Records In My Life - Glen Matlock from the Sex Pistols

Glen Matlock of the Sex Pistols talks with Charles Brownstein of NorthernTransmissions.com about the records that influenced him over the years. Shot at Zulu Records in Vancouver, BC.

[@DizGuys]

They sounded amazing on their 1996 reunion with Glen...so good!

[@BenKrisfield]

Steve Jones has said their were two mistakes, going on the Bill Grundy Show, and Glen Matlock leaving the band. Glen wrote the riffs for Pretty Vacant, God Save the Queen, and Anarchy in the UK.

[@tonybates7870]

Thing is, though, the Grundy thing and Sid Vicious' total recklessness is what consolidated the Pistols' notoriety, and the horrible truth is that if no-one knows who you are it doesn't matter how good you might be, you won't get anywhere.

[@glenmiles6279]

Incorrect,John was the lyricist,Matlock was the melody writer,Matlock didn’t even like anarchy. John wrote god save the queen in his home at the dinner table,fact! Sid and John were the perfect image for that band,Matlock and Jones and cook were not punk enough with their dress, and i know you’re all going to say Sid couldn’t even play bass,i know that,but it was all about his image. you ask anyone about the pistols,they’ll talk about John and Sid.

[@PatrickBaele]

@@glenmiles6279 pistols was about music. They were,are a formidable musical band. If the music hadn’t been that good there wouldn’t even have been punk however the ‘image’ might have been…

[@thomasandersen6719]

@@glenmiles6279 John wrote the lyrics...he didn't write the music..Matlock did...John couldn't play a single note on a referee's whistle

[@reillyjamessullivan6940]

@@glenmiles6279 Matlock wrote the lyrics to Pretty Vacant though, minus one change from John

[@grahamblack1961]

Matlock gave the Pistols musical credibility. He is as much a co-creator of their sound as Jones, Lydon and Cook. They would have been a shambolic noise without the steadying influence of both Matlock and Cook. It was the combination of Lydon's anger and Jones' chaos with Matlock and Cook's musicianship that created something so amazing.

[@JR-zv6qm]

Without Glen - no Sex Pistols. Lets not forget that.

[@dankryskalla7303]

Glen is way cool. The Pistols lost their mojo when they booted him for that junkie. His tastes are impeccable. The Faces, Mose Alison and Pin-ups. All my favorites too. Way to go Glen!

[@pointnozzleaway]

Yeah, we could have seen a couple more solid Pistols Records...

[@paulph12002]

Yes, exactly. He was their original bassist and was credited as co-author of 10 of the 12 songs on Never Mind The Bollocks. Too many people who think that they know about the Pistols think that Sid Vicious was their original bassist and are unaware of Glen Matlock..

[@markrago5338]

Very true. Rich Kids too, also contributed to Iggy Pop Arista records

[@Decimator-jh4gu]

@Will And they were idiots for that and letting him go. Then, look at the end result? No Glen, No Pistols.

[@Mattowarrior777]

Truth is, early Floyd was LOVED by the early British punks. The Damned tried to get Syd Barrett to produce their second album but got Nick Mason instead

[@sexobscura]

and Matlock used ABBA's 'S.O.S' for the start of 'Pretty Vacant'

[@krisscanlon4051]

Yeah old blues trick not giving in to your influences...probably jazz guys too

[@xdef1ne]

They loved Syd & his Floyd work but the later Floyd they hated

[@aisforapple2494]

Glen is great! I wish he'd gotten more credit and renown from his time in the Sex Pistols! Everyone seems to forget he was even in the band.

[@gregnewman2512]

There, in retrospect, were no mistakes. The Sex Pistols career was perfect. One and done. Nothing to regret. Perfect.

[@dunilbaines6660]

Love this video. Glen's musical passion shines through

[@paulvon2378]

Glen wrote the songs for the Sex Pistols.

[@dunilbaines6660]

@@paulvon2378 Yep. The pistols went downhill once Glen left.

[@MrUndersolo]

Nice guy. He met a friend of mine and was generous with his time. And he responded to one of my Tweets later on. Glen, we owe you, sir.

[@richiedownik6981]

I was at the Park too when the Pie blew Grand Funk off the stage !!!!!! Steve Marriott Humble Pie the very BEST & Loudest Live Rock Band ever !!!!!

[@paulkazakoff9231]

Yeah to hear that Grand Funk apparently blew Led Zeppelin off the stage at some gig in the early days makes you wonder a bit.Were Grand Funk that good live.How good must Humble Pie have been !!Love Steve Marriott.

[@paulkazakoff9231]

What year was that man ?

