The Sex Pistols in concert with Frank Carter, without Johnny Rotten
The surviving members of the Sex Pistols have announced their return to concert together, but without former singer Johnny Rotten (born John Lydon). Glen Matlock, Paul Cook and Steve Jones of the historic British punk band have in fact announced that they will play the entirety of the group's only studio album, “Never mind the bollocks, here's the Sex Pistols”, on the occasion of two concerts scheduled for 'summer. Joining them on stage will be Frank Carter of Rattlesnakes.
The Sex Pistols with Carter are set for August 13 and 14 at London's Bush Hall, with proceeds benefiting the currently struggling legendary venue. Tickets will go on sale from Wednesday 5 June from 8am (Italian time).
In a press release quoted by the NME, Cook said of the two shows: “We'll be doing two benefit shows for Bush Hall with Frank Carter.
We'll play Pistols songs because they need support and they need money. We thought it would be a great way to keep it from failing. I grew up in the Shepherd's Bush neighborhood and still live here. It would be a real shame to see this place disappear. So everyone at the concert!”. Matlock echoed this, adding: “Smaller music venues are the lifeblood of new music. It's in these intimate spaces where raw talent gets a chance to shine, where bands can truly connect with their audiences and where the spirit of live music truly comes to life, so we need to keep them going.”
Frank Carter, in turn, said: “It's already joy, from start to finish. When the Sex Pistols call, you answer. I'm very excited to be a part of it.”
The last time the Sex Pistols performed together, with Lydon in the lineup, was at the conclusion of the band's run of dates between 2007 and 2008. More recently, Paul Cook and Steve Jones joined forces with Billy Idol and Generation X's Tony James to form a supergroup called Generation Sex – who performed in concert for the first time in Italy in July last year. However, there has been bad blood between John Lydon, now frontman of Public Image Ltd., and his former Sex Pistols bandmates for years.
