Gang of Four were one of those bands that I was fortunate enough to catch a fair few times first time around, one of the limited benefits of being a sexagenarian. They were, for me, a band that still influences many of today`s, up and coming, post punk outfits. The current line up consists of Burnham, King, Lee and Pajo and this seven-date trek of the UK is loosely titled 79 to 83.
I managed to arrive in time for the main support Miki Berenyi Trio, the band formed by ex Lush and Piroshka mainstay Miki. Lush again were a band that I managed to catch a number of times during their lifespan. Tonight, this three-piece with the aid of a drum machine shared a well-received forty-five minutes of predominately Lush and Piroshka numbers. The set itself was a mesmerising blend of shoegaze and dream pop and I have to say became pretty ethereal at times. Miki released a brutally honest memoir last year entitled `Fingers Crossed` and I managed to pick up a signed copy at the merch stall after the gig.
I loved Gang of Four and indeed their debut album, `Entertainment!` was ranked by Rolling Stone as the fifth greatest punk album of all time. I saw the band numerous times with local legends Au Pairs in support and indeed Jane and Pete were amongst those of us watching on tonight. There was also a show in 1980 with UB40 and Toots and the Maytels at Fellows Park, Walsall which i`m reminded of everytime I go to the wonderful Rock and Roll Brewhouse bar in the Jewellery Quarter as they have a poster of said gig on the wall amongst other classic memorabilia.
A mix match of musical soundscapes rings out through the pa as the quartet walk on stage and transport me back in time for the next seventy-five minutes. `Return the Gift` opens the show and has singer Jon King thrashing about the stage like a demented preacher while jagged riffs slice through the air. It`s always gonna be difficult to play everybody`s favourite tracks but I have to admit near enough all the boxes were ticked for me tonight. `Outside The Trains Don`t Run On Time`, the erratic `He`ll Send In the Army`, spellbinding `What We All Want` and stunning `At Home He`s A Tourist` all hit the target for me tonight.
This tightly drilled set ended with `To Hell With Poverty` whose strap line “To hell with poverty, we`ll get drunk on cheap wine” is still echoing through my head. We enjoy a two-song encore of `Capital (It Fails Us Now)` and `Damaged Goods` whose acerbic sexual political lyrical content of “Your kiss so sweet, your sweat so sour, sometimes I’m thinking that I love you, but I know it’s only lust” had this packed audience singing along. The band took their bows and off into the autumnal night we went.
My friend of over forty years was a little disappointed that `Armalite Rifle` wasn`t given an airing but that said we both wallowed in the reminiscence of previous Gang Of Four gigs we`d attended over the years.
A night of nostalgia maybe or perhaps a longing wistfulness for youthful times gone by, who knows but tonight felt like catching up with an old friend, whom you hadn`t see for a good while.
