Public Castration Is a Good Idea

{{Short description|1986 album}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2020}}

{{Infobox album

| name = Public Castration Is a Good Idea

| type = Live album

| artist = Swans

| cover = SwansPCIAGA.jpg

| alt = The words "Swans" in yellow, all caps with a black outline, each letter separated by a dot. Below, the text "Public Castration Is a Good Idea" in white, all caps with a black outline.

| released = 1986

| recorded = February–March 1986

| venue = ICA, London (tracks 1–6)
The Garage, Nottingham (track 7)
ULU, London (track 8)

| studio =

| genre = {{Flat list|

• No wave
• noise rock

}}

| length = 73:56

| label = Some Bizzare Records
Thirsty Ear Recordings

| producer = Michael Gira

| prev_title = A Screw

| prev_year = 1986

| next_title = Children of God

| next_year = 1987

}}

{{Album ratings

|rev1 = Allmusic

|rev1score = {{rating|4.5|5}}{{cite web |first=Ned |last=Raggett |url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r423339|pure_url=yes}}|title=Public Castration Is a Good Idea |website=Allmusic |access-date=March 2, 2013}}

|rev2 = Alternative Press

|rev2Score = {{rating|4|5}}{{cite magazine |last=columnist |title=Foetus: Blow |magazine=Alternative Press |date=November 1999 |page=126 }}

|rev3 = Pitchfork Media

|rev3score = (6.0/10){{cite web |first=Nick |last=Mirov |url=http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/7641-public-castration-is-a-good-idea/ |title=Swans: Public Castration is a Good Idea |publisher=Pitchfork Media |date=July 20, 1999 |access-date=March 2, 2013}}

}}

Public Castration Is a Good Idea is the first live album by American experimental rock band Swans. It was originally released as a semi-officially approved bootleg through Some Bizzare Records in 1986, consisting of performances recorded from shows in London and Nottingham on the tour for the albums Greed and Holy Money. The performances were recorded from London's ICA, The Garage in Nottingham and London's ULU.{{cite web |url=https://www.discogs.com/Swans-Public-Castration-Is-A-Good-Idea/release/414844 |title=Swans – Public Castration Is A Good Idea |website=discogs.com |access-date=December 20, 2020}}

The CD edition, released by Thirsty Ear on July 6, 1999, was mastered from a vinyl source.

An accompanying videocassette (betamax and VHS editions) of the same tour (both containing set lists that are identical to the LP) was released called A Long Slow Screw.{{cite web|url=http://www.discogs.com/Swans-A-Long-Slow-Screw/release/755204|title=Swans - A Long Slow Screw|publisher=|access-date=October 23, 2016}}