By
Rob Jones
John Lydon has an iconic status as the president of punk after his stint as the leader of the Sex Pistols. (1975-78). However, the music that followed in his superseding Public Image Limited (PIL) enterprise showed far more depth and diligence. PIL created such groundbreaking records as: First Edition, Metal Box and Flowers of Romance-and, these albums make for essential listening.
The 1979 masterpiece Metal Box still stands tall as one of the most unique and challenging collections of avant-garde meets alternative rock. Several incarnations of PIL have subsequently recorded and toured. Lydon has also forged a career in other fields such as film, radio, television, writing and his entertaining nature has also won over a number of new admirers.
It is PIL that is the ultimate passion for Lydon and the current line up of the act take ‘The Public Image is Rotten Tour’ on a visit to The Tramshed, Cardiff on Thursday, June 21, 7.30pm. 2018 sees the band reach their 40th anniversary with a career–spanning box set and a documentary. The show is for over-14’s and tickets are £30.15 plus booking fee. Further details are available via 08710 2200250 (24 hours), seetickets.com, tramshed.com and pilofficial.com or head to https://www.ents24.com/cardiff-events/tramshed/public-image-ltd/5266902
