POWER PLAY: MAY YOU ALL HAVE A REALLY ROTTEN DAY

A few weeks ago I discovered a wonderful little radio program called "Have a Rotten Day."

Don't look for it anywhere on the local dial -- you won't find it. However, if you are ever cruising through foreign realms outside of Southeast Missouri and stumble across it, you are in for a treat.

The show is a daily segment of a couple minutes in length that highlights important, not-so-important and downright silly items of rock 'n' roll history.

Rock trivia on the radio is nothing new and, in fact, is usually quite dull. All you ever hear are things, names and dates spouted off like some bland history lesson.

Some great guitar player like Eric Clapton was born on this date. A brilliant fool such as Jim Morrison died from overindulgence on that date. The Jimi Hendrix Experience masterpiece "Are You Experienced" was released on some other date.

Wake me when the music comes back on.

This show, however, is different and that is due largely to its host -- John Lydon, lead singer of Public Image Limited. He is better known, however, as none other than Johnny Rotten, former lead singer of the Sex Pistols.

I was just a wee lad in 1976 when the Pistols broke out of England, landed on American shores and scared the hell out of everyone with their outrageous and extremely sarcastic I-Don't-Care-What-You-Think-Don't-Trust-Anyone-Over-20-The-World-Is-A-Cesspool-But-We're-All-Going-To-Die-Anyway-So-Who-Really-Cares look and attitude.

However, as a rebellious teen in the mid-80s I finally discovered punk in all its anarchistic glory.

The greatest thing about punk -- aside from the obnoxious manner in which it freaks out parents -- is that anyone can play it. Usually three, but sometimes as many as four, chords thrashed out in some semblance of rhythm and in key only if it is not overly inconvenient are all that it takes.

When my musician friends needed a bass player and recruited me -- no musical experience at the time -- I was able to compile a repertoire of Sex Pistols and Clash tunes within days. Instant bass player.

The younger generation of would-be musicians are making the same discovery with bands like Green Day. No talent necessary, just a high tolerance for volume.

However, punk has changed over the years. While earlier groups harped endlessly about how horrible everyone and everything else in the world is, newer bands are more introspective and harp endlessly about how screwed up they are themselves.

Probably a bit more on the truthful side, but it lacks that sociopathic bite.

Which returns us to Johnny Lydon. Listening to his show and recent interviews, you can tell he hasn't lost his pleasant unpleasantness.

He is the type of person who would flatly tell you what a dolt and complete failure you are and then offer you a nice cup of really hot tea. Most of us only strive to reach such levels of annoyance while still keeping the annoyed friendly.

In his spots, Lydon lampoons everything about rock history, and let's you, the listener, know exactly how foolish you are for liking Alyanis Morriesette and why.

He is especially critical when the death dates of self-destructive young musicians -- including his former bandmate Sid Vicious -- pop up.

Why do fans put these people on a pedestal, he asks? They abused drugs or drink and died at 25. This is something to revere? Idiots.

It's nice to know that some things remain rotten.

~Marc Powers is a staff writer for the Southeast Missourian.