I Was A Teenage Sex Pistol (2025)

In 2026, it will be exactly 50 years since The Sex Pistols’ debut single, ‘Anarchy in the UK’, was released. Punk was born: blaringly loud, brazen, dirty and raw, and with a raised middle finger, the band sent a veritable shockwave through a UK ravaged by crisis and unemployment. In this raw film, the band’s original bassist, Glen Matlock, tells the story, immediately revealing the major, often surprising role he played in the band’s success. Featuring a wealth of historical footage and interviews, this film – based on Matlock’s book of the same name – recounts the band’s origins, the release of their first single and their debut LP, *Never Mind the Bollocks, Here’s the Sex Pistols*. This album, which was immediately met with censorship and boycotts, is now regarded as one of the most important and influential albums in pop history. Narrator Matlock comes across as surprisingly gentle, a world away from the common image of the brash Sex Pistols. It is hardly surprising that he soon clashed with Johnny Rotten. Matlock left the band after the release of their debut album, but his influence is indelible.

Melkweg often hosts different types of programmes at the same time, such as concerts, club nights and films. Please note that there may occasionally be some noise pollution from other programmes during the screening.