Former Sex Pistol John Lydon reckons he’s a pretty level-headed bloke, he tells Rebecca Hughes before a UK tour with PiL

In 1975, Sex Pistols’ frontman Johnny Rotten took the country by storm with his snarling delivery of scandalous and ground breaking songs crammed with venom and attitude.

Now almost 40 years later, having dropped his stage name, John Lydon claims he is no longer rotten, just misunderstood – something he’s planning on proving when he performs in the county.

Speaking from his home on the outskirts of Los Angeles, John said his show with Public Image Ltd (PiL) in Rochester Castle Gardens – the first of their comeback UK tour – will also give people the chance to get off their computers and witness music the way it should be performed.

He said: “A lot of music today seems to sound the same. Live music is now a lot of dance, a lot of flashing lights everywhere and miming. It just seems very cheap. But at a PiL gig it is pure, raw music. There are no gimmicks. It is an enormous amount of fun for an audience. We want to see people leave a gig smiling and we like to go outside afterwards and shake hands with people.”

During his four-decade career, the 56-year-old has remained one of music’s most honest, compelling figures, something he puts down to his childhood battle with meningitis.

After contracting the disease aged seven, he spent almost a year coming in and out of a coma and lost most of his early childhood memories.

“I think in all the years that I have contributed to the wonderful world of music I have been level-headed about it,” he said.

“I’m in it to be truthful and honest and that means to everyone. It comes from losing my memory as a child.

“I had to suffer the consequences of adults lying to me and I grew up expecting everyone to tell the truth. Now that’s what I do and I wake up everyday feeling wonderful.”

Part of that is down to the fact that John is now back performing with PiL after a 20-year hiatus following a fall-out with his previous record company, which prevented him from releasing music. He said: “I had to play a waiting game with the record company before I could release anything. I would have loved to be independent years back, but record labels don’t want to let you.

“These contracts were lorded over me then and I had to play along. I played a very serious game and it’s a shame, but many people have stories that are far worse than mine.

“The companies deliberately corrupt records and the music industry poisoned me for quite a few years. We are mandated by them and I’m still paying back the debt that it has left me in.”

Struggling to survive financially, it seemed PiL wouldn’t ever return, but then John was offered the chance to become the face of Country Life British butter. He used his pay packet to get PiL back together. The band started touring again and soon had enough money to make an album – their first since 1992.

“If people listen to the new songs they will find out that I’m not a bad person,” he said.

The story of PiL

: After the break-up of Sex Pistols, John spent time in the Caribbean with Richard Branson scouting reggae musicians to form a band.

: In London he drafted in old friend Jah Wobble and Keith Levene.

: They took their name from the Muriel Spark novel The Public Image, adding the Ltd later.

: Around 15 musicians have come and gone as part of PiL line-up. John is the only constant.

: They have released nine albums so far.

Catch a Fringe gig outside the castle

On the day of the gig there are several Fringe gigs taking place outside Rochester Castle Gardens.

The Eagle Tavern has music from 12.15pm and is headlined by Pedalo Fred.

The Nag’s Head has music from 12.15pm and is headlined by Stuart Turner and the Flat Earth Society.

Music at the Royal Function Rooms runs from 10pm until late and is headlined by Vic Godard and the Subway Sect (admission free with ME1 wristband, £7 without).

Public Image Ltd perform at ME1 in Rochester Castle Gardens on Saturday, July 28. Support comes from the Wedding Present, Theatre Royal and Kids Unique. Tickets £26. Visit www.musiceventone.co.uk