Public Image Ltd (abbreviated as PiL) are an English post punk band formed by singer John Lydon, guitarist Keith Levene, bassist Jah Wobble, and drummer Jim Walker in 1978. The group's personnel has changed frequently over the years; Lydon has been the sole constant member.
Following his departure from the Sex Pistols in January 1978, Lydon sought a more experimental "anti-rock" project and formed PiL. That year PiL released their debut album 'First Issue', creating an abrasive, bass-heavy sound that drew on dub, noise, progressive rock and disco.
At this time the single 'Public Image' was released
PiL's second album 'Metal Box' was released in 1979and this pushed their sound further into the avant-garde, and is often regarded as one of the most important albums of the post-punk era.
We got 'Death Disco' from this period, it was actually a introduction for eth albumn.
The original band's last hurrah was 'This is not a Love Song' released in 1983.
By 1984, both Levene and Wobble had departed and the group was effectively a solo vehicle for Lydon, who moved toward a more accessible sound with the commercially successful albums 'This Is What You Want... This Is What You Get' released in 1984 and 'Album' from 1986.
It is from 'Album' that we got my favourite PiL track - 'Rise'
After a late 1990s hiatus, Lydon reformed the group in the late 2000s and has released several further albums,