Q Magazine
June 2002

"Cash For Questions"

The artist formerly known as Rotten belches loudly, hawks up a ball of dark sticky matter from somewhere within his windpipe and expertly flobs it into the bin between his knees. ''I've got a vicious headache,'' he announces, sucking on a Marlboro, then turning to Q and delivering one of those fearsome stares. ''Fuck...''

Turning to the pile of Q readers' letters lying before him, his mood reverts to foul. He's not relishing the prospect of answering a batch of questions from the Q flock. ''Tabloid journalism has really caused some fucking bad destruction in this country,'' he mutters, darkly. ''People think it's perfectly acceptable to be a nosey bastard.''

And so, summon the neck of the first ''nosey bastard'' to the chopping block...

Where the Sex Pistols really just a hyped and manufactured pop band from the Malcolm McLaren stable?
Jason O'Rourke, Brighton

Nothing about that man has ever been stable. Hyped acts? Go figure. If you can't tell whats real & what isn't and you need to believe everything is manufactured, then you're an arsehole. In a world of Britney Spears and Madonna, how on earth can you think I'm fake? And if the Pistols was that kind of thing, we wouldn't have given up after one album.

What or who could have saved Sid?
Brian Fyfe, Co. Cork

(Quietly) Himself. Plain & simple. I've known a few people getting themselves clogged up in in heroin over the years. Really it comes down to the fact you have to help yourself. You know what you've done wrong here. And don't blame the drugs. Blame yourself. You have to mentally make the decision inside your own head not to be dependent on anything or anyone. And thats getting the smarts, baby. Thats how you get out of it.

How true to life was the film Sid & Nancy?
Lee Hooley, Middlesbrough

If you need to ask, you don't desrve an answer. It's a work of fabrication, plain and simple. Please...

What was Nancy Spungen really like?
James Parker, Sunderland

Ah...thats one even the most wildly straying from the truth movies and books never failed to get right. A very bad piece of work. Spitful, spoiled, selfish - a problem many semi-wealthy middle class American families suffer from. When I read the mothers book on Nancy (Deborah Spungens And I Don't Want To Live This Life,) I was appalled. They got her a psychiatrist at age 4! Go figure why this girl grew up the way she did.

Do you have a message you'd like to send to the Queen in her Golden Jubilee year?
Brett Clark, Corby

Yes, spend more money. Contribute to the British population & show you care and, lo & behold, the public might just care about you. Open your wallet & help out, say, just the National Health Service, for starters. She's wealthy enough, right? So get her to put her money where her mouth is. We need something to rally around, and it might be a tattered old flag with a few safety pins in it, but it's a lot better than the grey dullness of Blairs Britain. What this country has become is a piss pot of mediocity. You all roll over & take it up the chuff.

Do you ever feel a twinge of remorse for the Glen Matlock/''guy glue'' baguette incident? (where Lydon is rumoured to have masturbated into a sandwich and served it to the Sex Pistols bassist)
Geordie Mac, Galashiels

I didn't do it, I merely reported! And what does it matter to you? Have you no life of your own or are you looking for a certain sandwich yourself? Well, there's not that many avalible. Look, you've got to bear in mind that at that time we were all starving and any protein was good enough. So I reckon Glen got off well. He got something rare and special. But this sounds like pangs of jealousy from him here, doesn't it? Go see Glen. See if he's got any left.

My friends dad was at school with you and said that you always used to sit staring at a tree in the playground, not talking to anyone. Is this true, and if so why?
David Nettles, via e-mail

Because I had meningitis when I was seven and I was in a coma for six months. And when I came out, I had serious learning problems and it took years to get back to normal. I was known as Dummy Boy cos I didn't know nothing. Literally, I couldn't even speak, I'd forget words. So, yeah, I reckon staring at a tree is about right because, quite frankly, it was a lot more interesting than anything going on around me.

Does anybody intimidate you?
Susie Hansen, Seattle

I'm afraid of myself, as it happens, and letting myself down. I drive myself very, very hard. I have a sense of values - never to lie or cheat people. I'm my own worst enemy and best friend at the same time. I don't give a tuppence fuck about anybody else interfering in my life, because I don't do it to others.

What are your drugs of choice?
Kermit Jones, Barnsley

(sighs) Common sense.

