Born in December 1966

Before I knew what punk was i saw the Sex Pistols perform 'Anarchy In The UK' on the TV prog Nationwide, all I remember is not liking it (on my turntable at the time was Showaddywaddy/Beatles/Stones/Rainbow).

Then my older brother started buying punk singles in 1977, 'Pretty Vacant' was the first Pistols remember liking along with 'Janie Jones' and 'Career Oppurtunities' from the Clash's first LP. At primary school we were asked what music we listened to and I was too embarassed to say 'punk' so said 'new wave' instead!

The first single I bought was the Stranglers '5 minutes' in 1978, though I didn't have to buy many as my brother bought loads of singles. He pursuaded me to buy the Skids 'Scared to Dance' LP, i didn't like it much so he swapped the Pistols 'Swindle' LP with me. My Pistols obssession was kicked off by the Swindle LP and the 'Some Product' LP (much derided - only interviews but it really connected with my adolescent and very confused self!).

First gig was Adam and the Ants in December at the Brighton Top Rank (around the time 'Antmusic' was released). A brilliant gig with a punk heavy audience, they still retained some credibilty then! My brother got grief for waving peg top trousers (called a poof), so punk already had an idiot element.

Other gigs soon followed (including Cockney Rejects, Killing Joke, Banshees, Damned, Clash) - too many to mention. i've got a list somewhere, I'll probably scan it.

Used to buy clothes from 'Nasty' and 'Ananda' in Brighton and Kensington Market & Kings Road in London. What was the name of that indoor market on the Kings Road?? Was it Beaufort Market or was that earlier? I remember it had a hairdressers downstairs and a record stall as well.