Gang Of Four.

Message Bookmarked

Bookmark Removed

Not all messages are displayed: show all messages (532 of them)

From another post:

A reunion tour rarely excites me, but since Gof4 was one of my all-time faves, I'm interested, but mostly cuz I've seen them 5 times, but never with Dave Allen on bass.
What's this about a new album? http://www.gangoffour.co.uk/

I wonder what their US dates will look like. I figure 5 or 6 shows apart from that Couchella (sp?) thang in CA.

― peepee (peepee), Sunday, 27 February 2005 02:01 (twenty-one years ago)

I'm speaking of the Seattle show. They are playing Portland too, and some other places. You can find out if you go to www.ticketswest.com or at least I could earlier today.

― Bimble... (Bimble...), Sunday, 27 February 2005 02:08 (twenty-one years ago)

Whoops. That's not right. It was ticketmaster that told me the other dates. Here they are:

Thu, 05/05/05
09:00 PM Gang of Four McMenamins Crystal Ballroom Portland, OR

Tue, 05/10/05
07:00 PM Gang of Four Quest Club Minneapolis, MN

Wed, 05/11/05
07:30 PM Gang of Four Metro Chicago, IL

Thu, 05/12/05
07:30 PM Gang of Four Metro Chicago, IL

Sat, 05/21/05
08:00 PM Gang of Four Theatre of Living Arts Philadelphia, PA

Sat, 05/14/05
06:00 PM Gang of Four The Phoenix Concert Theatre Toronto, ON

― Bimble... (Bimble...), Sunday, 27 February 2005 02:12 (twenty-one years ago)

gang of four were like the 4th best thing on the fast product mutant pop comp. maybe 5th.

― scott seward (scott seward), Sunday, 27 February 2005 02:18 (twenty-one years ago)

shit, I think they're great; the "Brief History of 20th Century" comp is probably all you need, altho I sure love the reissue of "Entertainment"/"Yellow EP."

― edd s hurt (ddduncan), Sunday, 27 February 2005 03:01 (twenty-one years ago)

Again, does anyone know anything about a new album? I know I shouldn't get my hopes up (1/ that it'll happen and 2/ that it'll be any good).

― peepee (peepee), Sunday, 27 February 2005 03:04 (twenty-one years ago)

But peepee, what is it that you've heard that we haven't? The "other thread" you quoted from just said something about an album full of remixes done by Franz Ferdinand/Hot Hot Heat. And the link you posted above does not work. Why don't you tell us whatever YOU heard?

Well maybe if some of the Brits hurry up and get on here...of course it's only 7 AM there, so...

― Bimble... (Bimble...), Sunday, 27 February 2005 07:08 (twenty-one years ago)

Last time I was on that site, it plainly said something like:

"New album to come"

― peepee (peepee), Sunday, 27 February 2005 13:39 (twenty-one years ago)

Well it did say something in that Guardian aritcle about them doing a couple of new songs live.

― Bimble... (Bimble...), Sunday, 27 February 2005 21:57 (twenty-one years ago)

I like "Hard". No, really

― Morley Timmons (Donna Brown), Sunday, 6 March 2005 21:44 (twenty-one years ago)

"well, except I Love a Man in a Uniform

HANG ON A SECOND, that's a fantastic song, you nutter. Until the end, when it just kind of forgets that it's over and keeps going. "

hahaha OTM

― latebloomer: my cats are wobderful (latebloomer), Sunday, 6 March 2005 22:17 (twenty-one years ago)

one month passes...

HOLY FUCK they were amazing last night in SF!

― kyle (akmonday), Wednesday, 4 May 2005 12:56 (twenty-one years ago)

Yeah, they sounded great at Coachella - much better than their records - I'm actually really interested to hear this re-recorded and remixed disc they're putting out.

Also, "I Love a Man in a Uniform" is one of the best songs ever obviously.

