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Gang of Four was a British post-punk band originating from Leeds, England. They were fully active from 1977 to 1984, and then twice re-emerged in the 1990s with original members Jon King and Andy Gill supplemented by sidemen. Recently plans have been announced for a reunion in 2005.
The group entered the British Top 40 only once with the At Home He's a Tourist single in 1979. They played a stripped down mix of punk rock, with strong elements of funk music and dub reggae and a strong emphasis on the social and political ills in society. Their angular, slashing attack and liberal use of dissonance had a significant influence on their post punk contemporaries in the States, including Mission of Burma.
Gang of Four went on to influence a number of successful funk-tinged alternative rock acts throughout the 80's and 90's, although few of their followers were as arty or political. Michael Balzary (perhaps better known as Flea) has stated Gang of Four were very influential for the Red Hot Chili Peppers' early music.
Gang of Four can also be credited as one of the early influences on techno or electronic music.
Recently the band have enjoyed a resurgence in popularity, initially due to emergence of new post-punk influenced bands such as The Rapture and Radio 4 and then the rise of Franz Ferdinand, which led to the renewed patronage of the NME. The original Burnham/Allen/Gill/King lineup reformed in November 2004.
- Hugo Burnham (Drums/Vocals) (first three albums)
- Dave Allen (Bass Guitar) (first two albums)
- Sara Lee (Bass Guitar) (replaced Dave Allen)
- Andy Gill (Guitar/Vocals)
- Jon King (Vocals/Melodica)
Discography
This list does not include compliation and greatest hit releases.
- Entertainment! (1979)
- Yellow EP (1980)
- Solid Gold (1981)
- Another Day/Another Dollar EP (1982)
- Songs of the Free (1982)
- Hard (1983)
- At the Palace (1984)
- Mall (1991)
- Shrinkwrapped (1995)
External links
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