Kidney Bingos - The Music Of Wire

Introduction

I think I first came across Wire on the "Live At The Roxy London WC2 - Jan - Apr 77" album, where two of their songs, "Lowdown" and "12XU", were featured. The album was a great live punk document but while their sound was very raw, for me, Wire stood out as being different and it turned out that they progressed while generally staying out of the mainstream and are still creating music today.

They were formed in London in 1976 by Colin Newman (vocals, guitar), Graham Lewis (bass, vocals), Bruce Gilbert (guitar) and Robert Grey (also known as GoToBed) (drums).

As I write this I am listening to "The A-List" a second-phase compilation with an incredible mix of beauty and aggression. here are some observations on the nature of the band, which will hopefully with the songs that I intend to include here tempt you to investigate further.

Right from their inception in 1976, back in the first stirrings of punk, Wire went about making music in a subversive, conceptual way, setting themselves apart from both their peers and their influences. "I had this idea that I wanted to avoid things that had a particular kind of tradition," explains singer and guitarist Colin Newman. "I thought the three-chord trick was too simplistic and that the one-chord trick would be better. Or the two-chord trick where the second chord is definitely not the right chord." Bass guitarist and vocalist Graham Lewis identifies another trait that has run throughout the group's lifetime. "People said, we were mysterious, arch and dark. But the only way of doing that successfully is by also having a sense of humour. You have to have that balance. With Wire, there's a peculiarity, a contrariness and that can be funny." This questing approach has served them well in guarding against repetition and cliché.

Without further ado, I will now share some songs, and if you are put off by one, try one or two more before you dismiss them. I think you will be more than a little surprised if you get hooked.

12XU from "Live At The Roxy London WC2 - Jan - Apr 77"

Possibly my first introduction to the band and this sounds even better now than when I first heard it, less than two minutes, three chords I think backed by a throbbing rhythm. It still impresses me.

Map Ref. 41°N 93°W from "154"

154 was the number of gigs that the band had played when they issed the album. This was released as a single in 1979 and I got it straight away, a classic pop song with an unusual title, It is not included on an of their "Best Of" compilations that I am aware of but it is still a truly impressive song.

"Outdoor Miner" from "Chairs Missing"

A truly gorgeous song that almost troubled the UK singles chart peaking at nuber 51. I love how the surreal lyrics flow together in this amazing piece of music.

"I Am The Fly" from "Chairs Missing"

Another single from their second album. This is more discordant that the previus two songs and I am just starting to realise how much brilliant music that Wire have been responsible for,

"Dot Dash" (Single but included on "Pink Flag" CD Reissue)

Again a little more raucous but with a killer chorus as well.

"Ahead" from "The Ideal Copy"

I could almost imagine New Order performing this, the chorus is almost to die for, I love this every time that I hear this beauty.

"Kidney Bingos" from "A Bell Is A Cup (Until It Is Struck)"

More off centre lyrical tomfoolery that weaves another beautiful song to close this short playist introduction to Wire.

This only touches on their first five albums, but they have released 18. If you like what you have heard here, go out and discover some more and you will be well rewarded.