Punk’s rawest songs still needed an ear for melody.
Sex Pistols bassist and songwriter Glen Matlock turns 70 on Aug. 27, nearly five decades after helping shape the sound of British punk. His bass playing and songwriting brought tuneful instincts to a band remembered as much for its music as its chaos.
Born in London in 1956, Matlock crossed paths with guitarist Steve Jones and drummer Paul Cook while working at Malcolm McLaren and Vivienne Westwood’s clothing shop. He became the band’s original bassist, with John Lydon joining as lead singer in 1975.
Matlock’s musical foundation reached well beyond punk. While discussing the players he admired, he singled out influential studio bassist Carole Kaye alongside several other musicians.
“The players I like are people like Carole Kaye, Tina Weymouth, John Entwistle and Ronnie Lane,” he told Louder, praising musicians who give songs “counter-melody and colour.”
That emphasis on melody was a major part of Matlock’s contribution to the Sex Pistols. He received songwriting credit on 10 of the 12 tracks on the band’s only studio album, 1977’s Never Mind the Bollocks, Here’s the Sex Pistols, including “Anarchy in the U.K.,” “God Save the Queen” and “Pretty Vacant.” Although Matlock left the group before the album was released, the songs he helped create became punk standards.
He soon formed Rich Kids with Midge Ure, Steve New and Rusty Egan. Matlock later built a wide-ranging career that included solo records and work with Iggy Pop, the Damned, Blondie and a reunited version of the Faces.
The Sex Pistols were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2006, with Matlock named among the honored members. The group declined to attend the ceremony, keeping its anti-establishment reputation intact.
Matlock is now back onstage with Jones and Cook in the Sex Pistols Featuring Frank Carter. The band is set to begin a rescheduled North American tour on Sept. 11, with shows continuing through October before a run of U.K. dates later this year.
At 70, Matlock is still playing the songs that changed rock. The Sex Pistols may have thrived on provocation, but their records also had hooks, and he helped write them.
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