Musical history

Let's face it, what ever musical projects Glen Matlock embraces many people are still going to mention those two little words: Sex Pistols.

Glen was a driving force behind the short-lived band (1975-78). The Pistols still resonate down the musical years after three whole decades.

Under the control of Malcolm McLaren the Pistols shocked a nation and its music fans with the force of the band's lifestyle, stunts and music. Listen now to the singles and it can be hard to realise what the fuss was about (despite the music still sounding good). But to many teenagers of 1976 the band, and others like them, broke right out of strict musical and cultural straitjackets.

After the Sex Pistols Glen has had a series of bands and interests including the Rich Kids, along with Midge Ure, and more recently Dead Men Walking. Now his latest album, On Something, is released with The Philistines.

Currently Glen is on a short acoustic tour (taking in Leeds' Hard Rock Cafe) before leaving for some tour dates in Spain with The Philistines.

Speaking on BBC Radio Leeds before his Leeds gig Glen explained he is still good humoured about his musical past and always being known as 'Glen from the Sex Pistols'.

"It's just the way it is, and it's better than being 'Glen from the middle of the road'."

Away from the music press, the recent headlines for Glen have been about his robust views on swearing on TV. The articles made much of the irony of those views from a member of a band that swept to nationwide tabloid attention after swearing (albeit after being heavily provoked) on Bill Grundy's TV show.

Can it be true, is the ex-punk mellowing? Despite being somewhat misquoted (he claims) the sentiments are true.

"I don't like 'f-ing and blinding' about cooking sausages. Just swearing for the sake of it to make yourself more outrageous, when there's nothing to back you up, is not very good.

"It's the quality of swearing involved."

Musically if you catch Glen on his tour you can expect "something old, something new and something bluesy".

Oh and feel free to express yourself from the audience, but make sure it is worth it.

"A bit of barracking always goes down well - as long as it is good quality barracking. I always have a laugh, I am not a po-faced performer, I always have a bit of a giggle."