LISTEN: Warpaint Shares Their Reimagination of “Paralysed”
LISTEN: Warpaint Shares Their Reimagination of “Paralysed”
The all-female band unveils the third track off upcoming tribute album.
Words by: Ysabela De Ocampo
Warpaint is helping gear up for Gang Of Four’s upcoming release of The Problem of Leisure: A Celebration of Andy Gill and Gang of Four — set for release on May 28, 2021. Today, Gang Of Four shares the third single off the compilation with Warpaint’s interpretation of “Paralysed.”
This all-female outfit tackles the great feat of covering one of Gang of Four’s fan favorited singles. Warpaint adds their signature twist to the track, making it creatively their own while paying respects to the band and Andy Gill’s work. The original track has the raunchy and almost eerie beat to the drums and guitar making it a seriously moody punk track. Warpaint trades the originals twangy electric guitars for effervescent vocals and a shimmying hi-hat pattern to hold the track together. But most importantly the group has kept the tracks dismal bassline and uneasy vibe that Gang of Four capitalized on the track. Warpaint’s Jenny Lee produced the interpretation while also playing bass for the group. She shares, “It was cool to get inside of ‘Paralysed,’ and for Gang Of Four to give us freedom to freak out in our way… it was a beautiful opportunity and we’re SOOO excited. It’s an honor actually to be a part of Andy’s tribute.”
Andy Gill and Gang of Four are highly influential British post-punk icons. Their mark on rock music spans far and wide from artists like Rage Against the Machine, R.E.M, The Red Hot Chili Peppers. As well as modern groups Franz Ferdinand, Sleater Kinney and so much more. Warpaint will be releasing this record in tribute to Andy Gill, the co-founder and remaining original member of Gang of Four. The Problem of Leisure originally was Gang of Four’s 40th anniversary celebration of their record Entertainment!
Gill was a part of the creative process prior to his death in February 2020. The album’s brilliant artwork, selected by Gill, was created by Damien Hirst. Gill’s wife, Catherine Mayer will be donating any income she receives from the single to the [UK] Women’s Equality Party, a party she co-founded, and one that Andy passionately supported. The album is available to pre-order now in a variety of formats set for release this May.
Warpaint is a four-piece female band from Los Angeles. The quartet consists of Jenny Lee Lindberg [bass], Stella Mozgawa [drums], Emily Kokal and Theresa Wayman on vocals and guitar. They specialize in sparse, atmospheric art rock and are long time members of the LA-rock music scene. They tiptoe along the lines of art rock, psych rock and dream pop. Warpaint appeals to those who enjoy Cocteau Twins, Joni Mitchell, and Siouxsie and the Banshees. Warpaint has four studio albums, Exquisite Corpse, The Fool, Warpaint and Heads Up.
