Sat. Jan. 21 & Sun. 22

Something about this is very wrong and, yet, very right. Our local branch of the School of Rock - yes, the folks that inspired the Jack Black movie, whether the moviemakers cop to it or not - are launching some of their students on a gig called "The Sex Pistols vs. the Clash." That's right, kids born more than two decades after the Pistols proclaimed anarchy in the UK and sneered the Queen "ain't no human being" and the Clash urged you to cheat a corrupt system and clamored for "a white riot, a riot of my own" are putting on a show. How does this agitated music of a particular time and place work 30-plus years down the road, where it's part of a music history lesson? The flip side of that, as Joe Strummer told me during our first interview on the Clash's first US tour (backstage, Harvard Square Theatre, 1979, "The beginners have gotta have a chance," adding how no one starting could hope aspire to like the guys in Yes. (Note: Popular prog-rock band of the '70s.) The best punk rock still moves me, but punk belongs to the young. It's youthquake music. The original punks were in their teens (X-Ray Spex, Undertones) or early 20s. Of course, these kids are mostly tweens and teens, 17 of 'em, 8-16 we're told.
   What's on tap at Ryles Sat. Jan. 21 and at the Hard Rock Cafe Sun. Jan. 21? Sex Pistols with "Holiday in the Sun," "No Feelings," "Anarchy in the UK," "God Save the Queen" and four more. The Clash with "White Riot," "Rudie Can't Fail," "I Fought the Law," "Guns of Brixton," "London Calling" and three more. School of Rock's spokeswoman/general manager Anderson Lynne Mar emails us: "This is NOT 'just a recital for the parents' - this is a 110% cool rock and roll rebellion show that is ALL-AGES and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC."
We're awaiting emails from a couple of the kids involved to get their take on  it all. They Ryles show Saturday is at 2 and the Hard Rock show Sunday is at 6.

Ryles, 212 Hampshire St., Cambridge,
Hard Rock, 22-24 Clinton St. Boston,  http://pistolsclash.eventbrite.com