Any Wire fans still around here??

Just curious, cos it's aeons since I've seen this lot bein' mentioned in this forum - I was beginnin' to wonder if anyone still remembered them.....

So, feel free to discuss this bunch of ageing art-school post-punk stalwarts on this thread, and it doesn't matter if some of you were indifferent to their electronic/experimental second phase circa 1987-1991 - news is, if you haven't already heard, they stormed back earlier with TWO corking EP's both titled "READ and BURN" (1 and 2, natch) and also an album "SEND" on their own PinkFlag imprint.

Back with their guitars, metronomic drums and angry, snotty polemic intact, I'd say..... one listen to "I Don't Understand" off the first R&B e.p. (clever surreal pun there I noticed) is enough to convince you that this time round, they've got some serious unfinished business to do!

Anyways, which are your favourite Wire records and why?

Originally posted by Nosferatugo Just curious, cos it's aeons since I've seen this lot bein' mentioned in this forum - I was beginnin' to wonder if anyone still remembered them.....

I mentioned them a week or so ago in the "Back to Yours" thread, on my ultimate mix CD. They showed up on a couple of other mixes too.

Bloody hell, it's nice to see you again on the boards Mr. Hubert. Hope things are well an' all with your family

Pink Flag and 154 are the two that I love to death (sorry, dunno why I've never acquired Chairs Missing yet.....50 lashes w/ a wet noodle, I know... )

Love the first one cause it wasn't as 'political', I suppose, as the Pistols or Clash, just some short jagged blasts that didn't waste one moment in getting to the point. Love 154 cause it sounded a helluva lot different from Pink Flag; after the first play through, found myself repeating most of the songs in my head. The song The Other Window always makes me think about making the most of whatever opportunity that I have at the time, even though the guy on the train couldn't do anything anyway.

Saw Wire on their reformed US tour back in 86, and though they didn't do any old stuff then, letting the Ex-Lion Tamers perform Pink Flag in exact running order as a warm-up was a great thing. Glad to say that that they still put out such great music and live shows after the lay-off, and I haven't heard anything bad about this recent spate of material and gigs, though sadly I haven't checked anything out in the last couple of years. Thanks for the heads-up!

I absolutely love 'em. Obviously, the first three are the best. Chairs Missing is definitely my favorite; even though it's a transitional album, it clicks in all the right places, combining the jagged guitar attack of Pink Flag with the burdgeoning sense of synth experimentation that would blossom on 154. Newman's vocals on "Mercy" never fail to work me into a frenzy, and I can't get enough of that icicle synth in "Marooned."

They let their heads get a bit big on 154, as their reach sometimes exceeds their grasp, but overall, it's still a great album. It even has my personal favorite track from them, "The 15th." Just so perfect - the way the glassy guitars seem to play off perfectly from that wall of synthesizers. Astounding.

The mid-period stuff is definitely hit-and-miss, though A Bell Is A Cup Until It Is Struck is fine throughout.

I also have to say that the Read And Burn eps took me completely by surprise (as I'm sure they did many people). It's amazing how vital they still sound (especially considering that Gilbert is pushing 60 years of age or so). I think they kinda dropped the ball on Send, but there's still a ton of stuff to enjoy on it. I guess my big complaint is I would've liked more new songs, instead of recycling so much of R&B.

I like some of Colin Newman's solo stuff, too. A-Z is an essential companion to their original trilogy, if you ask me.

Welcome back, Sir Humbert! I'm a Wire fan too, but only of their Mute period. Should I check out their comeback effort then?

The Ideal Copy is the best of their late 80s period output IMHO.

It's got some absolute corkers on there - Ahead - which as everyone knows rips off New Order's Temptation - Over Theirs, and Ambitious.

The CD also contains the Snakedrill ep and other additonal B-sides into the bargain - well worth seeking out! :)

Not heard their new stuff though - are they limited releases?

Originally posted by Chris Campbell Not heard their new stuff though - are they limited releases?

Probably not, as FNAC Portugal has it

Fookin' glad this thread wasn't about the gobby Welsh twat Nicholas Wire.....

Originally posted by BCE Fookin' glad this thread wasn't about the gobby Welsh twat Nicholas Wire.....

quite right - and his bloody Hoover obsessions!

