Sex Pistols “have ideas” for making new music with Frank Carter

Glen Matlock has said the Sex Pistols “have ideas” for making new music with their new frontman Frank Carter.

Last year, bassist Matlock, guitarist Steve Jones and drummer Paul Cook of the punk legends’ original line-up enlisted former Gallows frontman Carter to take on lead vocals in place of John Lydon for a series of shows at London’s Bush Hall. The line-up has since gone on to play tours around the UK and have announced shows in North and South America.

Now, Matlock has suggested that the new version of the band is prepared to record new music together too and are currently considering their options.

As told to the Daily Star, Matlock said: “We talked about it with Steve Jones. We have ideas and Frank is a very good lyricist. Everyone has ideas, but we’re very busy at the moment and haven’t had a chance to really work things out.”

He also reflected on how any new music would impact the band’s legacy. “Above all, we have to ask ourselves if the public really wants us to release new music,” he said. “In the end, who knows?”

Last year, Matlock spoke to NME about the possibility of making new music with Carter. “We’ll see when we get back together again,” he said. “Maybe when we start rehearsing, something will come out.”

“But is the world ready for a new Sex Pistols record?” he added. “I dunno. I like what John said with this in ’96 [during the band’s Filthy Lucre reformation tour]. This journalist asked: ‘Are you gonna make a new record?’ John said: ‘Why? What’s wrong with the old one?’”

NME also asked Jones about the possibility earlier this year. “I think if you do anything new and you’re playing it live, that’s when people go and get a drink,” he said. “When was the last time you heard a good Rolling Stones song?”

“I think you really have a window when you’re young, where you’re really creative and you’re on the ball. When you’re older, I think it runs out. I could be wrong!”

For his part, Lydon has been critical of his former bandmates’ decision to play with Carter. “It’s almost malicious in its intent,” he told NME last year. “And it’s karaoke – that’s all it will ever be. Bloody hell, The Three Stooges in that band have had how many years to write some new songs? That’s what I’d like to hear.”

In further comments in May, Lydon added: “It’s weird. [It’s] a dumbing down of all the integrity, intensity, genuine honesty and heartfelt emotions I put into that band.”

“Of course, it’s karaoke, but it’s like… Come on, Mr Carter, you’re not Johnny Rotten, I am. Right? Stop it,” he added, before going on to name the one thing about the new frontman that got his seal of approval: “I actually think he took it on in the right spirit.”

The Pistols and Carter were due to kick off their North and South American dates last month, but were forced to postpone when Jones broke his wrist. They told fans that the gigs would be rescheduled when he has fully recovered.