The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
ROCKTALK GIG GUIDE
● It’s been a while but Sex Pistols legend Glen Matlock is live in Newport tomorrow, playing Rio Community Centre with bandmates Earl Slick, Jim Lowe and Chris Musto following an Edinburgh show tonight.
Glen, who last rocked up in Fife in 2017, says he’s struck up a strong rapport with ex-Bowie and Lennon guitarist Slick.
“He’s a tasty player,” the front man declares.
“I like playing with him because he makes things sound a bit more American — which was important for my new album as it’s got a bit more of a rockabilly swing — and makes the songs work a little bit more. We have a good symbiotic relationship, we’re like the Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau of rock!”
Best known as a bassist, Glen plays a different role in his latest project. “I think I’ve found a bit of a blueprint with me playing rhythm acoustic and having the whole sort of wacky guitar on top,” he explains.
“I’m a big fan of the Spiders From Mars. That was a great three-piece rock band but Bowie played rhythm acoustic through most of it. I’m not the best singer in the world, but I do have something to say and a way of putting it across with my sort of London-centric lyrics.”
After working with a host of collaborators in recent years, Glen’s relishing having a settled line-up.
“Besides the UK shows we’re playing the Fuji Festival in Japan and we’ve offers of shows in Poland. We’ll just keep it rolling,” he says.
“We couldn’t do anything earlier in the year because Earl was out doing his Station To Station Bowie thing. I think he wants to move on, let’s say. I’m quite pleased that he feels he’s moving on a bit with me. ”
The band worked up their set at gigs last autumn and Glen’s promising diverse offerings in Fife. His take on Pharrell Williams’ Happy and some vintage material will figure alongside tracks from latest album Good To Go.
It’s over a decade since the Pistols’ last comeback and Glen, 62, admits he’s in the dark about the band’s future. “Every time we’ve done something there’s been no talk about it until the very last minute, so who knows?” he says.
“Whenever we’ve done a Pistols thing, we’ve had to start from scratch so you lose any impetus. So while it’s a kind of a reasonable thing to do, I don’t know if everybody’s in the right headspace these days with each other.
“I could call up John (Lydon) now if I wanted to, I just don’t. I did actually like John’s quote a while back. He said while we might not be the best of friends we’re not the best of enemies either.”
Tickets £32.50 from Rio or Grouchos.
● Punk veterans Slaughter & The Dogs blitz Beat Generator on Thursday.
The Manchester outfit supported Sex Pistols at their legendary gig at the city’s Lesser Free Trade Hall in 1976, unleashing classic debut single Cranked Up Really High months later. After becoming one of the first UK punk bands to sign to a major, SATD released Where Have All The Boot Boys Gone?, Dame To Blame and Quick Joey Small from 1978 set Do It Dog Style.
The four-piece split late the following year, eventually reforming in 1996. They’re still led by original front man Wayne Barrett and guitarist Mick Rossi. Tickets £16.75 from Grouchos / Tickets Scotland.
● Kinross’s Green Hotel has classic songsmiths Christine Collister and Dave Kelly tomorrow.
Christine’s worked with Richard Thompson, Clive Gregson, Iain Matthews and Loudon Wainwright III, while Blues Band slide guitarist Dave cut his teeth under legends Howlin’ Wolf, John Lee Hooker, Buddy Guy and Muddy Waters.
The pair perform original songs plus soul, country, rock, folk and blues standards.
Tickets £23.60 via Ticketweb.
● Courier Country noiseniks Saint-Louie plus Midnight Alleys, The Plastic Mac and Ian Cargill play Conroys Basement tomorrow, with Canadian hardcore punks Mobina Galore and emo pair Hora Douse and Stonethrower at Meadowside on Wednesday, tickets £5 online.
● Scots alt-rockers Idlewild’s acoustic turn at Clarks on Monday has sold out. The Assai Records exclusive sees Roddy Woomble & Co promoting their eighth album Interview Music, which dropped last month.
● Math rock exponents Foals play an Assai-backed Fat Sams double on Sunday. The Oxford four-piece are giving sold-out early and evening renditions of their latest album.
● Rainbow / Deep Purple homage Blackmore’s Blood get loud and proud at Beat Generator on Sunday. Tickets £11.50 via Tickets Scotland.
● Cherry Bombz play Tavern tonight, McDaniels tomorrow and Montrose’s Star Hotel and Harlequins (Sunday, 2pm/6.30pm).
● It’s Sensational David Bowie Tribute Band at Beat Generator tomorrow. Tickets £11 from Grouchos.
● Number 57 says farewell to Tivvy on Sunday, with DB’s live tomorrow.