01Profile
A Glen Matlock Photo
Glen Matlock
Musician — London
03Interview
Name
Glen Matlock
What do you do?
I play the guitar and sing a bit.
Where are you from?
London, Harrow Road.
Describe your style in three words?
Tasty, Rocking, Rough.
Which sub-cultures have had an enduring effect on you?
That’s weird because I don’t think I can claim to be affected by what I started, so I’ll say mods and rockers.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
Max Wall. He had a very peculiar stand on things, and I’d like to get to the bottom of it.
Another you? Any other career that would have appealed?
I would have had a stab a painting. I curtailed my degree in fine art painting at St. Martins to record Never Mind The Sex Pistols in the summer recess. I’ve always wondered what would have happened if I’d continued.
Best Gig you have ever been to?
The Faces at Wembley in 1973. Supported by the original New York Dolls and The Pink Fairies.
Of all the venues you’ve played, which is your favourite?
When I was playing with Iggy Pop, I did particularly like it when we played at The Palladium, in New York, in 1979, on Halloween. We were supported by The Cramps, and the whole audience was dressed in Halloween gear. Debbie Harry was back stage dressed as a witch, and she gave me a kiss on the cheek. It was the first time I’d ever been in New York, so that was something to remember.
Glen Matlock was the original Bass Player in Sex Pistols and co-writer of many of the songs on 'Never Mind The Bollocks Here's The Sex Pistols'. He has also played with The Faces and The International Swingers among many other notable bands.
Glen Matlock will perform at Rebellion Festival’s Pavilion Stage on 5th August, followed by a live interview with journalist Barry Cain.
Find out more about Rebellion at www.rebellionfestivals.com
02Playlist
04Playlist Notes
First track you played on repeat?
‘You’ve Really Got Me’ - The Kinks.
I remember buying the original single with my pocket money.
Song that defines the teenage you?
‘I Can See For Miles’ - The Who.
It’ll probably change as soon as I put the phone down, but still.
What was the last piece of music you bought?
I re-bought ‘Kind Of Blue’ - Miles Davis.
One record you would keep forever?
Ooh, that’s easy - I’ve got an autographed copy, given to me by Ian McLagan of The Small Faces album. He signed it ‘Sold for the price of a new toupee, £25’. How he would have known I don’t know. That was all part of his humour.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
I think ‘Blank Generation’ by Ricard Hell & The Voidoids, the whole song, because that stirred me to write ‘Pretty Vacant’ in a round about sort of way.
A song that people wouldn’t expect you to like?
Montague Terrace (In Blue) - Scott Walker
I’ve got an album coming out soon, and I’ve covered it. I’m a bit miffed they didn’t ask me to do it at The Proms.
A song you wished you had written?
Heroes - David Bowie.
Any new bands you are listening to right now?
No - I’m a bit past that now. I’m too old to get up and slavishly get the Melody Maker, but I do have a soft spot for a band I saw in Canada a while back. They had the most fantastic name, Ringo Deathstarr.
03Interview
Name
Glen Matlock
What do you do?
I play the guitar and sing a bit.
Where are you from?
London, Harrow Road.
Describe your style in three words?
Tasty, Rocking, Rough.
Which sub-cultures have had an enduring effect on you?
That’s weird because I don’t think I can claim to be affected by what I started, so I’ll say mods and rockers.
If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
Max Wall. He had a very peculiar stand on things, and I’d like to get to the bottom of it.
Another you? Any other career that would have appealed?
I would have had a stab a painting. I curtailed my degree in fine art painting at St. Martins to record Never Mind The Sex Pistols in the summer recess. I’ve always wondered what would have happened if I’d continued.
Best Gig you have ever been to?
The Faces at Wembley in 1973. Supported by the original New York Dolls and The Pink Fairies.
Of all the venues you’ve played, which is your favourite?
When I was playing with Iggy Pop, I did particularly like it when we played at The Palladium, in New York, in 1979, on Halloween. We were supported by The Cramps, and the whole audience was dressed in Halloween gear. Debbie Harry was back stage dressed as a witch, and she gave me a kiss on the cheek. It was the first time I’d ever been in New York, so that was something to remember.
Glen Matlock was the original Bass Player in Sex Pistols and co-writer of many of the songs on 'Never Mind The Bollocks Here's The Sex Pistols'. He has also played with The Faces and The International Swingers among many other notable bands.
Glen Matlock will perform at Rebellion Festival’s Pavilion Stage on 5th August, followed by a live interview with journalist Barry Cain.
Find out more about Rebellion at www.rebellionfestivals.com
04Playlist Notes
First track you played on repeat?
‘You’ve Really Got Me’ - The Kinks.
I remember buying the original single with my pocket money.
Song that defines the teenage you?
‘I Can See For Miles’ - The Who.
It’ll probably change as soon as I put the phone down, but still.
What was the last piece of music you bought?
I re-bought ‘Kind Of Blue’ - Miles Davis.
One record you would keep forever?
Ooh, that’s easy - I’ve got an autographed copy, given to me by Ian McLagan of The Small Faces album. He signed it ‘Sold for the price of a new toupee, £25’. How he would have known I don’t know. That was all part of his humour.
A song lyric that has inspired you?
I think ‘Blank Generation’ by Ricard Hell & The Voidoids, the whole song, because that stirred me to write ‘Pretty Vacant’ in a round about sort of way.
A song that people wouldn’t expect you to like?
Montague Terrace (In Blue) - Scott Walker
I’ve got an album coming out soon, and I’ve covered it. I’m a bit miffed they didn’t ask me to do it at The Proms.
A song you wished you had written?
Heroes - David Bowie.
Any new bands you are listening to right now?
No - I’m a bit past that now. I’m too old to get up and slavishly get the Melody Maker, but I do have a soft spot for a band I saw in Canada a while back. They had the most fantastic name, Ringo Deathstarr.