MOJO - OCTOBER ISSUE

GLEN MATLOCK AND THE PHILISTINES
'ON SOMETHING'

Ex Pistol back on EMI, 28 years after dropping him with third Philistines set.

Outside of PiL, the ex-Pistols haven't exactly dazzled the world with their musical glitter. As the man who crafted most of the tunes on Never Mind the Bollocks, and, just as impressively, The Rich Kids' peerless Ghosts of Princes in Towers, it's been one of life's mysteries why Glen Matlock never made a string of high profile solo stonkers. By way of atonement, he's unexpectedly turned in a late gem recorded somewhat ironically for the label who once dropped him like a hot brick. Stripped down and meaty, and beginning where the Ramones' Pet Semetary and The Cult's Zap City left off, it's thumping rock with a Cockney lilt, cheeky handclaps and smattering of chirping Hammond. Glen's voice, previously an unremarkable thing, has solidified into a resonant Rockney pearl, issuing corny asides like "Hey wait a minute!" and "Love it!" with joyous abandon. Solid Stuff.

by Pat Gilbert.

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