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Gang Of Four Release New Song For Free Download
Legendary early-80s English postpunk band Gang Of Four has had a rather inconsistent history, breaking up and reforming several times over the course of their 30-year history. Originally made up of vocalist Jon King, guitarist Andy Gill, bassist Dave Allen, and drummer Hugo Burnham, Gang Of Four experienced member attrition after being together for about five years, with first Allen and then Burnham dropping out circa 1983. Gill and King remained together for over a decade, making albums with studio musicians and synthesizers filling out the lineup, but it was never the same, and these "gang of two" albums were woefully inferior to the work of the original band. In 2004, though, that original lineup reformed and began touring, playing songs from their classic first three albums with the vigor and energy one would normally expect only from a much younger band. I saw one of the shows on that tour and was very pleasantly surprised, considering my initial skepticism about the reunion. The reformed band really seemed to have the goods.
Now, six years after that original reformation, Gang Of Four has returned to the studio to bring us their first album of new material in 15 years. The reformed original lineup did record and release Return The Gift in 2006, but that album was a rerecording of the old songs they'd been playing on tour, and featured no newly-written material. And since that album, Allen and Burnham have left the band once again, with Burnham retiring to become a professor at the New England Institute of Art, and Allen leaving for undisclosed reasons. So does this mean that the version of Gang Of Four that's finally brought us new material is as inferior as the "gang of two" incarnation that created the band's noticeably inferior fourth through sixth albums? Where the full album, entitled Content, is concerned, it remains to be seen, but the first song released from the album offers reasons to be encouraged. On "Never Pay For The Farm," new bassist Thomas McNeice has every bit the harsh, growling, yet extremely funky sound that Dave Allen brought to Gang Of Four, while Andy Gill's bright, scratching guitar sound banishes any thoughts of synthesizers fogging up the mix. Mark Heaney's syncopated percussion makes it easier for the listener not to miss Hugo Burnham, and Jon King is as manic and frustrated as ever, delivering politically-tinged lyrics in a powerful voice that is at the same time shaking with anger, or perhaps paranoia.
Perhaps this time, Gang Of Four have learned from their previous attempts to carry on after the disbanding of their original lineup. Instead of moving in a more synthetic direction, instead of acting like Gill and King are the band's only members and filling in the holes with computerized instruments and people who don't really care about the band, they've recruited new members who can play in the spirit of the original lineup and allow the band's classic sound to stay intact. Hopefully this means that Content, unlike so many latter-day Gang Of Four releases, will be able to stand alongside their classic albums Entertainment! and Solid Gold. If nothing else, though, at least they've given us one more great song.
Stream or download "Never Pay For The Farm" from ReverbNation here. (Download requires email address)
PLAYLIST: The Jams Of Terry (Oct. 2010 Edition)
Playlist link: College Town Nostalgia
Here we are back with the second we-can-bump-uglies-if-you-ain’t-got-your-monthly installment of The Jams of Terry. I’ve got my butt a little tighter than I did on the last playlist, bringing you some college town nostalgia for back to school. This is mainly what I consider to be the original college rock, the melodic stuff from the mid-‘80s that came out after punk but before alternative. There are a few digressions, because nostalgia is a funny thing. You never know what will have you looking into the past, but I know that it happens more when the weather gets chilly. Who knows what’s next. J-Pop? Reggaeton? Tuareg Guitars? All I know is that this playlist is best enjoyed while wearing corduroys and flannel.
DAILY RECORD: Bastard Noise
The Bastard Noise – A Culture Of Monsters (Deep Six Records)
When considering contemporary music, much of which has come to rely on dissonance and traditionally non-musical sound, the question sometimes arises of what elements constitute “noise.” Going by the strict dictionary definition of noise as an unwanted sound, any application of the term to music is an extremely subjective measure, and not just in a curmudgeonly “damn kids and the noise they listen to nowadays” sense either. Whole genres have predicated themselves upon elements which, until recent decades, would have been considered verboten – rock and roll’s love affair with distortion and the record scratching of hip hop come to mind. Even as a defined genre, “noise music” – the sort of aleatoric scraping and shrieking of artists like Merzbow and Wolf Eyes – seems like a contradiction in terms. That is, if noise exists as a genre with practitioners and fans, it is no longer an unwanted sound and by definition ceases to be noise. Noisy, perhaps, but not noise.
