Public Image Ltd will be performing in the Greater Houston area on Friday, tomorrow, and as previously mentioned here, their choice of Scout Bar out in Clear Lake is a little unexpected.
Rewind:
Talking Politics, and Almost No Music, With Punk Legend John Lydon
For those who haven't heard of PiL, this is a project founded by John Lydon (otherwise known as Johnny Rotten of the Sex Pistols) directly following The Sex Pistols' breakup in the late 1970s.
Now, here's to you younguns (because I'm old, right) that may not be aware of the scope and significance of Public Image Ltd's work since they aren't posted to performing somewhere inside the Loop alongside other legends (Converge, Rakim), or something like that. Hence this blog category: Eat Your Vegetables! Okay.
Public Image Ltd is described as one of the pioneering post-punk groups. So, the Sex Pistols set a precedent for Public Image Ltd., who set a precedent for many currently popular acts. That being said, here's another list for you all of some of the most popular bands influenced by PiL.
5. U2
U2 has stated John Lydon's work to be an influence of theirs. Guitarist The Edge has particularly stated that the late John McGeoch, PiL's long-running guitarist, was a major influence of his.
Meanwhile, Lydon once said in reference to U2, "That's a band that never should have existed. There's no life experience in any of their songs."
4. Red Hot Chili Peppers
RHCP claims to have produced their funk-rock sound with the help of PiL's work. They've covered PiL's work as well. RHCP bassist Flea once successfully auditioned for the role of bassist in PiL just to have the opportunity to perform once with the band.
3. Radiohead
PiL's pioneering Metal Box has been stated as a precursor to much of Radiohead's sound in its landscape of cold synthesizers and integrated aching, distorted sound. In another fun quote, Lydon recently said, "Radiohead bug the hell out of me because it's so soulless. It just seems pointless. It's nice, but it's tosh."
