In many ways post-punk is defined by its trait of bringing disparate and wide-ranging musical influences into the punk fold , particularly elements of dance , funk , reggae , and world music . Few groups did this better than Gang of Four , a politically-driven quartet of British art kids that created a sparse , angular , hard-hitting style that owed more to Fela Kuti and James Brown than it did to the Sex Pistols . This thoroughly original style matched prominent , repetitive bass-and-drum grooves with Jon King ’ s burning social critiques and the stuttering , jagged Stratocaster percussion of Andy Gill . Gill ’ s playing on
the band ’ s first two records , especially the landmark Entertainment !, is funky , noisy , completely unique , and totally untouchable . Gang of Four ’ s influence can be found today in the music of many popular mainstream acts , from R . E . M . and the Chili Peppers , to Franz Ferdinand and Bloc Party .
The transition from punk rock to postpunk happened very fast . Because of this , many bands that started off playing straightforward punk became rather post-punk-ish by their second or third album ( if they managed to stay together that long ). The Clash is a classic example of this phenomenon , as is the essential and influential London band Wire . Wire ’ s first record , Pink Flag , is a masterpiece of tuneful , tightly-wound , and ultra-economical rock that has influenced countless bands , from Helmet to Elastica to Minor Threat and R . E . M . It is an album that is impossible not to love . Wire ’ s
second record , however , is an entirely different beast . Chairs Missing saw the group , fronted by guitarist and vocalist Colin Newman , expand its sound drastically , incorporating synthesizers and hauntingly effected guitars , as well as adventurous beats and unorthodox song structures . Newman ’ s guitar tones
Andy Gill Bands : Gang of Four
In many ways post-punk is defined by its trait of bringing disparate and wide-ranging musical influences into the punk fold , particularly elements of dance , funk , reggae , and world music . Few groups did this better than Gang of Four , a politically-driven quartet of British art kids that created a sparse , angular , hard-hitting style that owed more to Fela Kuti and James Brown than it did to the Sex Pistols . This thoroughly original style matched prominent , repetitive bass-and-drum grooves with Jon King ’ s burning social critiques and the stuttering , jagged Stratocaster percussion of Andy Gill . Gill ’ s playing on
the band ’ s first two records , especially the landmark Entertainment !, is funky , noisy , completely unique , and totally untouchable . Gang of Four ’ s influence can be found today in the music of many popular mainstream acts , from R . E . M . and the Chili Peppers , to Franz Ferdinand and Bloc Party .
Colin Newman Bands : Wire
The transition from punk rock to postpunk happened very fast . Because of this , many bands that started off playing straightforward punk became rather post-punk-ish by their second or third album ( if they managed to stay together that long ). The Clash is a classic example of this phenomenon , as is the essential and influential London band Wire . Wire ’ s first record , Pink Flag , is a masterpiece of tuneful , tightly-wound , and ultra-economical rock that has influenced countless bands , from Helmet to Elastica to Minor Threat and R . E . M . It is an album that is impossible not to love . Wire ’ s
second record , however , is an entirely different beast . Chairs Missing saw the group , fronted by guitarist and vocalist Colin Newman , expand its sound drastically , incorporating synthesizers and hauntingly effected guitars , as well as adventurous beats and unorthodox song structures . Newman ’ s guitar tones