[@PanasonicTooth]

"Dave Gilmour and his missus dancin' to Pretty Vacant!"

[@roybennett9284]

Love Glen's accent kind regards Roy Bennett from Wollongong Australia

[@dragonflysutra3232]

great interview, glen is very musical. the shop looks really cool too look at those records on the wall!

[@paulmcevoy168]

Great interview Glen, one of the best musicians out there.

[@honestcommenterseany441]

Very knowledgeable is our Glenn. Never realised. So many interesting stories. Could listen all day to hiss memories

[@matthewjdouglas6471]

He has worked with the best musicians. Iggy pop daveid Bowie Johnny thunders to name just a few. He is a good songwriter bass player and a legend. He is in real good shape for his age. He looks the same as he did in 1988

[@honestcommenterseany441]

@@matthewjdouglas6471 I know he is a great bassist aswell. Not the most “punkiest” in the band but been their seen it done it. And has a lot to talk about.

[@justinparkerthewildwolf6394]

I got to see Glen with the pistols in 96, awesome tour. Best gig ever

[@deedonnerramone4757]

Humble Pie Rocking the Fillmore! That's my favorite live rock n roll album too@! I don't need no doctor! Halliueh, I love her so! Love those two records!

[@Getyabootsoffskinny]

Four day creep 😊 boom !!!!!!!

[@barrygreenstein8383]

I don't need no doctor was originally recorded by Ashford and Simpson!

[@listentothenightfilms]

Love Glen. Legend.

[@krisscanlon4051]

Listen how he says I Don't Need No Doctor...stunning. Plus his correction of McLagan being supposedly knighted. I think the interviewer wasn't completely up on all music trivia.

[@Getyabootsoffskinny]

Agree with Glen about the best live album ever.Humble pie rockin the Fillmore. Love the pistols. rich kids. fine bassist

[@77BELSEN]

thanks for Mose Allison...Awesome!!!

[@tinsoldier1983]

Love him but speaks like he has marbles in his mouth

[@robertcaffrey6097]

I agree, he has a strange sounding voice, like he is trying not to spit out his false teeth.

[@albertoviale7259]

Cockney accent

[@cron205]

He reminds me of Johnny Thunders

[@sexobscura]

'Smells Like Teen Spirit' was dedicated to him

[@matthewjdouglas6471]

@@cron205 johnused Glen a few times in his shows across the UK. There is a gig with Johnny thunders, Glen matlock and John Perry from the only ones. 3 great musicians but I think John wasn't fitting in with there playing that day. He kept telling them off like naughty school kids misbehaving. It was actually quite funny to watch. I think John slaps someone's hand off their instrument. If I remember correctly rightly

[@seanohalloran384]

Still amazing to me Glen was replaced by Sid. The Sex Pistols could have been another Rolling Stones if he stuck around. Great video!

[@neilprocter3755]

@seanohalloran384 how depressing, another Rolling Stones! What would the point of that be? Maybe you didn’t really get punk…

[@europainvicta3907]

Is that a vinyl copy of ‘Soon over Babaluma’ on the middle shelf to the left of Matlock? One of the most awesome records of the 70s.

[@timplatts721]

Great spot it is and it is

[@dodgedandle8311]

Glen Matlock knows his stuff and was into the Music for the right reasons ( THE MUSIC) and it showed when the Pistols toured in the 90s They we’re tight again musically ..as well as other Groups he’s played with including a Faces reunion amongst many other projects, he was even asked by Noel if he would cover for Guigs to do some shows with Oasis but I think he declined for some reason or another, The Pistols shouldn’t have listened to Malcolm on that one bad move ..

[@Lasaration]

What a treat to have a real relic to go record shopping with! A great video and a real testament to what made punk by the main guy who made part of punk. This is the guy who sat down and wrote and not pogo'd and popped! Sid Vicious was pretty but not cerebral. Glen Matlock deserves to get the first knighthood if any out of the 4 get one he will be there! If Vivianne Westwood can get Knighted then Glen should be next! A great guy to listen to and a person bassists should follow! DL.

[@Sotangy247]

Legend.

[@tonyjohn1395]

Am I listening to someone talk or listening to music ‼️. Ruined .

[@matthewjdouglas6471]

The interviewer is making this most uncomfortable.

[@jesterstudiokj]

Glen Matlock... musical genius.

[@Qrayon]

That Humble Pie/Grand Funk Railroad concert that Glen saw in Hyde Park: I was there! I'd never heard of Humble Pie until I saw them live at that show. There was a 3rd band on the bill too, I think, but I can't remember who.

