Modern Rock Live

John Lydon
Interviewed on August 24th, 1997

Interviewed by Tom Calderone
(TC: Tom Calderone - JL: John Lydon)

(First part of interview not available)

JL: ...book.

TC: Yeah.

JL: And I like writing. You know, song writing to book writing is not such a huge leap.

TC: Mm-hmm. Well, hopefully-

JL: And a film script in between wouldn't hurt me either! (laughs)

TC: Of course. The multi-media John Lydon.

JL: Now I come to think of it!

TC: (laughs)

JL: The cack they turf out of Hollywood, they're desperately in need of someone like me!

TC: Yeah. Well, I'll tell you what we're gonna do now - we're gonna listen to another track from John Lydon's new album and in the mean time, during the song, we're gonna plot out John's future career here. Whether it's movies or TV, we're gonna figure something out for John. So, we'll keep him busy.

JL: Oh - and say, "hello" to Primus for me.

TC: Oh - they're big fans of yours, by the way.

JL: Are they?! Oh! A really big "hello" then! (laughs)

TC: I'm serious. They are huge Public Image Limited fans.

JL: Well, tell 'em I've got a solo album out. (laughs)

TC: Ok! Here's "Open Up" on Modern Rock Live.

(plays "Open Up")

TC: New music from John Lydon-

JL: Actually that's-

TC: -called "Open Up" on Modern Rock Live.

JL: Hello - that's not new music. That was done five years ago.

TC: Oh, I'm sorry. Did I say new music? I'm sorry. I'm looking at something else here, I'm sorry. Oh, boy! Sorry about that.

JL: Well, I put that on the album because I think it still stands the test of time. And it was done five years ago and it's still jolly good. And, you know, it was never really released here. So-

(portion of interview not available)

JL: ...Open Up. That was a remix and it was all done in England.

TC: All right. So we never really saw it here.

JL: No. Which is a shame.

TC: Well, then I guess it's new to us then.

JL: Again, that's down to lousy record companies! (laughs)

TC: So I wasn't really lying - it is kind of new to us. So there you go. All right - so John, during the song, during this new song to us, we're figuring out what you're gonna do with your career. Ok, besides the music and the books and everything - how about hosting a TV show?

JL: (laughs) Yes, please!

TC: Would you like to do that?

JL: If the Osmond's have got the opportunity, then why the hell shouldn't I?! (laughs)

TC: I could see you kinda doing a "Regis and Kathie Lee" type thing. A little morning show/chat show...

JL: Mmmm... both at the same time?

TC: Yes.

JL: That would be kinky sex! Yes, I'd like to do Regis AND Kathie! (laughs)

TC: What do you mean?! (laughs) Kathie Lee, I'm sure, would appreciate that. Uh, well think about the TV thing.

JL: Who knows? It might bring a smile to Regis too!

TC: You just watch out. He's got a weak ticker there. Cal, you're on with John Lydon. Thanks for calling.

Cal: Hey Tom. Uh, John, I'm calling to ask about - just if you could talk about the evolution of the music that you've been involved with from the Sex Pistols work to the new solo thing. And about your feelings about bands like U2 and Madonna. If you could touch on that too, that'd be good.

JL: U2 I don't like because there's a religious overtone to them that really annoys me. I think they're slightly preposterous and very pompous. And that stadium rock vibe they have, I thought went out in the 70's. I think it's just really ugly to have to tolerate that in the 90's. But, you know... Madonna, well she trundles on in her own floppy way. Whatever. I've always been kind of underwhelmed by her. I think she's an opportunist more than a talent. But, you know, she's a very good opportunist.

TC: Have you ever met her?

JL: Once.

TC: What was that like?

JL: I thought she was stuck-up. So, you know, it went nowhere.

TC: It went nowhere, ok.

JL: And with me, yes, I think if you don't show some kind of progression then you're in the wrong industry. You're given an opportunity here and you should use it. You shouldn't just throw out the same sound ad infinitum. Because that's what a lot of bands do, and I think it's to the detriment of music. They're given an opportunity here to experiment, so go forth.

TC: Good point. Jennifer, you're next with John Lydon.

Jennifer: Hi John. I wanted to know: What music would you like to have played at your funeral?

TC: Hmm... That's the upbeat show.

