Triggers: A Life in Music

by Glen Matlock

A fascinating new book charting the life and career of Sex Pistols legend Glen Matlock through the lens of his most formative songs—from the ones that influenced him as a child to the ones he wrote and played on as a star.

Sharing insider tales of the Sex Pistols' earliest gigs and stormiest reunions, as well as their most idiosyncratic inter-band dynamics, Triggers offers a vivid insight into the ultimate icons of punk. Yet, having performed and recorded with so many musical luminaries over the decades, Glen also reflects on his time with the likes of Iggy Pop, David Bowie, the Faces, Blondie, Primal Scream and many more.

This is the story of an outspoken, uncompromising man and remarkable, game-changing musician.

Genres: Music, Biography, Audiobook, Collections

336 pages, Hardcover

Published October 12, 2023

Reviews

[Simon Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

A genuinely brilliant read..

Matlock writes from the heart as he always has had.
Unmistakably the man who created a sound and movement that continues to resonate to this day.

In this book he takes snippets of songs that have inspired him through his life and tells us some incredibly interesting tales from his Pistols days to working with the likes of Iggy pop and blondie and it’s a wonderful journey he takes us on.

Couldn’t put this down.

[Brie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this via a source in the UK because I really was curious about it.

I liked it a bit better than his last book about being a Sex Pistol...maybe he has a bit more living behind him now and approaches life a bit more calm? I liked how he threaded his time in music together showing how one musical experience begat another. That was interesting to read. It does peter out a bit at the end when you reach current times.

Overall, it is a good read. I am glad I picked it up.

[Lisa Masiello · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great account of his Sex Pistol years but so much more to him than that. A thoughtful, engaging and eclectic character.

[Aaron Badgley · Rating 5 out of 5]

To be clear, he is NOT a Beatle fan, but his story is something else. He is honest, open, sometimes funny and certainly informative. I learned a lot reading this.

[Mike Mulcahy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good, but if you want a really entertaining tale of the Sex Pistols timeframe check out Steve Jones Lonely Boy instead.

[Steve · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having already released an autobiography about his time with the Pistols called I Was a Teenage Sex Pistol this time around Matlock skirts over his tenure with the band in the 70s and instead reminisces on the reunion tours and his solo career. The trouble is his solo career as a recording artist is distinctly underwhelming and of little interest.

Of more interest is his time spent with Iggy Pop and the Rich Kids, but Glen is terrified of offending anyone and instead it all feels rather chummy and there's a lot of name dropping going on. He'll mention that the Pistol reunion tours were so fraught that the band were travelling separately and staying in separate hotels but he doesn't mention any of the arguments that caused this friction. There's a few small digs at Lydon and the book closes with a rant against the Tory Party and Brexit. I was also happy to read that he regrets signing off on that awful Disney series Pistol. Bless him, he also lacks self awareness and isn't at all embarrassed by his suggestion to the band that they record a rock opera called Sidney about the life and death of Sid Vicious. I wonder why they ignored that idea?

An easy, inoffensive read and a missed opportunity.

[Andrew Johnston · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another Pistols biography. I enjoyed it and there is lots about his life after leaving the band. He comes across as a genuine bloke and seems like really happy with his lot in life although i suspect he still dislikes Rotten, who is characterised in this book as a bit of an idiot. The other two are portrayed as you would expect. There are a few interesting revelations, he was asked to rejoin the pistols a few weeks after being forced out when Maclaren realised his mistake and his son is in a band i like although i had to hunt for the name of them. Its not gossipy, nor are there many tales of debauchery, it is literally, one mans tale of a life in music. It reads a bit like you are sat in a pub talking, the stories are roughly in chronological order but then with an anecdote from the future or past because it is relevant to the current story he is telling. Worth a read if you have any sort of interest in Punk.

[Ray Smillie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I admit to being unsure about whether I would really like this or just think it was okay, as I am fond of punk musician autobiographies. Pleased to report it is definitely in the like this category. Triggers is the perfect title as certain songs trigger memories for me, mostly good, and punk was a godsend for me. I digress. This was an amiable read, as I expected, and Glen Matlock has definitely had an interesting life and will continue to do so for many years given good health.

[Padraig Daly · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Sex Pistols had such a lasting influence for so many reasons and this comes across so well in this honest bio.. All I have to do now is catch up on Glen Matlocks back catalogue and all the influences that brought him to be the cool person that he was and is today!!

[Jim Dunedin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cool read by one of the good guys of rock. I like that he details with the alcoholic bit quick and neat. Not those painful drawn out detailing of the fall from grace others do. Covers the post pistol years well, especially my favourite the Rich Kids. The new album is a blast too.

[A G Hind · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a brilliant new book by @GlenMatlock. Much more than being about an ex-Pistol this is a great rock and roll story. A man who has observed 6 decades of history in music, who also has some pretty spot on observations about the world we live in now

I read his earlier book “I Was A Teenage Sex Pistol” and enjoyed that, but this was a much more comprehensive summary of Glen’s life in music. IMHO Netflix or Disney should be making a series about his life and times - whilst the (Danny Boyle / Steve Jones) Pistol series was good, Glen’s story has a much better perspective and identifiable one. The great thing is, he’s one of us and it shows from each page.

I really do recommend it to any music fan of any age

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this. I have a real interest in reading books from people on bands. And, I agree with Glen. Really enjoyed those last chapters talking about the current state of the U.K.

It makes you feel a bit better hearing someone talking about it and having the same ideas on where we are currently.

[John Morton · Rating 3 out of 5]

An average book from an average bass player and a very average lyricist whose politics stink.