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Public Image Ltd.

Musical Group
Forpost-punk listeners, fans of john lydon, and anyone into experimental rock, dub-influenced bass music, or abrasive 80s alternative.
18 Reviews 7 Definitions 16 Charts
Post-Punk New Wave Experimental

The Profile

Public Image Ltd. (PiL) is an English post-punk band formed in 1978 by John Lydon after the Sex Pistols, known for dub-influenced bass, stark minimalism, and highly experimental approaches that later expanded into pop-rock and electronic-adjacent styles.

Formed in 1978 by John Lydon (Johnny Rotten). Commonly associated with post-punk; widely cited landmark releases include Second Edition/Metal Box and Flowers of Romance.

Across these reviews, Public Image Ltd. are framed as a post-punk pivot after the Sex Pistols: dub-heavy minimalism (Second Edition/Metal Box) and stark experimentation (Flowers of Romance) get the loudest praise. The band’s sound is repeatedly described as alienating, hypnotic, and percussion-forward, with Lydon’s vocals seen as uniquely abrasive. Later work splits writers: “9” is called the worst record by one reviewer, while “That What Is Not” is defended as an underrated late marvel by another. Overall: foundational, confrontational, and rarely comfortable.

Notable Quotes

❝ Despite everything, Mr. Rotten is a genius.
❝ A sui generis Lydon or maybe a highly personal and ordinary Lydon. A Lydon, ultimately, UNFORGETTABLE.
❝ Press the play button, the first track, "Albatross", starts, and it's already a masterpiece:
❝ Here everything is perfect.
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