SEX—DRUGS—ROCK'N'ROLL—FASHION—CRIME—POLITICS: Punk; The Last Revolution
Releasing on 25th September 2026, to coincide with the 50th Anniversary of the Punk Festival at the 100 Club, Cadiz Music is bringing out a limited edition boxset – including a reissue of the acclaimed (but rarely seen) 2015 documentary film, ‘Anarchy! The McLaren Westwood Gang‘, directed by Phil Strongman.
With just 500 copies available, ‘Anarchy! McLaren Westwood Gang‘ is an essential compilation of anarchic art to add to your Punk collection!
Opening with the funeral of anarchist José Buenaventura Durruti in Barcelona in 1936, an event attended by half a million people, the introduction to the film takes us on a swift journey through the following 10 years to the birth of Malcolm McLaren. Here we learn about McLaren’s unconventional early life and upbringing from his older brother Stuart Edwards, and the huge effect that Rock’n’Roll music had upon young Malcolm..
McLaren himself appears frequently in the film, discussing his own thoughts about music and the way it changed, in a series of candid last interviews conducted in London and Paris, before his death in 2010.
The journey through culture and hsitory continues as McLaren grows up and goes to art school, against the backdrop of the Cold War and American agression in Vietnam, something teenage Malcolm was arrested for protesting against. Meeting Vivienne Westwood in 1965 was of course pivotal, as the couple went on to collaborate on fashion design, eventually opening their frequently-renamed boutique on the Kings Road, Chelsea – which is a very intriguing story in itself!
Another pivotal moment for McLaren was the Paris riots of 1968, in which he became latterly involved, and which very much informed his anarchic approach going forwards.
Archive clips of Westwood also appear in the film, in addition to contributions from The Clash, 101es, Bow Wow Wow, Adam Ant, Boy George, Don Letts, Tony Wilson, Tracey Emin, Stuart Christie and Nick Egan. This gives the viewer a fascinating insight into the lives and inspirations of those in the Punk scene at its inception.
The Sex Pistols are naturally covered in depth, and mostly in McLaren’s own words, as their early rise to notoriety was fuelled by a combination of the band members’ own belligerence and Malcolm’s unique and chaotic management style. A band that should never have come to be, playing gigs they shouldn’t have been playing, then cementing their fame with a live TV appearance that went down in history for the scandal it caused… It doesn’t get more anarchic than that – or indeed, than the title of their first single release:
All good things must come to an end, and the dramatic demise of the Pistols is included too. The final part of the documentary explores McLaren moving past the Sex Pistols to manage and conceptualise new musical acts, such as Bow Wow Wow.
Malcolm also reflects upon his own role in cultural agitation, art, and subculture, before the film turns to the long-term shadow left by Punk upon modern culture; fashion, pop art, and British society.
Inside the sturdy 12″ x 12″ box, featuring original artwork by Chris Musto, you’ll find a superb variety of goodies, including: the film on DVD, a 12″ red splatter vinyl soundtrack album with music and dialogue, an exclusive Jamie Reid art print, the soundtrack CD, Anarchy shot glass, Anarchy tote bag, badges, posters, a patch and photo postcards. You’ll also receive a certificate numbered and signed by director Phil Strongman, and a booklet with a chapter from his forthcoming ‘Acme BOY‘ book. It’s like diving into the best Punk Xmas stocking ever, as you discover each of these delights.
We may have found the perfect gift for the Punk fan in your life! Or treat yourself – you deserve it!
The ‘Anarchy! McLaren Westwood Gang‘ boxset is available directly from Cadiz Music – order yours from HERE
Main Photo Credit: MARTYN GOODACRE
(All McLaren / Westwood / Bow Wow Wow photos under Creative Commons license via Wikimedia Commons)
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