Punk legends and rock-and-roll swindlers the Sex Pistols have reunited to record a new version of their seminal hit “Anarchy in the U.K.” as a master track for Activision’s upcoming Guitar Hero III.
John Lydon, Steve Jones and Paul Cook joined with Never Mind the Bollocks producer Chris Thomas for the recording, using original 60s-era analog equipment to maintain the classic Pistols sound. The band was invited to re-record the song after Activision was unable to locate the original multi-track recordings for use in the game.
“Re-recording (the songs) – what a stress you put on us but we rose to the occasion I think, admirably!” said Lydon, better known in his Pistols days as Johnny Rotten. “A bit of anarchy in a videogame is alright by me.”
“It was great for Guitar Hero to, in a way, get us back in the studio,” added Jones, the band’s guitarist. “I wasn’t sure how it was going to turn out but it actually turned out great and I think everyone held their own.”
Tim Riley of Activision said, “Guitar Hero fans have been requesting more punk rock in the game since its first iteration. We are honored that the Sex Pistols went into the studio after 30 years, so that we could have a song from the most renowned punk band of all time in the game.”
“Anarchy in the U.K.” will also be reissued as a single on October 1, followed by three other classics throughout the month, while the band’s infamous Never Mind the Bollocks, Here’s the Sex Pistols, their only studio album, is being re-released on vinyl on October 29.
Guitar Hero III, featuring the infamous Sex Pistols track as well as music by Guns n’ Roses, the Rolling Stones, Red Hot Chili Peppers and others, is scheduled for release on October 28.
