Poptones - PIL

[@kittenthistle3876]

It's wonderful that so many people are tuned in to Jah's bass, but Keith's guitar on this song is just beautiful beyond words. I'll never be able to express how this song makes me feel, such a broad range of emotions. All of it, John's vocals, the bass and the drums, is amazing but it's the guitar, for me, that's the genius element, that just puts the whole thing way out into a realm all by itself. So beautiful and ethereal, this song. Makes me want to cry tears of joy, and sometimes I do.

[@josejones7025]

Mostly because of Lyndon’s vocals not Keith levine

[@josejones7025]

Too bad Kieth Levine doesn’t know shit his interview with Lydon on Tomorrow show shows what true idiot he was a real dummy. Too much heroin probably would much rather listen to old Fall records

[@faeriecup]

🫶

[@klausrain111]

Astounding virtuoso performance by the entire band. In this version, they were one of the best bands in the world. A shame so few people knew it at the time.

[@chrismooney9275]

I don't know. They were pretty famous in England

[@klausrain111]

+CJ Mooney Hey, you're right I'm sure. Guess I'm talking about the States, where I'm from. Glad to get your reply; I'll listen to this beauty yet again.

[@saraivatoledo1842]

(In)famous would be the word ... at least up till their greatest period "circa "flowers of romance - (the unfinnished "Commercial zone" ... after "Album" till today , yeah ... "famous" indeed

[@klausrain111]

+Saraiva Toledo Wow, love getting replies on this video more than any other. Reminds me to listen again. Every time it feels like hearing it for the first time, cause something pops out that I didnt notice before. Keith's playing, holy toledo, its just soooo amazing! Without this band, there is no Edge, therefore no U2, that's for sure. Thank God for that, cause I fucking love U2, too.

[@saraivatoledo1842]

100% agree with you on the Magick in this. And yes, Keith/Wobble interaction in here is yet to be matched after all these years. And these were kids with no fancy musical knowledge or anything - actually leaving John out as if he wasn´t just as important to the genius in the song ... an album which changed the way I perceived music . "Metal box" is such a masterpiece ... and like I told you, "Flowers of romance" is where Atkins truly shines , those drum patterns ... oh boy, I think I´m yet to hear something as impressive as "under the house" or " banging the door" (love when Keith tries to be Wobble as he did in there with that fuzzy, ominous bass line) . Man, took this video and put it on my profile or something - Thanks a lot and if you wish me to delete it I will , Cheers, glad to know there´s people who still love this stuff as much as I always will.

[@Tomguild1]

I am 50 and listen to lots of music from before I was born. This stuff had an impact in 1979 that can't be duplicated, but anyone can love the music

[@simonkinslow831]

That hypnotic guitar playing against the bass is just perfection.

[@samthemac17]

Absolutely mesmerising. That bass is fucking incredible.

[@gaz1tinsley]

+Somhairle Daibhéid im just learning to play this on bass guitar lol

[@liebingf]

+Somhairle Daibhéid ...of cause it is, cause it´s Jah wobble!

[@Crazyfeline]

Somhairle Daibhéid it's a funny comment because Wobble couldn't play bass well and is was a point of consternation with Levene who was a perfection asshole and hated Jah. But for some reason, everyone raves about the bass in this song because it's so up front in the mix. I love it like everyone else, but Lydon writes about the Levene/Wobble pissing match all through his latest memoir.

[@samthemac17]

Interesting. I didn't know that. He created something special here, no doubt! Regardless of his playing ability.

[@jimmytgoose476]

@crazy feline that's not what Wobble said in his book . The reason he didnt make more music with Keith was simple - heroin . Jah not a good player ?! Balls . He and Keith WERE PiL , much more so than that chancing wanker Lydon .

[@thomassummerhill6357]

RIP,Keith Levine his guitar playing complements Johns singing perfectly. A true original 🙏🏻

[@uncooldispatch5438]

❤❤❤❤

[@ericrhodesii9025]

Being a Bass player myself, I must say, Jah Wobble is a big influence on me. The past month alone, I've been listening to this record endlessly!

[@finkretana]

i am a bass player too and i want to know how to reach that kind of tune!

