Glen Matlock "I Was A Teenage Sex Pistol" Documentary Screening and Q&A at The Barbican Centre, Thursday October 23rd

Last night, we went along to the first screening of the new Glen Matlock documentary "I Was A Teenage Sex Pistol" at the Barbican Centre, part of the excellent Doc 'n' Roll Film Festival. The movie was followed by a Q&A session with Glen and directors, Nick Mead and Andre Relis being interviewed and taking questions from the audience. The documentary is based on Glen's memoir "I Was A Teenage Sex Pistol", telling his often overlooked side of the story, his part in the formation of the Pistols and his contribution to the song-writing of many of those classic tracks. Glen explains how he got to work with Malcolm McLaren and Vivienne Westwood in their Kings Road store Let It Rock which would evolve into a hangout for disaffected local youth including Steve Jones and Paul Cook. He explains how the Pistols got together and the personal dynamics that made the band so unique. More poignantly he discusses the negative impact of the infamous appearance on the Bill Grundy TV show and the frustration he felt in not being able to get out there and play, which was always his priority. 

Chris Musto, Neal X from Glen's band, Glen and Kathy Valentine from The Go-Go's

 

The machinations going on behind his back to get John Lydon's mate Sid Vicious in to replace him and Malcolm's preposterous press release to say he had been sacked for "liking the Beatles" is something that clearly still rankles. I guess his book and this movie must go someway to putting those demons to rest and he also busts some long standing myths about his relationships with Sid, his bandmates and manager. Although of course the movie concentrates on the Pistols, it does touch on his musical career after he left the band such as his time with The Rich Kids, touring with Iggy Pop and Blondie and his solo music too. "I Was A Teenage Sex Pistol" paints a picture of a man who basically just wants to get out there and play, to experience the shared joy of performing and writing music with like-minded people. Throughout the movie there are enlightening interviews with some impressive guests including Steve Jones, Paul Cook, Billy Idol, Debbie Harry, Chris Stein and Clem Burke, Dead Boys guitarist Cheetah Chrome, Kenney Jones from The Who and Neal X. In fact Neal was there at the screening along with drummer Chris Musto, both from Glen's current band. Also in attendance were Kathy Valentine from The Go-Go's, Billy Doherty from The Undertones and Tony Major from The WitchDoktors.

For more info on the Doc 'n' Roll Film Festival please check out their web-site here. For news and information on Glen Matlock's current recordings and gigs etc. please check out his official web-site. You can see a feature on his superb gig at The 100 Club in London earlier this year with Kathy Valentine supporting in our Blog archive here.