Career
The band formed in 1977 at Leeds University, where Burnham was studying English Literature. Creem magazine"s Dave DiMartino said in 1980 "Witness Hugo Burnham, a close-cropped, thickset out-and-out scary drummer who looks like his idea of fun might be pushing young American faces into old American brick walls." He continued, "watching the Gang Of Four perform at Bookie"s Club 870 and realizing that as great as the records are, the band in live performance is even better. There"s rhythm, always rhythm, provided by Burnham"s steady drums and Dave Allen"s absolutely superb funk basswork".
Rolling Stone critic Greil Marcus wrote, "Hugo Burnham play(s) in an economical and precise yet propulsive style, giving the rhythm a piston-like drive."
He then worked as an A&R executive with Island Records in New York, Imago Records in New York and Los Angeles, Qwest Records in Los Angeles, and Electric and Music Industries Music Publishing in Los Los Angeles
He reunited briefly with Allen to play on The Call leader Michael Been"s solo album On The Verge of a Nervous Breakthrough. Gang of Four"s original line-up reunited in 2005, with Burnham telling Rolling Stone "lieutenant would be folly to go out and try to foist new music on people.
What resonates is the old stuff, and we need to go out and do that. After all, the crux of it is the four of us onstage playing, making loud rude noises and running around furiously." He also told the New York Times" Jon Pareles, "I knew we could do it, when I saw we all still had our hair."
He last performed with the band in December 2006 at All Tomorrow"s Parties at Minehead in England.
Burnham along with Dave Allen left the band again in 2008, intending to focus on his studies and work as an academic.
Burnham completed his master"s degree in Education from Cambridge College in 2006.