[@andchat6241]

Fink Alt ,there is a DVD available called Jah Wobble 'On Bass'.its John on stage with a drummer ,playing some music,+explaining some of his techniques & telling some stories- it's good.

[@_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_]

Fink Alt He loves old fucked up strings. I read that about 20 years ago.

[@thompsonlane5970]

Holy shit there are still bass players out there? Every time I look for one for my band they're either non-existent or a fucking nightmare to work with haha. Keep it up my friend

[@lazyrrr2411]

@@thompsonlane5970 ain't it the Truth - some things never change

[@merickz78]

I once heard Henry Rollins say that the music John made with Public Image is miles ahead of anything he did with the Pistols, and I would have to agree.

[@mikelindsavvy]

That’s a no brainer

[@FigmentSALabel]

The Pistols didn't have the chance.

[@kamikazechivalry1264]

Honestly, not a fan of the Pistols. No one could play their instruments.

[@rrbh]

Henry Rollins has every right to be wrong.

[@DarrenLamb-on3py]

I once heard Henry rollins say everything

[@danabrahams7892]

This is actually one of the greatest British pop songs ever written

[@Spraycando]

Metal Box. One of the best albums ever.

[@someguyfromanotherplanet5284]

Love the phaser effect stuff on the guitar. It makes the song feel so hypnotic.

[@McDoinky]

That’s a flanger

[@scartissue121]

@@McDoinky Hes playing with a flanger and a phaser. You can clearly here the sweep of the phaser at 1:37 to 1:44

[@cannellezia]

Best live PIL song ever. Jah Wobble is just awesome.

[@MattMartinHare]

Joy Division were obviously great, but when it's late at night and I'm in that chilling, hypnotic early British post-punk mood, you're much more likely to find me blasting Metal Box through my headphones than Closer or Unknown Pleasures. I just find PIL to be closer to me heart. I think it's that godly bass... Well, that and my preference for Johnny Lydon over Ian Curtis as a singer.

[@SnottyPunk]

John looks like a post-punk Mozart

[@JillDinardo-mb6ii]

Good call!

[@DHPearson1]

This song is so amazing it hurts my head.

[@dawndrk123]

Wow, John keeps looking back at Keef, like he can hardly believe the sound he's making, and making so effortlessly. It's so beautiful, unique, original.

[@PinkyPuff69]

PiL always had the best rhythm parts. Just loved them from the beginning.

[@briteness]

For actual listening, I'll choose PIL over the Pistols every time. Great band, at least in this incarnation.

[@ResidentMich]

Definately early PIL was brilliant.

[@namebrandmason]

We got two or three good albums out of PiL.

[@Captain_Rhodes]

mason s. 4 good albums for sure

[@CONSIDERABLYMORE1]

and they were?@@namebrandmason

[@realsinisterminister]

@Morgoth Bauglir I'd include 1986's ALBUM in there as well

[@lauranewberry6520]

Remember this on the OGWT many years ago and I was hugely impressed by P.I.L unique sound , i loved rotten in the pistols , but this took his talent to a new level. And the metal box What can I say ,, it was and still is a masterpiece. And Jah wobble. What A fantastic bassist

[@MrCovSid]

Musically, this is different level. I wouldn't replace any member of this band with anybody else. Different class. Sublime, and then some.

[@jimmytgoose476]

Look what happened when they were replaced - pants 👖

[@RayStDenis-hs5tk]

RIP Keith. Post punk guitar god.

[@josejones7025]

Keef ain’t no guitar god

[@RayStDenis-hs5tk]

@@josejones7025 notice I stated "post punk"?

[@josejones7025]

@@RayStDenis-hs5tkkeef ain’t no post-punk guitar god

[@RayStDenis-hs5tk]

@@josejones7025 now your just being contrary. But I guess I'd be curious to know who you WOULD consider to be a Post-punk guitar god. Vini Reilly? The Captain is too rock and roll, Hugh Cornwell? Colin Newman? Hmm, I wonder.

[@Technosphile]

Goodbye, Keith.

[@jude7426]

Honestly, in my opinion, comparing PIL to the Pistols is like comparing apples and oranges. They are both good in their own way.

