Glen Matlock, former bassist of the Sex Pistols, recently shared why he decided to leave the iconic band, attributing part of that choice to lead singer Johnny Rotten.
Formed in London in 1975, the Sex Pistols are celebrated as one of the foundational British punk rock bands. Their music was marked by a raw sound and rebellious spirit, resonating deeply with a disenchanted youth during the punk explosion, featuring classics like “Anarchy in the UK” and “God Save the Queen.”
The original lineup included John Lydon (aka Johnny Rotten), Steve Jones on guitar, Paul Cook on drums, and Matlock on bass. The band disbanded in 1978 after a brief but impactful run, leaving an indelible mark on the punk and alternative music scenes.
Despite their disbandment, the Sex Pistols have reunited several times, particularly for the Filthy Lucre tour in 1996 and the 30th anniversary of Never Mind the Bollocks, Here’s the Sex Pistols in 2007. Matlock, who left the group in 1977, was replaced by Sid Vicious, a devoted fan of the band, but he returned for later reunion tours after Vicious’s death in 1978.
Matlock further remarked, “I’m not a fan of using political endorsements for publicity. It might be a joke to some, but I don’t find it amusing.” He added, “I’ve had a laugh, though, as we’ve been performing without John and enjoying it. 2024 looks promising!”
Interestingly, Matlock hasn’t seen Lydon since 2008, though he feels the door is open for a reunion. He proudly reflected on his contributions to the Sex Pistols’ hits, saying, “‘Anarchy in the U.K.’ and ‘God Save the Queen’ include my riffs, while I penned ‘Pretty Vacant’ entirely. Not to mention, ‘Problems’ features my riffs with John’s lyrics.”
In 2011, Paul Cook challenged Matlock’s claims regarding his songwriting contributions, expressing frustration over the matter. Meanwhile, Matlock is gearing up for a UK tour in November, kicking off in Norwich on the 15th and wrapping up in London on the 30th.
To find out more and grab tickets, visit www.GlenMatlock.co.uk.