Gang of Four Interview | On Bloc Party, Futureheads, etc...
Rolling Stone interviews Gang of Four…
What do you think of new bands, like the Futureheads and Bloc Party, and their connection to your sound?
I think “respect.” If writers want to say these bands are good — and they’re great — but they’re borrowing from Gang of Four, I mean, that’s cool. I suppose I’m a little pissed that some of these bands are just borrowing freely from us. It’s a difficult equation for me: Do I come down on any one band’s side? Because there’s tons of them! I think our integrity, our credibility, has remained intact. And if that’s attached to these new bands, that’s fine.
I think the live Gang of Four is the big differentiator, and, of course, the lyrics. There’s nothing remotely close to us when it comes to being socially, politically and lyrically aggressive pains in the ass. Jon King was so amazing at writing those lyrics that hit the nail on the head every time about your everyday life, and I’m not hearing that in any of these new bands.
Tour Dates:
5/12: Chicago, Metro
5/13: Detroit, The Majestic
5/14: Toronto, Phoenix
5/16: Boston, Avalon
5/17: New York, Irving Plaza
5/18: New York, Irving Plaza
5/20: Washington, DC, 9:30 Club
5/21: Philadelphia, Theatre of Living Arts
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