[@PedroVonWorzelburger]

I think the first few PIL album releases are incredible, don't think much of it after the departure of Levine and Wobble. I think Lydon got really lucky with this early line up. It was way ahead of its time in my opinion and later line up changes come nowhere near it. As for the Pistols.... well that's another story.

[@PedroVonWorzelburger]

I'll agree to disagree.

[@wasdanah]

But are they both fruit?

[@royalnass1029]

I agree

[@freezing_moon94]

I feel the same

[@jonnybarnard8578]

It's horrible that john lost his wife, but he's going straight into the studio, I've never heard of an artist creating so soon after such a devastating loss like that. Hopefully I'll be able to see them on their tour for their new album.

[@Darrenski]

Probably his way of dealing with it rather than spending all day around the house drowning in memories

[@stephennewby5060]

One of the best Pil songs ever

[@seanmoliver]

Wobble's bass is one of those killer 60's Ampegs w/ see-through f-holes and the scroll at the head w huge tuning pegs like an upright acoustic. My dad played bass professionally for 50 years until his death in '98, and owned a rare fretless version from 68-74. I loved to 'play' it when I was a toddler. He sold it in '74 when he decided to play only jazz & classical gigs from then on, using his 1826 Italian-made upright. No more playing those god-awful 'rock n roll' gigs for him!

[@lirannine]

it's heavenly. i enjoy it every time i hear or play it!

[@richieb1425]

I've said this or similar before, but I love the way John keeps looking over at Keith, as if to say, Beautiful, man. Keep playing that, we're making history! I mean, Keith's guitar on this version is one of the best bits ever recorded, just other worldly and astounding. Throw in the bass, drums and vocals and the whole thing's perfect.

[@missSuchashame]

I'm so glad I got the chance to see them live! saw them last week, and maaaan they are still tight!

[@daveedine]

Melancholical song.Beautiful.

[@ab77blues]

Levene adapting a riff from his hero Steve Howe! I only just noticed. (From "Starship Trooper" by Yes)

[@johnmcluskey]

I have just started getting into PiL recently and the one thing I noticed is Jah Wobble sticks out like a sore thumb in the 70's/80's era for his bass sound. Nice harmonics and a great low end groove style with a pretty unique sound that's reggae and rock fused. He's a natural bass player and listening to PiL is awesome. John Lydon has to be recognised as one of the best men in musical history. He's also a very funny guy too when you hear him on tv. Don't make them like they used too..

[@WorldSystemsMedia]

I've recently (re)discovered this early PiL stuff. Absolutely brilliant.

[@alanhigginson7679]

Lydon looks like he's just left the stage in San Francisco at the winterland with the pistols in 78

[@riverx6802]

I know exactly what you’re talking about!!

[@plemgrubern]

I love the little wobble he adds to his voice: ''poptoOoOoOoOoOones''

[@paulvalery9778]

vibrato

[@PiLfan38]

Magnifique, incroyable... le son de Keith. la voix de Johnny, les lignes de basse de Jah ...et Martin. C'est vraiment magnifique, à coupé le souffle... c'est PiL et ça me fait rêver x3

[@richardsabiston7166]

Guitarist makes this. captures the decay and brutalist feeling of the time. All band spot on.

[@klausrain111]

Richard S - I agree, Keith's guitar is just beautiful, no other word describes it for me. John keeps looking back at him, like he's saying "Holy shit, man! Keep playing that!" Someone on here said PIL were underrated, but that's not true. Unknown is more like it. All these years later and songs like this (especially this!) hold up like they were made yesterday. Amazing.

[@dougsmith7083]

Dare I say that Keith's shambolic drumming on the studio track has SOOOOO much more to offer than this technically superior drumming. Levene lurches and stutters like a homicidal maniac flailing about trying to drum his infamous nick from YES...this drumming is too perfect

[@ggoldfingers]

Keith couldn't play the same thing twice and was one of the reasons this line up didn't last.

[@nirb8]

Hard to believe that this came out in a major label. Seems like science fiction in today's rock bottom standards. I know it's not a popular thing praising a tycoon, but I think Richard Branson deserves a lot of credit for putting out all those uncommercial masterpieces by PIL, Japan, XTC, OMD, Magazine etc

[@TroutMaskReplicaa]

can't forget the impression you made/left a hole in the back of my head

[@Jordan-182]

that bass line is so catchy great band, great frontman, great song

[@jessicaamber6623]

Spectacular

[@darthvawter]

timeless!

