P: Whats a bad hairdo?
JL: Well now. Please tell me about Beckham, you know? I mean, he could'nt even wear a dress proper and thats saying something innit?
P: Was there a finest moment in the Sex Pistols history?
JL: There weren't much at the time, I'll tell you. There weren't. It was hard slog. But I'll tell you this; we're proud of what we did and I ain't seen fuck all out of anyone to beat it - plain clear and simple. We meant what we said and still do - stone valid.
P: Are you hoping for a number 1 during Jubilee week with the re-release of GSTQ?
JL: Oh, that old chestnut! Look, all right - and I've said this many a time but get this clear - when we first released the record there was no number one that week. So do you think I can trust the chart system? You know whether its one or one million sales, who gives a fuck? When have I ever done any of this for the money? Well then? Oh, come on! I'm challenging you. Give me something to fucking talk about, you bunch of wankers! Right? Oh dear, there it is. Its because your all middle class, kiss my arse, Journalists.
P: What do you think about Billy Bragg releasing his own single at the same time as yours?
JL: Well, the difference is that I think and Billy Bragg doesn't. He's an arsehole, a professional socialist. He's the middle classes Coco the clown. He says daft shit on late night TV, like, Council Flats for all of us! I'm sorry but council flats for all is not a fucking option! And heres a go...Look at the Queen Mother, God bless her - because I don't wish death on anyone, right - but she lived to 101. Why? Because she had a pampered lifestyle! Well, I think we should all have that too, don't you? Don't you? Come on. You paid for it, for them. If you don't know or care about your fucking monarchy, why are you still paying for it?
P: What about the remix?
JL: Yes the remix. I'm very proud of it. And working with Neil Barnes - and
you must understand this: it's the Sex Pistols AND Neil Barnes' remix - It's
a wonderful piece of work. Kudos to Neil. Its worth having friends.
P: So who exactly was responsible for the finished product?
JL: Excuse me, did I just hear you say finished product? You cheeky
fucking idiot! I've been around for 25 years and invented most of the stuff
you listen to. Third rate imitation style! Understand this: I know my
business. So what part of 'worked with' don't you understand? Tell me or are you to embarressed to? Maybe yor're just embarressed by your bad hairdo!
P: You've said that Socialism is bad and the Queens doing a good job, so I'm wondering whats the difference between a right winger and an anarchist?
JL: Are you presuming I'm an anarchist?
P: Well you sang it once.
JL: Yeah, but I also sang Pretty Vacant and I ain't fucking vacant.
P: But just before you said you meant every word you said.
JL: Yes the content, not each word. This is the trouble with the Germanic races (the journalist is german) You take things too literally. Okay, I'm not a fundamentalist...When I read ze bible I use it accordingly.
P: OK, you tell me...why are you proud to be British?
JL: Because we're not German. Hows about that? I like the Queen..And her hubby, the Greek. See we've always been an international race...
P: Would a show about the Lydons be better TV than a show about Ozzy Osbourne and his family?
JL: Have you seen the Osbournes?
P: I have.
JL: Well, shame on you because a fakery like that shouldn't be tolerated. You should find that appalling. Watching a dismal, tired, worn out, old drug addict collapse slowly into millions and millions of dollars of episodes is not interesting viewing.
P: Debbie Harry recently said that punk is alive and well.
JL: Lets clarify this. The Sex Pistols is Punk. The rest is merely punk rock, plain and simple. I don't connect us to any of that. There was no movement. And if your really honest about it, most punk records were fucking awful and just another con. But then there was the Sex Pistols, who meant it. And I suppose the Clash were big in Italy. But then the Italians do like left wing politics, don't they?
P: So Solid Crew are prepared to say they can't play. Do you have any empathy towards them and what they're going through now?
JL: Whoever told you we couldn't play? It wasn't coming from us, do know what I mean? You've got to bear this in mind, that we were 17 years old and 3 months later we were out on the road, gigging and recording an album. Thats tough stuff. And unlike, say, Yanks we've said so. We don't wait until we're 23 and mummy and daddy did'nt pay for anything. Look, that lot (So Solid Crew) are a joke, so please don't waste our time comparing them to me. They have no content. Thats all you need to know. Theres the difference. And I have never, in my life, shot myself in the foot, right? It speaks volumes.
P: Are you happy reaching middle age?
JL: Yes, I am, as it happens. I'm doing well, as you see. I'm not Pete Townsend. I never said I'd die before I get old. I intend to go on and on and on because I'm not aware of anything after life. Thats why I cherish what I do so well. It ain't about the money. You all know that as a fact. You cannot call me corrupt. Thats a fact. But you can call the people I work with corrupt because thats a fact too!
P: Whats your legacy?
JL: You'll have to explain what you mean.
P: How do you think you'll be remembered?
JL: I'm quite proud of what I've done with my life. To be honest. I've done more than most of you to make this country better, even though I've been viewed as a nihilist and negative. Now, isn't that an odd circumstance to be in? Whats wrong with me and my type of people? After all, all we do is benefit you! That shut you up. And on that sound note, I'll leave you. I'm off.
more Cobden Club Press Conference pix are in the 'images' section...