Wire

[frankie teardrop]

another band discussed in the controversial music thread, and a major favorite.

one of the first art punks. pink flag, while not a favorite, is one of the best LPs of the era. the use of synthesizers on chairs missing and 154 was rather pioneering at the time, especially for a punk band, as synths were primarily used in prog, kraut, and otherwise avant garde music at the time. the band disappeared for a few years, returning in the mid 80s.

the mid period material keeps an abrasive edge, but got a bit danicer. the ideal copy is my favorite of this era, tracks like 'ahead' and 'ambitious' are among the band's best.

i even love the record releases as wir, minus a drummer and utilizing the 90s dance trend. 'so and slow it grows' is a great track.

the band took a long hiatus, came back with 2003's send, their hardest hitting effort to date. two more records have since been released, featuring all but one original member, bruce gilbert.

long story short- major influence, pioneering to the underground and beyond, and incredibly prolific. even solo projects (dome, colin newman, he said) are incredible.

[frankie teardrop]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9In5Qd_WugE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5cKuqBGrvy8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vl15Xzbg8FY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QcBER4uHz1Q
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZ2RvSHK_B8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7qflS8_pFMM

solo:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VzIvIacMSU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=luXlJIk61aQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GY4l3LxZfXQ *


*covered (and improved upon by) this mortal coil with modern english's robbie grey on vox.

[henryeatscereal]

Wire are awesome and fuckin' innovative too, "Chairs Missing" is one of my favorite albums, ever

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWPBuoFs3Mg

I think many bands have copied them (not just Elastica) and i think they are one of the most underrated bands ever, never heard the solo projects, gotta do it soon...

[Jinsai]

I got to see them live at Coachella 2011. Made the whole festival worth it, even if they drew in a relatively small crowd. The people who were there to see them appreciated the hell out of it.

[frankie teardrop]

they're still amazing live. they look kind of like you're nerdy uncle (also see factory records band the wake), but can still tear your face off. i caught them twice for free in 2008 (south street seaport and irving plaza/wfmu broadcast) and then again just last year. all three gigs were awesome.

[BlueCalx]

...and the new material is COMPLETELY KILLER. Red Barked Tree​ was seriously one of last year's best albums.

[dlb]

Cool band! I've heard of them long before, but the featured tracks (ahead being my favorite) on the movie Carlos the Jackal really got my attention.

Been listening to them on Spotify a few times.

[xmd 5a]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AvlAKX-y9Dk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6Ytde6tmkQ

Anyone in to Wire's more experimental stuff should check out Gilbert and Lewis' Dome project (active during the 80's hiatus). Really eclectic mix of avant-garde post-punk, industrial and some electronics here and there.

[Jinsai]

...and the new material is COMPLETELY KILLER. Red Barked Tree​ was seriously one of last year's best albums.

Definitely one of the most overlooked albums of last year... it seemed like most people (even fans) didn't bother to listen to it.

[Highly Psychological]

One of the best bands ever.
They are still so good, this is one of the best tracks of the past few years, hard to believe they have been going since 1976.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61rkMv6iF0c (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61rkMv6iF0c)

Really liking this one at the moment B side to the classic Map Ref single.
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UoVOwwL7Cic)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UoVOwwL7Cic

[henryeatscereal]

I heard the "Map Ref" is a cattle place in Iowa, is that true?

[Alpha 60]

154 is in my top 10 favorite albums of all time. When TR was asking for ideas on songs to cover during Wave Goodbye, I suggested Blessed State. Pink Flag has grown on me over the years. Send is probably my second favorite Wire album.

[frankie teardrop]

bumping with some wire solo projects. dome was mentioned, but these are also great:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gTkll1coY08

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VzIvIacMSU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LSPQxJjKZEE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EIt5Tczn2Gw

(with DANIEL MILLER!)

[henryeatscereal]

Collin's solo stuff is great! Unsurprisingly sounds like a "electro" Wire (no pun intended, lol...)