Legendary post-punk luminaries Gang of Four will be the next in an ever-increasing line of artists who ask fans to fund their exploits. This time the band are asking for donations to aid the process of their newest record, the forthcoming Content. Of course, fans who pledge a certain amount of money will get something in return, you won't go home empty-handed, as they say.

Set up via Pledge Music the band say this:

We’re emerging blinking into the light after many months locked in Andy’s studio, clutching Gang of Four’s new album: Content. Later this summer you’ll be able to buy it on download or CD. But we’re offering weirder and more wonderful options to a limited number of GO4 aficionados.

'But what will I get in return?', you ask. Well, plenty, in fact. Details of some of the items are below:

• One of 500 signed limited edition Gang Of Four 'Content Cans', which contains the new CD, a book of artwork by Jon King and Andy Gill, and a few other things, like a scratch and sniff booklet.

• A limited edition cassette tape, which will feature a never-before-released recording of the band’s first ever gig (recorded at the Cellar Bar, Leeds Corn Exchange in May 1977) on one side, and the new album on the other. The cassette tape will come in a Walkman that has been individually decorated with artwork by Jon King and Andy Gill.

• Entrance to a private view of a Gang of Four exhibition and gig at the ICA in London.

• An exclusive Question and Answer evening with Jon and Andy.

• The chance to buy a signed guitar accidentally broken on stage by Andy Gill during the song ‘Anthrax’.

• An opportunity for a fan to have one of their own songs personally remixed by Gang of Four.

Naturally, all these things come at different 'prices', ranging from £10 for the 'Content Can', £1,500 for Andy Gill to mix your own track, a helicopter ride with G04 from or to Glastonbury going for £950 and the album playback in a London studio for £190. Limited numbers of each of these exist.

The band are also offering a 'pledgers only updates page' on the Pledge Music website, where they'll be sharing videos, demos, rough mixes and previously unreleased songs from their archives, plus the usual blogs and photos and all that.

DiScuss: Fan Funding - A Good Thing or A Bad Thing?

Photo by Helen Boast