Glen Matlock	Koozie Johns
Chris Musto	Ray McVeigh
Glen Matlock & The Philistines - live at Shepherd's Bush Empire 16th September 2004  ©Simon Leppington / Red

The Philistines live at The Plough, Walthamstow, 11th September 2004

The Philistines are back with a powerful new rock 'n' roll line-up comprising of stalwart powerhouse drummer Chris Musto, new boys Ray McVeigh and Koozie Johns on guitars and Glen on bass and lead vocals. What a pedigree! Ray, of course, was Steve Jones's guitar duelling partner in the legendary Professionals. Famed for underpinning the sound on The Professionals' album I Didn't See It Coming, Ray's guitar remains as dynamic as ever. Koozie Johns is rock 'n' roll personified, and responsible for one of the best rock albums in the past two years with his group Sinnerstar (Craving Aches & Bitter Lemon Hearts). Both Ray and Koozie have played together in Wild Crash 500 and know how to complement each other instinctively. Incidentally, Chris has also drummed live with Sinnerstar. Rock 'n' roll symbiosis! This understanding between the group is a major plus for The Philistines. Glen's assembled a cohesive unit with the right mix of committed personalities and attitude.

Billed as a warm up gig, a red-hot one was anticipated. Kicking off aptly enough with Hot Water from the album "Who's he think he is…", the band proceeded to play a selection of songs from across Glen's Philistines career. The 'new' Philistines reminded me strangely of Johnny Thunders' Heartbreakers (at their most together, I must add!). Koozie's powerful rock chords seem to glide and swagger effortlessly, while Ray's cool riffs and solos make you realise that this is not merely a set of backing musicians, but a group getting the best out of one another. Chris (who was part of Thunders band in the late 80s), has drummed for many years with The Philistines, and his knowledge of the material meant there was no danger of songs going awry if the new boys were still on a learning curve. Glen himself never gives less than 100% during a Philistines show. The reason is simple. He's put a hell of a lot into this material and the band, and cares passionately about it. It's there for all to see.

(Pictured: Glen & Koozie)

The new album was represented by Be Somebody, Whose Side Are You On, OK Kiddo, Suck It And See, the exhilarating White Knuckle Ride, Piece Of the Action, Better Start Getting Used To It, and the title track (and set closing), On Something.

The encore gave another outing for the 'forever-young sounding' favourites, Stepping Stone and Pretty Vacant, two songs the punters never tire of hearing. More importantly, The Philistines' set is littered with gems as fresh and vital sounding as the old hits. With a band line-up that is crying out for longevity, The Philistines are a group set firmly in the tradition of true rock 'n' roll. Strong songs, performed with a hint of sleaze, delivered a great night of feel-good rock 'n' roll at The Plough Inn. A terrific crowd reaction left no doubts about the quality of their debut show. All signs point to an exciting future.

Review by Phil Singleton

Glen Matlock And The Philistines (supporting Blondie)
Shepherd's Bush Empire 16th Sept 2004
Southend Cliffs Pavillion 18th Sept 2004

After a very impressive debut show at The Plough it was a big test for the band to support Blondie at two large venues holding around 2000 people but the band easily held their own. At Shepherd's Bush the band went on fairly early but the intent was clear, let's rock 'n' roll. Freed from the small stage at The Plough, Ray McVeigh has plenty of room for that rock 'n' roll swaggering guitar style as he plays the guitar slung low. Koozie Johns looks super cool as he glides around the stage with plenty of deft guitar touches. Drummer Chris Musto is hard on the beat and Glen looks like he is really enjoying it. The band look and sound like a proper rock 'n' roll band that's for sure. Pretty much the same set as The Plough minus Stepping Stone and Pretty Vacant. The new album songs are catchy rock tunes that tumble out one after the other. Tracks like OK Kiddo and Piece Of The Action are superb, and White Knuckle Ride must be a contender for a single if one is taken off the album. The crowd really enjoy it.

Two nights later in a rainy Southend the band play another storming set. Glen dedicates White Knuckle Ride to his other half with a wry smile. During the show the band are told that Blondie are late so could they do a couple of extra songs, so tonight we get the full set with Stepping Stone and a stunning Pretty Vacant with all guns blazing. Chris Musto gets off his drum stool and goes around the front of his drum kit where he bashes the daylights out of the cymbals in a fitting finish to another great show. This was only their fourth show together but they are getting better and better all the time. We can all go and see Glen with Dead Men Walking over the next month but I cannot wait for the next bunch of Philistines shows in November.

Review by Ray Morrissey

Glen - solo acoustic
Filthy MacNasty's, London
20th May 2004

Sex Pistol legend plays an acoustic set in a pub and it's free entry. This of course was an offer too good to be true surely? Hardly surprising the pub, to put it mildly, is jam packed shoulder to shoulder. Glen had to start his set early as the venue locked the door and pulled the curtains closed. A few late comers were left out on the pavement.

This was a good old sweaty rock 'n' roll gig that's for sure. He played the Rich Kids songs fairly early "to get them out of the way". Similar set to The Enterprise gig last month. Plenty of solo material such as Idiot, Sad Meal For One, On Something. Great covers of Debris and Steppin Stone. The crowd were fantastic at singing along tonight. Down the front were Patti Paladin and Paul Cook's daughter, Holly. God Save The Queen rocked with everyone singing along. He played that Rock The Caveman tune again! Superb finale of Pretty Vacant and All Or Nothing. Glen left the stage totally soaked with pure sweat.

The set was due to last only 45 mins but he played for over an hour, such were the demands for encores. A great little show, and as there are no Sex Pistols shows planned this summer, perhaps Glen doing a few more acoustic shows would be perfect.

Review by Ray Morrissey

Glen - solo acoustic
The Enterprise, Chalk Farm, London
1st May 2004

Another stormer! Where did this raucous crowd come from? The packed room at The Enterprise was like a mini oasis of punk rock spirit, adorned with giant pictures of Rotten, Strummer, Poly Styrene, etc.

When Glen took the stage, the preceding punk disco and booze consumption had the packed room fired up and ready for a good time. Glen has done many acoustic shows in recent years, and this experience has given him a confident command of the stage, the material, and the audience. Starting with Burning Sounds, he knocked out crowd pleasers one after the other. Established favourites such as Ghosts Of Princes, God Save The Queen, and Pretty Vacant, got the expected reactions, but the lesser known songs were no less well received. On Something, Whose Side Are You On (both from the forthcoming album), are sufficiently catchy to engage the punters' vocal chords. Everyone was singing along with the choruses whether or not they'd heard them before. Glen gave us a crash course in audience participation with a quick tutorial resulting in the willing crowd singing 'Idiot' bang on cue. Stepping Stone was an instant sing-a-long, with the chorus being belted out by an eager public - another highlight from a strong set pulling together the best of his material: A Different World, Ambition, Sad Meal For One, and many more.

This was a tremendous show, with both Glen and the fans giving it their all, leading to even more optimism for Glen's forthcoming album. Oh, a very unusual encore rounded off the show, Rock with the Caveman indeed!!

Review by Phil Singleton