This band had been and gone before I was even born, now that’s not much of statement because so had The Beatles, the Clash and Elvis… but for a band who’s sound so defines the end of a decade, my decade, these guys totally past me by. I’ll try a little comparison by way of introduction to anyone else in the dark: Gang of Four are a post-punk group that sound somewhere between DEVO and The Specials, their material is political and somewhat dated but they sound great on the albums I’ve found online. The only track I recognised was ‘Natural’s Not It’ as used in the Sofia Coppola film “Marie Antoinette”- brilliant song, go find it.

On Friday Ed and myself trundled up to the Picture House on Lothian Road. It was made clear during the pre-gig pint that he was not interested in the main act themselves, but in fact it was local boys ‘Sexual Objects’ who were the reason behind this journey and my photo-pass, cheers! Bloody good they were too- and well worth it (there will be a full review in next month’s Leither Magazine, don’t worry).

Gang of Four took to the stage and sounded great; a very professional if a tad routine act unfolded, with the gyrations of Mick Jagger and pitch (and sadly, range) of Johnny Rotten, lead man Jon King still has it. But to my ear its a monotonous tune- and out of key, things have moved on and their veiled political/relationship material seem powerful but rather ingenuous today. The Good Cop / Bad Cop stylings of King and Andy Gill are not necessary at all, and reminded me of watching that atrocious reforming of The Specials earlier in the year; which this was not. I can believe their is still an artistic core behind this act. But c’mon- cheer up, you’re milking this one! I very much enjoyed the gig and will certainly keep a look out for their albums- which I can imagine buying for the hell of it. A wonderful showman that Jon King- if a little Bono-esque… then again, I’m a closet U2 fanboy, so take this review with a pinch.

Photography by Callum Alden (that’s me!)