KEY FEATURES

2023 Vinyl Edition
1xLP Pressed on Clear Red Vinyl and Silver Vinyl
Housed in an expanded Stoughton tip-on Gatefold Jacket
Features fold-out poster, sticker, and insert
Includes download card for the full album, non-album single B-side “The Cowboy Song”, and an unedited October 1978 BBC audio interview with John Lydon
Originally released in 1978

RELEASE DESCRIPTION

Light in the Attic Records' 100th album release, and following the Record Store Day reissue of PiL’s debut single ‘Public Image’, this reissue is the pioneering group’s debut album First Issue, available for the first time ever in the US.

In 1976 Johnny Rotten and the Sex Pistols set the agenda for punk’s year zero with ‘Anarchy In The UK’, a song that summed up the spirit, sound, and attitude of the band in one shocking package. Two years later, the Sex Pistols were in tatters, but Rotten was as unsentimental as you’d hope. He reverted to his real name – John Lydon – and set about forming a band whose very identity kicked against press and media manipulation. Featuring bassist Jah Wobble, drummer Jim Walker and guitarist Keith Levene, his new group was Public Image Limited. The public image would be limited.

PiL was a very distinct prospect from the Pistols, founded with a greater thought for rhythm, and with a sound that turned the page from snarling punk to a more experimental sound fusing rock, dance, folk, ballet, pop, and dub. But that’s not to say Lydon’s new outfit lacked vitriol. ‘Public Image’ hits out against the notorious British tabloid press, who never gave Lydon an easy ride, and against his own Sex Pistols public image – “You only saw me for the clothes I wore”.

The debut single (and the album that followed) operated as a theme song and a manifesto: “…my entrance/My own creation/My grand finale/My goodbye,” as the lyrics had it. It is, essentially, the sound of four people letting loose in a studio – and not caring what anyone else thought.

The album was never officially released in the USA back in the day, its sound was considered too un-commercial by major labels for an American release.

First Issue has been lovingly reproduced from the original UK 1978 release and this special reissue also comes with a clutch of post-punk era treasures. The 2023 LP edition includes an expanded gatefold jacket, an archive replica fold-out poster, a PiL sticker, insert, and Download Card for the album, the archival BBC interview, and “The Cowboy Song.” All of which was approved and coordinated with John Lydon and his personal management.

TRACKLIST

1. Theme
2. Religion I
3. Religion II
4. Annalisa
5. Public Image
6. Low Life
7. Attack
8. Fodderstompf
9. The Cowboy Song (CD, LP Download Card)
10. Interview w/ John Lydon, 1978 (CD, LP Download Card)

LISTEN

Available on Desktop & Mobile

Artist: Public Image Ltd.