The music world was surprised and saddened when Andy Gill, co-founder of Gang Of Four, passed away in February 2020. In May, a new double album called The Problem of Leisure: A Celebration of Andy Gill and Gang of Four, will feature a collection of musicians Gang of Four influenced, covering classic material.
The first single premiered this past Friday: “Natural’s Not In It” by Tom Morello (Rage Against The Machine) and Serj Tankian (System of a Down).
“Andy loved what Tom and Serj did with this song, the fierceness of their attack and the jet-engine scream of feedback” says Gill’s widow, Catherine Mayer, who also authored Good Grief: Embracing life at a time of death about the loss of her husband. “This was a track Andy always enjoyed performing. He said their version brilliantly captured all the explosive, danceable energy Natural’s Not In It can create in live performance.”
Check out the song at the jump.
The double album tribute will be available on vinyl, cd, and cassette with art from Damien Hirst. The full list of artists and covers will be announced later this week.
January 14 update: See a full track list, with artists, below.
The Problem of Leisure: CD One
Vinyl One, Side A
IDLES - Damaged Goods (UK)
Tom Morello & Serj Tankian - Natural’s Not in It (USA)
Helmet - In the Ditch (USA)
3D* x Gang of Four feat. Nova Twins - Where the Nightingale Sings (UK)
Hotei - To Hell With Poverty (Japan)
Vinyl One, Side B
Gary Numan - Love Like Anthrax (UK)
Gail Ann Dorsey - We Live as We Dream, Alone (USA)
Herbert Grönemeyer feat. Alex Silva - I Love a Man in a Uniform (Germany)
LoneLady - Not Great Men (UK)
JJ Sterry - 5.45 (UK)
The Problem of Leisure: CD Two
Vinyl Two, Side C
La Roux - Damaged Goods (UK)
Everything Everything - Natural’s Not in It (UK)
Dado Villa-Lobos - Return the Gift (Brazil)
The Dandy Warhols - What We All Want (USA)
Warpaint - Paralysed (USA)
Vinyl Two, Side D
Flea & John Frusciante – Not Great Men (USA)
The Sounds - I Love a Man in a Uniform (Sweden)
Hardcore Raver in Tears - Last Mile** (China)
Killing Joke x Gang of Four - Forever Starts Now (Killing Joke Dub) (UK)
Sekar Melati - Not Great Men (live version) (Japan)
* 3D is the remix name of Robert Del Naja from Massive Attack
** “Last Mile” is the new title for this cover of “Broken Talk”, reflecting new lyrics sung in Mandarin by Hardcore Raver in Tears
