John Lydon’s Public Image Ltd are an the verge of releasing their first album in 20 years.
Post-Sex Pistols, Johnny Rotten became John Lydon and launched a new era as Public Image Ltd in 1978.
After fourteen years of strident post-punk, the band broke up, and then reformed in 2009 to tour. This lead to a new album, and that new album is This Is PiL.
It’s their first in 20 years – twelve tracks recorded in Steve Winwood’s UK studio and released on their own PiL Official record label. The band currently consists of Lydon, Bruce Smith on drums, Lu Edmonds on guitars and keys, and Scott Firth on bass.
John Lydon said about the album: “Well, 12 songs, where do I begin? Everything and anything that attracts my attention. ‘One Drop’ is about my early youth in Finsbury Park. Fantastic! Hello, we’re all teenagers don’t you forget it! At any age, stay young. ‘Lollipop Opera’ is basically a beautiful bunch of background noise and music to sum up Britain and all its wonderful ambidextrousness! ‘The Room I Am In’ well that’s about drugs and council flats. And there’s a tragedy that still continues. ‘I Must Be Dreaming’ Well, you know, I must be to put up with these governments!”
This Is PiL is officially released through Fuse in Australia this Tuesday 5 June.