NASHVILLE |DT: NOVEMBER 24, 2015
FR: LIBBY COFFEY/MITCH SCHNEIDER
WATCH
PUBLIC IMAGE LTD
(PiL)
ON
WATCH JOHN LYDON ON CNBC
CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED NEW ALBUM
CATCH PIL LIVE IN LOS ANGELES AT FONDA THEATER SUNDAY (NOV. 29)
NORTH AMERICAN TOUR UNDERWAY NOW
PUBLIC IMAGE LTD perform on “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert.”
Photo by Jeffrey R. Staab/CBS.
PUBLIC IMAGE LTD appeared on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert last week (11/17) to perform “Double Trouble,” the first single off their 10th studio album ‘WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS NOW.‘ Watch the performance HERE and view the full episode of the show HERE.
Stephen Colbert + John Lydon.
Last week in New York, CNBC dropped by the group’s show and interviewed frontman JOHN LYDON. Read and watch the clip, out today HERE.
The the pioneering U.K. group are currently in the midst of their North American tour in support of their new album ‘WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS NOW…‘ released in September to critical acclaim on PiL’s own label ‘PiL Official’ via Redeye in the U.S. and Cargo UK Distribution in the U.K.. Self-funded by PUBLIC IMAGE LTD, the 11-track album, which charted at No. 29 in the Official UK Charts, follows the huge critical success of 2012’s This is PiL, the band’s first album in 17 years. The iTunes version of ‘WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS NOW… also includes the promo video for “Double Trouble,” plus the non-album ‘Turkey Tits’ as exclusive bonus tracks. Tickets forPUBLIC IMAGE LTD’stour are on-sale now viawww.pilofficial.com.
On Friday, November 13, the group released two limited edition 7″ vinyl singles “Bettie Page” (in the U.S.) and “The One” (in the U.K) featuring etched Bettie Page artwork on the U.S. release and an etched PiL logo on “The One.” All cover artwork for the singles was sketched and painted by PiL frontman JOHN LYDON. Pre-order links are available here: bundle set for “The One” and “Bettie Page” 7″: HERE, “Bettie Page” HEREand “The One” HERE.
Widely regarded as one of the most innovative and influential bands of all time, PUBLIC IMAGE LTD‘s music and vision earned them 5 UK Top 20 singles and 5 UK Top 20 albums. With a shifting line-up and unique sound, JOHN LYDON guided the band from their debut album ‘First Issue’ in 1978 through to 1992’s That What Is Not. After a 17-year hiatus, LYDON reactivated PiL in 2009 by taking them back on the road worldwide.
Below are current live reviews from the media and to read the critical reaction for the new album ‘WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS NOW…‘ click HERE.
“…last night at Fort Lauderdale’s Culture Room, the legendary punk rocker proved his secondary band, Public Image Ltd, are second to none. Public Image Ltd have been called post-punk; their ambitions stretched beyond the three chords in which the Sex Pistols were happy to wallow, as they waded into artier, stranger, though often times just as loud waters. Last night, Lydon’s voice often veered into operatic range.”
–Dave Rolland, MIAMI NEW TIMES, (November 6, 2015)
“The show turnout was testament of the band’s place in the history books. …The new material was featured heavily on the set list and the players sounded in fighting form. [Lydon’s ] crazed warble is still impressive in its scowl and howl.”
–Bao Le Huu, ORLANDO WEEKLY, November 11, 2015
“…the sheer energy and intensity of the band was impressive. No, they didn’t jump around like a young punk band might, but a focused intensity drove the performance. There were also moments when Lydon and the band somehow managed to be menacing and comical at the same time, especially on a powerful, ominous rendition of ‘Religion’ from their eponymous 1978 debut. …Performing songs from the entire range of the band’s career, minus tracks from Flowers of Romance and That What Is Not reaffirmed that PiL has consistently taken strange musical ideas and made them accessible: the kind of pop music that doesn’t dumb things down. ‘Death Disco’ about the death of Lydon’s mother was dark and desperate but with a playfulness and absurdity that lifted the heaviness of the subject matter, while maintaining the emotional impact of its inspiration. It was the key composition that highlighted what has made PiL such an interesting band beyond its musical innovations and pioneering blend of art rock, punk, dub and the avant-garde. In ‘This is Not a Love Song,’ ‘Bettie Page,’ ‘Religion,’ ‘Shoom,’ ‘Double Trouble,’ ‘Public Image’ and even ‘Rise,’ there is a thread of a compassion for the human condition and the perpetual search for meaning in life and the meaning of life.”
–Tom Murphy, WESTWORD, (November 23, 2015)
“Lydon, a true entertainer dressed in a wide-striped jail inmate outfit, delivered the lyrics over the beat, singing, shouting, howling and channeling Beelzebub on a scathing ‘Religion’ all the while dramatically gesturing and conjuring up his “looks.” PiL returned to encore with ‘Public Image’ and ‘Rise’ that had the crowd chanting “Anger is an energy” fully connect to Lydon and the band. Lydon clearly enjoyed the show and so did everyone of the [sold-out crowd]…who had the rare treat of seeing a great, legendary band in an intimate venue.”