Looking back at the end of the '70s, the bands which ralled against - ABBA, The Bee Gees - are those whose musical legacy has enjoyed popular and, more recently, critical acclaim. Do you think punk lost the battle of ideas?
David Whittaker, Welwyn Garden City

For a start, we loved ABBA. This perception that we rallied against other peoples success - where does it come from? Will you please lay off reading the Guardian and The Express and The Observer? Those are the kind of dishcloths that propagate that kind of reasoning and logic, not us. And what battle? There were the Sex Pistols and a whole bunch of imitators. And you can call us what you like, but don't put me in the same shopping bag as the Clash and the rest. I know who came first and I know what came first. I may look like a horse, that lot were definitely the cart...

I was a huge Pistols fan in the '70s, but lost all respect for you with the reunion. How can you really defend it John?
John Mattell, London

The reunion was all about getting paid, because we were never paid up to that point. We always left our bills unpaid - not deliberately. That reunion tour really paid back alot of people that were owed money. And I've got tosay this - go fuck yourself if you think I don't have the right to make money, because my level of work is fucking more superior to your opinion of my money.

Was your change of musical direction after the 1981 PiL album 'Flowers Of Romance' due to giving up speed? Was it the result of a major comedown?
David Eachus, Bath

Pff. Well, hello? There were a couple of albums that were in different directions entirely before that one. No, I've never been a drug adict, so the premise is wrong. And the amount of alcohol I take - which has been a problem from time to time - has not affected what I mentally want to do. I'm not swayed by any other influence other than my own enjoyment. I make music to please myself. Get out of the hole!

You used to a big fan of '70s prog rockers Van Der Graaf Generator. Which album would you recommend?
Luke Wilson, Tunbridge Wells

To who? For what? Y'know, it isn't like that. It's a personal decision. You buy whats good for you because you like it. It's not about what someone's recommended. I'm a fan of all walks of music. I hate the term ''music'' and I don't like musicians, but there's many things out there I adore. And theres a few Van Der Graaf things I like, but I'm not going to recommend anything to anyone. It might not be for them. Music doesn't come with a set of guidelines.

I read on your website that there are plans to make a bio-pic called Rotten. How involved are you in the project and do you have any say on who should play you?
Marios Panayiotou, Manchester

(sneers) If I was making a film about myself, I think I would have plans and I would have a say in it. It's just common sense. Look, this comes from my book. A film company in America were interested in turning it into a film and, at the moment, theres a real problem with that because the swing has gone towards it being a Sex Pistols story and thats of no interest to me. So we're back at the starting blocks. And I won't put it out if it's not right. And how can I write a film about myself based on what actor I want doing it? And, more to the point, who the fuck could handle it?

I bought Metal Box (1979 PiL Album) on record and the damned vinyl broke when I tried to get them out of the damned box. Can I get a refund?
Brian Maull, Runnymede

No Doubt. But whats that to do with me? I didn't sell it to you. I made the damned thing. Go see the manufacturer. Thats like saying, My radio broke when they were playing your record...please replace.

Do you ever get jealous when you see pricks like Liam Gallagher getting rich and famous using the stage acts perfected by you 25 years ago?
Andrew Lauder, East Kilbride

He's not using a stage act perfected by me, I don't act and he's not a prick. He's many things, but I don't think he's deserved that moniker yet. And the word jealous. Please! I'm not 15. And I've gone past 35. What on earth would a person like me have to be jealous about? I'm giving them all their ques and I'm quite happy to do that. Anyone imitating me - and Liam doesn't imitate - that's not a threat. And why would I be jealous of someone being a second rate version of me? That sounds more like Sid. Pass the question on to him. I think he's blowing all over Heathrow Airport.

What did your dad say after the Pistols famous appearance on The Bill Grundy Show?
Liam Gower, Colchester

I don't know. I was busy trying to get home at the time. We were in different parts of London, so I couldn't possibly comment. Ask him.

My mate met Jah Wobble once and he said you were a cunt then and a cunt now. Do you agree?
Martin Colvin, Scarborough

If Wobble said that, then its my quote, he's misused it and he's still reiterating my words of wisdom. Why, I even invented ethnic forgery so Wobble could move into that...

Can you recommend a good pub in Finsbury Park?
Will Harrison, London

No, I will not, so fuck off back to your own neighbourhood. Leave well alone. Y'know, theres a sensibility in the term ''yer local''...it's for the locals right? And it aint for you with your oyster bar mentality to waltz in and change everything. Theres to much of that. Finsbury Park will always be Warsaw. Thats just the way it is, but they're changing it and we're not liking it. It's my community and it's my culture and we're not antique buyers, OK?

