watch the video for Gang of Four's new single "Toreador Minotaur"
Gang of Four released new album Happy Now earlier this year which found Andy Gill injecting the band’s signature, angular sound with modern electronics and production. The band, which includes current vocalist John “Gaoler” Sterry, have taken the album’s opening track, “Toreador,” and reworked it, scruffing up the shiny production just a bit. Now titled “Toreador Minotaur,” the song sounds more like something ready for a fight.
Lyrically, however, it remains politically potent. “Something I like to do is to telescope the distant past into the present,” Andy Gill tells us. “In the song ‘Do As I Say,’ questioning of the victims in the witch trials of the 17 c. is juxtaposed with interrogation in Guantanamo. Here, in Toreador Minotaur, we are going back to the ancient world. The myth of the Minotaur is thought to be founded in brutal fact, of vassal states paying tribute to powerful Crete by sending young people for sacrifice. But the myth itself is also terrible and poignant. Half man, half beast, he’s rational and self aware while locked into the behaviours that destroy all chance of happiness or intimacy. Vainglorious, insecure. Simultaneously aggressively proud, attention-seeking and conceited. He’s brave but frightened. He is alone but desperate for the human touch. ‘We’ve got so much catching up to do.’ Masculine fragility and alienation. It’s ancient but absolutely of this moment.” That new version of “Toreador” premieres in this post and you can listen below.
Gang of Four had to cancel their Brooklyn show back in February when Gill suffered a bad chest infection. Gill’s back in good health and the band will head to Japan and Australia later this fall. All tour dates are listed below.
Gang of Four – 2019 Tour Dates
Mon, OCT 28 – duo MUSIC EXCHANGE – 2-24-1 Higashi Shibuya-ku Tokyo, Japan
Tue, OCT 29 – Daikanyama Unit – Tokyo, Japan
Sat, NOV 2 – Rosemount Hotel – North Perth, Australia
Tue, NOV 5 – Lion Arts Factory – Adelaide, Australia
Thu, NOV 7 – The Zoo – Fortitude Valley Qld, Australia
Fri, NOV 8 – Manning Bar – Camperdown, Australia
Sat, NOV 9 – The Croxton Bandroom – Melbourne, Australia
Tue, NOV 12 – Gang of Four – The Tuning Fork Auckland – Auckland, New Zealand
Wed, NOV 13 – San Fran – Te Aro, New Zealand
Thu, NOV 14 – San Francisco Bath House – Wellington, New Zealand
Sat, NOV 16 – John Curtin Hotel – Carlton, Australia
Jul 11, 2020 – Kubix Festival – Houghton Le Spring, United Kingdom
