Gang of Four were the quintessential post-punk band, and always welcome in Liverpool.
Unfortunately, I don’t now remember what “the events of the last tour” refers to. Does anyone know?
GANG OF FOUR
Eric's, Liverpool
Melody Maker, February 9, 1980
THERE's a satisfying tension in the air. Scritti Politti are lost (but arrive in time to follow the Gang Of Four). The stage area is barricaded, excitingly inaccessible. The Gang Of Four are taking no chances after the events of the last tour. Liverpool audiences, though, are (usually) intelligent, and tonight's is large but welcoming.
But I'm a little scared, too. Not of danger, but of disappointment.
My first taste of the group was "Damaged Goods", which at the time I took to be a clever but wonderful pop song, almost perfect — but nothing more. Was I wrong? On stage they were interesting and sounded good. But there's so much talk about theory that you forget the music.
Then the album, and we admire the sound and worry about the words (and the cover). Excessive concern with ideas. The music's commendably different. but there's something missing . . . will it still be missing on stage?
And here they are. Green and purple lights. Very subterranean. . . but we are in a basement after all. It's dramatic, and so is the music. Jagged noises, a tortured voice, barking and spitting. Nothing clinical about this. Metallic rhythms — each word separated, intense. The doubts creep away. These people are trying to speak to me. It all makes sense now: it's not art or politics. Communication.
Rhythm and meaning hold the songs together. It's disciplined passion, like the feedback that starts "Anthrax", pain filling the room. Musical sparseness gives clarity to the words, then gives way to noise, but behind that always the discipline of rhythm.
"It's Her Factory" — and the voice is deadpan, repeating, making each word count, a threat. The rhythm is all-important — it, not the tune, carries the voice too, and it gets to you m a strange way. No complacent approval for " dance / pop music" (with the unspoken " mere" hovering in the background) — it goes deeper than that, and everywhere bodies are moving unconsciously.
Something's happening, as admiration gives way to enjoyment and enjoyment to something stronger. You become vulnerable. "5.45", beginning with plaintive melodica, carries you along, increasing in force and speed until you lose your breath and yourself. "Damaged Goods" follows. and there's real excitement now and a genuine emotional power that I never expected.
The effect is cumulative, reaching an intensity too great to sustain. The set is short (the length of an LP) but almost too much. There's one encore, and emotional exhaustion. Proof that you don't have to think first to appreciate the Gang Of Four.
Watch the Gang of Four
This live video is also from 1980. Good, isn’t it?
As far as “the events of last tour “ , I think you probably referring to fights between Nazis and anti Nazis that happened in Leeds at more political gigs. Not sure of specifics but seem to remember it was an issue with GOF
Ahh, what memories of life and soul saving shows. Razor blade guitar riffs! Love is like anthrax.