Sniffin' Glue 50th Anniversary

You know the story - 50 years ago, in July 1976 to be precise, after seeing the Ramones at the Roundhouse, I went home and put together the first issue of what was to become the UK's first punk fanzine, Sniffin' Glue.

It lasted for a year, 12 and a bit issues, telling the story of punk as it happened. By the end of 1977, it wasn't needed anymore. Punk was now firmly part of the music business, bands signing up to the major record companies, being written about by the established music papers and appearing on TV. Within that year, punk had mostly been gutted, a few survivors, me included, limping on to create an alternative independent scene, evolving through small labels, fanzines and local gigs. Post punk anybody?

Anyway, this year sees the anniversary of 1976 and all that. A heroic time when, from my 19-year-old Deptford bank clerk perspective, anything seemed possible. The fact that a working-class no-hoper like me created one of the most influential publications of all time seems to confirm that.

To be honest, I'm not, and never have been, an anniversary-celebrating type of bloke. I can't even stand birthdays, including my own. And, I piss on fireworks! However, it would be churlish of me to ignore this one. So, to celebrate Sniffin' Glue's 50th, we've put together an anniversary collage! What did you expect, a gold-plated safety pin?

Anyway, we've bunged the collage on a cool white t-shirt and limited edition A3 signed print. Both are limited to 50 units...geddit? You can buy one or the other or even both as part of our special 'Sniffin' Glue 50th Anniversary Bargain Bundle'. Get in quick, because you know what people are like.

Also, every order sent will include the first in the series of our new, limited edition, Sniffin' Glue postcards! This first postcard features a Mark Perry painting of Throbbing Gristle from 1978, which was given to the band as a present. This is the first time it has been reproduced. Apparently, Cosey was shocked when she saw how Mark had painted her, saying she looked "ugly". Oh well.