#BURNPUNKLONDON

 Joe Corre, the enigmatic scion of punk legends Malcolm McLaren and Vivienne Westwood, has set the cultural landscape ablaze again. In a daring act of defiance, Corre torched millions in punk memorabilia aboard a thematic boat cruising the multicultural waters of London.

Known for his uncompromising stance against the mainstream commodification of punk, Corre’s incendiary gesture – dubbed #BURNPUNKLONDON – symbolises a radical departure from nostalgia-drenched celebrations. Rejecting sanitised museum exhibitions as shallow imitations of punk’s anarchic spirit, Corre champions a return to the movement’s roots: raw, unapologetic, and fiercely independent.

In a candid interview with DT 500 MAG, Corre blasted criticisms from conformist quarters, dismissing calls to auction off the torched treasures for charity as mere capitalist fodder. “Punk was never about selling out or propping up charity galas,” he quipped, addressing naysayers with his signature acerbic wit.

The founder of the boutique brand ‘A Child of the Jago,’ Corre continues to advocate for authentic punk ethos, deliberately keeping his business underground to avoid the taint of corporate co-option. “I’m not here to play punk for the masses like a Happy Meal toy,” he remarked defiantly.

JOE CORRE

DT 500 MAG: – Having declared that ‘The whole idea of Punk was to turn all the propaganda upside down and to find out the truth for yourself,’ how did you, as the son of punk icons, navigate your way to this truth?

JOE.: – You must understand who influences the media and their agendas.

DT 500 MAG: – You stated that ‘Punk was never, never meant to be nostalgic – and you can’t learn how to be Punk at a Museum of London workshop.’ Considering this, do you believe nostalgia can serve as either a constructive or detrimental source of inspiration, particularly for younger generations who didn’t live through the original punk era or have direct encounters with you and other punk figures?

JOE.: – It is just a pose with no understanding or position from which to start learning anything, and it immediately puts you at a disadvantage.

“Nostalgia is just a chocolate box image, and it’s meaningless.”

DT 500 MAG: – How do you perceive the ongoing relevance of punk as a concept, especially after your provocative act of burning £5 million worth of punk memorabilia?

J.O.E.: –

“If I’m not a Punk, I don’t want to be one.”

DT 500 MAG: – You’ve remarked, ‘ Punk has become another marketing tool to sell you something you don’t need.’ What about your clothing brand, A Child of the Jago? Does it harbour any marketing ambitions, or would you consider dismantling part of your business if it were to fall under the control of a global corporation?

J.O.E.: – A Child of the Jago is intentionally small, and the business model only works at that level. It is not trying to be Punk like McDonald’s.

DT 500 MAG: – You mentioned, “The illusion of choice. Correspondence in another form.” Given widespread dissatisfaction due to economic instability, how do you propose finding a balance or compromise? Where do you draw the line between compromise and conformism?

J.O.E.: – People need to cooperate, and it is better to do this without compromise or conformity.

DT 500 MAG: – Johnny Lydon’s recent comment, calling you a “selfish f****** lingerie expert” and suggesting that the memorabilia should have been sold for charity, has drawn attention. What is your response to his remarks?

J.O.E.: – John has not had anything interesting to say for over 30 years, and he’s not getting any better at it.

DT 500 MAG: – Neil McCormick described your action as “vandalism, not punk,” and referred to you as a “poor little rich boy” burning a heritage you have no claim to. How do you respond to this characterization?

JOE.: –This is my personal family heritage collection, and I have a right to it.

“F*** off, this is a typical snide comment from a conformist idiot.”

DT 500 MAG: – The banner on the “burn” boat read, “Extinction! Your future.” What message were you trying to convey with this statement?

JOE.: – Fight harder!

DT 500 MAG: –

JOE.: – I’ll finish the documentary and see what happens afterwards.

DT 500 MAG: – Yes, I’ve heard you are filming a movie? Tell us about its motive?

JOE.: – It will be coming out later this year, and any profits will be used to continue the fight against EXTINCTION.

DT 500 MAG: – I’d like to revisit your statement regarding the “PUNK LONDON celebration” marking forty years since the release of ANARCHY IN THE UK. It’s supported by and intended to benefit institutions like the British Tourist Industry, The British Fashion Council, The British Museum, and The Mayor of London!? What are your thoughts on how this event could effectively introduce punk to those unfamiliar with its significance? Do you believe the event’s underlying idea is more crucial than its institutional endorsements?

JOE.: – What idea will manifest? 

DT 500 MAG: – You’ve described a childhood surrounded by hostility, where posh places were unwelcoming, and your mother’s shop was targeted. You also commented on punk being co-opted by the establishment to showcase British society as tolerant and democratic, now fashionable in mainstream culture. Given this context, how would you prefer punk to be utilised?

JOE.: – 

“I think Punk is a state of mind and can only be used by the individual, but it’s dead now. Don’t worry about the word Punk to define your belief system; think of another one.”

DT 500 MAG: – You’ve drawn parallels between the disillusioned generation of the 1970s and today, highlighting urgent environmental concerns such as rapid environmental degradation and controversial practices like fracking and TTIP. What actions do you propose we take in response to these pressing issues?

 

JOE: – We can do many things; we live in an age of democracy by the wallet. 

 

“Everything you buy is a vote. Choose well. Don’t give your money to corporations, Nestle, Starbucks, etc. Change your energy provider to a renewable energy one. Stop eating meat. Don’t be a slave to debt; go bankrupt instead.” 

DT 500 MAG: – Joe, thank you!

With plans for a forthcoming documentary to fuel the fire against the extinction of punk? Corre remains steadfast in his belief that punk isn’t just a genre – it’s a visceral state of mind. “It’s about resisting conformity in all its forms,” he asserted, challenging a generation to rethink their consumer choices as political acts.

As the dust settles from #BURNPUNKLONDON, Joe Corre stands as a living embodiment of punk’s enduring legacy: a provocateur, a rebel, and a torchbearer for those who refuse to let punk’s true spirit fade into history.

About Joe Corre:

Joe Corre is an artist, activist, and entrepreneur known for his uncompromising stance against the commodification of punk culture. As the son of Malcolm McLaren and Vivienne Westwood, he continues to challenge the status quo through his actions and statements.

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Interview by Arthur Sopin