JL: (laughs) I ain't telling ya'! I might just get what I want!

TC: (laughs)

JL: I don't intend to have a funeral.

TC: No? What would you have?

JL: No, my body goes to science.

TC: Really?

JL: Yes. Think of the fun the medical students are gonna have with this!

TC: Boy, I'll tell ya' man, that could be pretty cool.

JL: Me on a slab! Wooo!

TC: Maybe that's your TV show. Maybe the last show is that. You on a slab and then we could figure out what was in there.

JL: Yeah, being dissected on a marble slab, you know. If you can find a soundtrack appropriate to that, all answers on a postcard please!

TC: Ok. Julie, thanks for checking in. Modern Rock Live with John Lydon.

Julie: What is the best advice you've ever received?

JL: What?

Julie: What is the best advice you've ever received?

JL: Uh, my old man told me to shut-up years ago and I never listen to him. But, that was the best advice I ever received. (laughs)

TC: (laughs) It's John Lydon on Modern Rock Live with a song called "Take Me".

(plays "Take Me")

TC: The song is called "Take Me" from John Lydon on Modern Rock Live. John joins us from our studios in Los Angeles to take calls. One from Matt. Hey Matt. Thanks for calling.

JL: Hello!

Matt: Hello. I'd like to know if you are gonna be collaborating with PiL anytime soon on a new album?

JL: Yeah. Hopefully next year. You know, I'd also like to add - I had to cut short a tour here because of lack of record company involvement. And I'd like to apologize to people for that. It's not strictly my fault, but I wasn't gonna take a huge hole in my pocket and go out with an album half-cocked. I will be finishing this off before I go back to PiL. And I really do want to tour with this properly.

TC: When do you think that'll happen? I mean, obviously you've got some business I guess behind the scenes.

JL: Well, it's a couple of months down the line, isn't it? And my front door's not exactly being knocked down by offers! (laughs)

TC: Well, we will make sure of that.

JL: I've made a few enemies over the years. I've been through very many labels on and off.

TC: Yeah, but this business has got such a short memory sometimes, don't you think?

JL: Well, I don't know. When it comes to me, people seem to have life-long vendettas! (laughs) When you're outspoken, this is what you get. But, you know, I'd rather it was this way than like, just being nice for the sake of it.

TC: Yeah, but wouldn't you think that a label would want to sign someone that's really true to their craft and someone that truly believes in what they do?

JL: No. They'd like someone that sounds like everybody else and earns them a huge amount of money for being so utterly dull. And the only reason that happens is-

(part of interview censored from radio broadcast)

TC: Yeah, you got a point. Charles, you're next on Modern Rock Live with John Lydon.

Charles: Hey guys.

TC: Hey.

Charles: My question is: Have you ever played a club using a fictitious name to avoid being harassed?

JL: Only in the early Sex Pistols. Because we were getting a lot of bans. And we called ourselves "The S.P.O.T.S.", which was "Sex Pistols On Tour".

TC: Oh, ok. That's cool. But never an opportunity - I guess with PiL and everything else that was just the tour then, right? I mean, that was the band and you did it.

JL: Yeah, well there were less lawsuits, so...

TC: (laughs) Everyone suing each other. Almost like The Ruttles. Hey Charles, thanks for your phone call. John, thanks for spending time with us. And I'm serious about this TV thing. I was also thinking, during the last song, your buddy Tom Snyder's now doing a show after Letterman. I see Tom Snyder taking a vacation and you filling in for
Tom.

JL: (laughs) Well, I'd want a new chair cause the farting that that man's capable of - he's damaged the upholstery!

TC: (laughs) On that note John, thanks so much for spending time with us. And good luck with all the crap you gotta deal with - the label stuff. But we hope you-

JL: Well, that's life. You know, I'm not bitter about it. And I'm not moaning or whinging. It's, you know, that's just problems and I'll resolve them. You know.

TC: Well, we look forward to seeing you on tour and we're definitely excited about a new PiL release and tour as well. So, John Lydon, thanks again for joining us and we'll see you soon.

JL: Cheers. And may the road rise.

TC: Thanks. Cool. Thanks man. John Lydon on Modern Rock Live. And we'll hear more from him, I'm sure, as the months travel on. We'll be back with Primus and your phone calls at 1-800-223-ROCK right after this.