― Spencer Chow (spencermfi), Wednesday, 4 May 2005 16:52 (twenty-one years ago)

they didn't play that last night, I couldn't believe it.

― kyle (akmonday), Wednesday, 4 May 2005 16:57 (twenty-one years ago)

re-recorded and remixed disc

Oooh. Didn't hear about that! Do tell!

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Wednesday, 4 May 2005 16:57 (twenty-one years ago)

They're probably and unfortunately self-conscious about "pandering" to the audience with their most pop-friendly track (which is a lame thing to do).

― Spencer Chow (spencermfi), Wednesday, 4 May 2005 16:58 (twenty-one years ago)

According to S/FJ's bloggo, there's a rerecorded version of "To Hell With Poverty" available via iTunes.

― David R. (popshots75`), Wednesday, 4 May 2005 16:59 (twenty-one years ago)

they played "parade myself" though which is way poppier and more stupid.

― kyle (akmonday), Wednesday, 4 May 2005 16:59 (twenty-one years ago)

http://www.billboard.com/bb/daily/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000904169

― Spencer Chow (spencermfi), Wednesday, 4 May 2005 16:59 (twenty-one years ago)

To Hell With Poverty was fucking scathing though, absolutely floor thuddingly great.

― kyle (akmonday), Wednesday, 4 May 2005 17:03 (twenty-one years ago)

It is my understanding that they're playing only stuff from the first two records cuz that's the only two which Dave Allen played on.

― peepee (peepee), Wednesday, 4 May 2005 17:05 (twenty-one years ago)

I had to go to the ballet last night and missed them.

― M. White (Miguelito), Wednesday, 4 May 2005 17:08 (twenty-one years ago)

xpost - good.

Hoping for "He'd Send in the Army" ....

― diedre mousedropping (Dave225), Wednesday, 4 May 2005 17:09 (twenty-one years ago)

So is Songs Of The Free going to get a reissue soon? I can't believe Hard got one, and Songs didn't... (actually even weirder, the Hard reissue is a twofer with Solid Gold!)

― donut debonair (donut), Wednesday, 4 May 2005 17:37 (twenty-one years ago)

that hard reissue sounded like someone had the rights to just those two, and realized no one would buy hard on its own, so they tacked it on. but maybe that's totally off-base.

― j fail (cenotaph), Wednesday, 4 May 2005 17:47 (twenty-one years ago)

Songs Of The Free is great in a way that's totally different from the first two.. if there's any single album that would serve as a primer for what Thinking Fellers Union Local 282 sound closest to, save "I Love A Man In A Uniform", Songs Of The Free is it.

― donut debonair (donut), Wednesday, 4 May 2005 17:49 (twenty-one years ago)

Going next week!

By the way, does anyone else think it's kinda fucking lame that this is a Clear Channel tour? I mean, I don't expect everyone to toe the indie line on that but for a band that talked so much political B.S. in their day I find it irksome.

Still, I'm going and (thanks to my...cough...CC connection....I'm going for free!) Yay me!

― M@tt He1geson (Matt Helgeson), Wednesday, 4 May 2005 17:50 (twenty-one years ago)

I'd let it slide, because how else would they be able to tour North America? I doubt Warner Bros. was going to give them tour support for a 25 year old album.

― Vic Funk, Wednesday, 4 May 2005 18:00 (twenty-one years ago)

i went to the fillmore last night, only to find out my ticket wasn't waiting for me at the door. fucking pissed i missed it.

― ken taylrr (ken taylrr), Wednesday, 4 May 2005 18:15 (twenty-one years ago)

What's more lame is that a friend of mine has been working on getting this to happen for the last two years and then got screwed by one of the band signing with another booking agent, and the rest of them going along with it. That, and getting the former manager of Wham! involved.

― peepee (peepee), Wednesday, 4 May 2005 19:32 (twenty-one years ago)

i went to the fillmore last night, only to find out my ticket wasn't waiting for me at the door. fucking pissed i missed it.

had you paid for it already? I think this is going to happen to me every time I get willcall tickets.

