11/28/2009

in

Lydon tours for the first time in 17 years and discusses possibility of new studio album.

Robyn Chelsea-Seifert

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"I don't see me being able to be stopped by anyone or anything. Let's face it, I ain't ever gonna be the best singer in the world, or the best anything," a flame haired John Lydon told the Telegraph. "My good looks have gone out the window, so I'm just getting on with what matters."  
  
That being the re-issue of Metal Box and the forthcoming Public Image Limited tour the ex-Sex Pistols singer is preparing for. Lydon's first tour in 17 years with new PiL lineup featuring; Lu Edmonds on guitar, drummer Bruce Smith, and bassist Scott Firth.  
  
Sadly, the Metal Box era line up consisting of Jah Wobble, Martin Atkins and Keith Levene are unable to join him out on the road because, "Wobble and Levene hate each other - it's not possible to put them together in the same room."  
  
Lydon had no financial support from labels or sponsors and is backing the reunion himself from money made starring in television advertisements. If the tour goes well, Lydon and crew will head into the studio to record a new album.  
  
In the meantime, Virgin Records is re-issuing the 1979 conceptualized compilation, Metal Box and Plastic Box on both CD and vinyl, Dec. 14th. Metal Box comes as three separate CDs for the first time. Plastic Box is a four CD set, first released as a limited edition (better known as Second Edition) in 1999 and features 64 rarity tracks spanning 1978-1992.  
  
The original Metal Box was a legendary album that housed three 12 inches inside a metal container shaped to resemble a film canister. While this made the packaging awkward, it was light years ahead of its time for marketing. Vinyl releases today are rare and novel. Record enthusiast and young audiences should enjoy getting their hands on this version.  
  
Although buyer beware, Lydon cautions, "It was impossible to open, and you couldn't get the records out. The music itself was, to many ears at the time, equally impenetrable."  
  
PiL's tour opens at the 02 Academy in Birmingham on Dec. 15 and continues to Leeds, Glasgow, Manchester and London.