[kj] ot: GANG OF FOUR last night

[Alexander Smith]

Holy fucking Hell: I saw Gang of Four last night at Irving Plaza and 
they blew a hole in the back of the place and a new part in my hair in 
the process. They may be a bit grayer and fatter (especially Hugo), but 
fuck -- they are so "in the pocket" that is sounded like they'd never 
been away.   Jon is still a hyper-kinetic performer, and I'd forgotten 
how utterly supercool and scowly Andy Gill was (sort've like a cross 
between X's Billy Zoom and our own beloved Geordie). Absolutely great, 
although I'd forgotten how much I hate sold-out capacity crowds. Stuck 
behind a tall gent (and I'm 6'1") with a fuckin' hairy neck. Ugh.

Amazing set list. The highlights for me were easily "To Hell With 
Poverty," "Damaged Goods", "Anthrax" (complete with serious guitar 
abuse via Mr.GIll) and an absolutely visceral rendition of  "He'd Send 
in the Army," with Jon whacking out the beat on an amp with a baseball 
bat.

If you get the opportunity to see them and don't seize it, you're a 
fool.


Alex in NYC