Dave Allen died. Up there with Peter Hook for bass players that were essential to the sound of their bands.

Gang of Four and Shriekback aren’t exactly bands that people think of for their bass but they should. The first two Gang of Four albums only work because Allen balances out the extremes that Gill’s guitar work sometimes goes to.

I don’t think “Anthrax” works without the very staid baseline to offset the wall of static guitar, for example.

And other songs like “What We All Want” he frankly takes the lead.

Anyway -- as a bassist this is one I saw coming (he had to step back due to early onset dementia like 3 or 4 years ago, around when Gill died) but it sucks.