Music zines will have you believe that the news of Gang of Four losing two members (rhythm section, have you) is an opportunity to exhibit some comical irony. But those ‘clever’ writers are supreme douche nozzles. I think it's tragic that Dave Allen (bassist) and Hugo Burnham (drummer) have decided to call it quits, especially since the post-punk had just reunited back in 2005. Yes, writers, we all know that Gang of Four is now a "gang of two." Good job.
Here are some departing words from Allen:
At the beginning of April, I decided that I could no longer continue to be a member of Gang of Four. My ability to give 100% to the band is limited and I feel that if I can't do so, then I shouldn't continue. As I expand my research and thinking about contemporary music distribution on Pampelmoose.com, and as I focus on online technology and social networking at Nemo Design here in Portland, I find myself conflicted about how the band's new music should be released. To retain any credibility for Pampelmoose.com about what the future of music distribution will look like, I have to move on and not hold back Jon and Andy's music plans. I have had a side project for a while now with John Askew of Tracker and Menomena's drummer Danny Stein called Faux Hoax, and I look forward to fun times finding ways to get our music into peoples' hands in unique ways.
And now Burnham:
It was a great couple of years of intermittently reminding people old and new, far and wide just how powerful the original four of us were together. Age only increased our power and focus onstage, and it was a rare pleasure to work with the original band once again. Being in a band requires handling the business side of it too, and that became boring and the constant travel became debilitating. I am soon to start my Doctorate, as well as broadening my teaching at more than one college here in Massachusetts, so my free time has become increasingly limited, making it difficult to be involved with them going forward. Musically, I am recording and writing with members of Boston noise-merchants, The Bags and I have also been doing some recording lately with Mike Watt. I wish Jon and Andy luck with their new musical endeavours; I am sure they will be interesting.
Jon King (vocalist) and Andy Gill (guitarist) still plan on releasing a new album this year as Gang of Four, which will be their first new material in over 15 years.
