The best punk-funk in history: dancing and muscular at the same time. Solid and alienated. We are at the opposite extreme of Baroque, there is no bass, guitar or drum that is no less than basic. The voice of Andy Gill is bloody and detached, sometimes in a trance, while raving about situationism, feminism, unease and proletarian life.
The Album
Dave Allen (bass), Hugo Burnham (drums), Andy Gill (guitar) and Jon King (vocals) know each other in Leeds around university classrooms and demonstrations and decide that punk could be a formidable marxist propaganda tool. To make them further noticed among the many who appeared in the limelight after the Sex Pistols is that they join the p-funk sub-scene.
In October 1978 the chant between the obsessive and the hilarious of “Damaged Goods” is accompanied, among other things, by a first version of the sulphurous and catatonic set “Anthrax” attracts critics and the attention of the major industry. EMI comes forward and, determined to exploit the resources of a multinational to get their messages across, the Gang Of Four accept their courtship.
In March 1979 “At Home He’s A Tourist” is a small success, number 58 in spite of the BBC censors. It will remain the best 45 rpm finish of the quartet. Stopped before the Top 40, ENTERTAINMENT! will be the best-selling LP. It remains a formidable (and very influential) debut in an era of formidable debuts.
Track List
- Ether
- Natural’s Not in It
- Not Great Men
- Damaged Goods
- Return the Gift
- Guns Before Butter
- I Found That Essence Rare
- Glass
- Contract
- At Home He’s a Tourist
- 5.45
- Anthrax