to be a woman in this world. What unavoidably happens is that, even with the best of intentions, they steal our voices because of the fact the society is general is way more likely to listen to men. Viv describes in the video how society is patriarchal, and it hasn't changed one bit since then.

[@tudormiller8898]

Love her. Miss Ari Up. Watching from London.

[@markgullick1725]

Just reading this book. It is wonderful.

[@davidsmith8376]

This was/is my one and only comment on You Tube. All I said was I liked her book...........

[@RUDI-UK]

Still gorgeous!

[@johnnyrotten5507]

4:47 - very well put

[@neilwilson5785]

I loved the Slits so much. As a teenage boy, it was really exciting to see mad punk girls going super crazy. I'd love to see 500 female bands going crazy and releasing their own music in 2018. And, of course 500 male bands. Maybe with a mix of genders. Whoever is good at music.

[@marcosoverini6171]

Absolutely yes, Viv i read your book and was ....great...yeah, how many times we had to fail to achive something....yes well done Viv!

[@tonybates7870]

Her book is fabulous, so is she, and for the age of 60 - well, you would, wouldn't you?

[@brantub]

She's 60? No waaaay!

[@tonybates7870]

philpheburbs She's 61 now - this was a year ago or more. In her book she has a picture of the actor Vincent Gallo with the caption "well, you would, wouldn't you?" so I thought I'd redirect her compliment towards her. And it is a compliment - she looks better now than she did at 25. When you add that vaguely posh accent into the mix - dear me. . .

[@charmingbilly1685]

Of course, I'd love to watch the nut run down that chicken gizzard she calls a throat.

[@parsleylionunk3235]

But instead Billy you'll end up with a box of Kleenex like you probably do most nights

[@voyeurcoma638]

In the slits days absolutely.

[@FutureLegendRecords]

Viv's is the best Autobiography ever written. Although we have just read a draft of another that could equal it but can't say what it is at the moment.

[@DrKenHildebrandt]

What Viv says at 3:28 really nails it, sadly enough.

[@nickunderwood6175]

Viva is so beautiful still🎉❤

[@tomfaulkner6616]

Found both books very hard to read in places. Fascinating but gruelling. Not alot of the nitty gritty left out. She definitely went through the mill.

[@susanafernandes8654]

A godess ! God bless her ...

[@sidfletcher4955]

Awesome book...great writer...

[@ronaldharris6569]

Imagine finding out grandma was a punk icon

[@owensjl65]

I feel very old.

[@EBOWARRIOR]

Love Slits.

[@surfer_sphere]

В этой клёвой панк группе The Slits (Мокрощелки) 100% творчества от Ари Ап (Ari Up)!!!!!!!

[@Charlietwice]

Her last comment is so now about music. It’s run by corporations and innovative music is now underground. So sad. 😞

[@peterbrown6434]

Sensational!!!

[@micahb2627]

Love. Her.

[@robertedwards4102]

O wot a a smart girl.x

[@soundhead6971]

I love Viv she's such a lovely looking girl!!

[@clivet3846]

Great book

[@tomasaguirre1764]

Smart, attractive lady ♥

[@PeasGraveny]

Beautiful sweet Viv. Cool as..

[@corneliusagrippa4613]

I don't want to say something bitter and cynical... We all become the things we hated. There. Thats all I'll say.

[@paulspydar]

oh shut up Meg !

[@Weeniall74]

such an interesting person, the slits were great! shame she ended the interview by completely dismissing modern music, really irritating when older musicians do that

[@wheezvonklaw284]

I agree, but it seems one of the curses of growing old. I'm the same way.

[@at6686]

The right people at the right time. Never to be reproduced again.

[@SkeeterNYC]

I love Viv but she never explains that it was Chrissie Hynde who taught her guitar chords and suggested that she join the Slits when she was ambivilant about it.

[@trishwright986]

Skeeter NYC hmmm...interesting bit. I read chrissie's book, too. I don't think chrissie was very well regarded by that circle, and maybe viv just didn't feel right giving her too much of a presence in her own book. Chris's book was kind of negative towards this circle, and particularly in her account towards nancy spungen. I thought it wasn't fair, and came off as harsh and bitter. I think viv decided to take the high road where chris did not, and has written a much more objective account about the bromley contingent circle. That's my bit..

[@hankm]

Did you not read Viv's book? She did write about how Chrissy urged her to join the Slits - even saying that if Viv didn't, Chrissy would!

[@crapple009]

She's right. The real punk of today is getting that science degree instead of putting on the cliched and well worn-out punk uniform (tattoos optional, kids).

[@wylierichardson-tu6zs]

I wish this clip had touched more on her relationships with famous musicians, Mick Jones in particular. The Clash song "Train in Vain" was written in the aftermath of their break-up, that is why the tune has a mournful feel of loss. The title itself refers to the times when Mick would take the train to visit Viv's house, only to have her refuse to let him in.

[@MinSinging]

Viv's book made my heart bleed a little bit. If my big sister hadn't made me feminist then having a daughter has . and reading the book put a seal on it.

[@TheGreatIndoors1979]

Although I like the Slits, and think nothing bad of Viv Albertine, I would call myself an anti-feminist. Could you please summarize what is said about feminism in her book? Because I know there is all sorts of feminism.

