[lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Johnny Lydon[/lastfm]is bringing back [lastfm link_type="artist_info"]Public Image Ltd.[/lastfm] with a new album for 2012 and the entire PiL catalog is being remastered for release. NME says two live albums will be remastered and released. The only album not being redone is Metal Box, which was previously reissued in 2009.

Lydon told BBC 6 Music, he has been waiting for some time to release new material. “I was always full of ideas, but I had to wait until I had enough money to release an album. Everybody thinks I made such a fortune with the Sex Pistols, well, unfortunately that is not true, to make this record we had to tour extensively for two years.” Lydon says when the band got back together in 2009 they instantly knew sooner or later they had to put out new material.

It will be the first new Public Image Ltd. album in 20 years. Lydon says, “It is probably going to be called This is PiL basically because it is, it is all the work, effort and energy we put into this record.” Lydon describes the new album as “quite emotional, with the twelve songs about the ups and downs of the lives of four human beings.” This Is PiL is due out in early spring with plans already laid for a tour of Europe and the UK.

Here’s some of PiL’s past gems: