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Of the two PiL shows I've
seen, this one proved more satisfying, surely helped by the more intimate
setting (small theatre versus giant outdoor playground). As on the '89
tour, Pil were part of a package (BAD, Blind Melon, Live). Unlike that
situation, PiL got to play longer (about 75-90 minutes, easily as long
as BAD).
I don't have the setlist anymore, but the majority of it focused on
the latest album, That What Is Not; “Acid Drops,” in
particular, hit harder than its recorded counterpart (hence, its mention
in my post-concert writeup). Here's what I actually ended up writing
for the South Haven Daily Tribune:
How far John Lydon's come in 15 years was shown at Public Image Limited's
(PiL) April 12 show at Detroit's State Theatre.
As the backdrop fell, the cheers began in earnest, graduating to outright
hysteria as Lydon – once known as Johnny Rotten, the Sex Pistols'
corrosive singer – strutted onstage, and launched into one of PiL's
best-known hits, “This Is Not A Love Song.”
The audience was with him note for note, step for step – a far
cry from earlier days, when audiences threw things at Lydon, because
they couldn't understand his post-Pistols music.
But that was 1978 – this is 1992. Make no mistake, Lydon's a star
of a different sort – the Lone Ranger of rock 'n' roll, who charts
his own course, and doesn't do things for fashionable reasons. Nobody
projects willfulness with such charm, as Lydon does – his cocky
asides (“Oh, well, we can only get worse”) and sarcastic gestures
put him in a class by himself.
The band also helps deliver the goods. Allan Dias's basswork sings with
the ferocity you expect from PiL, while John McGeoch's guitarwork is
incisive as ever. Their presence has done much to establish PiL as a
musical entity.
The songs from PiL's new “That What Is Not” album hit harder
live. The undoubted highlight came in a segue through “Cruel,”
“Think Tank,” and “Rules And Regulations” (from
the 1987 “Happy” LP) – with no pause for breath, no tricks,
no gimmicks, just five guys knocking it out.
PiL clearly benefits from playing in smaller places, unlike the arenas
they toured supporting New Order in 1989. Let's hope things stay that
way.
Ralph Heibutzki
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