Originally posted by Poptone I absolutely love 'em. Obviously, the first three are the best. Chairs Missing is definitely my favorite; even though it's a transitional album, it clicks in all the right places, combining the jagged guitar attack of Pink Flag with the burdgeoning sense of synth experimentation that would blossom on 154.

Yeah, what he said. Exactly.

And I love A-Z.

If you find Manscape or WIR in the bargain bin, though, leave them there and back away slowly.

Originally posted by Gnu Odor > Originally posted by Poptone> I absolutely love 'em. Obviously, the first three are the best. Chairs Missing is definitely my favorite; even though it's a transitional album, it clicks in all the right places, combining the jagged guitar attack of Pink Flag with the burdgeoning sense of synth experimentation that would blossom on 154.

Yeah, what he said. Exactly.

And I love A-Z.

If you find Manscape or WIR in the bargain bin, though, leave them there and back away slowly.

Crikey! Such heresy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Half of Manscape is actually as good as Ideal Copy, I have you know.....

Agreed that Wir was pants though. ;)

As a group, Wire are pretty much the business....

Individually, as solo projects, however, the members are responsible for some of the most deathly dull, pretentious, chinstroking arse it has ever been my displeasure to listen to. Bruce Gilbert being by far the worst offender....

Whatever you do, NEVER buy a Wire solo project - they suck to high hell!

Originally posted by Blue nail varnish? Black eyeliner? Get away!! Whatever you do, NEVER buy a Wire solo project - they suck to high hell!

I definitely agree about the Gibert statement (hell, some of his compositions that are added on as bonus tracks to 154 and Chairs Missing are completely worthless. I don't see how one couldn't enjoy Colin's A-Z, though - it's basically an extension/refinement (albiet a not quite as exciting one) of what they were doing with most of 154.

...and to further elaborate on their mid-period stuff: a perfect example of what best-of compilations do well. Highly uneven during that period. If anyone is unsure of whether or not to pick up anything after 154 and before the Read And Burn eps, I'd suggest obtaining a copy of this: Wire - 1985-1990: The A-List It contains everything worth hearing from that era, and is more than enough for all but complete die-hards.

Originally posted by Blue nail varnish? Black eyeliner? Get away!! Individually, as solo projects, however, the members are responsible for some of the most deathly dull, pretentious, chinstroking arse it has ever been my displeasure to listen to. Bruce Gilbert being by far the worst offender....

This way to the shivering man...

Originally posted by Gnu Odor This way to the shivering man...

Not half as bad as INSIDING was mate! Fucking hell, that record should be played as compulsory aural punishment to all young offenders - they'd be rendered comatose and/or reduced to a cabbaged state within minutes. Definitely the biggest waste of 5 quid I have ever been stupid and gullible enough to part with in the first place. Needless to say I flogged it back pronto, vowing never to fall for a Gilbert solo opus ever again.

Utter arse.

I love BG's solo music. Those are excellent albums. They were not marketed as pop music, if you read the information on the packaging it is obvious that they contain long, abstract pieces, it is your own fault if you had contrary expectations.

Originally posted by teleharmonium I love BG's solo music. Those are excellent albums. They were not marketed as pop music, if you read the information on the packaging it is obvious that they contain long, abstract pieces, it is your own fault if you had contrary expectations.

Oh, I knew exactly what I was getting into when I listened to them. It's just that I think he fails completely at making engaging or distinctive art-rock pieces. I can listen to GYBE or any other band like that, but Gilbert's solo stuff strikes me as sub-Merzbow.

Best songs are "12XU" and "Eardrum Buzz". Worst moment is when they changed their name from "Wire" to "Wir" when one member left.

Been scouring the local record shops for either the SEND album or the Read and Burn eps - but none of them know anything about them cos they don't bother stocking small label obscurities - isn't that great?

Looks like web-only mail order would appear to be the only solution to obtain these releases then.

yeah, call it heresy but i think i dig their newest output more. their first three all have their cool points but somehow the new material just clicks.

sure the *really* overdriven guitars are a bit tired, but the sound is swirling/disorienting and i like it.

I vaguely remember Wire. They're not the same band as Wire Train, were they?

I remember Wire had some song that Elastica ripped off ("Connection" I think).

Originally posted by Some Distant Memory I vaguely remember Wire. They're not the same band as Wire Train, were they?I remember Wire had some song that Elastica ripped off ("Connection" I think).

No, Wire Train was from the Bay Area, I think; they were on 415 records for awhile anyway, til CBS signed 'em. A bit like R.E.M., still have their records.

