Glen Matlock has responded to former frontman John Lydon describing the current iteration of Sex Pistols as a “tribute act”, and said whether or not he can see the singer ever rejoining the line-up.
The discussion from the bassist comes as he is the subject of a new documentary called I Was a Teenage Sex Pistol. Directed by Andre Relis (Randy Rhoads: Reflections of a Guitar Icon) and Nick Mead (Who Do I Think I Am?), the film is out now on Apple TV and Prime Video, and is based on his 1996 memoir of the same title.
Featuring guest appearances from Matlock alongside his close friends and peers – including Billy Idol, Blondie’s Debbie Harry, Chris Stein and the late Clem Burke, Spandau Ballet’s Gary Kemp, Rat Scabies of The Damned and more – the film explores Matlock’s place in the punk scene and the impact he had on Sex Pistols.
The bassist co-wrote 10 of the 12 songs on their 1977 album ‘Never Mind the Bollocks, Here’s the Sex Pistols’, before leaving the group later that year. His time and contributions to the band have also been somewhat overlooked over the years too, with bassist Sid Vicious’ image and reputation often taking the spotlight.
Vicious – who replaced Matlock in the band in 1977 – is represented in the documentary via archival footage, as is frontman John Lydon (aka Johnny Rotten), and the band’s late manager Malcolm McLaren.
Matlock has always insisted that he chose to leave the group, while other band members have said that he was fired, and after departing the line-up Matlock formed Rich Kids with Midge Ure, and also worked with Blondie, The Damned, Iggy Pop and Faces.
Speaking about those who are not featured in the documentary, Matlock said (via Billboard) that there were “a few people I did ask” to take part who turned it down.
“They were maybe more in the John camp.. so probably said ‘no’ because it could’ve been awkward,” he added, also confirming that he did not ask Lydon as he assumed he “just wasn’t interested” and too busy with his band Public Image Ltd. (PiL).
“He’s moved on from [the Sex Pistols] now. But good luck to John; he’s got the Public Image thing going,” he continued. “People say we’re a tribute band without John, but there’s three of us, and he’s the only Public Imager. I think he’s painted himself into a corner of a very big hallway.”
The comments about the “three of us” refer to how Matlock, Paul Cook and Steve Jones reformed with Frank Carter as vocalist in 2024 – initially to raise funds for London’s Bush Hall venue – and have been playing regularly since.
Lydon has criticised the reunion multiple times in the past, describing it as “karaoke” and “almost malicious in its intent”.
Asked by Billboard whether or not he’d be open to having Lydon back in the Sex Pistols if he wanted to, Matlock simply said: “It’s just not gonna happen.”
Lydon has been busy with his band Public Image Ltd. in recent years, and has made it clear that he is not wanting to return to Sex Pistols any time soon. Last year, he told PA that he would “never” return to the line-up.
“Not after what I consider their dirty deeds, let them wallow in Walt Disney woke expectations. They’ve killed the content, or done their best to, and turned the whole thing into a rubbish, childishness, and that’s unacceptable,” he said at the time. “Sorry, I’m not going to give a helping hand to this any longer, as far as I am concerned, I am the Pistols, and they’re not.”
Matlock also spoke to NME in 2024 about Lydon’s criticism of the band for performing with Carter, saying that he was “wrong” when he assumed their live shows would be “bollocks”.
“John’s made his bed – he can lie in it. He’s happy doing his Public Image stuff. Good luck to him. It’s not my thing and I’m sure my thing isn’t his thing,” he said. “With me doing my club-level stuff, because I’ve been doing the Pistols, I don’t feel obligated to just turn up and be Glen Matlock from the Sex Pistols. Marky Ramone, who I like, goes and plays all the Ramones songs. I think that’s a little bit lame.”
The Sex Pistols and Frank Carter will be going on tour later this year to celebrate their 50th anniversary – shows include multiple festival appearances and US dates kick off in September, before heading to the UK in December.
As for Public Image Ltd. it looks like a new album is on the way. At the start of the year, Lydon was unveiled as being part of the ITV singing contest The Masked Singer – and confirmed afterwards that he was using the paycheck to fund a new record.
The singer also Lydon revealed that he was working on a new PiL album last year, when he told NME that he was channelling the grief of losing his wife Nora into the songwriting process.
“I need to get out of the house,” he said. “I’ve done enough wallowing, which of course you can’t avoid, even if you think, ‘No, be the bigger man’. You cannot stop it. You cannot stop the sadness when it comes on, but enough already.”
The interview also saw him reveal that the band were going back-to-basics for their 12th album, and add: “It’s not going to be a dismal record. We’re going to take it back to the roots of a proper rock band, tearing the fucking building down. It’s going to be full on.”
“We all need that. And that will help me mentally no end. It’s like shout therapy,” he continued.