PUNK LEGENDS GANG OF FOUR TOUR IN ADVANCE OF UPCOMING RELEASE

Andy Gill of Gang of Four still has the passion he did back when the band was formed in '79 #gangoffour #concert #livemusic #blackandwhiteconcertphotography #concertphotography #gigphotography

The time was 1977, the UK was taken aback by the antics of the Sex Pistols, NY’s Bowery was the stomping grounds for the likes of the Ramones and the Dictators while LA spawned the Germs and X. While this was going on, Leeds spawned an alternative version of punk. Gang of Four brought forth a much more eclectic sound, drawing on a number of musical influences. They infused their songs with discordant guitar work and bass playing often brought to the forefront rather being laid back and merely keeping time. Over the years, the line up has changed a number of times with Andy Gill now being the only original member, but don’t let that discourage you or keep you from seeing them perform live, they sound just as great 40+ years later.

The show started off with Gill walking out on stage with his guitar which he promptly threw on the floor. Of course, the audience responded wildly! He picked it up and again, the instrument found its way to the floor forcefully. Then, Gill walked over to it and rather than picking it up, stepped on the whammy bar to vary the tone of the distortion. Right then and there, people knew they were in for a great show. Gill was handed another guitar and the rest of the band joined him on stage for a spirited performance.

John Sterry moved constantly and gracefully around the stage, his singing a truthful imitation of Jon King’s original vocal stylings. Bassist Thomas McNeice was equally energetic holding down the low end with iconic bass lines to those familiar with Gang of Four. Going into the show one wonders if this will be a performance of a lone original band member desperately trying to hold onto the glory of an exemplary punk band. This is not the case with present day Gang of Four. The three new members have the heart and soul of the original band and the audience showed their approval.

In March, Gang of Four is scheduled to release a new album, Happy For Now. As with past releases, this one appears as though it will be politically and socially charged. In a press release for the album, Gill said, “Happiness is always an odd one; so difficult to pin down. Our personal lives are always a mixture – sad things, tragedy joy.” He continued on with, “When we were younger we thought things would gradually get better: the world would be less sexist, less racist, progress would be made and now we know that history isn’t linear, it’s very capable of U-turns.”

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Set List- Hamden, CT Space Ballroom