Sex Pistols drummer Paul Cook speaks to Gary Kemp and Guy Pratt | IN FULL | Rockonteurs

This week on the podcast, we welcome Sex Pistols drummer Paul Cook to the show. Paul is a fabulous raconteur, and he has some incredible stories from a moment in music history when one band and one album created a music genre that changed everything. He chats to Gary Kemp and Guy Pratt about his journey, his influences, and how the Sex Pistols exploded onto the scene. With tales of life on the road with the Pistols, that infamous Grundy TV appearance that was never meant to happen, and how it all came crashing down for the band while on tour in the US, this is a must listen. Plus, Paul talks about the new line up of the band with Frank Carter that has been enjoying some incredible reviews, the upcoming live dates and how there might be more to come from the Sex Pistols.
We’ll be sure to stick the video with Paul up on our Rockonteurs KZbin channel.
Instagram @rockonteurs @guyprattofficial @garyjkemp @paulcook @gimmesugarproductions
KZbin: / @rockonteurs
Facebook: / rockonteurs
Click here for more on Frank Carter and the Sex Pistols Live Dates
www.sexpistolsofficial.com
Produced for WMG UK by Ben Jones at Gimme Sugar Productions

[@thomasandersen6719]

Paul Cook...What a nice bloke and very interesting to listen to

[@Voidoid77]

Paul Cook, Rat Scabies, Terry Chimes, John Maher ... all the best foundations & absolutely brilliant drummers in their own unique way. God bless the DRUMMERS!!! *Thanks, Paul Cook. What a lovely bloke* . All the very best from Japan x - ( a 65 yr. old drummer who started because of hearing the likes of Anarchy in the UK, New Rose, White Riot, Boredom).

[@haraldtheyounger5504]

You forgot Budgie, Paul Ferguson.

[@Voidoid77]

@@haraldtheyounger5504 No, I didn't mention them because they were *not* the drummers of the *original* punk bands formed in 1976. Otherwise I'd have included Martin Atkins, Big Paul Ferguson, Budgie, John Doyle, Hugo Burnham amongst a very, very long list of other damn fine drummers. OK. Cool.

[@popatyourecords]

The Ruts Drummer

[@Voidoid77]

@@popatyourecords Aye, but Dave Ruffy wasn't one of the '76 pioneers... Although, you're right, - He WAS one of the best drummers I've seen live. (Saw Ruts around 4 times from early '79 >>>) Amazing live band!! Malcolm Owen, r.i.p. - what a terrible tragedy - he was such a lovely bloke & one hell of a front-man/vocalist eh?

[@popatyourecords]

@@Voidoid77 loved the Ruts the best punk drummers in my book are Ruffy Scabies Jet black in the 80s punk skin oi days the guy that played on the good the bad and the 4 skins is amazing but Ruffy for me was the greatest of that era loved cookie learned to play along to the bollocks just with sticks before i owned a kit

[@markfleming.4334]

A fantastic show from your good selves & the Wonderful Paul Cook.

[@Muirton66]

Paul Cook is one of the nicest guys you could ever meet, not even a hint of ego, Lydon could learn a lot from him.

[@johnoleary8751]

Sex Pistols wouldnt have happened without John Lydon.

[@Muirton66]

@@johnoleary8751 And Johnny Rotten would never have happened without the Sex Pistols

[@johnoleary8751]

@@Muirton66 Rotten was the main force behind the writing of the songs,especially God save the Queen.Without him Sex Pistols would just be another Ramones.The band got its narky reputation and controversy from Lydon.So your comment doesnt mean anything.

[@Muirton66]

@@johnoleary8751 What has that got to do with my comment ? Lydons ego is bigger than the other three combined.....fact.

[@johnoleary8751]

@@Muirton66 What the punk scene was all about though.

[@555tg]

Always enjoy listening to Paul . very articulate and well tuned in . His stories of the early days of the Pistols and other bands of the time are fascinating and I never tire of them . Great to hear other successful Musicians show there respect and admit there influences ,very humbling .great interview guys ..

[@mattstreet2982]

What a beautiful interview. 3 top musicians having a chat. Lovely.

[@chrisbennett1243]

Seventies may have been tough but I was a teenager and these were the best years for me. Music was more important than anything in my life. May be wrong but it doesn’t appear that music is as important to today’s youth as it was to mine.

