Glen Matlock rules out Sex Pistols reunion with John Lydon: “Not gonna happen”
In 1978, John Lydon officially left the Sex Pistols behind; almost half a century later, founding bassist Glen Matlock has reiterated that a reunion is unlikely to ever be on the cards.
Matlock recently shared his version of events in the new documentary, I Was A Teenage Sex Pistol, the same title as his 1996 memoir.
When discussing the new documentary with Billboard, the musician was asked whether he saw himself, Paul Cook, and Steve Jones opening their arms to their former bandmate. He paused before replying, “It’s just not gonna happen.”
After explaining that Lydon wasn’t even approached for the new documentary, Matlock added, “He’s moved on from [the Sex Pistols] now. But good luck to John; he’s got the Public Image thing going.”
Matlock added, “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.”
In place of Lydon, Frank Carter, known for his work with Gallows and fronting Frank Carter and the Rattlesnakes, has taken the lead on their recent live shows.
Matlock praised Carter, who has a different stage presence to Lydon’s fuck-it-all anarchist persona. He shared, “Frank has given us a new lease on life. It’s a bit like the beginning in the band, when we first started out, before John got his face in the papers.”
He went on, “Jenny, [Cook’s wife], came to see us and said, ‘Y’know what; that’s the first time I’ve ever seen you guys come off stage with a smile on your face.”
Looking toward the future, Matlock shared that he is hopeful the band might be able to write some new tunes together. The only thing holding them back is logistical specificities, as Jones lives in LA, Matlock lives in London, and Carter is, as ever, hard to pin down.
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