MAGAZINE COVERS

HOW DO THE CLASH AND THE SEX PISTOLS DIFFER FROM EACH OTHER? 

In the creation of two magazine covers, I examine the significant differences between The Clash and The Sex Pistols in the world of punk music. I wanted to show the vulgarity the Sex Pistols displayed in contrast to the more subtle approach that The Clash took. I thought I could represent who these bands were and how they differed just by showing how the front cover of a magazine could look based on the personality of each band. For the two covers, I drew them digitally. By using more pastel colors for The Clash I hint at the subtlety the band took and their calmer approach in addressing the concept of punk. For the Sex Pistols, on the other hand, I decided to use more vibrant colors in hopes of exaggerating the chaos and anger that they brought to the stage. The Sex Pistols had a more anarchical approach and The Clash was more interested in representing the people. In simple terms, both bands can be associated with anger towards society and the government, but The Sex Pistols were more aggressive than The Clas. I used a simplistic style for The Clash poster to represent their version of punk. Yes, the Clash had anger, but there was not common vulgarity in their work. They wrote music with a purpose; whereas, the Sex Pistols wrote music as a way to get their frustrations out. To exaggerate the frustrations, I tried to incorporate bright colors and red detailing in the Sex Pistols magazine cover. The reds, for example, represent the blood of the people at the Sex Pistol concerts. Mosh pits were also a common occurrence and the band often urinated on the spectators, so the bright colors represent these components as well. The simplistic versus the complex does not really exemplify the music these bands wrote but, rather, their personal approach to the concept of punk rock and the impressions they made on society.