33% minutes with...Glen Matlock

In stark contrast with the misinformation and backstabbing aimed at Glen Matlock on his departure from the Sex Pistols in 1977, their reunion in 1996 saw the bassist reinstated and his significance in the band’s history re-evaluated. After spending the late 70s and 80s in a succession of shortlived bands, and a stint with Iggy Pop, Matlock channeled the momentum from the Pistols’ 90s revival into an ongoing solo career. On his sixth album, Consequences Coming, his Pistols-era knack for a sharp tune is paired with politically charged lyrics. “It’s a word to the wise,” he tells Record Collector.

- By Rich Davenport

There’s an upbeat energy to the performances on Consequences Coming. Do you still get a buzz from making new music?

Yeah, there’s life in the old dog yet. When you’re getting ready to do something, it’s like, “Do we have to?” But as soon as you start playing, it doesn’t matter what age you are. There’s the whole arduous songwriting process. You get half an idea for something, then you’ve got to fill in the blanks: “What’s this about?” But then it starts coming together, and you get really excited about it.

There are recogniseable elements in the songs that seem to have been trademarks of your style since the Pistols days; the songs are concise and have a strong sense of melody.

Yeah, I do think I can write a catchy tune, [which] is what enables somebody to pick up on the lyric. Lyrically, I like to write like I’m having a conversation with somebody; “Here’s a word in your ear, matey.” People like Springsteen and country singers write a story within a song. That’s bollocks to me. Good for them, but I don’t work that way.

Lyrically, the title song and Head On A Stick offer your take on the political events which unfolded as you recorded the album over the last two years.