[@TheGreatIndoors1979]

Russell J Turner I would expected something more open-minded from a poet/writer/radiohost than mere slander, but I guess you spoke from the heart. I merely wanted to be a bit more informed about Viv's view regarding feminism and rock and roll memoirs are not at the top of my list of books.

[@rascalapache]

TheGreatIndoors1979 My apologies. I was having a bad night. I fully retract the statement.

[@TheGreatIndoors1979]

Russell J Turner I actually didn't expect this response. Thank you.

[@MinSinging]

TheGreatIndoors1979 Oh ....... I think I took too long to respond here (sorry, went on holiday , daughter started back at school etc.). In response to your question the book doesn't lecture you on feminist theory, it just gives you an intelligent , talented woman's story and you can decide whether women have it harder than men in certain situations ( that would be a yup. but don't let me influence you). If by antifeminist you mean you don't like being haranged by short haired women in dungarees (ah ,the eighties.......)then I think that's reasonable.If you think girls should be discouraged from playing guitar , being doctors, engineers or doing anything but cooking dinner then I can't believe you like the slits .But what do I know ? I'm not aware of patriachy theory , my feminism (for want of anything better to call it - equalitarianism is NEVER going to catch on) just means a desire for equality of opportunity for men and women and a realisation that women have been treated very badly for a long time . It's a good book. Read it.If you don't want to risk buying it borrow it from the library.

[@KimSE4]

Typical Girls is a masterpiece.

[@Davman316]

In response to your Guardian story. No you never terrified us, because until today most of us had never heard of you.

[@mathewemerton8115]

Obviously you are not scared of women.

[@ashleyfield63]

She looks like Victoria Derbyshire now.

[@johnnyrotten5507]

Forgive me if this is politically incorrect, but she is very much a "hottie".

[@yepheth]

Johnny Rotten your're not politically uncorrect. You just have good taste.

[@johnnyrotten5507]

@@yepheth so true.

[@Sailfire1]

Privileged. Getting a bus? The luxury of being middle class- always had that to fall back on..

[@howareyou857]

She wasn't middle class

[@Broatch6]

scallywags ???....slitrock woz frank fearless and femtastic !!!

[@adamarchy]

"Punk royalty"

[@gabbsdad]

A pretty woman

[@tuffgonggbUNCTION]

SOULJAHZ

[@sidfletcher4955]

That's Entertainment

[@Tintinartboy]

The slits

[@americancitizen748]

She became such an ordinary upper-class Englishwoman.

[@howareyou857]

Dunno about that..

[@mickymac6571]

Middle class actually,

[@RobertTheDodger654]

Know what Viv's first ever paid job was btw?

[@irishgreen4634]

????

[@Tintinartboy]

Theslits

[@rolomuir8441]

Punk royalty- she really didn't get it

[@eyeoftheneedle1116]

Bjork was influenced by them it seems.

[@mrsuperger5429]

Her end comment is spot on. UK pop music has lost its anarchic and revolutionary spirit. It has been Americanised, where the bottom line and monetary profit is everything. Soulless, bland nonsense.

[@Unfunny_Username_389]

1:30 - this shows a fundamental lack of understanding about punk

[@gogoyubari366]

I still believe Tessa was the most beautiful of all the girls.

[@dougie1968]

No girls who played the electric guitar? Viv clearly never heard of the all-female rock groups Fanny or The Shaggs.

[@tomfaulkner6616]

No, dont think they were exactly well known here.

[@Polemicist0]

I, regrettably, saw The Slits perform live in the very early 1980s. I have to confess that they were, actually, one of the most worst bands that I ever had the misfortune to either see or hear, during that the whole of that new wave or punk rock era. Either the female group members could not actually play their instruments properly, or they did not know how to correctly tune their guitars. If the real truth were really known, it was most probably both. As a result it was, therefore, hardly surprising that The Slits subsequently turned out to be a complete and utter commercial flop, and were, consequently, almost instantaneously, dropped by their Island record label, due to an appalling low volume of actual record sales.

[@ronanrogers4127]

The most worst is bad indeed

[@JohnPreston888]

@@ronanrogers4127 😂

[@lisajackson7546]

The most perverted punk band lol

[@etherealcatholic5711]

She looks good for her age. Don't question my Male authority,young Lady.

[@emmetfahy9151]

They had all gone for marriage and children. Presented as if that's a bad thing.

[@joolsfactor]

Feisty? Anarchic? Nah!! Shook things up? You didn't! Pretentious and talent less. Boring. People liked them because everyone else said they did. An Emperors new clothes scenario. Cringe.

[@hopebgood]

The Slits obviously made a mark on you for you to hate them so much. I like that.

[@georgedeathe4683]

the Slits were a right load of fanny

[@gordonthomson5599]

Never a fan of the slits

[@ExtrovertedCenobite]

Punk music for the most part 99% was garbage, the Slits were 99.99999% garbage and this woman is cynical, angry and sad!

[@wheezvonklaw284]

Well, when there's a garbage strike in London and New York, it's not going to sound like RUSH or Bad Company, is it?

[@estebansteverincon7117]

Great...more feminists crap...* groan *

[@parsleylionunk3235]

Your mother will be very upset Esteban when she finds out you found a way around the parental controls on the laptop

[@estebansteverincon7117]

Not really, because she thinks femitards are full of shit as well.

[@rolomuir8441]

Punk royalty really???