Yawn Says Johnny Just Yawn
Stephen Micalef

Memory’s a flattened matchbox.
Where did I first see The Pistols?
The Nashville – a life changing moment.
Chopped me hair off in response –
"Would you be disappointed if The Pistols’
audience became unshockable?"
"Well," said Johnny in his unravelling
Westwood carrot-coloured pullover.
"That was a stupid question and you were stupid to ask it!"
At the Punk Fest after another blinding performance
Johnny was sitting quietly.
"Would you do Top of the Pops?" I asked
Johnny’s corner lips formed a slight smile.
"Great, why not? Should be good."
"Anarchy in the UK was made just to promote
Malcolm McLaren’s ‘Anarchy’ shirts, is that right?"
"No," says Rotten. "That’s just other bands
jealous of us… anyway the song came out first!"
"Fans say it was planned!" I persist.
"Yawn," says Johnny. "Just yawn."

As a teenager in 1976-77, Stephen Micalef (AKA Steve Mick) wrote for the pioneering punk fanzine Sniffin' Glue, started by his Deptford schoolmate Mark Perry. He reviewed many early punk gigs in London, including the seminal 100 Club Punk Fest. He also interviewed The Damned, The Buzzcocks, The Subway Sect, The Jam and edited Issue 9.

On leaving he founded the Brixton Poets, which he ran between 1986-97. He performed his poetry as a duo with artist Piers Wardle on keyboards, and collaborated with Piers in numerous art shows from 1987 until his death in 2009.

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