Never Mind The Bollocks – Here’s Glen Matlock

Glen Matlock, along with Steve Jones, Paul Cook and Johnny Rotten – were and remain; the original Sex Pistols. A band credited with the birth of Punk Rock in it’s current form.

” There was not a lot going on in the mid – seventies that was exciting.” Says Matlock. ” We wanted to stir things up and make people believe that they could change things they didn’t like. We wanted to change things up a bit!”

Change is an understatement when it comes to defining Matlock’s band.

The Sex Pistols, even though they recorded one album in their short – three-year history … altered the musical landscape. Something Glen attributes to the creative force brought on by the foursomes’ joining of forces …

” Steve, Paul and myself ( and later John Lydon aka Rotten), I think rode the coattails of bands like TRex at that time. They ( Rex ) were doing something different from the big names at the time like Genesis and Yes. When we got together, it was a creative ‘bang’. Something that cannot be explained …”

Matlock is credited with writing or co – writing ten of the twelve songs on The Sex Pistols only album; Never Mind the Bullocks Heres The Sex Pistols. The album was released after Matlock was replaced by Sid Vicious. A departure following an ” I quit’ or ‘You can’t quit – you are fired’ scenario, depending on what story is believed. ( Matlock himself refuses to comment on his departure for this article but considers himself a songwriter first).

” The way I write songs is they arrive in my head. I could be walking down the street or strumming my guitar. If the song does not go away – then it is a song. I will then continue working on it with an acoustic guitar, bass or keyboards.”

Matlock’s songwriting prowess once more took center court in The Rich Kids. A band he formed following his exodus from The Sex Pistols and a band which he considers very under rated in the big scheme of things …

“We had moderate success in Britain but I do believe we were instrumental on bridging Punk, Pop and New Wave music together. We were the first band to really give the ingredients which became the prime sound for the eighties. Guitars, keyboards and bizarre styles …”

The Rich Kids released one album; Ghosts Of Princes In Towers (produced by Mick Ronson) and three singles during their existence. The group consisted of Matlock, Midge Ure (vocals, guitars, keyboards), Rusty Egan (drums) and Steve New (vocals, guitars). ( Mick Jones was also part of an early edition of the band before returning to The Clash). At one performance – the band featured Ronson on guitars and Ian McLagan (Faces, Stones) on the keyboards. Matlock was heavily influenced by The Faces as a kid along with The Who and The Kinks.

” Ya – it was a dream fulfilled to play with Mac ( McLagan ) for a couple of shows. We were a great band and as I said – ahead of our time really …”

Following The Rich Kids, Matlock and Steve New toured and played with Iggy and The Stooges – Iggy Pop‘s band. Matlock also played briefly with Sid Vicious in Vicious’ band; Vicious White Kids – shortly before Sid’s demise from a heroin overdose at the age of twenty – one.

” Sid Vicious joined The Sex Pistols because he was their biggest fan.” Says Matlock. ” He really couldn’t play bass but he embodied the message of The Sex Pistols very well. Too well …” He laughs.

” He was a lost kid who really took to the spotlight. When he met Nancy – it was two lost kids getting more lost. Everyone tried to keep Sid away from her but he would not listen. I think everyone knew it would end bad.”

Over the years Matlock has played with almost everyone connected with the past and future punk and New Wave scene. Mike Peters of The Alarm, Kirk Brandon of Theatre of Hate and Spear of Destiny, Gary Kemp from Spandau Ballet, Clem Burk ( Blondie), James Stephenson ( Gene loves Jezebel) and Tommy Ramone from The Ramones.

Meeting Tommy Ramone – opened Matlock’s eyes and led to the two touring together on the same bill. A concert which will bring the pair to Montreal on March 13th, 2013 at The Piranha Bar.

” I never knew how talented Tommy is …” Says Matlock. ” I never paid attention until we met up at a birthday party for Joey Ramone in 2008. Even then – I noticed but didn’t really notice until later. We got to talking and decided to support one another on tour. He will do what he does and I will do what I do and we will have a few laughs …!”

Matlock will be performing some Sex Pistols music (he won’t say what – it’s a surprise) along with some Rich Kids’ songs and two newer ones that he is quite proud of. “Hey Mister’ and “Born Runnin’.

Glen and The Sex Pistols have reunited a few times over the years yet Matlock does not see that happening again.

“There is a lot of water under that bridge and at the moment we are not getting on. The Sex Pistols, aside from the beginning, never got on – so I suppose it is normal.” He laughs.

Matlock believes the Sex Pistols’ legacy is simple.

“People are not so keen on letting things go and we left a watermark on music history …”

Bullocks? Not on your life …