[@Fetrey]

This is post-punk at it's finest.

[@poughkeepsiejohn1]

You've got to hand it to Johnny Rotten (or John Lydon). He went from working with the worst bass player in rock, Sid Vicious, to the best bass player in rock, Jah Wobble.

[@thewhoman3182]

Wobble definitely isn't the best bass player in rock. More like the best new wave bass player. I would say Post-punk but that would be hooky from joy Division

[@andrewgreen5986]

What is strange is that like Sid, John ‘Jah Wobble’ Wardle was John’s mate and not a musician to start with. Just turned out to be genius.

[@riverx6802]

Haha! Great comment.

[@sexobscura]

@Bad Lieutenant who wrote all the hit songs we remember them for

[@sexobscura]

Sid was competent and replaced a very good player/writer in Matlock

[@DeeDonner]

I bought this in the Spring of 1980, POP TONES was in my head constantly...

[@albertoviale7259]

One of my favourite songs ever

[@Johnconno]

Fantastic Overcoat.

[@geoffreysmith502]

+jaye see Made by Kenny McDonald. He also made their tartan suits. My brother went to school with Kenny. He is serving a life sentence for murdering his girlfriend.

[@sharpvonl201]

jesus

[@flyinspirals]

aitch christ.

[@dinosaurhotline]

@@geoffreysmith502 damn.

[@TerracedMckenna]

@@geoffreysmith502 lmaooooooo

[@charold3]

Gorgeous soundscape (not poptoney, however) over which Lydon tells it like it is. Vent for anger at suited, cocaine-fueled record execs in LA, Nashville, NYC, and London, their cardboard pretty boy/girl noise pollution, and an equally unimaginative, gullible public. I dare Pringles or Coors to use this song in one of their commercials!

[@alejandro75595]

Uno de los mejores grupos de rock, sin duda. Desde México

[@reymontcantil199]

that red coat is iconic, just like this song.

[@cellojordan]

Love those shots of Wobble's spindly fingers spidering up the bass's neck.

[@velvetpilot2008]

Probably the most incredible performance of "Poptones" ever. This completely rules over the "too long" (Levene's words, not mine!) album version from Second Edition. Just listen to Wobble's bass! Of course, I miss Keith very much and have missed him since Flowers. Keith may have had a heroin addiction during this time, but the man CARRIED the band almost by himself. John Lydon, the incredibly selfish genius that he is, let his best partner walk out the door. Depending on who you ask, Commercial Zone was the last good PiL album. Don't get me wrong though, songs like "Rise", "Cruel" and "Acid Drops" still keep me a big Lydon fan. Not to mention "Psycho's Path". That album was all killer, no filler.

[@sexobscura]

Levene was/is a musical wunderkind

[@samsin1117]

I keep on scrolling down to the like button to like the video but then I keep realizing I already liked the video because Ive already re watched it 100 times. This is one of the few videos i wish i can like more than once lol

[@megadora1969]

ヴォーカル　ジョン・ライドン、　ギター　キース・レヴィン、ベース　ジャー・ウォブル（！）の３人がいたころのPILは最強です。今聞いても凄い・・・

[@RichardSteele-tl1bu]

Keith Levene Wood Green lad but able to play haunting unusual patterns that defy blues rock clichés.A true individualist .Richie Sunbeam of Sunbeam and the light rays

[@ggoldfingers]

Loving those drums and bass

[@archhall986]

'Metal Box/Second Edition' is to pop music what David Lynch's 'Eraserhead' is to film. That grotesquely beautiful painting that hangs at the back of the gallery. Ultimately, all you can do is stare at it endlessly with mouth agape wondering what it could mean. Everyone walks away with a slightly different interpretation. When music and film become real art. I prefer Metal Box for listening but visually, Second Edition's gatefold cover mesmerizes me.

[@pickerrs]

I agree but I also think Flowers of Romance is insanely good. Thought it at the time and still do.

