Hah this post made me realize that despite I'm staarting to feel old, I actually am still young. Cuz since I remember, pop music was just plain, predictable and not at all anti-establishment. When I saw the title of your post, I was like - "Huh, this is some Bullshit"
But you actually gave so many examples of how it was in the past. I just can't remember those times. I actually never even heard of any of those bands except for Sex Pistols :D
Well you certainly have a point - there have always been lots of plain, predictable songs around. And I'm sure there are some great anti-establishment songs around today too. They just don't get much radio airplay these days - if any!