Overview

TO HELL WITH POVERTY! documents King's story from a south London slum and working-class background to international success as core musician, lyricist, writer, and producer in the legendary post-punk/funk band Gang of Four. King's memoir takes the reader on an episodic journey full of raucous adventures from his childhood and teenage years, to the height of Gang of Four's success in the seventies and eighties. Thrown off Top of the Pops, truncheoned by police at an anti-Nazi rally, coming of age in the heart of the Leeds music scene and the UK post-punk movement, mingling with Hells Angels and other undesirables, supported by bands like R.E.M. and playing with the likes of the Police, Iggy Pop, and the Buzzcocks--King's time with Gang of Four is rich with jaw-dropping stories. Evocative, fast-paced, and witty, To Hell with Poverty! is a music memoir for the ages. Gang of Four's Entertainment! LP is consistently ranked as one of the greatest debut albums of all time and continues to inspire new generations of musicians today. The band has influenced many artists, from the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Nirvana, and INXS, to 2025-era Frank Ocean, the Idles, and hip-hop giants Run the Jewels. Gang of Four have been championed by the likes of Flea, Sofia Coppola, Massive Attack, Damien Hirst, Greil Marcus, and many more.

Full Product Details

9781636142340

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Reviews

Fusing James Brown and early hip-hop with the bullet-point minimalism of the Ramones, Gang of Four were a genuine revolutionary force in their pursuit of working-class justice.-- ""Rolling Stone"" One of postpunk's most influential bands.-- ""New York Times, on Gang of Four"" Entertainment! . . . is caustic and bursting with disgust for unethical capitalism, opportunist politicians, and consumer society, among other things, but it's also crafted with amazing pop sensibility--and is, of course, remarkably danceable . . . Gang of Four's debut remains singular, a powerful call to arms and out of apathy.-- ""Pitchfork, on Gang of Four's debut LP Entertainment!""

Author Information

JON KING is an English musician, songwriter, and Grammy-nominated art director in the post-punk band Gang of Four.

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