[@archhall986]

I quite agree that 'Flowers of Romance' and 'First Issue' are just as essential in their own right. I tend to put the generic 'PiL' (with 'Rise', 'FFF', etc.)' in there too. I think it's a phenomenal album though critics were quick to pounce on it. The session work is incredible particularly Ginger Baker's performances. I follow that with 'This Is What You Want'. But I'm a die-hard Keith Levene fan and his impeccable work on those first albums as a founder are pioneering.and impossible to duplicate. Love his solo work and we can't forget he was also a founding member of the Clash and played a part in Joe Strummer joining. What an integral figure in modern rock's history! Shameful how mainstream rock press understates the importance of individual artists like Keith. Cheers, mate!

[@harrywix]

Reminds me of the band CAN...Beautiful.

[@rossgreenberg1129]

Let's get these two matters sorted, shall we? I'm 57 and just in case I die tonight, you should ALL have clarity. 1) It's called heroin and after Sid, John had no interest in making the same mistake twice (ala"never stay with a sinking ship") and hanging around an addict who he felt would eventually OD. He grew up with Sid and loved his mate if you saw the interview. 2) Jude seems to be one of the few persons on the planet who gets it; the Pistols and PiL were two amazing and completely different bands with two completely different goals (As John stated PiL was supposed to be a so-called corporation but not actually a band and they led the way artistically, including videos which he originally stated as part of the bands' "manifesto" of what they would not be). The only thing both bands have in common are the singular genius of John Lydon!! Enjoy them both and enjoy the B's sides from both bands including the Cowboy song from Pils' First Edition, (sounds suspiciously like St. Francis Massacre), Home is where the heart is from Flowers, the finest album ever made and the Vampire, which was never released but was due to be on Flowers. Hint: It's on KZbin. My best to all of you with the guts and smarts enough to explore your musical choices a little deeper; you make the world a more beautiful place. :-) Ross

[@beefheart1410]

Ross Greenberg Actually, Lydon didn't grow up with Sid. The two met at Hackney Technical college two to three years before Lydon joined the Pistols. What's more, even though Lydon and Levene would spout this nonesense about PiL as a "corporation" that would have fingers in a variety of media pies, they never made good on any of this and, baring a few out takes, everything PiL created between 78 and 81 was released publicly (no pun intended) on the first three studio albums, a live album a clutch of singles and very few live performances. Lydon and Vicious both, were substance users well prior to the Pistols era, with Sid already having a history of I.V drug use. Likewise, Levene was well into the "drug scene" prior to PiL forming and, given that the band, and particularly Levene and Lydon (who lived together for quite some time) spent the majority of the time between 78 and 81 sat around Gunter Grove getting smashed rather than doing anything constructive, it would be best to take Lydon's reasons for getting rid of Levene as being due to Levene's personal habits, with a huge pinch of revisionist salt. Oh, and by the way, the track is called "Vampire" and not "The Vampires". "Flowers" is a good album, I agree, but it comes in a paltry third imho behind "First Issue" and certainly the magnificence of "Metal Box".

[@NuUrbanMusic]

This album was a favourite and a massive influence for Thom Yorke and Radiohead....

[@maroon_method]

ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS.

[@markuswilliams3190]

that was a great band god bless keith marting and jah. pil. so far ahead of their time.

[@mrsuperger5429]

One of the most beautiful songs in UK pop history. The " live " version on their Paris album is even better, if that's possible, which it is.

[@sexobscura]

That album is PURE gold ✨️

[@bardhenninglie4109]

Best work by PIL ever.

[@EverSinceMyExorcism]

Bård Henning Lie, Schnab??

[@brianflynn5355]

Hypnotic, nauseating & beautiful.

[@josejones7025]

Hypnotic, Levine proves right here not THAT good a guitarist Billie from Green Day is a tad better. Nauseating 😂

[@Yuripadees]

Jah's bassline is amazing.

[@lancetop]

It's Saturday, and what a better day to make a PIL Festival Day:) I'm on my fourth LIVE performance so far, and I'm already practically paralyzed. How do people like John Lydon hear these totally unique tunes and lyrics in their heads?

[@ozzie-sk9dh]

WOBBLE WOBBLE WOBBLE

[@violentrainX]

Gotta respect a man who does everything possible to keep society from defining him. Johnny Rotten/John Lydon is just as good with PIL as with Sex Pistols. It is a different genre, and a completely different tone. His voice is the greatest thing about this. Taking Punk Rock and turning it into something Complex.

