Pistols fire blanks on forgettable US tour

This 3xCD set of concerts from the Pistols' terminal US tour in January 1978 has little musical value. The gigs are chaotic and the tour itself was a paranoia-riddled comedy of terrors.

- GARRY BUSHELL

Their opening set at Atlanta's Great Southeast Music Hall was in a shopping mall with the 500-strong audience swamped by reporters, TV crews and cops.

Steve Jones's guitar is out of tune and Sid Vicious's bass is out of time with Paul Cook's drums.

"Aren't we the worst thing you've ever seen?"sneers Johnny Rotten.

They're at their strongest when it comes to their fifth show, at the Dallas Longhorns Ballroom - a former topless bar - on January 10. (And were even better in San Antonio, which sadly isn't included.) John is chirpier and Steve locks in well with Cook although, even here, the sound quality is foggy.

The final gig, San Francisco's Winterland, was dubbed "the worst rock 'n' roll show ever", perhaps rightly. The sound sucks and nobody on stage or off sounds like they're enjoying it.