The bass barked, grooved, and cut through the noise in the band Gang of Four. And at the centre of that rhythm stood Dave Allen, the “Ace of Bass” whose playing helped define post-punk as we know it. He was the movement. Dave Allen, who passed away at 69 after living with early-onset dementia, was a giant with a groove. His influence ran deep, even when his name stayed quiet. Today and for a long time, he’ll be remembered not just through his iconic basslines, but through the lesser-known stories that made him legendary.
1. He once planned a 20-album release series.
Allen was famously ambitious. After launching World Domination Recordings, I had several dealings with him while we distributed the label at KOCH. At the time, I was both an admirer and slightly intimidated—his legendary status was palpable, and you could feel it in the air whenever he visited the office. He began work on an ambitious 20-volume music series—but only three were ever released. He said the rest would arrive “eventually,” and even unfinished, the idea itself reflects a mind always bursting with vision.
2. He never liked being called “cool.”
Despite shaping one of the most influential bands in alternative music, Allen disliked being thought of as “cool.” In interviews, he’d often downplay his status, redirecting praise to the creative chemistry of Gang of Four or the raw energy of the audiences. For him, music was about movement—not image.
3. He had a soft spot for education.
Later in life, Allen lectured and blogged about digital strategy and music tech, becoming an informal educator to artists navigating a changing industry. He believed musicians should own their voices and data, years before it became a common conversation. His intellect was as sharp as his basslines.
4. He was a fan of punk, funk… and Prince.
While known for his post-punk pedigree, Allen was a massive Prince fan and often spoke of the power of groove and melody. His bass playing echoed that love of syncopation—marrying the cerebral with the danceable, the angry with the joyful. “Make them think, then make them dance,” he’d say.
5. He created a supergroup most people never heard of.
In 2006, Allen quietly formed Faux Hoax with Danny Seim (Menomena), John Askew, and author Adam Gnade. Their only release was a 7-inch single—but for those who heard it, it was pure Dave Allen: experimental, raw, surprising, and totally sincere.
Dave Allen’s passing is a blow to anyone who ever found joy in the off-kilter rhythms and confrontational art of Gang of Four. But beyond the stage, he was an educator, innovator, and endlessly curious human being. He played the bass with purpose, a voice, a backbone. Rest easy, Ace of Bass. We’ll be dancing in your memory for a long, long time.