[@richiedownik189]

Qrayon Albert Lee 's Heads hands & feet opened the gig 😊

[@Qrayon]

downik Ah, yes. Heads, Hands, & Feet. Thanks. I haven't heard from them since then.

[@sexobscura]

*didn't Bowie use the crowd cheering from 'A Nod Is As Good As A Wink' on Diamond Dogs' opening song …*

[@markrago5338]

Rod Evans sang Hush, not Tommy Bolin

[@KillerBl8]

and Tommy was the guitarist after Richie left... oops yes, I liked Deep Purple too... street cred gone

[@mickymac6571]

The pistols were meant to go exactly the way they did, the perfect storm,no shit second album or becoming part of the rock establishment.

[@richardbogartburke4978]

Too loud, the music behind..I don't normally say that phrase"too loud".

[@sexobscura]

apparently he was in 'that' band

[@tomjones4528]

Solid picks

[@estebancomulet]

Is it just me or does the guy on the right look like a young steve jones?

[@theonlyantony]

He and Rotten wrote classics. Sad that they chose image over ability - style over content, in Sid. Good band but even they were fashion victims.

[@Jay-Vee]

The music overlay fucking ruins this interview!

[@AnthonyMonaghan]

Top picks Glen.

[@cosmicdrifter287]

into the music.

[@witchyraptor]

What song is being played at the beginning

[@telecaster9992]

0:00 - 0:04 - Holidays In The Sun, 0:05 - God Save The Queen

[@njparkin5894]

Interesting interview. NJ Parkin

[@cron205]

Glen reminds me of a British version of Johnny Thunders

[@arthurpussy]

kept washing his feet

[@yellowjackboots2624]

In the fackin sink!

[@tonybates7870]

If anyone in my band dared to wash their feet they'd be out the fucking door . . .

[@stevebowness9435]

@@tonybates7870 🤣🤣😂

[@irishelk3]

He sounds like the phonejacker.

[@The.Last.Guitar.Hero.]

Sir Ian Mckellen perhaps lol

[@sexobscura]

*......no Beatles...............*

[@outtathyme5679]

More proof punk didn’t simply rise from the ether

[@eckeynecker]

King Rocker Generation X .

[@grrr.9998]

No Beatles in that list. Though John is a Bee Gees fan.

[@tomjones4528]

Sid looked the part

[@listentothenightfilms]

Glen was the business though. Proper musician and songwriter.

[@sarahatherton9766]

Does anyone else think Glen matlock sounds a bit like Kenneth Williams

[@iancolquhoun6872]

No.

[@stevebowness9435]

Definitely Not.

[@glenmiles6279]

Yes,and looks like him.

[@danielcaprani5637]

Glen, love you, but you ain't a Sex Pistol🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🥊

[@romykucheev]

Ou yeah, he s not a Sid

[@yorkemar]

Probably one of bowies bands bass ..haha

[@crapitoutjim]

Turn the fucking background music off, or at least turn it down.

[@Aurora2097]

Glen was the Mod, Jonesy was the hardrock guy, Cookie was... the Glue... Rotten, well was Rotten... the Artrock Brainy self-important, intelligent good-with-words egomaniac... Maclaren way at last a very good promoter. They worked well together hecause of their diffrences... but it could have never lasted. Sid... a poor abused, young man.But he looked fantastic!

[@matthewmoggridge5221]

Sorry, didn't mean to be rude.

[@tomjones4528]

🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@matthewmoggridge5221]

Sir Ian McKellen you nob!!!!

[@tonybates7870]

I know! What a tosspot! I thought the guy meant Rod Stewart at first, but of course he's getting MacLagan mixed up with McKellen! As if he'd be in the fucking Faces!

[@matthewmoggridge5221]

@@tonybates7870 That interviewer looks at Matlock as if he's some kind of tosser who shouldn't be there.

[@matthewmoggridge5221]

It's as if he's double booked himself and wants to get Matlock off the scene.

[@matthewmoggridge5221]

@@tonybates7870 Imagine if McKellen WAS in the Faces, singing camp versions of Stay with Me.

[@tonybates7870]

@@matthewmoggridge5221 I'd buy that for a dollar!

[@JoshuaCraigStrain]

Nasal

[@AFaceintheCrowd01]

I’m so sick of hearing about Bowie. Couldn’t stand him even in the 70’s - but the early singles sounded good down the pub at the time. I would never have bought one of his records. It was for shopgirls.

[@jessejorgensen3931]

I wish when lydon left they brought matlock back and thre vicious on vocals...check out vicious white kids. One night show where matlock played bass and sid would sing. Poor quality but still a good listen.