Gang of Four talks new record

Influential punk/post-punk outfit Gang of Four recently spoke with Pitchfork about their next full length and first to boast entirely new material.

The band signed to V2 back in April of 2005 and the label issued Return the Gift on September 20th. The record is entirely composed of re-recordings of their songs, and a special UK edition included a bonus disc with remixes and covers performed by Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Ladytron, Hot Hot Heat, the Dandy Warhols, the Others, Amusement Parks on Fire, Faultline, the Rakes, Phones, Go Home Productions, and Tony Kanal of No Doubt.

According to the story,

We're in the very early stages, [Guitarist] Andy Gill and I have been talking-- that's how Gang of Four starts with stuff like this: there's a lot of talking about what do we want to do, how can we do it, is there a need for it? That was a big question for me. After Entertainment! and Solid Gold, we've got to be careful, we've got to deliver something rather special.

I wanted to be sure that me Andy and [vocalist] Jon [King] especially were fired up about things, and I think we are. I think there's enough going on in the world for us to start pontificating again."

Though the record is very early on, the band is still quite busy. A track from the band's classic 1979 full length (since reissued) Entertainment! appeared in Marie Antoinette, the new film from Sophia Coppola.

Later this year, the band will join Sonic Youth, Iggy & the Stooges, Deerhoof, Dinosaur Jr., and more for the Nightmre Before Christmas edition of All Tomorrow's Parties.