100 Club, London
31st August 2018

Review by Simon Leppington

After a recent 5-night residency at east London’s Boisdale, Glen Matlock returns to this famous rock 'n' roll venue for the official launch of his new album, Good To Go. There are two great support acts tonight. First up is Thee Unholy Innocents, a noisy, grooving combo featuring ex Sigue Sigue Sputnik guitarist Neal X. Neal is one of three guitarists that contributed to the album launched tonight and took up six-string duties for Glen’s show at last year's MTV Calling festival in Gibraltar, alongside Musto (drums) and Lowe (bass) who also feature tonight. Next we have JC Carroll of The Members, performing an acoustic solo set including hits Offshore Banking Business and Sound of the Suburbs. Both acts went down well with the packed crowd who were clearly well primed for tonight. The evening’s headliners come onstage and after introductions for each band member by Glen, get proceedings off to a flyer with the album opener Won’t Put The Brakes On Me. Starting the show with new material demonstrates the confidence of Matlock and his band. Thankfully the sound is punchy and clear straight off, and we quickly get another new one, Wanderlust. With a rockabilly rhythm clapped out, we're treated to an early God Save The Queen with a "new take" on the solos from the fantastic Earl Slick. He arrived from New York mere days before this show and is about to embark on a nationwide solo tour sharing stories and tunes from his career - much recommended as this guy includes Bowie and the New York Dolls as well as Glen on his CV. He really has the guitar chops and always looks super cool in his threads and shades. Sexy Beast follows and the crowd join in the chorus. Although only released now, this song has been part of Glen’s set for over a year and is familiar to many. Next up we are reminded of the great Screamin’ Jay Hawkins' track I Put a Spell On You and finally the connection makes sense - what is this reviewer's favourite new track - Hook In You. This really is set to be a classic and a staple of the set as both Chris Musto, dressed in natty waistcoat and the solid bass pounder that is Jim Lowe join Slick to back Glen on vocals. These guys, who have played with Glen many times, always deliver a strong rhythm section. And look like they're having fun. What is great about this show is that the crowd are really digging the new material. They either know it or pick up on it quickly as the whole place seems to be rocking out. We then get four new album tracks on the bounce, the terrific Speak Too Soon, Couldn't Give A Damn and Chill, followed by Glen's powerful cover of Scott Walker’s Montague Terrace. Next up is the classic Rich Kids’ Ghosts of Princes in Towers and covers of Happy and what Glen rightly describes as the first punk song, Richard Hell’s Blank Generation. Born Running and then new album closer Keep On Pushing follow and then they’re off. That was nine new tracks off the album played here with a few classics and the crowd loved it. Of course, that can’t be it, but the encore throws up some genuinely nice surprises. Up onstage we get Neal X and early Pistols producer Chris Spedding joining the band for Pretty Vacant (with crowd drowning out the vocals) followed by Dylan’s Rainy Day Woman. That’s all three of the album’s guitarists on stage at once. But there’s more! For Matlock favourite and set closer All or Nothing we see JC get up alongside Maggi (sister of Mick) Ronson to help out on backing vocals. A fine ending to a terrific evening’s entertainment. More soon please. Picture: © Earl Slick

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