Why the rag & bone cart crap at last years Q Awards? We all know you enjoy capitalist trappings like your poncey house in Fulham.
Gary Charlton, via E-Mail

Fulham is poncey, is it? Thats a nice assumption. Just go away. People like you are just vindictive and dumb. And I don't need any judgements on my private life. What I present in public, deal with) doesn't give me his life to rip apart quite so happily. I live where I live cos I want to. Any money I have, I've bloody well earned. Every single word in every single song is honest. Now fucking pay me. And I hardly think my lifestyle is ostentatious anyway, and even if it was, it ain't your business. I've got news for you - when you come from shit, you want to get the fuck out of it.

Did you shag either a) Siouxsie Sioux, b) Chrissie Hynde, or c) Jordan (infamous punk sceneste, not the page three model) If yes which one?
Paul Smith, Warrington

This is one boy who doesn't kiss and tell. Understand that I understand the word respect. And I respect other people as much as they should respect me. And asking me to trivialise other human beings for your titillation is fucking offensive.

Did you stop going out after you began getting attacked so regularly in 1977?
Joe Beeker, London

No, nothing stops me doing anything. I've got news for you matey - when I first dyed my hair green at 15, that weren't no joyride. I had to earn my wings to get some kind of punk thing going and the rest came in like it was fucking hairdresser's convention. But they didn't go through those punishing early years, so why on earth would anything bother me after that? Everythings a stuggle, you get on with it.

Are you a physical coward? When was your last good tear up?
John Wilkenson, Omagh

I don't fight, there's no point, and I'm certainly no coward. I'll stand till I drop, cos I'm to lazy to run. I mean what I say and if you're going to try and stop that, you're going to get a problem. And it'll be a bad one, so leave well alone, cos I leave you alone. And it's none of your business when I last threw a punch. You think I'm gonna walk myself into a lawsuit?

As a godfather of punk, do you reckon that So Solid Crew are the real punks of 2002?
Sarah Marsh, Gloucester

I'm not a fucking godfather of punk...get that out of my life, a cliche like that. Do I walk around with Daily Mirror tattooed on my forehead? So Solid Crew? Oh please, thats just ludicrous. They are what they are. Does everybody desperately need to be a punk? I mean, c'mon on down, we're giving away punk wannabe kits at an alarming rate. The more the merrier.

Ian Dury accused you of ripping off his act and pretending to be disabled. How did you feel about that?
Robin Beechwood, Barnet

Well, he was dying at the time, wasn't he? So I thought, Alright mate, if you need to go to the grave with my blessing, you've just fucked that one up. It's very sad. Ian Dury is someone that really matters to me and it's very, very sad that in his last dying days , he needed to desperately find something to give himself a sense of self esteem...and it be me. I must be doing something right.

When was the last time you spoke to Malcolm McLaren? And what was said?
Jim Easter, Dublin

Thats none of your fucking business. Please. If theres gonna be anypublic disclosures they're not forthcoming.

I heard you used to sell speed to Lemmy from Motorhead outside The Rainbow in Finsbury Park. Is this true?
Maggie Boswell, Newport

Lemmy has been saying so? Well, poor Lemmy, I mean, how would he remember? Lemmys a good mate of mine. I didn't charge that much either. When your fucking poor, you've gotta make a bob or two.

Is the phlemgy chest getting any better?
Marcus Granber, Oxford

Well, this is from the meningitis. Thats permanently affected my sinuses and it's just something I live with...and severe headaches from time to time. But thats pressure and stress, which don't help much. I'll never be what you'd call fit.

How do you feel now about the Pistols song Belsen Was A Gas?
Paul Unwins, Margate

It's so extreme in its viewpoint as to be ludicrous. It takes Nazism to its ultimate possibility - absurdity. It's a put down of racism, so I'm proud of it. If you want to destroy the potency of a swastika, wear one.

Is there any part of the Pistols career you look back and cringe on?
Pete Mella, Sheffield

I don't cringe about anything I've done. I've lived the life. I walk the walk and talk the talk. Theres no shame in that.

Does putting on the cartoon punk rocker act never get a bit tiring, John?
Sean Corrigan, Dundee

Hardly, because I haven't done it yet. I'll let you know once I start.