For more than 40 years, Paul Cook has been the drummer at the back of the Sex Pistols , keeping everyone together, musically and socially.
But not any more.
The 63-year-old has had enough of being the go-between of the surviving Pistols – singer John Lydon, guitarist Steve Jones and bassist Glen Matlock.
In 2017, the 40th anniversary of their debut album Never Mind the Bollocks came and went and fans have been hopeful the group will reform for the band’s 50th anniversary in 2025.
Paul puts paid to such hopes and Scots will probably have to make do with reminiscing about their last two gigs here – in 1996 at the SECC on the Filthy Lucre tour or 2008’s Live at Loch Lomond Festival performance.
Paul said: “I’ve hung up my go-between hat. I don’t get involved much any more. I’m still close to Steve but that’s as far as it goes. I can’t see it happening again for the Pistols and I don’t think anyone wants it to.”
Guitarist Steve, who has lived in Los Angeles since the 80s and hosted his own radio show since 2004, had a heart attack and surgery to repair a “90 per cent blockage” but has since recovered. And the world was shocked in 2018 when a hefty Lydon was snapped at LA airport.
While the clashing egos and battle between Steve and John is cited as the main issue, Paul said the other three all have beefs he’s tried to smooth over but now doesn’t think it’s “worth the aggravation”.
He added: “It’s not just Steve and Johnny. There’s so much water under the bridge and so much history, I don’t think it would work out.
“Glen feels aggrieved at being kicked out (the bassist was axed before the album was recorded, although he co-wrote the first three singles). You’d think people would let go of s**t but they don’t.
“The reunion stuff was OK. There will always be a crowd for it. But I don’t think it’s going to happen again.”
The drummer cites his other band The Professionals as the way to do it.
It was formed by him and Steve after the Sex Pistols imploded in 1978. The Pistols had formed in 1975, released debut single Anarchy in the UK in November 1976 and were over in all but name
15 months later when Lydon quit.
Paul and Steve kept the Pistols alive with Sid Vicious on bass, helming film and soundtrack The Great Rock ’n’ Roll Swindle, which included the drummer taking lead vocal duties on the great non-Lydon single Silly Thing.
In 1979, Sid died of a heroin overdose and The Professionals, with Steve on vocal duties, looked like being a force of the post-punk era with debut single Just Another Dream in 1980.
But their luck didn’t hold – a debut album had to be scrapped over a legal dispute, they were involved in a car crash in the US and Steve’s drug abuse knocked the first phase on the head.
But a new line-up – with Paul the only original member – returned in 2015, with an album in 2017. Now the group have released three EPs and are backing Stiff Little Fingers, including their annual St Patrick’s Day show at Glasgow Barrowland. They’ll also do their own show in Edinburgh.
Paul said: “They are a great bunch of guys. We have fun, which is what it’s meant to be about.”
With new bands like Idles and Fontaines DC, the Pistols’ DNA continues as the punks influence rock.
While the Pistols and The Professionals – both the old and the new version – are explosive rock, Paul has had a varied career.
He’s worked with Vic Godard and Subway Sect, Man-Raze with Def Leppard guitarist Phil Collen and discovered Bananarama after he met them in London and let them live in his rehearsal room, recording their debut single Aie a Mwana and co-producing debut album Deep Sea Skivving.
He was also Edwyn Collins’ drummer on the Orange Juice frontman’s third solo album Gorgeous George, playing on his biggest hit, A Girl Like You.
Paul said: “I was playing with Vic, and Edwyn was producing his 1993 album End of the Surrey People. Edwyn was going on tour and asked if I fancied drumming for him.
“I’d heard Orange Juice singles but I wasn’t in tune with post-punk bands until I met Edwyn and listened to all his back catalogue. I realised what a great singer/songwriter he was. Playing with Edwyn improved me as a musician.”
The Pistols played Dundee Tech College union in October 1976 and were due to play the city’s Caird Hall when they cancelled to be interviewed on Thames Today after Queen pulled out.
The sweary interview with Bill Grundy saw the mainstream react to what they saw as an assault on the morals and values of British culture.
Paul said: “I don’t really remember the Dundee gig. We went back for the Filthy Lucre tour. It’s a cliche but Scottish audiences are always brilliant.”
The new Professionals are hoping to sort out a US tour and Paul will twist his old mucker Steve’s arm to join them. He said: “I wouldn’t have done it if it was just playing the old songs. You have to move forward.”
The Professionals support Stiff Little Fingers at Glasgow Barrowland on March 17 and Troon Concert Hall on March 19. They also play their own show at The Mash House, Edinburgh, on March 18.
