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ANTI HERO EP

by Gang of Four

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1.
Forever Starts Now 03:06
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They live in this time and this place He holds her close as he laughs in her face He's a man who desires and aspires She's a woman who requires to be admired "Forever starts now," she said She sings along with his song When the rubber hits the road, what could go wrong? Nothing's wrong... What they gonna get at the end? He gets down on one knee to make amends He's a man who desires and aspires She's a woman who requires to be admired "Forever starts now," she said She sings along with his song She thinks it's like having the radio on When her compliance is gone That's when for him, it's gone wrong It's gone wrong Her compliance will pay big dividends So he gets down on one knee to make amends He wants to be a hero, a hero She sings along with his song She thinks it's like having the radio on But when her compliance is gone She won't sing along with his song With his song...
2.
Day Turns To Night 03:20
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3.
Change The Locks (2020) 03:36
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Indiscernible identity So many passing by, she sees Silver sprayed living statue She stands watching the absurdity The idea of self is a placebo Run the data, it knows where you go I'm a construct Oh I'm a suspect but don't want it known Change the locks, The system's down They say everyone's a suspect now Don't have to change the locks, We can change our minds Smoke signals wake the drones in the hive Do what you want, you won't be found out You'll never be held to account We're just getting static on the line A broken voice says everything's fine You and a friend could be our guest At our request, come and fine dine It's our gift for you to celebrate The last of the mall's great redesign Change the locks, The system's down They say everyone's a suspect now Change the locks Don't change the plan They're applauding me, but I'm an also-ran The Kings of Comedy The Kings of Comedy Bang, bang on the drum Bang, bang on the drum Bang, bang, but we just didn't see it Change the locks The system's down They say everyone's a suspect now Don't have to change the locks
4.
Glass (2020) 02:14
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Look through the window Look through the window Look through the window I'm looking through a pane of glass Look through the window, and what do you see? Look through the window, and what do you see? Look through the window, and what do you see? I'm looking through a pane of glass Light myself Light myself Light myself Nicotine really goes to my head I'm so restless, I'm bored as a cat I'm so restless, I'm bored as a cat I'm so restless, I'm bored as a cat We talk about this and we talk about that I'm so restless I'm so restless I'm so restless Nicotine really goes to my head If you're feeling all in Take some asprin Oh I must confess My head's in a mess I can't find a man To disguise my shame I can't think at all Without paracetamol Light myself Light myself Light myself Nicotine really goes to my head I'm so restless I'm so restless I'm so restless I'm so restless

about

'ANTI HERO' was the second Gang of Four digital EP release in 2020 after Andy Gill's death and was preceded by two single releases. The EP was released digitally in July and in August a 12-inch orange vinyl was released featuring 'ANTI HERO' EP on one side and 'This Heaven Gives Me Migraine' EP on the other. .

Excerpt from the EP press release:

“The surviving members of Gang of Four, singer John Sterry, bassist Thomas McNeice and drummer Tobias Humble, have joined with Andy Gill’s widow Catherine Mayer to celebrate Andy through music – and in raising funds for Guy’s and St Thomas NHS Foundation Trust, the London hospital that tried so hard to save his life earlier this year.

“Forever Starts Now, a brand new Gang of Four track written by Andy and John, is released as the first single on May 29, 2020. Its original working title was Hero, a reference, John explains, to the lyrics about ‘a character who sees himself as the hero of his own life and manipulates his partner into supporting this fantasy. The line, “She sings along with his song / she thinks it’s like having the radio on” always brings a wry smile.’

“The EP takes its title ANTI HERO from the single and to reflect Andy’s lifelong mistrust of narratives around supposedly great men. ‘Andy always had a healthy scepticism about celebrity culture and populist politicians,’ says Catherine. ‘And he could always spot when someone was blowing smoke.’ She adds: ‘Even so, he would be moved and delighted that artists he loved and admired have come together to celebrate him by launching this EP and for such a good cause.’ The EP will be released on July 17, 2020.

“The cover artwork is a variant of a full-scale portrait of Andy that Shepard Fairey created as a tribute after the Gang of Four founder’s death on February 1, 2020.

“Shepard Fairey says: ‘Gang of Four has been a profound inspiration for me because the band demonstrates that great art can powerfully merge pleasure and intellectual provocation. I was devastated to hear of Andy Gill’s passing, but honoured to make a portrait of him in the hope of creating an iconic image of one of my heroes—with apologies to Andy, to me he was a hero—to serve as a reminder that though life may be fleeting, Andy’s potent art and ideas will endure.’

“The second single, Day Turns To Night, to be released on June 26, 2020, was written by John Sterry just days after Andy’s death and will be the first single for his solo artist project, styled as JJ Sterry. ‘I had no intention of it being about him,’ says John. ‘It just came out that way and also I didn’t intend for it to be released. I often cloak lyrics with ambiguity and this felt too raw. But listening now, I’m glad I wrote it with no thought of where it might go—it’s just a pure distillation of the years I’d spent with Andy and the band.’

“Other tracks on the EP are vibrant new versions of Gang of Four’s Change The Locks and Glass, both of which feel apt for the times we live in. ‘Both tracks were completed at the time of Andy’s death; yet both have incredible resonances for these lockdown times,’ says John. ‘His ability to write songs that remain relevant was unparalleled.’

“Gang of Four’s longtime bassist Thomas McNeice worked with Santi Arribas of the Mixing Factory, another of Andy’s firm friends and collaborators of many year’s standing, to produce and mix the EP. ‘It was strange, to say the least, to work on a Gang of Four EP without the wisdom and guidance of Andy, but it was nice to feel his presence and influence again,’ Thomas says. ‘I like to think that this EP exhibits a progression in Gang of Four, while paying tribute to a unique talent that I was extraordinarily lucky to work with.’

credits

released July 17, 2020

Copyright Gill Music Ltd 2020.

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Gang of Four London, UK

Gang of Four is one of the most radically important, and influential rock groups of the last 40 years.
The Red Hot Chili Peppers, INXS, R.E.M., U2, Rage Against the Machine have all spoken of their debt to Gang of Four, with today's creators of angular rock music having GO4's influence and imprint all over it.

This page features Gang of Four's new music output from 2008 onwards. ... more

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