Belfast studio 'Supergroup' The Back Four have released their latest single Lonely Boy on legendary London label Cherry Red Records. The track is a cover of the Sex Pistols deep cut, taken from the soundtrack of The Great Rock'n'Roll Swindle film from 1979. The Back Four's version transforms the punk track while maintaining its raw catchy energy.

The Back Four were formed by former Northern Ireland international footballer Ian Stewart (who played for QPR & Newcastle United) and his friend Philip McCarroll, a Belfast musician & promoter with Sounds of NI, who also fronts the band. The line-up features some of the pair's favourite musicians from the NI scene.

Ian Stewart is a long-time friend of Sex Pistols drummer Paul Cook, having met him in London in the early '80s, when playing for Queens Park Rangers. A Pistols cover has been on the cards for The Back Four for some time, indeed, Stewart and McCarroll attended the punk band's headline show at Royal Albert Hall earlier this year, where the idea was cemented!

Regarding the choice of tune, Ian says; "I've always loved Lonely Boy, ever since I first heard it in The Great Rock'n'Roll Swindle back in the day. It's such a catchy, direct tune. I naturally wanted to get Paul's blessing first, and he loves our version!"

Frontman Phil adds; "the joy of The Back Four is the randomness, we never know what we're going to do next - though me and Ian have discussed a Pistols cover in the past. I never wanted it to be a well-known track, or a Johnny Rotten fronted song - ideally we would choose something a little more obscure. Lonely Boy was perfect - Steve Jones sings it in the movie and on the soundtrack and that suits us better. We've polished it up a little, added some bits of our own - it's a fun tune!"

The final word goes to Pistols drummer Paul Cook, who co-wrote the song with Steve Jones; "great to hear The Back Four from Belfast tearing into Lonely Boy. It's a cracking version and they've absolutely nailed the vibe. They've kept it raw, which is exactly what that track needs, but they've given it a proper big sound too. It's just got pure energy from start to finish. I really love this version."

The track was recorded at Manor Park Studios, Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland with renowned producer Neal Calderwood, and this is the line-up on the record:
Philip McCarroll - Lead and Backing Vocals
Matt Wilson - Bass Guitar
John Wilson - Guitar & Keyboards
Adam Callaghan - Drums & Percussion

Available on all the usual streaming & download platforms (28/11/2025)

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