[@dawndrk123]

Respectfully, I hear what you're asking,and I know it's a rhetorical question, but PIL was definitely a collective effort. Keith and Jah were indispensable to the overall sound and concept of this band.

[@Shauneroo]

High art.

[@samuelward1148]

I love you Jah Wobble.

[@jackgrover3788]

This song sounds perfect on this vid

[@michaelohara7091]

why do we not see anything as interesting as this today?

[@neef6309]

gives me chills

[@manskullman6509]

Popones is a fine song, I’ve always liked it. The live version is better, but this not bad at all. Like it. - jon fisher

[@dallaswwood]

This is so much better than the version on the album.

[@danw1374]

The peel session of this is fab too, with the bass guitar strumming intro and john lydons voice with the added echo effect.

[@adrianjohnson2874]

I disagree with that sir, but it's good.

[@royalnass1029]

john lyndon and david byrne are few of the only front men that gave ian curtis a run for his money from that era but he was still the best. RIP Ian Curtis

[@kohlemainen]

This is so...beautiful :)

[@durashka123]

God, that's amazing.

[@JillDinardo-mb6ii]

Nice to hear this live. I believe that red coat belonged to Johnnys mom who passed away.

[@真夜中のソウル]

R.I.P. Keith Levene.

[@daveashe]

My mate played this from the original vinyl tin box, blew me away..

[@louisfriendhastaste]

punk destroyed everything which was easy, the difficult thing was to rebuild and be creative...this shows real talent

[@filled_soda]

Along with the music being magnificent, do these lyrics scare the hell out of anyone else? Stunning stuff.

[@EverSinceMyExorcism]

Indeed! The music fits perfectly with the lyrics. Haunting.

[@surplusrevenge2013]

Well it’s about a girl getting murdered in a car in the countryside so... I guess it oughta

[@speedking7224]

@@surplusrevenge2013 no its about a girl getting raped and left to die, John's own words

[@Thekijuju]

this is my favorite version

[@klausrain111]

Sadly, the great Keith Levene passed away sometime during the last year or so.

[@nihalstic8469]

Great track and yeah, a fine progression from the Pistols.

[@josejones7025]

I own the original vinyl of my Never mind the bollocks I am a Jah Wobble fan from the get go he has a good book he wrote Memoir of a Geezer. Invaders of the Heart is a great band

[@josejones7025]

I own Metal box. Several 12” 45rpm vinyl disks each one with a photo of the band got it in ‘79. I’m very familiar with the tune

[@SoilentGr33n]

This particular live rendition sounds so much better and immediate than the album version.

[@davidkoral1673]

I read an interview with Keith Levene in The Wire in 2002; he said he'd been playing "Poptones" when it dawned on him that he'd lifted it from "Starship Trooper," by Yes. In fact, when Keith was fifteen, he ran away from home to be a roadie for Yes. Who knew?

[@patthewoodboy]

I love the story of this awesome song ..

[@MrPhilipclawson]

RIP Keith Levene

[@mattycfox]

JAH on bass!

[@hippriest9448]

Easily one of the best songs ever made

[@akabak]

Super Release! Saw live Performance of this tour! :))))))

[@colleendito2046]

John Lydon saving the world one song at a time. He rules. Really, hes a smart guy. Sexy too

[@finosuilleabhain7781]

What, still (last bit)?

[@vaspers]

congratulations. today this video was selected by the NYC Punk Rock Evolution Foundation. love it.

[@LizardKucera]

Absolutely. You speak for me and I suspect many others too.

[@permaveg]

Levene and Wobble and Martin Atkins are amazing here, and the singer is good as well, lol

[@Ocasek77]

yeah and the singer...

[@permaveg]

Kai Tendo That's why I said that.

[@Ocasek77]

permaveg It's funny how you said the names of all the members of the band and for some reason decided to mention the legendary one and only Johnny Rotten that way hehe

[@permaveg]

Kai Tendo It was meant to be slightly funny, most know the singer but not so many the drummer for example hopefully they do know Jah and Keith Levene, or bloody should do ! lol.

[@Ocasek77]

permaveg I conclude I got your funny point. That was seriously funny)