[@Mark-jt3fu]

I was never that big a fan of the pistols music as a kid in the United States, but I always find myself interested and listening to any/all interviews of the members of the Pistols.

[@pizzapunk8816]

so the pistols are to blame for spandau ballet, thanks a lot paul.

[@dougmartin893]

😂

[@Thirdfish]

Simply Red too, FFS. 🤣

[@seanrobertson9589]

My girlfriend at the time worked in a record shop and got us backstage passes for Big Audio Dynamite in Edinburgh .. Paul's band Chiefs Of Relief where the support band ... When we got backstage there was a queue of fans standing to meet Mick Jones ... I saw an empty spot on a near by sofa , So sat myself down and seconds later a guy to the left of me on the same sofa offered my a draw of a Joint ... That guy was Paul Cook ...

[@wanggangworld7649]

I was at that gig! Brilliant night

[@WalterSobchak1000]

Paul & Jonesy together are very funny, thanks for the interview

[@mattiemclean9882]

Yeah, the two of them on Jonesy's Jukebox show's are great.

[@nicensleazy1892]

You need to do one with Hugh Cornwell

[@kevinbailey3384]

John Lydon has always had immense charisma and intelligence, and was streets ahead of most of the people knocking him. Some of the Pistols stuff is fantastic and so full of energy.

[@grenkontakt]

Thank you Gary, Guy and Paul, this was great!

[@photus03]

part 2 with jonesy pretty please? great line of questioning from gary and guy. great interview. thankyou

[@Psychedelic-Peter]

Fantastic interview fellas. Thank you.

[@nickball2010]

Brilliant interview, loved the Pistols, life changing band.

[@jazwiseman]

Love the podcast - love Cooky - keep them coming!

[@darranjsamuel3063]

I was a late starter with the Pistols, a school friend turned up at my house one day with a pile of albums and asked me did I want to buy 3 of them for £2 and I picked never mind the bollocks & the greatest rock n roll swindle , I can't remember the 3rd lol but as soon as I listened to them I was hooked ! I was 14 years old at the time and just learning guitar , my mother went nuts when she heard the language in bodies so I had to listen with my headphones on lol .

[@makka7890]

So Guy & Gary are Pistols fans - GOLD!

[@PeterStrevens]

Brilliant episode, great insights, loved it.

[@skinner5334]

What a fun insight- super positive and cool. LOVED it guys!⚡️

[@dodgyg3697]

What a fantastic interview

[@fenham]

Always wanted video of. The Rockonteurs. Brilliant boys! ❤️❤️👏👏👏👏👏

[@robinwallace1399]

Great interview guys Thank you. Pissed off I never got tickets for Rock City ☹️

[@SidOrange-jj7ub]

Me too 😢

[@Outdoorshuntingshooting]

That Band changed my life in their short spell together.

[@mikebassy]

Was in the pub late one Saturday night with a mate a top jazz sax player from Berlin . Anarchy came on and he says to me who is this ? I said the Sex Pistols! Great drumming and great beat we both agreed on that . This interview is brilliant and thanks. I put up a bit of The Sex Pistols arriving at bush hall on my channel, you might get a laugh out of my cockney bohemian rhapsody too

[@neilb224]

Great stuff. Well done chaps 👏👏👏

[@johnroberthines7811]

So happy i found this, loved this chat

[@sevenmileridgeband]

This is great. thanks for this.

[@kevincross9206]

Great interview - roll on Pt2 👍🏻

[@yokohamakeiko]

Wow, Paul is with you, magnificent! 😆💪🦊

[@simonsuniverseofmusic8585]

This has been amazing I love it and everything. Amazing

[@stevo67-uu9rc]

First time I've ever heard Paul Cook interviewed. Always seemed like the quiet one. Quality stuff...

