Glen Matlock, the legendary bassist of the Sex Pistols, has recently voiced his concerns about the growing number of punk fans and musicians who have aligned themselves with right-wing politics, including Donald Trump. In a candid interview on BBC Radio 4’s Today show, Matlock expressed his confusion and disappointment at how some members of the punk community have embraced political figures like Trump, a shift he finds deeply at odds with punk’s rebellious roots.
Matlock reflected on the early days of punk, recalling how the movement was born out of frustration with mainstream music and societal issues. He pointed out that, just like in the past, the current political landscape is seeing the rise of far-right ideologies, something the punk scene traditionally pushed back against. “There was a lot going on, as there is today,” Matlock explained, emphasizing that punk’s mission was always about questioning authority and challenging the status quo. However, he expressed disbelief at the new wave of punk supporters who appear to be embracing figures like Trump, especially after John Lydon, his former bandmate, compared the controversial president to the Sex Pistols themselves.
While Matlock acknowledged that punk has evolved over time, with a wider range of musical styles emerging under its banner, he criticized the political direction some punks have taken. “It became a very broad church,” he said, referring to the genre’s musical expansion from the Sex Pistols to bands like Talking Heads and The Slits. But he also noted that, in his view, many punks have strayed far from the core values of the movement, with some even backing political ideologies that were once completely antithetical to punk’s rebellious spirit.
Matlock’s remarks about Trump-supporting punks were not just confined to broad critiques of the movement’s evolution. He shared his personal surprise at seeing punk fans, many of whom he connects with on social media, openly supporting Trump. “It’s a bit weird,” he admitted, expressing how perplexed he is to see punks, who once championed anti-establishment ideals, now aligning themselves with right-wing politics.
In the same interview, Matlock took the opportunity to praise Kneecap, an Irish punk band known for their politically charged music. He applauded the group for staying true to punk’s radical and progressive ideals, drawing a sharp contrast between Kneecap’s approach and the political stances of certain contemporary punks. While Matlock remains disillusioned by some of the punk scene’s current political leanings, he clearly feels that bands like Kneecap are keeping the true spirit of punk alive.
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