LISTEN: Idles Cover Gang Of Four’s “Damaged Goods”
LISTEN: Idles Cover Gang Of Four’s “Damaged Goods”
A balls-to-the-wall tribute to punk royalty
Words By: Garrett Kearns
The decidedly non-punk UK band Idles have launched a new single, a cover of the Gang of Four’s classic “Damaged Goods.” Their latest song is part of a new tribute compilation, the Problem of Leisure, honoring 40 years of Gang of Four and its founder, lyricist, vocalist, and lead guitarist Andy Gill. The album was Gill’s brainchild before his untimely passing in early 2020. The project features artists from a variety of genres such as Tom Morello, Gary Numan, and the Dandy Warhols. Idles take the opening slot, firing a salvo that sets the tone for the rest of the double disc.
When discussing the project Gill’s widow Catherine Mayer had the following to share about the new rendition of her husband’s song: “One of the last emails Andy ever sent set out his provisional album track listing. He wanted the album to open with Idles’ version of ‘Damaged Goods’ because its attack and energy are simultaneously so very Gang of Four and so unmistakably Idles that he thought it would make the perfect introduction to the project. Also he just loved it.”
Idles’ reimagining of “Damaged Goods” takes what was already acerbic, pours gasoline over it, and throws in a lit match for good measure. The explosive result speaks for itself. The vocals of singer Joe Talbot are harsh, lean, and aggressive. He belts his lungs out into the microphone and the delivery is unforgiving. The twin onslaught of lead guitarist Mark Bowen and rhythm guitarist Lee Kiernan expands the single guitar part of the original and morphs it into a barrage of distortion. The rhythm section of drummer Jon Beavis and bassist Adam Devonshire keeps the song from going completely off the rails and is the element of the cover closest to the 1978 version.
The band shared the following when talking about why they chose to cover “Damaged Goods”: “Idles would not exist without Gang of Four. Idles does not exist without Gang of Four. ‘Damaged Goods’ still sounds new and exciting after the millionth listen. We jumped at the chance to just play it, let alone record it. It was an honour, a joy and a privilege.”
What comes across more than anything else is the sheer immediacy of the recording. While there seem to be a few overdubs, the final mix gives the impression of a band giving it their all and having one hell of a time in the studio.