[@kennyRumbles]

Really enjoying this. Thanks 🙏

[@walterevans2118]

I think what happened on the American tour was that the music rhythm section heart of the Pistols (Paul and Steve) got separated from the Frontman (John) by Malcolm McClaren.....The Winterland statement 'Ever get the feeling you've been cheated' ? John later said was not addressed to the audience but to the BAND onstage. Which might indicate that even then he knew that something was being engineered. Sid meanwhile went out of control in France & Paul & Steve went with McClaren to Rio to meet Mr. Biggs ...But by that time the Pistols as a working unit had lost all shape or cohesion. (Paul)

[@billdauphine951]

' can't believe how tame the Pistols sound now...(and brilliant)..❤

[@user-ky6vw5up9m]

More important than the Pistols’ music was how they inspired the upcoming young ones to “give it a go”

[@walterevans2118]

8:20 Guy is RIGHT ....The media were claiming 'they can't play' , but when as a 14 yr old I heard Paul's drumming at the beginning of NO FUN ,,,& the tracks on the Album I remember thinking 'Omg this guy is Really TIGHT & & his beat is one of the jammiest GROOVES I've EVER heard. Seriously........ The Pistols TERRIFIED English establishment.... In 1977 at the Private School I was forced to attend kids were being expelled for having spikey hair or safety pins in their blazers. lol (Paul)

[@jeffsimon9594]

It's just Rock Drumming 101, not exactly Billy Cobham is he, come on now.

[@walterevans2118]

⁠@@jeffsimon9594well, no he isn’t Billy Cobham , he’s not technically complex or a Godlike virtuoso but his simple and direct way of playing with its feel was PERFECT for the Pistols…In fact I believe Paul and Steve were the musical NUCLEUS of the Pistols…Both their contributions may not have been Buddy Rich or Ed Van Halen but on their instruments their sounds were very distinctive components of the Pistols live sound….In fact the Never Mind The Bollocks album was instrumentally recorded in the studio by STEVE and PAUL…Steve didn’t just play all the guitar parts but all the bass parts an octave lover which along with Paul’s crisp tight drumming was the Pistols sound that the public most remember and appreciate. In the studio after Glen had been edged out Sid didn’t play any bass on those recordings….And there certainly weren’t any WOMBLES involved. 🤔 With Chris Thomas in the studio they couldn’t hold their drink anyway. There was no pissed up Orinoco or Uncle Bulgaria with a Flying V like on TOTPs. lol. (Paul)

[@John-k6f9k]

That's funny, living in Scotland I was having non penetrative sexual experiences with two female teachers and I never got in trouble. But spiky hair? Outrageous!

[@mattgrant6910]

I always liked the way Paul drummed . He has his own style .

[@factoryfactory7142]

Met him in leeds on his the proffesionals tour, propper gent!

[@jonnyzchivago7623]

Yep, there are thousands of people who reckon they were 'There'.....they could fill wembley Stadium,never mind a little cinema in Islington. (Ironically Mentioned by Prat later in this chat) I saw the Pistols and then Formed Spandau Ballet?????.....

[@richymoore]

I’ve heard Lydon talk about the origin of Sid’s name. He was named after Lydon’s hamster, the hamster was named after Syd Barrett.

[@matthewjdouglas6471]

I met paul outside a pub just by goldhawk rd station. Had a quick chat and shared my bag of chops with him. Was 2019 summer time. Called him a Legend and he said get out of it, Legend and laughed. He probably wont remember. As he lives a busy life

[@seancooke4506]

I imagine that he would remember if you shared a bag of chops. That's a rarity.

[@matthewjdouglas6471]

@@seancooke4506 hahahah chips* sorry lol

[@TheBerzerker666]

Must of been a long chat if you shared a bag of chops

[@matthewjdouglas6471]

@TheBerzerker666 lol, sorry. My mistake. I was meant to day chips 🍟 🙃

[@seancooke4506]

Are they different to night chips? ​@@matthewjdouglas6471

[@midnightwitch606]

Cooky !!!! one of the best drummers, nice one guy and Gal ❤❤❤

[@jeffsimon9594]

Nah, he was just 'right place right time'.

[@garyrigby21]

I'm sure when Jonesy said you rotter it was from Derek and Clive 😂

[@tonyajm8289]

Rock royalty. Fantastic drummer!

[@dommccaffry3802]

Roebuck was great pub, full of characters

[@dangl650]

Great to hear Paul stick up for Glen. John and Steve as much as I love them both have been pretty unkind over the years. The fact remains the Pistols only wrote 3 more songs after Glen left. Belsen, Bodies and Holidays in the sun.

