Gang of Four (band) David Fricke of "Rolling Stone" described Gang of Four as "probably the best politically motivated band in rock & roll." Gang of Four's music brought together an eclectic array of influences, ranging from the neo-Marxist Frankfurt School of social criticism to the increasingly clear trans-Atlantic punk consensus. Gang of Four was named by a member of the Mekons while driving around with Gill and King when he came upon a newspaper article on the intra-Party coup against China's "Gang of Four". The Gang's debut single, "Damaged Goods" backed with "(Love Like) Anthrax" and "Armalite Rifle", was recorded in June 1978
Gang of Four (pro-Contra) Church. Some Sandinistas had earlier endorsed the Communist crack-down on Poland's labor movement, Solidarity. The "Gang of Four" were four advocates of U.S. Congressional funding for the Contras, who were notable for being prominent Democrats. In October 1984, "The New Republic" published "Nicaragua's Untold Stories", which criticized the Sandinistas for economic mismanagement, corruption, and violations of human rights. The author was Robert S. Leiken, a Democratic policy analyst who had previously been an opponent of the Vietnam War. The turning point came in the fall of 1984, when, after an intense 10 day trip to Nicaragua, Leiken returned 'appalled and