Glen Matlock has responded to former Sex Pistols bandmate John Lydon calling the current Pistols line up as a "tribute act", and whether or not he would be re-joining the band anytime soon.
This comes as the former bassist is the subject of an upcoming documentary, I Was a Teenage Sex Pistol, a film which is based on his 1996 memoir of the same title. Directed by Andre Relis and Nick Mead, the film is out of on Apple TV and Prime Video.
The documentary, which looks at Matlock's place in the punk music scene and his impact on the Sex Pistols, will feature guests appearances from Billy Idol, Spandau Ballet's Gary Kemp, Blondie's Debbie Harry, Chris Stein and the late Clem Burke, The Damned's Rat Scabies and of course Matlock.
Matlock's time with the band has been somewhat overlooked over the years, with his successor Sid Vicious' image and reputation often upstaging Matlock, who left the band after co writing 10 of the 12 tracks on their 1977 album, 'Never Mind the Bollocks, Here's The Sex Pistols'. Matlock always insisted that he left the band, while others claimed he was fired.
Vicious, who died from a drug overdose in February 1978, features in the documentary via archival footage, along with former frontman John Lydon, and their late manager, Malcolm McLaren.
Glen Matlock spoke about those who did not feature on the documentary, saying there were "a few people I did ask" to take part, but turned it down.
“They were maybe more in the John camp.. so probably said ‘no’ because it could’ve been awkward", Matlock said.
He went on to add that he assumed Lydon "just wasn't interested", and he was busy working with his band, Public Image Ltd (PiL).
“He’s moved on from [the Sex Pistols] now. But good luck to John; he’s got the Public Image thing going,” he continued. “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".
The references to the "three of us" are about how Matlock, Paul Cook and Steve Jones reformed the band with Frank Carter in 2024, which was initially to raise voices for London's Bush Hall venue.
When asked he would be open to Lydon returning to the band, Matlock was quick to shoot that down, saying: “It’s just not gonna happen".
Back in February, the Sex Pistols featuring Frank Carter have announced a huge UK and Ireland tour as they celebrate 50 years of punk, including a show at Dublin's 3Arena on 7 December 2026. More on this from Nova here.
