Sex Pistols founder Glen Matlock tells his side of the punk revolution story in this documentary. See how, as a bassist and co-writer of iconic songs, he left his mark on the British punk scene of the 70s. Showing at De Balie in Amsterdam.
The punk who knows the story
In 2026, it will be exactly 50 years since the release of The Sex Pistols' debut single, *Anarchy in the UK *. Bassist Glen Matlock was there from the beginning as a founding member. In the documentary *I Was A Teenage Sex Pistol*, he tells his own version of the story. Matlock turns out to be surprisingly mild-mannered — miles away from the common image of the brash Sex Pistols. It is not surprising that he soon clashed with Johnny Rotten.
The creation of an iconic album
The film, based on the book of the same name by Matlock, describes how the band formed and how Never Mind the Bollocks, Here's the Sex Pistols came into being. This debut album immediately faced censorship and boycotts, but is now considered one of the most influential albums in pop history. With historical footage and interviews, you get a layered picture of that turbulent period.
Punk as a reaction to a crisis
The Sex Pistols emerged in a United Kingdom ravaged by crisis and unemployment. Their music — deafening, raw, and inappropriate — was a direct response to that era. Directors Nick Mead and Andre Relis clearly set that context. The film is in English with Dutch subtitles and has a running time of 102 minutes. Are you interested? Use the link for tickets.
Location
De Balie, Kleine-Gartmanplantsoen 10, 1017 RR Amsterdam