Originally posted by Green Bloody hell, it's nice to see you again on the boards Mr. Hubert. Hope things are well an' all with your family Pink Flag and 154 are the two that I love to death (sorry, dunno why I've never acquired Chairs Missing yet.....50 lashes w/ a wet noodle, I know... ) Love the first one cause it wasn't as 'political', I suppose, as the Pistols or Clash, just some short jagged blasts that didn't waste one moment in getting to the point. Love 154 cause it sounded a helluva lot different from Pink Flag; after the first play through, found myself repeating most of the songs in my head. The song The Other Window always makes me think about making the most of whatever opportunity that I have at the time, even though the guy on the train couldn't do anything anyway. Saw Wire on their reformed US tour back in 86, and though they didn't do any old stuff then, letting the Ex-Lion Tamers perform Pink Flag in exact running order as a warm-up was a great thing. Glad to say that that they still put out such great music and live shows after the lay-off, and I haven't heard anything bad about this recent spate of material and gigs, though sadly I haven't checked anything out in the last couple of years. Thanks for the heads-up!

Hiya to you again Green, me aad gadgie! I know I don't post here too often but, y'knaa, sometimes it's good to pop me head in again to see what's been gannin' doon in a matter of speaking! Everyone's doin' fine, thanks fer askin, bairns are doin' well - our little girl just had her 6th birthday at the end of last month..... so we were all busy fussin' here an' there...

Returnin' to Wire, have to say that I myself haven't seen them playin' for absolutely ages - they never come up north that's fer sure. Methinks it's a bit too much to expect that they ever take the trouble to haul their asses up further than Birmingham.....even if they are close to gettin' their automated invalid wheelchairs any day soon.

I'd say that "Chairs Missing" is their most interesting album of that first three purely cos of its "transitional" nature - that nicely develops on from their first "Pink Flag" and paves the way for what was to come on "154" (some die hards even slag the latter off as "Wire Goes Prog"!!)

For a start, the first thing you notice are keyboards being more prominent this time - and on some tracks you can't tell if it's these or just more layered guitars! Also, they sound uncannily like XTC on some tracks ("I Feel Mysterious Today" being the best example) whilst Newman's vocals also come across like a hybrid of Robert Smith and Siouxsie. Of course, the most obvious song on this album is "Outdoor Miner" which is just a pure POP! moment complete with surprising use of piano on the verses. But raucous tracks like "Too Late" are just timely updates of the "Pink Flag" post-punk snottiness. "Heartbeat" must have indirectly influenced all the drone rock stuff of the late 80s and early 90s by its use of repetition and two notes throughout... In short, "Chairs" is pretty diverse - and a quantum step forward for the band - this time the 90-second tracks are offset by more ambitious and complex numbers which display a more creative side to the band than was evident earlier on "Flag".

I think you'd do well to get hold of this album G - then you can fully appreciate how it acts as a stepping stone between the first and third albums - without stating the obvious! :)

Originally posted by Monsieur Round&Round Welcome back, Sir Humbert!I'm a Wire fan too, but only of their Mute period. Should I check out their comeback effort then?

In a word, yes, if you want to acquaint yourself with what Wire started off sounding like, cos they do come across as effectively two different bands - the one between 1977-1980 and then the one post 1985-1990. The Mute stuff is pretty good - but always underrated. As mentioned by some poster elsewhere here, you should also get hold of the compilation album "The A List" to get the best overview of their mid-80s output, or, if you're more adventurous and patient, seek out a rare double CD called "Coatings" which was issued on WMO imprint in 1997 and collects some rare unreleased stuff from this same period.

Originally posted by Blue nail varnish? Black eyeliner? Get away!! As a group, Wire are pretty much the business....Individually, as solo projects, however, the members are responsible for some of the most deathly dull, pretentious, chinstroking arse it has ever been my displeasure to listen to. Bruce Gilbert being by far the worst offender....Whatever you do, NEVER buy a Wire solo project - they suck to high hell!

Admit that even I can get irritated listenin' to the sound of tuneless "art" dirges and churning machinery after a few minutes.

Originally posted by Martin Davies Best songs are "12XU" and "Eardrum Buzz". Worst moment is when they changed their name from "Wire" to "Wir" when one member left.

