In 1976, the Sex Pistols burst onto the music scene with their anthem "Anarchy in the UK," setting the tone for the punk rock movement. But just two years later, the band fell apart, leaving lead singer Johnny Rotten (real name John Lydon) to pick up the pieces and start anew.
Lydon's new project was Public Image Limited, a band he formed with bassist Jah Wobble, drummer Jim Walker, and guitarist Keith Levene. With a sound that blended rock, dance, folk, ballet, pop, and dub, PiL was a departure from the snarling punk rock of the Sex Pistols. But that didn't mean the band lacked edge. Their debut single, "Public Image," was a scathing critique of the tabloid press and the media's treatment of Lydon himself.
First Issue, PiL's debut album, was a manifesto for the band's identity and mission. The album was never officially released in the US, as major labels deemed its sound too un-commercial. But now, the album has been lovingly reproduced from the original 1978 UK release and is available on a special reissue.
This limited edition LP includes an expanded gatefold jacket, an archive replica fold-out poster, a PiL sticker, insert, and a download card for the album, an archival BBC interview, and "The Cowboy Song." All of these extras were approved and coordinated with John Lydon and his personal management.
If you're a fan of post-punk and experimental rock, you won't want to miss this special reissue of First Issue. It's a testament to the power of four people letting loose in a studio and creating something truly unique and unforgettable.