Four by Fairy

Shepard Fairy’s Not for Great Men

Gang Of Four are one of those bands that never sold a ton of records, but those who bought sure did listen. The staccato, funk punk fusion of their debut Entertainment can be heard in many including The Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Franz Ferdinand, and most recently Parquet Courts.

The Shepard Fairy Gang of Four print Not Great Men is an example of how the influence extended beyond bar chords. Inspired by the song of the same name on Entertainment, Fairy took the music’s politics and expressed it through a visual lens.

Formed in 1977, politics was always a big part of the mix for Gang of Four. There name is inspired by the Gang of Four of China’s Cultural Revolution. Wading too far into politics has always hampered a band’s popularity and the band from Leeds, England were no exception. But a lack of mass popularity has nothing to do lasting influence. Fairy released his piece 34 years after the song was recorded turning a whole new generation, or at least 450, onto the band with his work. Like much of Fairy’s work it was a limited run with only 450 pieces released. If you just gotta have it, there is one on eBay right now here.

Over the years Gang of Four were unable to maintain it’s original cast. Right now only one original members is standing. Andy Gills’ Gang of Four will be releasing a new album, What Happens Next on February 24 and a US tour was just announce.