When you analyze the career of John Lydon, the word prolific is one of the few things he can never be accused of, when you consider that in over 35 years as a performer, whilst many best offs, live, bootlegs and odd bits bear his or his bands names, his studio output works out at approximately 1 lp every 3 years, the Pistols and most certainly PIL are not the stalwarts of regular 50 date tours of the uk, in fact originally the intention behind PIL was not to tour, but be a video/film organisation or play behind a screen and insight a riot.

So on April fool's day in 2012, we find the man, complete with the latest PIL, ready to play seemingly, now a pretty frequent (and he don't care...sorry) gig, this time in a smallish club called Heaven set in the arches under Charing Cross station, and time must be made to mention that perhaps the friendliest and best run venues it has been my pleasure to attend and comes complete with perhaps the loudest and finest examples of PA system ever... a little more of that later, and even Lydon himself comments during the set 'what a wonderful little club this is' and 'thanks for having us Heaven', he too seemingly impressed.

The PIL and Lydon of 2012 is the furthest removed from any other PIL you can think of, media friendly, shows a plenty, 2+ hour sets and for the first time...I think...a working band playing songs yet to be released amongst, although very occasionally not always brilliant, but at times utterly staggeringly genius back catalogue.

The band arrive dead on time at 9, no support act but a DJ playing the 'best of reggae' giving the PA a good warm up for what is to come, set opener and more familiar of the new songs is 'Deeper Water', the PA ensuring that the very heavy bass riff and superb drumming of Bruce Smith just lets the song flow, whilst Lu Edmunds, again through assorted banjos, guitars and things with strings does seemingly what he wants, but what is right, underneath it all, Lydon, resplendent in new 'Johnny Rotten style' reading glasses, reads the lyrics off his bookstand, the only indication that this is a new song and yet, not that familiar.

The new songs, of which there are five, are what I would describe as 'growers' not instantly wow factor, but in a set of well over 2 hours they neither highlight but certainly don't provide low points, towards the end of the set, the other more familiar newey and future single One Drop is aired, and this is what I mean when I say 'grower' can't say I was singing its praises when I first heard it, but, with a few outings I can only say that, 'hey, you know what, that's actually a pretty good song'.
the best of the new songs is the encore opener, described by Lydon as 'you won't know this song, but when you hear it you will wish you did', and starting with an almost celtic folk feel I was prepared to disbelieve him, but it built and built, bass heavy, into a stormer. The other 2 were one, I believe, about a fellow called 'Reginald' and a weirder stuttering number complete with rapped/barked vocals that I swear mentioned the 'lollipop opera', Lydon himself stating that 'in a year's time when you see the lyrics to that you will have a right PIL laugh'!

Of the older material, a lot re-worked, especially a brilliant 'Flowers of Romance' we do get what is expected, obviously something has to give way to allow new songs to be brought in 'it's lovely to be able to work the neweys in with you' states a genuinely humble Lydon at the crowds response to the new songs, but those not played tonight notably 'Careering', 'Poptones' and shock horror 'Public Image' aren't particularly missed, and after all who wants to keep hearing the same old same old when this PIL is wanting to move on in front of us. Bring it on I say.

Highlight of the set, beyond doubt though, is the ubiquitous 'Religion', played in Heaven, the now normal Lydon requesting 'more bass' throughout the song is obliged by a PA system that during this song alone had the girl in front of me cower on her knees holding her ears, whilst fully grown punks looked around at each other mouthing 'LOUD' and 'my ears hurt' at each other, whilst many others moved towards the back and the solace of the side of the building away from the sound, only at a Swans gig many years ago (where I saw people fall over and puke at the volume) have I experienced such volume. Encore closer, at equally ear-splitting volume was 'Open Up'...not a personal fave, as I am geeky and want proper PIL songs, but a few hundred Japanese girls, old men. punks, prostitutes and dykes (sic) all jump around very happily.

By half past 11 I was in my car parked outside and on my way home, cd player turned up loud, and at time of writing still partially deaf in my left ear, but after all, if PIL are back then I say welcome it with open arms, new songs, 5 tonight, old songs like 'Warrior', 'USLS1', 'Disappointed', 'Rise' and 'This is not a Love Song', and the sheer genius 'Albatross', 'Swan Lake', 'Flowers of Romance' and 'Chant', there is a much for all, be it fan, curious onlooker or admirer of good music, 'cos one thing's for sure there ain't many people with 35 years behind them that are still this great, and there really isn't anything around for the last 5 years that would anyone would want to see in 30 odd years time, let the good times rock 'n' roll.

Review by Martin Doubtfire (2nd April 2012)