[@robk3596]

I love Cookie, if you want an honest spit & sawdust account of the Pistols at that time he’s pretty much your man. A humble decent honest guy, who actually was pretty much the perfect drummer for the Pistols. I saw John back in May & loved it apart from his unnecessary trashing of his former band members! Steve & Paul proper old skool geezers! 👍😉

[@Muirton66]

As sad as it is John has turned into a bitter old man .....

[@robk3596]

@@Muirton66 - Sadly he was a relatively bitter younger man, but never really improved this & cannot seem to let the past go & move on! He owes a lot to his former band members, so perhaps make a greater more balanced effort to recognise that! 👍

[@deejannemeiurffnicht1791]

i was gutted i missed the glasgow one. Didn't even know about it till mid november! i'll scream n scream until am sick

[@eyuptony]

Brilliant great days.............Rock on Paul

[@neonknees]

The Ramones were my first and second concerts ever , and I have never been the same since. Both shows were 6mnths apart, I was 15/16.

[@FrankHall-l4i]

Sweet memories. 😊

[@jamieknievel]

Paul’s always been the rock!

[@eddbass1]

The start of no fun live is one of my favorite drum patterns love pauls right foot technique hell of a drummer..and we share the same birthday bass player and drummer both july 20th would love to jam with you paul..im in n17 if yer interested...Ave it.

[@The.Last.Guitar.Hero.]

Cookie what a legend and a gentleman

[@garyrigby21]

Don't forget they played Eric's Liverpool as well and some bands started from that gig

[@karenbarton3626]

I was there ❤

[@garyrigby21]

@@karenbarton3626 wish I'd have been I was slightly too young at 14

[@karenbarton3626]

@@garyrigby21 to be honest, I don’t remember too much apart from it being very chaotic 🤣🤣 I lived in Blackpool, but Erics was a regular hang out for me where I saw lots of emerging bands 🤩🤩 those were the best days!

[@giorgiocurcetti4001]

.....and Manchester....

[@garyrigby21]

@@giorgiocurcetti4001 yeah we know!!!! Your missing the point. I was saying that's all everyone goes on about hence me saying they played Liverpool as well around the same time

[@AlistairBaxendale]

Definitely do Hugh Cornwell! 😊

[@AndyA1234]

Remember all the Fanzines that were printed on Mimeograph machines. Bruce's Records in Edinburgh had Cripes.

[@admarhermans1]

Great!

[@chris-w4n9w]

NMTB still played in the car.

[@mattiemclean9882]

Brilliant.

[@tomslick2058]

Pratt plays all over the place

[@drummer78]

Paul Cook is a great drummer….he laid down a nice groove with the Sex Pistols. It was somewhere closer to Charlie Watts and Simon Kirke than “punk” drumming. It gave the Sex Pistols “NMTB” a great feel.

[@cameronpatrickscott]

The Dulcet tones...like a bedtime story, Fanx chaps.

[@SynthJohn]

I do hope Paul does a book.

[@foy9999]

I've read & heard about the _Steve Jones stealing actual Rock Stars gear_ thing many times before but it still intrigues me. It must be the only time in history that ever happened. Also how did the gigs go ahead if half their gear was missing?

[@andershansson2245]

Don't forget Black Oak Arkansas, and you could get almost any instrument off rental firms.

[@willdobson7351]

Is that Hollie Cook making a very brief appearance in at 0:36? She has a brilliant voice.

[@alantranton2271]

Its says online that So it Goes was broadcast 28.8.76 and Screen on the Green was 29.8.76.

[@BrianMarcus-nz7cs]

Best Punk Post Out there,,🐀 3xellent gig at the Bush Paul ,,,,,,, cheers,,,💨👍

[@christown2827]

Wasn't Eric 'Monster' Hall the EMI Records publicity employee the man who suggested them for the Grundy show?

[@ceedef3091]

Cookie - legend, grounded, no crap and brilliant drummer ✊

[@richardfowler5163]

Absolutely excellent.

[@InnocentAbyssinianCat-eb7ge]

Paul Cook is an underrated drummer he played to both what John Lyndon was singing and the cymbal crashes with Steve Jones playing anarchy in the UK was a perfect example

[@markuswilliams3190]

Lydon

[@iamyourfuture808]

@@markuswilliams3190 how exactly is he "underated" Paul is well respected

[@waynesilverman3048]

Not putting John Lydon down but wasn't it Richard hell - who Malcolm took his image from America and gave it to John ,the ripped shredded cloths and spiky hair (although Sid was called spiky Sid maybe before hell was noticed)?

