Sex Pistols frontman John Lydon slammed reformed 1970s band the Police as "soggy old dead carcasses" today, singling out Sting for a particularly colourful barb.

 

The former Johnny Rotten made the comments two days after announcing that his legendary punk band are to stage a one-off reunion gig in November, to mark the 30th anniversary of their album "Never Mind the Bollocks."

 

Referring to Sting as "Stink," he said of the reformed Police: "That really is a reformation isn't it? But honestly that's like soggy old dead carcasses.

 

"You know listening to Stink try to squeak through 'Roxanne' one more time that's not fun," he said, referring to one of the Police's biggest hits.

 

"It's like letting air out of a balloon," added the 51-year-old.

 

The Police, a three-piece British rock band led by 55-year-old Sting who has had a string of hits, are currently in the middle of an international reunion tour which started in Canada.

 

The Sex Pistols, who spearheaded the 1970s punk movement in England with singles like "Anarchy in the UK" and "Pretty Vacant", announced Monday that they will play at the Brixton Academy in south London on November 8.

 

Lydon also gave his views on musicians' use of drugs, which he said was a "bit old fart".

 

Referring to drug-troubled British singers Pete Doherty and Amy Winehouse, he told Virgin Radio: "You know you can use drugs for entertainment but you should be quiet about it. That shouldn't be your centre showpiece.

 

"There's not much going on in their head with them. They're not thinking. They're not doing this for the right reasons."

 

Sid Vicious, the one time Sex Pistols bass player who died of a drug overdose in 1979, was the same, he said.

 

"They obviously don't enjoy what they're doing. And that's why you turn to drugs. And that's what happened with Sid (Vicious), he wasn't happy about what he couldn't do."

 

"It's a slow suicide and it's a cry for help because they're in pain, they're in mental pain. And this is a disgusting industry because people just cut you dead.

 

"The general public aren't too wise about what that means to be constantly in the limelight. It's a pain in the f*cking arse," he said, but added: "Banging about your drug habits is a bit old fart isn't it?"

 

Comments? I love Mr Lydon - but isn't he slagging off 'Stink' for doing exactly what he and the Sex Pistols are doing?

Well, to be honest, seeing the "reformed" Sex Pistols hauling their carcasses onstage in '96 was hardly a barrel of laughs either.... I could've had more fun (and paid significantly less money) seeing a Pub Tribute band do essentially the same thing... Frankly, I felt the support act (Stabbing Westward) pissed on them, they sure rocked a LOT harder...

 

As much as I respect Mr Lydon, it's a bit of a case of the pot calling the kettle black IMO....

As much as I respect Mr Lydon, it's a bit of a case of the pot calling the kettle black IMO....

 

agreed.

Well, to be honest, seeing the "reformed" Sex Pistols hauling their carcasses onstage in '96 was hardly a barrel of laughs either.... #

As much as I respect Mr Lydon, it's a bit of a case of the pot calling the kettle black IMO....

 

yeah totally

 

i've not bothered reading that long report but i saw that he had called sting, stink in the press. so lydon is that the best you can do??? omg thats so tragic as both are bad as each other.

 

think lydon should go back to being bill oddie and leave all the pisstaking to charlie brooker