As his UK tour kicks off, we catch up with GLEN MATLOCK to chat about the early days, musical tastes, dream collaborations and whether or not there will be a 45 year Sex Pistols reunion….
It’s great to see that you’re on the road at the moment with your live Rockabilly show where I understand you’re performing some Sex Pistols classics with a bit of a twist?
Yes it’s good to be out and about playing again for sure but not really just a rockabilly thing, just a few of the songs have that flavour and swing to them and yes a couple of Pistols songs get an airing too.
How have the audience reacted to the reworked versions of the classic hits?
They go down pretty well thanks.
I have read quite a few interviews where you were asked about styles of music that you grew up listening to and people may be surprised to learn that you’re a big fan of Motown, Soul and UK R&B, what is it about these styles that resonate with you so much?
Yes that is true I like many styles of music and have catholic taste.
The only yardstick I apply to any genre is how well constructed and executed it is. Motown has that in heaps and bundles and the quality of the songwriting, playing, production and performances are superlative - what’s not to like?!
And rockabilly of course being a great style that has really stood the test of time, which rockabilly bands and artists would you recommend to anyone who was interested in hearing more?
Yes I love the spirit and simplicity of Rockabilly and my all time favourites are Gene Vincent and the Blue Caps.
I quite dig very Early Tommy Steele snd Billy Fury too who I was fortunate enough to meet one time in the early 80s
You play guitar as well as bass, which instrument came first and who did you most want to emulate in your playing style?
I started out playing acoustic guitar snd switched to bass for the Pistols.
I like Richie Havens and Bowie’s acoustic strumming in the Spiders from Mars.
Electric wise, Ronnie Wood is fab, Earl Slick is right up there and surprisingly, Zak’s Starkey (drummer) is a pretty nifty rhythm guitarist, which is all I aspire to but lead playing though is normally best left to the experts!
You’ve worked with some amazing names in the music industry throughout your career, is there anyone that you are still hoping to work with?
I sure have!
I’d quite like to do something with Jack White.
If you could go back in time and change something that happened in your career, what would it be?
Hiring a better lawyer!
I know that you’ve recently played a few dates with the supergroup ‘Dead Men Walking’, was there something that made this come about or was it just a chance to catch up with the guys and play some music?
Yes what you said. Was fun at the time but no big deal, mostly cool guys though.
You put out a 7 inch single with Earl Slick for ‘Consequences Coming/Constant Craving’, this sold out really quickly, any plans to re-press it?
No - a limited edition is a limited edition and it’s first come, first served.
It mentioned on the site that ‘Consequences Coming’ is a track lifted from your forthcoming full band album, when will we be able to get hold of this?
I have a new album that’s all finished, done and dusted and we are looking to release it in early 2022.
The song though is a full band recording so is different from the single you mentioned.
Well done on your win with Slim Jim Phantom on the quiz show ‘Pointless’, can we expect to see you on I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here anytime soon? Or Maybe the Big Brother House?
Thanks, Pointless was quite enough although I think I’d be a boon to any team in University Challenge.
I have been around and know stuff!
2022 will be 45 years since ‘Never Mind The Bollocks’ burst onto the scene, are you planning an anniversary tour or a special show to commemorate it?
Not that I know of as yet and am quite happy doing what I am doing now.
You are a true legend, thank you so much for the music that you have created over the years and I look forward to hearing more from you in the future!
Aw shucks.
All part of the service but there’s more where that came from, so
watch this space… ;-)
A MASSIVE thank you to Glen Matlock for sparing the time to answer our questions and all the very best of luck to him for the forthcoming UK live shows (see poster below).