[@robbieorourke5534]

Why is it Yanks want to keep saying they created Punk...... it was created in the UK, West London was where it happened...... nuff said!

[@John-k6f9k]

@@robbieorourke5534 He's 3' 5" sitting down and 6' 4" standing up.

[@Wilmer778]

Where's his "I HATE PINK FLOYD" t-shirt? :P

[@John-k6f9k]

I'm wearing it. gawd I hate Pink Floyd, lullabies for stoned people.

[@Wilmer778]

@@John-k6f9k I'm a HUGE PF fan actually! To each their own. ;) Now.... let's wait for the 'Woke' PF brigade to invade our chat, haha. ;)

[@JoeMorris-g9m]

Good he says nice things about John

[@trevorord6871]

Guy, there's a headstock behind you that looks suspiciously like a Buzzard. Is it and can we expect a video of you demonstrating it?

[@richardfowler5163]

Entire episode of 'So it Goes'. The full package gives the Pistols a mythical presence. As a time capsule, it's absolutely perfect. kzbin.info/www/bejne/nHrbmKOgl519frc

[@rogermccartney8720]

Thanks for that x

[@mikebassy]

Btw Randall and Hopkirk is the best TV show ever in the history of television

[@ivancookemrshadowban4347]

Anybody that’s been in a band or in a band ,, just imagine if you were one of the pistols !!!! Just imagine that 🫡

[@newforestpixie5297]

Jerry Shappard with John Springate plus Steve Howe with Alan White or Chris Squire claim to have least made the effort to see the Pistols in London during their earliest days or 1st tour to see what all the fuss was all about. Any act bringing acts as diverse as the Glitter Band & Yes together must have had done something interesting & necessary for rock music & entertainment at that time. 😃👍🐀❤️🍒

[@markgreet3543]

How tall is paul cook?

[@brendanbrendan9435]

He's 5ft Mark. Is there anything else we can help you with today?

[@markgreet3543]

@@brendanbrendan9435 he is much taller than that 5 foot 9, ive met glen and john, ive got a big sex pistols collection as well seen them live 6 times,no you cannot help me today, 5 foot is a very small adult, im only 5 foot 7, and paul is taller than that im busy at work as well.

[@snoopywalker1881]

He is 68 yrs old.

[@rincewindshat7595]

Sir Paul Cook

[@revmutt]

Thanks for doing this. It’s rare to to hear Paul talk about this stuff and he does it without any agenda or grudges. I’m glad to see the 3 original pistols having a chance to enjoy their legacy and music with less drama. I also love that it ruins the myth and does put them in the nice little package

[@stephenedgecock]

sorry no Rotten no Pistols

[@benitolazio8193]

The Pistols are what you get if you order The Stooges off Temu.

[@kevcatnip7589]

I GOT MY BEER ON THE SIDEBOARD HERE

[@rogermccartney8720]

And?

[@kevcatnip7589]

@@rogermccartney8720 pork scratchings

[@steviebgooder]

Cookie & Paul Simonen. The most punky looking punks ever. They were what I wanted to look like before it got silly

[@stewartbalmer1515]

Can Get any singer they like But they will never Be the pistols without john lydon.

[@walterevans2118]

Chris Spedding ?? -- Remember You're a WOMBLE 🤔🤨🥴 lol

[@colincampbell4261]

Motorbiking?

[@dixgun]

👍

[@j.schermer3523]

Gary wouldn‘t be living in his house when he wouldn‘t have had such talented schoolmates. The Sex Pistols didn‘t help him gain his fortune.

[@marp8566]

Is guy Pratt Rick steins son

[@EddieCeefax45AFC]

Gary needs to lower his webcam

[@BrianMarcus-nz7cs]

Blank cupboard paul ,,,,, Seeen a Steven,,,👍💨

[@DoYouHaveAnOpinion]

gary kemp utter fool, glad tony saw through this twonk

[@markwhittaker6321]

Cookie.

[@ethanblackhurst8593]

Nothing new here. Spandau Wally.