This semantic argument may or may not provide a better understanding of A Culture Of Monsters, the newest release by The Bastard Noise – but it may have some bearing. The band’s name itself was a sobriquet chosen to differentiate the members’ experimental material from their work in seminal prog/hardcore band Man Is The Bastard. They initially dealt in the exact sort of corrosive soundscapes that the term “noise music” brings to mind. Recent releases, however, have found the band incorporating more concrete structural elements which, though not unlike the oddball brutality of their parent band, could hardly be considered a nostalgic rehash either, forsaking any preconception which could be inspired by the name or the members’ past endeavors.
RVA TV: GET UP. Part 3 - RVA Graffiti Scene
In the fall of 2009, Virginia Commonwealth University students Emma Ellsworth, Kenyatta Watts and Nathan Madden walked into a documentary film class as strangers—not only to each other, but to the art of film-making as well. The trio quickly developed an idea, narrowed a focus and began developing an outline for their film that was tentatively expected to explore the graffiti culture in Richmond.
Our interview with film-maker Emma Ellsworth:
I graduated from VCU this past December with a BA in Mass Communications- Broadcast Journalism. I have only made two films thus far; the "Get up" documentary and a short adaptation of "Alice and Wonderland". I thoroughly enjoyed both genres, however I think I would like to try my hand at music videos.
"Get up" was the product of a documentary class I took at VCU and our groups were chosen by our teacher based on who she thought had similar ideas and would work well together. I think the other members of my group will agree that there were times when we butt heads (we spent A LOT of time together), but we also had a boat-load of fun. I'm sorry that was a little cliche but also true. Despite any differences, it would have been close to impossible to have completed this project alone in the time we had.
I learned a tremendous amount about film-making through this documentary, but I still have a lot to learn. I am looking to help out with smaller films or get an internship. I also recently acquired an old camera that I am looking forward to tinkering with.
DAILY FIX: LCD Soundsystem 'Drunk Girls'
LCD Soundsystem is coming to C-Ville and we have a pair of tickets to giveaway to the show at the Charlottesville Pavillion. Hit us up on twitter HERE with a reason I should give them to you.
No fruity contests. Just you and us getting to know each other and us feeling good about giving them to you.
DJ ANA SIA at RVALUTION 2NITE
RVALUTION is revamping itself after a streak of great sell out shows over the summer with guest Ana Sia. Her dancey dubtrax make their way to the Hat Factory tonite and kick off a string of strong October talent including Dave Nada, DJ HeavyGrinder and Cobra Krames. Make sure and educate yourself by checking out her music (links below) and come out. What else are you doing on a Tuesday night?
Make sure to use the "RVA" promo code to get the VIP discount. You can use this at the box office or buy ahead of time HERE.
Ana Sia’s love of electronic music combined with an innate understanding of the value of dance to the human soul collectively fuse to create unforgettable sets of experience, whether she is slamming spots in her hometown of San Francisco or taking her turn in the forests of music festivals around the country.
Ana’s energetic delivery of brain-fazing beats has earned the Princess Slay-ah an important spot in pioneering the West Coast future sound movement. She will take you on a musical expedition into the deepest reaches of your brain, as she masterfully blends a wide spectrum of rhythms with a beautiful fluidity and a delicate sensibility, giving the dance floor a delightful ride that ends at the corner of bliss and oblivion.
Uniting the best elements of dirty dubstep, grimy glitch, and her personalized blend of “global slut psy-hop,” Ana Sia’s sets confirm crunk status of all who dare enter into her seamless world of sound.
DOWNLOAD SETS FROM ANA SIA
http://www.zshare.net/audio/51195486069a41de/
(live from Vancouver; DubForms 11)
http://www.zshare.net/audio/594761427ac1ade8/
(live in Denver; Rocky Mtn Crystallization)
http://www.zshare.net/audio/16377133c7901489/
(juicier vintage mix; dripHOP)
Midnight Soulstice: Deep Diggin’ Vol. 12
Midnight Soulstice is a Richmond Soul and Funk radio show, hosted by Mr. Felty & DJ Pari, featuring guest artists and DJs.The show airs every Friday from 11pm-1am EST. Listen live at 97.3fm or WRIR.org
CLICK HERE FOR MIDNIGHT SOULSTICE
Dig this - Midnight Soulstice co-host DJ Pari is back from his recent European tour with Soul legend Leroy Hutson and is ready to dig deep into his box of new vinyl discoveries for tonight’s show. Of course there will be many more treats and favorites from his collection, so prepare yourself for two hours of excellent vintage Funk and Soul and even some new releases which have not hit the stores yet.
