Disc Four – the DVD. First up: the Riverboat Party footage in perfect condition. If it was an event taking place in recent times, the full show would have been recorded from multiple angles and so forth. But the filming we do have captures the spirit of the day, from the paranoia, the blistering performances in cramped confines, through to the Police bringing it all to an end. Doesn’t it just show how loathed the band were at this time? Don’t the Police overreact to a band playing music on a river? Perhaps that is what makes it all so encapsulating and poignant. Everything the Pistols stood for, and the threat they posed, is here in this film. these 6 demo’s would make up the legendary ‘Spunk’ album but are heard here for the very first time in their original, untouched form following the very recent discovery of the original master tapes. Holidays In The Sun / Bodies / No Feelings / Liar / God Save The Queen / Problems / Seventeen / Anarchy In The UK / Submission / Pretty Vacant / New York / EMI

The LP was re-issued in its original form as part of the limited edition 2007 UK vinyl re-issue series by Virgin Records.The original US version was also re-issued on vinyl by Rhino on October 21st 2008. The Dave Goodman demos from January 1977 follow. Dave was known for tinkering with his demos. Lord knows why. They are punchy and direct, and feature some expert musicianship and inventiveness from Steve, Glen, and Paul, much of which was lost on previous “versions” of the demos. Once again, New York was a highlight for me. Proof positive that untouched original classics should not be messed with.

CD2 – 1977 Studio Rarities & B-Sides: Previously unreleased 1977 recordings including the legendary Belsen Was A Gas with John on vocals plus the original single b-sides, again all remastered from the original master tapes. The fold out NMTB poster is lovely as well, as is the replica A&M God Save The Queen. Just think, Universal own A&M these days, so surely this is a GSTQ A&M original?! Errors that may have occurred will make it obvious if an attempt is made to copy the above piece of work. Do not publish elsewhere and claim authorship. You have been warned.

While many fans will undoubtedly be of the opinion that there can be very little left in the Sex Pistols vaults that hasn’t already been seen and heard, followers of the band will be thrilled by the treasure trove of music, footage, interviews, pictures and artifacts confirmed to be included. Absolutely everything on the box comes from the original master tapes (including NMTB and the Dave Goodman produced recordings).

DVD – 1977: Live 1977 DVD produced by Julien Temple and featuring many previously unseen performances plus DVD extras of promo videos and radio interviews. The newly compiled Holidays In The Sun video is expertly edited together from late ’77 footage, making it an authentic addition to the established videos for GSTQ and Pretty Vacant. Watching this on TV with the sound turned up makes your hair stand on end. Another triumph.

None of the other Chris Thomas produced outtakes have surfaced anywhere, including on the Party Till You Puke bootleg.Basically Disc Two is a fan’s dream. It’s been in my CD player/iPod constantly and I love it. If you don’t, I’m so sorry, nothing will be good enough. It’s magical. Thank you Universal! This is the legendary original demo featuring John Lydon on vocals and is taken from the recently recovered original master tapes. It is important to remember that this is not a re-recording, nothing has been tampered with. What we have here is the best possible sound gleaned from the master tapes. It still sounds like NMTB should – and it is essential that it does. It’s tempting to say it sounds “fresh, like it was recorded in 2012”, but it has always sounded fresh. What is certain is that it will never sound better than it does here. This mastering will ensure it still sounds fresh in 3012.

There are other surprises including Belsen Was A Gas and demos with Sid playing bass. A take of Submission with Sid is the only previously released Wessex outtake - including on bootleg. Thank God, Universal have not taken the easy route, they’ve taken the hard one. The Pistols don’t come cheap, and UMC have wisely invested a lot of resources into this project. Disc Two promised much, and proves the jewel in the crown. The 1977 B-sides start proceedings and have been given the same treatment as NMTB. No Feeling, the flip side of the junked A&M GSTQ does, at last, sounds like it should – it’s never before been quite right on any outing – other than on the original A&M. So, is it all worth it? When Universal took over the Pistols catalogue I feared a rehashing of everything the average fan, let alone the hardcore collector, would have in their possession, with a few novelty incentives thrown in. Anarchy In The UK / I Wanna Be Me / 17 / New York / EMI / Submission / No Feelings / Problems / God Save The Queen / Pretty Vacant / No Fun.

remastered from the recently found original album master tapes by Tim Young under the guidance of original producer Chris Thomas.