For existing as a band for such a short time, it’s incredible how the Sex Pistols are still remembered and have an influence on the music scene. Although they looked chaotic from the outside and were actually chaotic on the inside, they laid claim to a lot of firsts in the music world. The band only released one studio album in the three years they were together, and according to Glen Matlock, Johnny Rotten prevented the creation of a second album due to his reluctance.
The Sex Pistols were never known for the effort and care they gave to their music; the band was more into chaos and literally fed off of it. The band members were mostly in sync with this idea, and when Glen Matlock seemed to care a bit more about the music than the rest, he was let go from the band. Their aim was to create chaos, and they did. They became the first band in the UK to be banned from the radio with their song ‘God Save the Queen.’ They also made sure that chaos in music became a staple and initiated the punk movement in the UK.
The band released their only album ‘Never Mind the Bollocks, Here’s the Sex Pistols’ in 1977. Although the band was not known for carefully threading their music, the record became a staple and inspired many musicians after them. Perhaps if they had released another album before they broke up in 1978 or even when they reunited in 1996, 2003-2004, and 2007-2008, they would have initiated another revolution, but they didn’t.
According to the band’s bassist Glen Matlock, they didn’t create another album because they were more into chaos than music. There wasn’t an environment to carefully plan songs, and the members didn’t speak enough about it or have real conversations. However, when they reunited in 1996, they could have created a new album, and the members spoke about it. Although two members, Steve and Paul, agreed to it, Johnny Rotten refused. He was apparently scared to underwhelm people with a new album because the first one was just too powerful.
Glen Matlock said about not creating a second album:
“Because we were young, impetuous, and full of beer and argued with each other too much. The problem with the Pistols was not everybody said what they thought to somebody else or not to the band guys themselves, and we never spoke enough, really. I think a few more kinds of real hum-banging conversations could have cleared the decks a bit more, and we would have made a second album. We all had it in us to write a second album.”
He continued the reason and mentioned Johnny Rotten, saying:
“When we reformed in 1996, we spoke about it. Steve and Paul were up for it, but John wasn’t, so there you go. I think he was kind of frightened that all our stuff is up on a pedestal, and if we did something that didn’t come up to scratch, then it would kind of chip away at the pedestal. But I say that was sort of a challenge, and we could have written some stuff, and if it didn’t make it (wasn’t good enough), we don’t put it out.”
Looking back, it’s fascinating to think about what could have been if they had released another album, but at the same time, it’s hard to deny the influence they had with just one album. The Sex Pistols will always be remembered for their unique and rebellious approach to music, and their impact will be felt for years to come.
