In a new interview with Stereogum, Lydon discussed a wide range of topics while promoting his new book, Mr. Rotten’s Scrapbook, and - naturally – the subject of the punk icons came up.
“Because I’ve been able to get P.I.L. back together — and because I’ve really been in a songwriting mode — I can now look back on the Pistols and imagine writing with them, too,” said Lydon.
“I wouldn’t have been able to think about that if I hadn’t gotten the P.I.L. thing going again. For me, there wouldn’t be a P.I.L. if it weren’t for them lads in the Pistols, so I feel responsive to their needs. If they want me to go out on tour with them I’m happy to oblige … until three weeks later when I’m not. (Laughs) That’s how it is.”
“You forget the wars and the personal hates over time, until something happens … like a tour … and you remember all over again,” he continues. “You know, I don’t make friends easy, but once I do befriend someone my feelings are usually set in stone. You have to be a really bad bastard to make me change my views on you. And even bad bastards like me can be forgiven at times.”
The Pistols have reunited on five separate occasions for tours since their 1978 split; the last time out was in 2008.
Read the full Lydon interview at Stereogum here.
The Sex Pistols – E.M.I.
Jimmy Kimmel Live! - September 4, 2003