― kyle (akmonday), Wednesday, 4 May 2005 19:35 (twenty-one years ago)

I'd let it slide, because how else would they be able to tour North America? I doubt Warner Bros. was going to give them tour support for a 25 year old album.

I dunno, I've seen people like The Soft Boys and Richard Thompson, and Mission of Burma do reunion (non Clear Channel) tours at First Ave in recent years...they can't be getting much in the way of tour support.

― M@tt He1geson (Matt Helgeson), Wednesday, 4 May 2005 19:37 (twenty-one years ago)

haha I guess Richard Thompson was reuniting with himself!

― M@tt He1geson (Matt Helgeson), Wednesday, 4 May 2005 19:42 (twenty-one years ago)

you know, this band sounds better now than they did when they recorded those records. THey were THUNDEROUS. Jon King was a SPAZZ. I can't imagine he had more energy in the 1980 than he did last night.

― kyle (akmonday), Wednesday, 4 May 2005 21:50 (twenty-one years ago)

I'm really excited for tuesday.

― M@tt He1geson (Matt Helgeson), Wednesday, 4 May 2005 21:51 (twenty-one years ago)

SO TORN. I hate both Clear Channel and the Quest, plus I smoke my fucking head off and Minneapolis has a brand-new smoking ban. On the other hand, it's the Gang of Four, and I hear tell of a product called Nicorette. AGH.

― box of socks, Wednesday, 4 May 2005 22:22 (twenty-one years ago)

box of socks, another mpls ilxor! hi there.

i didn't even TRY to get tickets, by the time i caught wind i knew it was a done deal.

so BoS if you want to stand outside and smoke i'll watch for you and tell you abt it later...

― g e o f f (gcannon), Wednesday, 4 May 2005 22:46 (twenty-one years ago)

Greetings from the Lyndale and Franklin area. It's sold out, is it? Well, that makes it simple for me. Fuck a Clear Channel show. I saw 'em back in the day anyway.

― box of socks, Wednesday, 4 May 2005 22:51 (twenty-one years ago)

< /bitter old punk >

― box of socks, Wednesday, 4 May 2005 22:56 (twenty-one years ago)

no shit? well now i feel bad for telling ppl trying to sell me on bloc party to fuck off cos "i bought entertainment and solid gold in 1995, dude..."

ha i just looked at the quest website, and maybe it's not sold out! i'll have to think about this, the opinion on this thread seems to = they are on fire.

― g e o f f (gcannon), Wednesday, 4 May 2005 22:59 (twenty-one years ago)

maybe it's not sold out! ... the opinion on this thread seems to = they are on fire

AGGGHHHGGGHHH

― box of socks, Wednesday, 4 May 2005 23:01 (twenty-one years ago)

I paid a shitload of money for this show ($25/ticket plus ridiculous service fees) and I am not the biggest Gang of Four fan on earth and I was absolutely not disappointed in any way. If that helps.

― kyle (akmonday), Wednesday, 4 May 2005 23:04 (twenty-one years ago)

On another message board, a guy who went to Coachella gave the Gang of 4 a 3-star (out of 5) review and said "I wouldn't buy an album." But he gave the Futureheads 4 1/2 stars. With no apparent irony.

― gypsy mothra (gypsy mothra), Thursday, 5 May 2005 01:24 (twenty-one years ago)

On another message board, a guy who went to Coachella gave the Gang of 4 a 3-star (out of 5) review and said "I wouldn't buy an album." But he gave the Futureheads 4 1/2 stars. With no apparent irony.

I totally understand that mentality, though! There's nothing wrong with liking the current "imitators" more than the original.

― donut debonair (donut), Thursday, 5 May 2005 01:45 (twenty-one years ago)

I mean, I like early XTC more than the Futureheads (which I think is a more reasoned comparison), and I certainly like Gang Of Four more than Radio 4... but if someone has the opposite opinion, good for her/him!