Aye...it's widely understood the band dropped an "E" when the drummer finally "Went To Bed" ;)

Originally posted by Poptone I absolutely love 'em. Obviously, the first three are the best. Chairs Missing is definitely my favorite; even though it's a transitional album, it clicks in all the right places, combining the jagged guitar attack of Pink Flag with the burdgeoning sense of synth experimentation that would blossom on 154. Newman's vocals on "Mercy" never fail to work me into a frenzy, and I can't get enough of that icicle synth in "Marooned."They let their heads get a bit big on 154, as their reach sometimes exceeds their grasp, but overall, it's still a great album. It even has my personal favorite track from them, "The 15th." Just so perfect - the way the glassy guitars seem to play off perfectly from that wall of synthesizers. Astounding.The mid-period stuff is definitely hit-and-miss, though A Bell Is A Cup Until It Is Struck is fine throughout. I also have to say that the Read And Burn eps took me completely by surprise (as I'm sure they did many people). It's amazing how vital they still sound (especially considering that Gilbert is pushing 60 years of age or so).

Aye...you're absolutely spot on about "Chairs Missing"!!! Great descriptions of the sounds there too.... :)

Originally posted by Chris Campbell The Ideal Copy is the best of their late 80s period output IMHO.It's got some absolute corkers on there - Ahead - which as everyone knows rips off New Order's Temptation - Over Theirs, and Ambitious.The CD also contains the Snakedrill ep and other additonal B-sides into the bargain - well worth seeking out!:)Not heard their new stuff though - are they limited releases?

Agree that "Ideal Copy"'s their best Mute-period album.... and the fact that "Ahead" does rip off "Temptation"..... their new stuff is available from their website.....can't recall the URL at the top of me head but type in Wire on the search engine and you'll find it!

Originally posted by Grell yeah, call it heresy but i think i dig their newest output more. their first three all have their cool points but somehow the new material just clicks.sure the *really* overdriven guitars are a bit tired, but the sound is swirling/disorienting and i like it.

Listen again to "Feed Me" off "Ideal Copy" at full volume and tell me that those enormous stabbing guitar chords don't frighten the wits out of small children and I'll buy you a drink! ;)

nos,

i've actally been listening to the songs at a higher volume and they are frightening. and i take back some i said. the new stuff is just plain amazing. absolutely wicked!

Originally posted by Nosferatugo

Originally posted by Monsieur Round&Round Welcome back, Sir Humbert!I'm a Wire fan too, but only of their Mute period. Should I check out their comeback effort then?

In a word, yes, if you want to acquaint yourself with what Wire started off sounding like, cos they do come across as effectively two different bands - the one between 1977-1980 and then the one post 1985-1990. The Mute stuff is pretty good - but always underrated. As mentioned by some poster elsewhere here, you should also get hold of the compilation album "The A List" to get the best overview of their mid-80s output, or, if you're more adventurous and patient, seek out a rare double CD called "Coatings" which was issued on WMO imprint in 1997 and collects some rare unreleased stuff from this same period.

Thanks, Hub, but you're preaching to the converted! I own both "The A List" and "Coatings" (wich, by the way, i bought not through WireMailOrder but found in a local record shop!) as well as a magnificent limited edition of "Manscape", featuring a lovely poster courtesy of Monsieur Neville Brody (if I remember correctly, as I lost the said item ages ago when I was a mere Law student. I had it on my bedroom wall and you can imagine the "what the fuck is that?" questions I got every time someone entered our student's house..).

By the way, did you know that the "thingie" on Manscape's sleeve is a reproduction of a photo taken in the Marques de Pombal Square in... Lisbon?

Re: Manscape ... I once had the tape version of this album (but I since sold it cos it wasn't much cop) and I never knew exactly what the image on the cover was initially - to me it looked like a roulette wheel with a misshapen phallus in the middle of it - until I opened up the inlay and saw the bigger version of the same pic. :D

Don't forget to download Twelve Times You and the X U version.

Here it is...again...

Originally posted by Gnu Odor Don't forget to download Twelve Times You and the X U version.Here it is...again...

You bastard! I tried to do just that and it kept crashing my machine.

BTW, Gnu, what did you think of their "contentious" live album from 1985 "Document and Eyewitness"? Some fans thought that was Wire at their most pretentious.

I really liked Document and Eyewitness, and then I let a buddy borrow it and I never saw it again. He claims he returned it...

I miss that ol' CD...