The former frontman of the Sex Pistols has been criticized by the band’s bassist, Glen Matlock, for supporting Donald Trump.
The punk rock band formed in London in 1975 and became one of the most culturally influential acts in music. John Lydon—also known by his former stage name Johnny Rotten—was the lead vocalist from 1975 to 1978.
Matlock was the band’s original bassist but left the group in 1977, at which point Sid Vicious replaced him. After Vicious died in 1978, Matlock rejoined the band for reunion tours and other performances. The first lineup also consisted of Steve Jones and Paul Cook.
There have been differing reports over the years about why Matlock originally left the band. While some say he was fired, Matlock told Newsweek that he left of his own accord. During the conversation, Matlock revealed that Lydon was the reason he initially left and he slammed him for now supporting Trump.
Main image, Glen Matlock is seen in a promotional photo taken in 2018. Inset, John Lydon is pictured in London on July 21, 2011. Matlock has told Newsweek that he originally left the Sex Pistols because of Lydon.
Chris Musto/Ian Gavan/Supplied/Getty Images
“I left. I thought maybe my position was becoming untenable, but I didn’t think I was being backed up by Steve and Paul,” he explained.
“And I walked. And I walked because there was something about John [Lydon]. Good though he was as a frontman and stuff, there was something about him I’ve never found—I’ve never found particularly sincere. And I think he’s been coming out as a Farage and Trump supporter has kind of proved me right.”
Nigel Farage is the leader of right-wing political party Reform UK.
During a conversation with The Guardian in 2020, Lydon said he supported Trump because of the economy.
“I’d be daft as a brush not to. He’s the only sensible choice now that [Joe] Biden is up – he’s incapable of being the man at the helm,” he said.
Speaking with Newsweek, Matlock claimed his former bandmate would “do anything to get publicity,” including showing his support for the former president.
“I don’t think that’s kind of good enough, really, you know? I think you’ve got, you know, you can’t say you support Trump and wear a MAGA hat for a laugh. It’s not funny, you know. So there you go,” he said.
“Anyway, I think I’ve had the last laugh because [the Sex Pistols] have actually been doing some shows without John, with a different singer, and it’s been going down great and we were playing last night and just played around the country. It looks like the world is going to be our oyster next year. So, you know, I’m fortunate that I do lots of things.”
British punk rock group the Sex Pistols are seen in February 1976. From left to right, Glen Matlock, Johnny Rotten (aka John Lydon), Steve Jones and Paul Cook.
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Although Matlock isn’t a Trump supporter, he told Newsweek that he thinks Americans have a choice between “the devil and the deep blue sea.”
“I think quite a few people there aren’t as bright as they could be. They’re the bluntest tools in the box and I just can’t understand why anybody can…Trump is a self-centered, childish, nitwit, oaf, basically,” he said.
“Now, you know, whatever Biden was doing and the Democrats were tryin’ a ‘man of the people,’ I think they are a bit [better] than the Republicans, but I don’t think they’re right, and there are certainly some dark forces at work, and you need somebody to stand up against it. But Trump, for God’s sake, no.”
Newsweek emailed spokespeople for Lydon and Trump for comment on Monday.
The Sex Pistols still intrigue people today, with the aging rockers occasionally sharing their thoughts about what happened during their heyday. During a recent appearance on The Rockonteurs podcast, Cook said that Matlock leaving the band was a messy affair.
“John [Lydon] and Glen had fallen out over some reason. I don’t know why,” he said. “They weren’t getting on. And John felt that it was me and Steve [Jones] now against [him]. We were a tight-knit couple, if you like. And John felt like he needed a bit of someone in the band who was on his side.”
When Newsweek told Matlock that Cook said he “should have stuck up” for the bassist, Matlock responded: “They should have done, that’s their own silly fault but there you go. We were all young at the time.”
This is all water under the bridge now for Matlock, Cook and Jones who Matlock said have “all kept in touch.” The Sex Pistols, led by Frank Carter with Matlock, Cook and Jones, have recently played several shows in the U.K.
“With the original Sex Pistols, me Steve and Paul, we’re still playing together,” Matlock said. “It’s great and it’s great because we learn to play with each other.
“So yeah, that’s quite good. I’m proud of that fact and I think everybody in the band thinks the same thing.”
Matlock has kept himself busy over the years and has performed with several other bands, including Rich Kids and Blondie, and collaborated with Iggy Pop. He is also touring the U.K. in November with his band, which features Chris Musto, Jim Lowe and Neal X. The band is starting the tour in Norwich on November 15 and ending at Dingwalls in London on November 30.
More information and tickets are available via www.GlenMatlock.co.uk
