Public Image Ltd Members, Gear & Sound

Genre

Rock New Wave Alternative rock Alternative dance Art rock Experimental rock Post-punk Art punk Experimental Indie Industrial New romantic Punk dance rock uk post-punk new wave pop

Members

Select a Public Image Ltd band member to check out the music gear they use live and in the studio.

John McGeoch

Roles:

Guitarist

Groups:

Siouxsie & the Banshees Magazine Visage The Armoury Show

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Keith Levene

Roles:

Guitarist

Groups:

The Clash The Flowers of Romance

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Jah Wobble

Roles:

Bassist

Groups:

Jah Wobble’s Invaders of the Heart Jah Wobble, The Edge & Holger Czukay The Damage Manual African Head Charge Sacred System Divination Radioaxiom

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Nicky Skopelitis

Roles:

Guitarist Keyboardist

Groups:

O.G. Funk The Golden Palominos Material Shin.e Deadline Sacred System Niels and the New York Street Percussionists Peter Brötzmann Tentet Divination Flying Mijinko Band Blind Light Axiom Funk Curlew Toy Killers

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Lu Edmunds

Roles:

Guitarist Bassist

Groups:

The Damned Shriekback The Mekons

Needs more gear

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Mike Joyce

Roles:

Drummer

Groups:

The Smiths Buzzcocks Suede The Adult Net Moondog One The Hoax

Needs more gear

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John Lydon

Roles:

Singer

Groups:

Sex Pistols Pigface

Needs more gear

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Scott Firth

Roles:

Bassist

Needs more gear

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Russell Webb

Roles:

Bassist Music Producer

Groups:

Skids The Armoury Show The Zones

Needs more gear

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Allan Dias

Roles:

Bassist Keyboardist

No gear added

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Martin Atkins

Roles:

Drummer

Groups:

Killing Joke Ministry Pigface The Damage Manual Murder Inc. Rx

No gear added

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Bruce Smith

Roles:

Drummer

Groups:

Guided by Voices The Pop Group Singers & Players The Slits New Age Steppers Rip Rig + Panic Float Up CP African Head Charge Playgroup Love Inc.

No gear added

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Jim Walker

Roles:

Drummer Composer

No gear added

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Richard Dudanski

Roles:

Singer Drummer

Groups:

The 101ers The Raincoats Basement 5 El Doghouse

No gear added

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About

Public Image Ltd (PiL) is an iconic English rock band formed by John Lydon in 1978, following his time with the Sex Pistols. Renowned for their innovative blend of post-punk, experimental rock, and alternative dance, PiL has seen a revolving lineup over the years, with Lydon as the constant driving force. The band’s current lineup includes Lu Edmonds (guitar), Bruce Smith (drums), and Scott Firth (bass). Their sound is recognized for its fusion of genres, creating a unique sonic identity that has influenced countless artists across the globe.

How to Sound Like Public Image Ltd

PiL's music is characterized by an aggressive yet experimental sonic landscape, blending gritty, distorted guitar tones with rhythmic, danceable bass lines. The use of unconventional instruments like the Veleno Aluminum Guitar by Keith Levene and the Fender Precision Bass played by Jah Wobble injects a metallic, resonant quality to their sound, while maintaining a pulsing, dub-infused undercurrent. Effects like the Ibanez SM9 Super Metal distortion pedal add layers of intensity and texture, contributing to their raw, yet meticulously crafted aesthetic. The integration of noise, feedback, and diverse rhythmic elements helps to construct their distinctive, avant-garde soundscape.

Discography

Second Edition

1979

The Flowers Of Romance

1981

Live In Tokyo (Live Version)

1983

This is What You Want... This Is What You Get

1984

Happy?

1987

Public Image Ltd.

1987

1989

That What Is Not

1992

Live At The Isle Of Wight Festival 2011

2011

Live At Rockpalast (Zeche Bochum, 31.10.1983)

2012

This is PiL

2012

Out of The Woods / Reggie Song

2012

First Issue

2013

What The World Needs Now...

2015

Live at O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire

2015

The Public Image Is Rotten (Songs From The Heart)

2018

End Of World

2023

Get the Public Image Ltd Sound

Want to sound like Public Image Ltd? This gear comes straight from the setups of the band's members, based on proven sources. Dive into each artist's page for more detail and inspiration.