LOL @ using the Sex Pistols for the example. Google "Malcolm McClaren" if you aren't sure why claiming them as "an alternative to manufactured pop shite" is funny...
Hardly Simon Cowell or PWL levels of manufacturing though... and as the author states, no analogy is perfect
Only if you believe the Great Rock And Roll Swindle version of events. Even if McClaren was the cynical genius he intentionally portrays himself as, the Pistols are only about half as manufactured as One Direction and many others. Personally I reckon there was just a little cross promotion with Vivienne Westwood's clothing and he played up his level of control in an attempt to grab attention after Lydon left to form the vastly superior PIL.