–Ken Wolgamott, LINCOLN JOURNAL STAR, November 20, 2015
“…hour-long set of powerfully throbbing, droning, trance-like post-punk music. …In his songs, the dressed-in-stripes Lydon played dual roles of comic and enraged social critic. He wailed his lyrics distinctively and rolled his Rs prodigiously. PiL played songs from its 2015 album, such as ‘Double Trouble,’ Lydon’s rap-rant about plumbing gone wrong. Also ‘Know Know,’ in which he furiously insists his need to ‘not know you!’ In “Bettie Page,” another new song, Lydon lionized the classic American nude model, to the point of bestowing revolutionary status. PiL also offered full-on versions of its classics. Lydon raged through the band’s biggest hit, 1983’s ‘This Is Not a Love Song,’ as Edmonds and Firth played the song’s killer, wonderfully simple riff. …Lydon, who’s described himself as an Irish folk singer, bid adieu with the Celtic-sounding anthem, ‘Rise.’ Uplifting counterpoint to the negativity associated with the Sex Pistols and the thousands of punk bands that followed, ‘Rise’ is a song of hope.”
–John Wirt, NEW ORLEANS ADVOCATE, (November 1, 2015
“Lydon, meanwhile, continues to lead PiL with this acid-tongued humor and vociferous rants, for which he has found new targets on ‘What the World Needs Now…’ …The band’s set raged from dub- and dance-influenced songs, like 1989’s ‘Warrior’ and the commercially anti-commercial ‘This Is Not A Love Song,’ which exploded with oversized guitar sounds easily outdoing the cleaned-up sound on the band’s hit record. Edmonds – whether on guitar or an electric saz, a long-necked, incredibly resonate stringed instrument – manipulated the eerie post-punk atmosphere with jagged twists and riffs in the dense, bass-heavy stage mix.
The band also performed several new songs from World, including the thrashing punk of ‘Know Now’ and the metallic, dissonant ‘Corporate,’ with its grunted chorus of ‘murderer.’ Before the band closed with ‘Rise,’ another near-pop track from 1989’s Album, Lydon offered a simple, “Thank you for being so kind.” Lydon’s high-pitched nasally warble has given to a more sustained, throaty sound, but just as effective, snotty and provocative. After all, “anger is an energy,” he repeated as “Rise” boiled over to a close, even if it’s over a broken toilet. Or everything else.”
The band also performed several new songs from World, including the thrashing punk of ‘Know Now’ and the metallic, dissonant ‘Corporate,’ with its grunted chorus of ‘murderer.’ Before the band closed with ‘Rise,’ another near-pop track from 1989’s Album, Lydon offered a simple, “Thank you for being so kind.” Lydon’s high-pitched nasally warble has given to a more sustained, throaty sound, but just as effective, snotty and provocative. After all, “anger is an energy,” he repeated as “Rise” boiled over to a close, even if it’s over a broken toilet. Or everything else.”
–Alex Woodward, GAMBIT WEEKLY, (November 4, 2015)
“unstoppable…”
–Ryan Leas, STEREOGUM, (November 1, 2015)
PUBLIC IMAGE LTD are:
JOHN LYDON: After fronting the Sex Pistols, John Lydon formed Public Image Ltd in 1978. Outside of PiL John has released several solo records and collaborations. He also brings quality TV to the masses and has recently released the autobiography ‘Anger is an Energy: My Life Uncensored’.
LU EDMONDS: Multi-instrumentalist and former guitarist in The Damned, Lu joined Public Image Ltd in 1986 recording and playing on the album ‘Happy?‘ and co-writing the album ‘9‘, adding yet another dimension to the Public Image Ltd sound.
BRUCE SMITH: Drummer in The Pop Group and formerly of The Slits, Bruce became percussionist for Public Image Ltd in 1986 playing and recording on the albums ‘Happy?‘ and ‘9‘. Seen as a drumming virtuoso, Bruce brought his unique style into the fold.
SCOTT FIRTH: A bass player/multi instrumentalist that has collaborated and played with a variety of top musicians and bands including Steve Winwood, John Martyn and Elvis Costello.
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DATE
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LOCATION
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VENUE
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Remaining Dates for Public Image Ltd North American Tour:
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Wed
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11/25
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Las Vegas, NV
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Brooklyn Bowl
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Fri
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11/27
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San Francisco, CA
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The Chapel-SOLD-OUT
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Sat
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11/28
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Sacramento, CA
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Ace of Spades
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Sun
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11/29
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Los Angeles, CA
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The Fonda Theatre
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MSO Press Releases, Photos and Assets:
Watch the “making of” the album video (filmed by John Rambo Stevens-John Lydon/PiL manager): https://youtu.be/JpefsQF_tmA.
Listen to John Lydon on NPR’s “World Café:”
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For PUBLIC IMAGE LTD publicity, contact MSO:
Libby Coffey 818-380-0400 x224, LCoffey@msopr.com
Mitch Schneider x235, MSchneider@msopr.com
