We all squirmed a little bit upon hearing about John Lydon’s run-in over the weekend with Bloc Party singer Kele Okereke. Though Lydon has made a career of offending pretty much everybody, there isn’t anything artistic or provocative about racism. To his credit, the Sex Pistols singer isn’t trying to play this off as “Rotten being Rotten” and further muddy the waters of punk music and the racist elements often below its surface.  Instead, Lydon is taking the political route and saying the events were misrepresented out of jealousy:

"I feel very sorry for a man who needs to lie about what was a perfect evening. After the show John Rotten and management remained behind to sign autographs, which we did for four solid hours without incident and had a great time talking to other Spanish bands. This seems to have sparked jealousy in certain bands. The trouble was brought to us, resulting in those causing the trouble being physically removed by festival security. We are in the middle of a wonderful tour, after 30 years we are achieving a true unity in our audience. They are multi-varied, all ages, all races, creeds and colors. When you are at a festival with bands who are jealous fools, lies and confusion usually follow. If they need publicity so badly this is the allegation universe they run into."

Lydon finished his statement by telling Okereke to “grow up and be a man.” While Lydon would doubtless be glad if his statement was the last word on the altercation, Okereke has said that he has contacted police in both Spain and the United Kingdom following the incident. It is not clear at this time what action will be taken by the authorities. [NME]