― donut debonair (donut), Thursday, 5 May 2005 01:46 (twenty-one years ago)

In principle, I agree. In practice...the Futureheads?

― gypsy mothra (gypsy mothra), Thursday, 5 May 2005 01:49 (twenty-one years ago)

One thing to keep in mind about the tour sponsorship and all, Dave Allen has been working for record labels in A&R on and off for a long time. The dude is in the biz. At least in the US, Gof4 was always on a major label. Mind you, it doesn't change how the tunes sound.

― Earl Nash (earlnash), Thursday, 5 May 2005 01:58 (twenty-one years ago)

earl, you mean hugo, not dave. dave has been in the biz, too, but in a much more indie role (he used to work at emusic, for instance).

― Jams Murphy (ystrickler), Thursday, 5 May 2005 02:23 (twenty-one years ago)

and the major label thing is a ruse too. the indie architecture in the us hadn't been built then! i mean, the ramones were on a major!

― Jams Murphy (ystrickler), Thursday, 5 May 2005 02:24 (twenty-one years ago)

Well, I'm pretty sure Burma didn't have to fly all its band/crew/instruments over from the UK for starters (and the "tour out of Atlanta" story in Our Band Could Be Your Life shows they knew how to tour the US cheap and effectively). As for the Soft Boys, they had a deluxe reissue of a classic album and a reunion LP after 20 years on Matador, so I'm sure they got some money to tour. As for Thompson, I dunno. Does he travel with a band? If not, that cuts down on touring costs.

― Vic Funk, Thursday, 5 May 2005 10:49 (twenty-one years ago)

Skipping 432 messages at this point... Click here if you want to load them all.

We saw that tickets for the Monday show out by Joshua Tree at Pappy & Harriets had dropped down to $9 on StubHub. We couldn't not go at that price. Terrific show, fantastic time. The Gail/Ted lineup revealing a 1968 Detroit alongside 1976 Leeds. Derwood from Generation X joined for a song and they easily could have played MC5 covers all night.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDGprhVdtoQ

― Elvis Telecom, Thursday, 29 May 2025 05:16 (one year ago)

You beat the Stubhub price I paid (and I thought mine was good).

― curmudgeon, Thursday, 29 May 2025 16:35 (one year ago)

Man. Prices were nuts here. But I think resale is particularly f'ed up in Illinois.

― Josh in Chicago, Thursday, 29 May 2025 16:39 (one year ago)

Location is everything. I've seen Stubhub bargains at Jones Beach when stops in NYC went for far more. Makes sense - if you don't live close by, it can be a pain (and costly) to get to if you don't have a car.

― birdistheword, Thursday, 29 May 2025 17:12 (one year ago)

They’re still touring the US? That’s a long tour for this day and age, especially old guys.

― That Pedo Band (Boring, Maryland), Thursday, 29 May 2025 17:13 (one year ago)

They were a blast in near Detroit. King gushed about the city.

Burnham appears to have purchased a bucket hat from the Motown Museum.

― Andy K, Friday, 30 May 2025 23:31 (one year ago)

eight months pass...

I still think "Shrinkwrapped" is pretty solid. Ironically enough it reminds me a bit of Shriekback.

― Josh in Chicago, Thursday, 19 February 2026 23:24 (three months ago)

it is! it’s better than Mall.

― Mollusk, Virginia (Boring, Maryland), Thursday, 19 February 2026 23:40 (three months ago)

Well yeah, "Mall" is most irredeemable. "Shrinkwrapped" is their last hurrah. Apparently I'll be seeing the remnants of the band at Solid Sound this summer.

― Gerald McBoing-Boing, Friday, 20 February 2026 04:18 (three months ago)

I didn't realize that's Andy's wife on track 4 (Or rather four years before they were married.)

― birdistheword, Friday, 20 February 2026 21:20 (three months ago)

You must be logged in to post. Please either login here, or if you are not registered, you may register here.