John Lydon Was Like a 'Mad Barker' with the Sex Pistols

Posted on May 26th 2011 5:34AM by Andrew Kerr
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-Nick Pickles, WireImage

John Lydon has described himself as a "mad barker" during his early days with the Sex Pistols. The singer believes it took his second band -- Public Image Ltd -- to get the best out of him.

Speaking to Q magazine (via Contactmusic), Lydon said, "When you first come out of the gate, as with me and the Pistols, you're going to be like a mad barker and I did it well. But there's more to life than that and it's called humanity and love. That's what PiL is -- a love-fest, of sorts. It's more humane. It's a more friendly approach but the songs are more volatile."

That change in approach is reflected in the type of crowd PiL attract compared to that of the Pistols. He explained, "We have a very loyal following, where the Pistols crowds are more fickle. They expect a spectacle, a vomit scene or a tabloid press scenario."

Elsewhere in the interview Lydon spoke of the "fun" he had making commercials for Country Life butter, the money from which went to funding the recent PiL reunion tour. "I had the greatest fun working with that whole campaign, and they approached me with the greatest amount of respect," he said.

Watch the video for Sex Pistols' 'Pretty Vacant'