NME
September 29th, 2007

John Lydon Q&A

The Sex Pistols are reuniting – again. NME caught up with John Lydon to talk about the show, our campaign to get God save The Queen to Number 1 and why, 30 years on, he wouldn’t abolish the monarchy…

Why reunite the Sex Pistols?

"This year was an alleged anniversary and so far I think it's been a pretty poor turnout. We love to play anyway, it just feels dead fucking bang on right, it feels good. I feel a very close affinity to Steve [Jones, guitarist] and Paul [Cook, drummer]. I respect the high hell out them all, Glen [Matlock, bassist] included. And it mustn't be ever conceived any other way. The nonsense we talk about each other in the press is done for sheer giggle farce. Y'know, just to take the fairy off it."

Will there be a full tour, or just this one-off Brixton date?

"I've no idea, but it has to be small. No Wembley Arena, that's not in my mentality right now. Small clubs were always our heart, bread and butter. It feels better in a warmer environment, to get that personal touch. And unfortunately that personal touch can be a bottle on your head from some arsehole."

Will you ever record together as a group again?

"Not particularly, because I'm doing so much other stuff. I've taken to the TV world like a duck to water. I always used to be really shy on camera and I worried about looking wrong or being wrong. But, I've got to say that when I did I'm A Celebrity..., it was great! I enjoyed the hell out of myself. Now I'm a judge on Bodog Music's Battle Of The Bands. It's an American TV show. It's young bands writing their own songs, performing. I've been hard on them, but I give them the best love I can."

It's rumoured that you, Steve and Paul recently re-recorded 'Pretty Vacant' for a skateboarding game. True?

"Do you believe that? Ha ha ha. Well, you'll just have to wait to find out whether it's true or not."

Do you support NME's campaign to get 'God Save The Queen' to Number One?

"I don't think a chart position bothers me, or anyone who understands me, very much at all. I can understand someone seeing a giggle in that. But, more importantly, it's probably one of the best records ever made. It's bang spot on. But, let's be honest, it was Number One anyway. They were taking us as a serious threat to an establishment and an industry, and that must not be forgotten. We were discussed in the Houses Of Parliament under the Treason Act, which at that time carried a death penalty. Am I sorry about it? No! Sometimes in your life you get the chance to stand up and make a difference and, my God, you'd better take it."

Were you worried you might be executed?!

"Er, no, of course not. That would be taking it all too far. But, the problem was it might carry some serious jail time. As a Sex Pistol we all had it. We felt isolated, permanently. And in a year and a half, what we did was quite great."

Would you seek to abolish the monarchy now?

"Why would I? 1 think they're fine, I think they're great fun. When they demand my blind allegiance, that's when a problem begins, because 1 only back what I know is right: 1 believe in one man, one vote. You're gonna send me off to a war 1 don't believe in, you're not gonna get me there. If you vote for a silly war like that nonsense in Iraq, well, then you should be the first to go. Your vote should be open, 1 see no reason for secret ballots at all. You do not want a sneaky rat society. I think democracy is finding out its faults now, which is to the benefit of us all.