Gang of Four | Artist

Gang of Four is an English post-punk group formed 1977 in Leeds by singer Jon King, guitarist Andy Gill, bass guitarist Dave Allen and drummer Hugo Burnham. There have been many different line-ups including, among other notable musicians, Sara Lee, Mark Heaney and Gail Ann Dorsey. The band plays an arty fusion of punk, rock, funk and dub styles with politically motivated song lyrics. Their first album, 1979's Entertainment! is a post punk masterpiece which is regarded by many music critics as one of the best albums of that era. It was rated as fifth greatest punk album of all time by Rolling Stone magazine. Their early 80s albums found them softening some of their more jarring qualities, and drifting towards dance-punk and disco. Other outstanding releases include Solid Gold, Songs of the Free, and 2005's Return the Gift, which is a re-recording of their earlier work. The 1990 compilation A Brief History of the Twentieth Century is also highly recommended. Attesting to Gang of Four's profound influence, REM frontman Michael Stipe cites them as one of his band's chief influences; Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers has stated that Gang of Four were the single most important influence on his band's early music; and Kurt Cobain stated that Nirvana started out as "a Gang of Four and Scratch Acid ripoff".

Artist Website: gangoffour.uk

Featured Albums: Gang of Four

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