- Flowers - For Real (LAX)
- Leroy Hutson - All Because of you (Curtom)
- Garland Green - Just loving you (Spring)
- Lou Courtney - I don’t need nobody else (Epic)
- Love Tambourines - Spend the day without you (Crue-L Records)
- Linda Clifford - From now on (Curtom)
- Archie Bell & The Drells - Let’s Groove P.1 (tsop)
- The Rebirth - Evil Vibrations (Ubiquity)
- Rasaan Patterson - So Hot (Dome)
- Marc Evans - The way you Love Me (Defected Records)
- Opaz - Don’t say nothing (Island)
- The Transatlantics - Couldn’t be him (Freestyle)
- Speedometer - You’ve made me so very happy (Freestyle)
- Shaolin Temple Defenders - I know what it is (Soulbeats)
- El Chicano - I’m a Good Woman (MCA)
- Trinidad Oil Company – Feelin’ Allright (Chrystal)
- Jay Mitchell - Goombau Bump (GBI)
- The Beginning of the End - Come down (Alston)
- Ray and his Court - Soul Freedom
- Hal Singer - Malcolm X (King)
- Magnum - Your Mind (Fine Music)
- Pieces of Peace – Pass it on (Twinight)
- The Soul Suspects – Handle It (Black Prince)
- Freddy Wilson – Promised Land (Eastbound)
- The Turnarounds – Soul Walk (Tangerine)
- Frank Penn - Gimme some skin (Penn’s)
- Irene Reid - Dirty Ole Man (Oldtown)
- Scacy & The Sound Service Sunshine (Scacy Records)
- Lou Pride - It’s Man’s Man’s Man’s World (Suemi)
DAILY RECORDS: Record Review Haiku
World Burns To Death/Slang - Split EP (Prank Records)
The humanity!
All bullshit torn asunder,
Never relenting.
Negative Approach – Friends Of No One (Taaang Records)
If you have to ask,
You’re prob’ly never get it.
Worst cover art though.
Brain Handle – Smiling/Smiling Again (Iron Lung Records)
Seething Rust Belt angst,
Bowing deep at Ginn’s altar.
Alas, too damn short.
Marked Men – On/The Other Side (540 Records)
Curs’d disparity!
A killer and a phone-in.
No apex, no waste.
Vaccine – Human Hatred (Painkiller Records)
Splenetic fury,
Weaned on teats of indignance
And Infest records.
Canadian Rifle – Facts (Residue Records)
Like Naked Raygun,
Crimpshrine, Snuff? I sure’s hell don’t.
These guys kick ass though.
Manipulation – s/t (Fashionable Idiots Records)
No toes stubbed here on
The stumbling block of cliché.
Careening discord.
LATE NIGHTS & CHICKEN FIGHTS: THE WAKEN BAKEN SHOW
The following was pulled from LATE NIGHTS & CHICKEN FIGHTS with permission from Nickodemus. Check out his blog at nickychulo.wordpress.com .
RVA | THE WAKEN BAKEN SHOW
by Nickodemus
Kickin it backstage and getting ready for the Waken Baken show with the #GetEmDrunk team. @iChrisChampagne @HennyGED @MrDdotC @AlexEber21 and @BDollaVA. Follow the team on twitter.
Henny and Nickelus F. Talking back stage before the show. If you don’t know Richmond’s Hip-Hop powerhouse Nickelus F. then you need to do a little research. He recently released his ‘Commercials’ mixtape. Check it out when you catch a minute.
Henny & Dolla definitely did there thing during the show. Henny had the crowd rockin with there hands up and a few people were even singing along. A few kids were rockin #GetEmDrunk tees. It was a crazy ass experience. Definitely a good time. Next show Henny & B.Dolla have you better attend.
The females to my left wanted me to take a few pics of them, So I made moves and I did. They were a pretty cute little crew haha.
Big K.R.I.T. did his thing as well. His performance was alright but he supposedly got extremely sick after the show and they had to stop the tour for a day or two.
Nickelus F was one of my favorite performances because I’m a fan of his. I got to talk to him for a few and he gave me props on my flier design..I was so boosted haha. I have his latest two mixtapes and I’ve been keeping up. He recently released a single called Chocolate Milk, be sure to give it a listen when you get a chance.
The Taylor Gang showed up a little late but it was well worth it. Wiz Khalifa was acting a fool backstage with his crew. The kid is a trip.
Taylor Gang or teabag a bear trap.
Wiz had a hell of a lot more energy and charisma that I though he would have. For a certified tree specialist, this kid can move. The girls in the crowd were going craazy.
Yeah that happened. This Taylor Gang kid kept eying me because he though I was going to grab it hahaha. People were lighting up in the Center Stage theater during the performance. It was crazy..Good show.
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