Glen Matlock has publicly addressed John Lydon’s critical remarks about the current Sex Pistols lineup. He defended the band’s new direction in a recent interview with Guitar World.
Matlock offered his response when asked about John Lydon calling the current Pistols lineup ‘a clown’s circus’. He discussed the positive impact of new vocalist Frank Carter.
‘He’s laid his bed,’ Matlock said when addressing Lydon’s comments.
The bassist went on to praise the current band chemistry and Carter’s contribution to the group.
‘It goes without saying that Steve Jones, Paul Cook, and myself all learned to play together,’ he continued. ‘Frank’s brought a new energy. He’s younger than us, and he’s got a very positive, forward attitude.’
Matlock emphasized the positive atmosphere within the current lineup.
‘We all come off stage smiling, and the audience seems to smile as well,’ he said. ‘I haven’t heard one person moaning who’s been to the shows.’
He concluded by reflecting on the band’s current dynamic and his personal approach to the music.
‘I’m at a stage in my life where I’m kind of doing things to suit myself,’ Matlock explained. ‘I think Steve and Paul probably are as well. We kind of click; we’re not the best of mates all over, but we’re certainly friendly enough. There’s a chemistry there. It’s very hard to deny, and Frank fit straight into that.’
This public response comes as the reformed Sex Pistols continue to move forward without their original frontman. It marks a significant chapter in the band’s ongoing evolution.
WZXR reported that the 2025 Sex Pistols lineup featuring Matlock, Steve Jones, Paul Cook, and Frank Carter has announced a North American tour beginning September 16th at Dallas’s Longhorn Ballroom. The venue holds historical significance for the band, dating back to their infamous 1978 show during their original run.
The tour will span 13 cities and conclude on October 16th in Los Angeles. The band plans to perform their sole studio album, Never Mind the Bollocks, Here’s the Sex Pistols, in its entirety. This ambitious undertaking demonstrates the current lineup’s commitment to honoring the band’s legacy while forging their own path forward.
Matlock, now approaching 69 years old, has acknowledged the band’s evolution in recent interviews. No Treble noted that he stated the band members are ‘a bit older but we play just as well, if not better.’ This underscores a renewed focus on musicality over past stage antics.
‘John has had all our phone numbers, and I can’t see many missed calls from him,’ Matlock noted. This indicates the continuing estrangement between the original frontman and the current lineup.
The ongoing tension between Lydon and his former bandmates reflects the complex dynamics that have defined the Sex Pistols throughout their history. The current members are choosing to prioritize their musical chemistry and forward momentum over past conflicts.
