Glen Matlock goes all-out with his Philistines

There were two rumors why Glen Matlock was booted from the Sex Pistols before they released their incendiary debut album, “Never Mind the Bollocks: Here’s the Sex Pistols,” in 1977.

First, word was Matlock was canned because he loved the Beatles.

The other reason the Pistols supposedly gave him a pink slip was because he was a devout Faces fan.

Well, Matlock laughs at both rumors.

He admits he has been a follower of both seminal British groups. Last year, he joined a version of the Faces, which includes guitarist Ronnie Lane, vocalist Mick Hucknall and keyboardist Ian McLagan.

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“When I hear Glen play bass for the Faces, it’s as if (the late) Ronnie Lane is alive and playing again,” McLagan says. “Glen’s one of the best bassists and songwriters around.”

Matlock chuckles when informed of the assessment.

“That’s Mac for you,” Matlock says during a telephone interview from London. “He’s just a great guy. It’s great to be in the Faces with him.”

However, the clever songsmith isn’t sure about the future of the Faces.

“I enjoy whatever we do together,” Matlock says. “But will we make an album? I don’t know. Will we tour? I don’t know.”

What Matlock knows is that his own band, the Philistines, which is cut from the same soulful, gritty pop-rock cloth as the Faces, will make music and tour.

Matlock and the Philistines will perform Wednesday at the North Star Bar.

“I’m having fun writing the songs, playing bass,” Matlock said. “We go all-out every show. We’re like the punk-rock Bruce Springsteen. We give 110 percent every show. That’s the only way we know how to do things.”

Matlock has pressed the pedal to the metal in every sonic situation. He co-wrote each Sex Pistol song, so you can expect some of those classic tunes to be rendered at this show.

He also was part of The Rich Kids, which included Ultravox leader Midge Ure and Iggy Pop and Johnny Thunders’ bands. And he has played bass on every Sex Pistols reunion tour.

“I have no complaints,” says Matlock. “I’ve been involved with a number of satisfying musical projects. You never know what you’ll do in this business.”

Like be part of a Sex Pistols reunion jaunt?

“Well, let’s put it this way,” Matlock says. “I enjoyed playing those songs onstage, but when it comes to hanging out with (vocalist) Johnny (Rotten aka Lydon), I’ll pass on that.

“It’s nothing terrible. It’s like if you work in an office, you can work with a certain coworker, but you don’t want to hang around with him. That’s our situation. But I’ve enjoyed the Sex Pistols tours and everything I’ve done.”

Glen Matlock and the Philistines appear Wednesday at the North Star Bar, 27th and Poplar streets, Philadelphia. Show time: 8 p.m. Tickets: $15. Information: 215-787-0488.