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Dave Allen, Gang of Four and Shriekback Bassist, Dead at 69

Dave Allen, bassist in post-punk band Gang of Four’s core lineup before co-founding the British rock group Shriekback, has died at the age of 69.

Allen’s former Gang of Four band mate, drummer Hugh Burnham announced Sunday on social media that the bassist died at his home in Portland, Oregon. “It is with broken yet full hearts that we share the news that Dave Allen, our old music partner, friend, and brilliant musician, died on Saturday morning,” Burnham wrote. Gail Greenwood, bassist for L7 and Belly who joined Gang of Four ahead of their upcoming farewell tour, wrote on social media, “Dave was the OG master of some of the most iconic bass lines in music history (which I now have the honor of playing live with the band) Learning his parts by listening intensely to every note and nuance he created has given me even more of an appreciation for his incredible talent.

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