IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser.

Punk Is Dead: Fans Slam Sex Pistols Credit Cards

Virgin Money has launched a line of credit cards featuring two of the Sex Pistols' iconic record covers.
Image: Sex Pistols credit card
Virgin Money has launched a line of credit cards featuring images from the 1976 single "Anarchy in the U.K." and the "Never Mind the Bollocks, Here's the Sex Pistols" albums.Virgin Money
/ Source: CNBC.com

Some might call it "bollocks," but Sex Pistols artwork is set to grace a new range of credit cards – much to the dismay of adoring fans.

Virgin Money has launched a line of credit cards featuring two of the punk band's iconic record covers. The images will be taken from the 1976 single "Anarchy in the U.K." and the "Never Mind the Bollocks, Here's the Sex Pistols" albums.

Image: Sex Pistols credit card
Virgin Money has launched a line of credit cards featuring images from the 1976 single "Anarchy in the U.K." and the "Never Mind the Bollocks, Here's the Sex Pistols" albums.Virgin Money

"It's time for consumers to put a little bit of rebellion in their pocket," a bank press release said, quoting the company's Director of Cards, Michael Greene.

"The Sex Pistols challenged convention and the established ways of thinking - just as we are doing today in our quest to shake up U.K. banking."

But the news caused an uproar on Twitter, with fans denouncing the former proponents of anarchy for the move.

"So THE SEX PISTOLS are now appearing on Virgin debit cards?" one Tweeter called Neil Michael Burke said. "Punk is officially dead, they dragged it out and crucified it."

It's not the first time that fans have accused the band of selling out.

Former Sex Pistols lead singer John Lydon - aka Johnny Rotten – came under fire when he teamed up with Country Life Butter for a TV ad back in 2008. He was also criticised for appearing in reality TV show "I'm A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!" in 2004.

Lydon defended the move in an 2009 interview with the New Camden Journal, saying: "I'm promoting a British product which I'm very proud of. ­Anything I can do to help British industry is fine by me."

The Sex Pistols do have a long history with Virgin, however, after singing with Virgin Records in 1977.

In the press release, Virgin founder Richard Branson said the Virgin Money was a bank that "can be proud of its past."

"The Sex Pistols are an iconic band and an important part of Virgin's history," he added.

-- Kalyeena Makortoff, CNBC