THIS SITE IS DEDICATED TO
POPTONES!
Last update November 6th 2009
POPTONES!
Last update November 6th 2009
| This Months Punk In Print MAXIMUMROCKNROLL #312 MAY 2009 MAXIMUMROCKNROLL #313 JUNE 2009 MAXIMUMROCKNROLL #314 JULY 2009 RIOT ON YOUR OWN #34 |
GETTING RID OF THE ALBATROSS
30 years since the seminal PIL put out the dark, weird and ultra paranoic 'Metal Box'. An
album that from its metallic sheen was to prove be a doomy, rusty legacy to the band
more so than anything else they recorded. It was to be the penultimate PIL album
featuring Jah Wobble's distinct booming dub/reggae bass which together with Keith
Levine's shimmering shard attack on guitar was to prove a lethal cocktail. A deadly duo
that made the PIL sound so abstract and different from anything else at the time. When
played on the 3 x 12" 45 discs that made up the original release it was a mindblowing
experience on your stereo. A demonic sound was unleashed producing the
groundbreaking textures we associate with PIL. They were moving in different circles
and were light years away from the Pistols classic punk sound. In fact 'Metal Box' is
beyond any genre and defies description. Which amazingly seems to annoy Mr Rotten
that his two early collaborators always seem to get mentioned by fans and journalists
years after the event. And he doesn't or won't comprehend that they were a vital part of
the sinister expansive elements that carried John Rotten's mesmerising and disturbing
vocal to another level. Everyone knows if they're honest later line-ups of PIL were to be
become weaker and weaker relying heavily on a bunch of 'yes' men. But Wobble and
Levine were loose cannons in their own right, and together with Rotten's post Pistols
psyche, made for an antagonistic pact. Aparently the band were 'speeding' through the
night when recording this album, using an array of drummers along the way. Although
its rumbling speed only reaches excess on songs like the anthemic 'Careering' its
tension is built up on songs like sneering 'The Suit' and the bleak 'Bad Baby'. Rottens
vocals contain enough venom, cynisim and contempt to bring down the oppressors of
New Scotland yard on his Gunter Grove HQ. He was still carrying the demented
remnants he bought from the Pistols, gearing his anger to the next level. He also had
that serial killer brogue that would haunt you through the backstreets of late 70's
Britain. So exciting in its delivery you just cant help but play it over and over again
(when you could actually prize the discs out their tight fitting cannister). I remember
hearing tracks on John Peel before I even got my hands on the album and thought am I
really gonna like this? But in a time when new forms of protest were being created by
bands like Crass, PIL were still a bright incandescent light in a very dark post Pistols
era. This 60 minute piece is what you really need to bring you down, cheer yerself up or
face up to the decay. 'Socialist. Chant. Radio 4' is a good 20 minute example. It's taking
a stance music, it's also music to mourn to or just music to ponder whats really out
there?
These days with a PIL reunion (featuring Mr Rotten only) I find it hard to comprehend
after the Pistols myth becomes more and more of a cabaret. It seems in retrospect
John Rotten has in turn become his own 'Albatross'. If Levine and Wobble were playing
the reunion shows, then just maybe it would've been worth your £35 quid as the spectre
of the unknown would once more be unveiled, but as they say...only time will tell?
