Viv Albertine, Idler Academy

Counterculture icon and pioneering feminist The Slits star discusses her provocative autobiography in the intimate surroundings of the Idler Academy.

"Anyone who writes an autobiography is either a tw*t or broke. I'm a bit of both " so opens punk hero Viv Albertine 's autobiography Clothes, Clothes, Clothes. Music, Music, Music. Boys, Boys, Boys.

Since forming The Slits, riotous lodestars for Britain's punks, with three others in 1976, then guitarist Albertine has been at the forefront of counter-culture and, well, not-giving-a-damn (to put it politely). 

The first chapter of her book is called 'Masturbation': "Never did it. Never wanted to", she explains. Albertine is an intriguing figure because she not only has no inhibition, but she's not interested in being fearless for the sake of it. 

As a result the book offers both a great picture of the punk years as seen from the inside and the aftermath - what happens when the world moves on?

Now a successful solo musician, Albertine's talk at the Idler Academy will doubtless be no holds barred - in the best possible way. She doesn't mince her words and, as anyone who's seen The Slits perform will know, she's got endless charisma.