Glen Matlock needs little introduction. As well as penning arguably the most famous punk song ever, Pretty Vacant, Glen wrote the music to the Sex Pistols classics, including Anarchy In The UK and God Save The Queen, creating the benchmarks for any aspiring rock band. The Sex Pistols reunions have given the world the chance to see Glen reaffirm his rightful position as the cornerstone of the Pistols music.
However, the Sex Pistols represent only a fraction of what Glen has achieved. His next band, the Rich Kids, put out one of the most influential albums of the late 70s, Ghosts Of Princes In Towers, packed full of rock ‘n’ pop gems. Working with Iggy Pop, (who recorded Glen’s song Ambition), during the 80s, kept him in the limelight and at the top of his game.
Throughout his endeavours, Glen has performed with a Who’s Who of Rock ‘n’ Roll Cool: Bobby Gillespie, Clem Burke, Slim Jim Phantom, Zak Starkey, Chris Spedding, Robert Gordon, to name check just a few from the last couple of years alone.
In the 1990s, Glen began his re-emergence as a force to be reckoned with. His solo album Who’s he Think he is When he’s at Home? recorded for Creation Records, was a full-on guitar album, blistering in its intensity, taking everyone by surprise. Glen, recording and performing as The Philistines, continued his reinvention in 2000 with the acclaimed Open Mind album. The set showed a man having regained the high ground; Rattle Your Cage, Idiot, Sad Meal For One, and the title track were up there with his best.
On Something arrived in the middle of the decade, an album which saw the full spectrum of Glen’s prowess dovetail into one of the best rock releases of the period. Highlights included the fiery Piece Of The Action, the Glam Rock feel of Playboy Blues, and the Faces influenced OK Kiddo. White Knuckle Ride was a pile driver which got young pretenders sitting up and taking notice.
The Philistines line-up has evolved over the years, with the different players all bringing their own unique style to the table. Drummer Chris Musto, guitarists James Stevenson, Ray McVeigh, Koozie Johns, Mick Jones, Tony Barber, and Steve New, have all added to the rock ‘n’ roll mix in the studio or live on stage.
On Glen’s new album, Born Running, Javier Weyler from the Stereophonics provides formidable, at times breathtaking, drumming. Jim Lowe - who produced the Stereophonics as well as Glen’s Open Mind album – has worked his rock ‘n’ roll magic once more behind the controls. Jim, also a gifted guitarist, plays on the album which sees the return of both James Stevenson and a final, virtuoso performance by the late Steve New.
It’s a stunning collection of songs, perhaps his strongest since Never Mind The Bollocks. Powerhouse performances abound; title track Born Running, Rock Chick, Electricity and Time Bomb, leave the listener in no doubt that Glen can match anyone sonically. With the spiky T-R-O-U-B-L-E, the touching Something Tells Me, and a heartfelt Somewhere Somehow, all corners of the emotional spectrum are touched.
Released in the year Glen hooked up with the re-united Faces, Born Running symbolises a man whose career continues on an upward trajectory.
Written by Phil Singleton
