The Sex Pistols are doing their bit for the independent live music industry (Picture: Rex Features)
The Sex Pistols are reuniting and playing one of the greatest punk albums of all time for a great cause.
The iconic group’s founding members Paul Cook, Glen Matlock and Steve Jones will get back together on stage with Frank Carter stepping in for frontman Johnny Rotten (real name John Lydon) due to tension between the former bandmates.
The lineup will take to the stage at Bush Hall to perform their landmark 1977 album Never Mind The B****ks in full in a bid to save the legendary London venue.
The 40-year-old Frank Carter and the Rattlesnakes star will perform lead vocals in the place of 68-year-old singer Johnny at a pair of fundraising shows on August 13 and 14.
Money raised from tickets for their performances will go towards preserving the independent venue, which saw a 24.5% decrease in live music bookings in 2023.
Both drummer Paul, 67, and guitarist Steve, 68, grew up seeing shows there, while Frank performed at Bush Hall in 2012 for his debut live show with his former group, Pure Love.
The Sex Pistols – excluding John Lydon (l) will perform their debut album Never Mind The B******s in full (Picture: Redferns)
Lydon will not be reuniting with his group (Picture: Rex Features)
Frank and Steve bonded when he was interviewed on the latter’s radio show in 2008, and the ex-Gallows vocalist was delighted to join in the fun.
‘This has been a joy from start to finish. When the Sex Pistols call, you answer. I’m very excited to be a part of it,’ he said.
Paul explained: ‘We’re doing a benefit for Bush Hall with the famous Frank Carter. We’re going to be playing Pistols numbers cause they need support and they need the money.
Frank Carter will be stepping in for Lydon (Picture: Rex Features)
‘We thought it would be a great way to stop it going under. This is my local venue. I grew up in Shepherd’s Bush and I still live round here. It would be a real shame to see it disappear and we want to keep it going. So everyone get down to the gig!’
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‘If it all goes wrong, it’s Paul’s f***ing fault,’ Steve quipped, while Glen, 67, teased: ‘I tend to agree with Steve.’
He added: ‘Smaller music venues are the lifeblood of new music. It’s in these intimate spaces that raw talent gets a chance to shine, where bands can really connect with their audiences, and where the spirit of live music truly comes alive, so we need to keep them going.’
The Sex Pistols were formed in the 70s (Picture: Rex Features)
The money raised will go towards ‘bettering in-house facilities and supporting emerging artists through reigniting their Bush Hall Presents’ programming’.
Promoter John Giddings – who puts on The Isle of Wight Festival – said: ‘Without treasured music venues like Bush Hall, we wouldn’t have the festival headliners of today. Bush Hall is where artists cut their teeth and hone their craft.
‘It’s essential that these venues continue to exist for the music industry to thrive and evolve. That’s non-negotiable. Thanks to the Sex Pistols and Frank Carter for stepping up – this gig will be one hell of a night.’
Tickets go on sale this Wednesday (June 5) at 9am via Live Nation.
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