Yours Sadistically
Peter Don't Care November 2009
30 years since the seminal PIL put out the dark, weird and ultra paranoic 'Metal Box'. An
album that from its metallic sheen was to prove be a doomy, rusty legacy to the band
more so than anything else they recorded. It was to be the penultimate PIL album
featuring Jah Wobble's distinct booming dub/reggae bass which together with Keith
Levine's shimmering shard attack on guitar was to prove a lethal cocktail. A deadly duo
that made the PIL sound so abstract and different from anything else at the time. When
played on the 3 x 12" 45 discs that made up the original release it was a mindblowing
experience on your stereo. A demonic sound was unleashed producing the
groundbreaking textures we associate with PIL. They were moving in different circles
and were light years away from the Pistols classic punk sound. In fact 'Metal Box' is
beyond any genre and defies description. Which amazingly seems to annoy Mr Rotten
that his two early collaborators always seem to get mentioned by fans and journalists
years after the event. And he doesn't or won't comprehend that they were a vital part of
the sinister expansive elements that carried John Rotten's mesmerising and disturbing
vocal to another level. Everyone knows if they're honest later line-ups of PIL were to be
become weaker and weaker relying heavily on a bunch of 'yes' men. But Wobble and
Levine were loose cannons in their own right, and together with Rotten's post Pistols
psyche, made for an antagonistic pact. Aparently the band were 'speeding' through the
night when recording this album, using an array of drummers along the way. Although
its rumbling speed only reaches excess on songs like the anthemic 'Careering' its
tension is built up on songs like sneering 'The Suit' and the bleak 'Bad Baby'. Rottens
vocals contain enough venom, cynisim and contempt to bring down the oppressors of
New Scotland yard on his Gunter Grove HQ. He was still carrying the demented
remnants he bought from the Pistols, gearing his anger to the next level. He also had
that serial killer brogue that would haunt you through the backstreets of late 70's
Britain. So exciting in its delivery you just cant help but play it over and over again
(when you could actually prize the discs out their tight fitting cannister). I remember
hearing tracks on John Peel before I even got my hands on the album and thought am I
really gonna like this? But in a time when new forms of protest were being created by
bands like Crass, PIL were still a bright incandescent light in a very dark post Pistols
era. This 60 minute piece is what you really need to bring you down, cheer yerself up or
face up to the decay. 'Socialist. Chant. Radio 4' is a good 20 minute example. It's taking
a stance music, it's also music to mourn to or just music to ponder whats really out
there?
These days with a PIL reunion (featuring Mr Rotten only) I find it hard to comprehend
after the Pistols myth becomes more and more of a cabaret. It seems in retrospect
John Rotten has in turn become his own 'Albatross'. If Levine and Wobble were playing
the reunion shows, then just maybe it would've been worth your £35 quid as the spectre
of the unknown would once more be unveiled, but as they say...only time will tell?
Yours Sadistically
Peter Don't Care November 2009
LATEST UPDATES:
GOOD NOOSE - UK GIGS.- WORLDWIDE GIGS..(6/11/09)
SITES FOR SORE EYES - PUNK BANDS (PIL)...(6/11/09)
NOVEMBER EDITORIAL...(6/11/09)
PUNK ROCKER EDITORIAL ...(26/10/09)
REVIEWS - (RECORDS) WORLD POWER OR RUIN...(26/10/09)
GOOD NOOSE - UK GIGS.- WORLDWIDE GIGS..(6/11/09)
SITES FOR SORE EYES - PUNK BANDS (PIL)...(6/11/09)
NOVEMBER EDITORIAL...(6/11/09)
PUNK ROCKER EDITORIAL ...(26/10/09)
REVIEWS - (RECORDS) WORLD POWER OR RUIN...(26/10/09)
This Months YouTube
Public Image LTD - 'Poptones'
This Months Myspace
Public Image Limited
This Months Backdrop
Is a scan of my paint splattered rusty copy of
PIL's 'Metal Box' released 30 years ago this month.
60,000 copies were produced in this format before selling out
and it was reissued on a double LP format as 'Second Edition'. And
in 1990 released in a CD sized metal cannister. Despite the rust it's still
an iconic piece of music that needs to be heard in case you ain't already.
I presume CD format copies will be released to coincide with the bands December live formation?
Public Image LTD - 'Poptones'
This Months Myspace
Public Image Limited
This Months Backdrop
Is a scan of my paint splattered rusty copy of
PIL's 'Metal Box' released 30 years ago this month.
60,000 copies were produced in this format before selling out
and it was reissued on a double LP format as 'Second Edition'. And
in 1990 released in a CD sized metal cannister. Despite the rust it's still
an iconic piece of music that needs to be heard in case you ain't already.
I presume CD format copies will be released to coincide with the bands December live formation?
| This Months Playlist PUBLIC IMAGE LTD - 'Metal Box' LP JOY DIVISION - 'Transmision' 45 THE DAMNED - 'Just Can't Be Happy Today' 45 THE PACK - Kings Of Kings' 45 THE LURKERS - New Guitar In Town' 45 |
Born October 26th 2009 - Conceived 1977 A Punk Rocker Production © 2009 |