Gang

Gang is a group from Philadelphia, described as an electronica/punk band. The act is associated with thrash metal, rock, folk, heavy metal and French metal tags, but its main profile is tied to noisy, thrashy punk and rock.

Style and influences

The band’s sound is presented as loud and abrasive, with links to thrash and punk energy. Its listed influences include the Sex Pistols, the Clash, Billy Bragg, Pete Seeger, Woody Guthrie, Modena City Ramblers, Víctor Jara and Violeta Parra. The group also connects its imagery and politics to figures and movements such as Robin Hood, Jesse James, the Black Panthers, the International Workers, Lotta Continua, Potere Operaio, Pier Paolo Pasolini and Alcide Cervi.

Repertoire and projects

Among the named songs and records associated with the group are Libre El Salvador, Against The Dollar Power, La pianura dei sette fratelli, Il buco del diavolo, La corte dei miracoli, All'ultimo sangue and Il seme e la speranza. The discography references include Sandinista!, Tribes' Union, Barricada, Rumble Beat, Reds and Trilogy.

The group also appears in collaborative work such as Gang City Ramblers, described as a combat-folk-rock project with Modena City Ramblers and Gang, and a later collaboration with the folk group Macina.

Performances and broadcasting

Gang performs with acts including The Pogues, The Blasters, Jesus & Mary Chain, Joe Hill and Billy Bragg. One performance at Rome’s San Giovanni square is linked to a televised confrontation in which the group reads out Bettino Craxi against a document during a live RAI programme, after which it is said to be banned from TV networks.

Members and related names

The name also appears in connection with Sandro and Marino Severini, Filottrano, and Andrea Mei. Andrea Mei is described as a keyboard player and accordion player with the group from 1988 to 2000.