Wire (Band)

Wire was an early UK punk-rock band, extremely influential to what became post-punk. Their sound was characterized by jangly guitars and jarring rhythms. They later introduced experimental, psychedelic, and electronic elements.

The Punk Years

On the album Pink Flag, Wire established a stripped-down punk sound that would exert a profound influence on many bands that came after them, especially in the hardcore punk and britpop genres. Their follow-up albums "Chairs Missing" and "154" added elements such as synthesizers, but remained experimental.

Intermission

By 1979, the members of the band had developed diverse musical interests, and went their separate ways in order to pursue a variety of side projects, some solo and some with other members.

The Electronic Years

The members of Wire came together in 1985. This new incarnation was pivotal in the evolution of yet another musical genre - industrial. With the albums "The Ideal Copy" and "A Bell Is A Cup...Until It Is Struck" and songs such as "Drill", the band took electronic music in a harsher direction than prototypical electronic bands such as Kraftwerk had been moving toward. Again, musical interests of the band members continued to diversify, and the project was put on hiatus so members could work on their own interests.

The Modern Era

Wire returned in 2000 with a sound many opined was a clearer, updated version of their earliest work - still stripped-down, angry and confrontational without being a retread of their earlier work. Fast Facts:

1. Years active: 1976-1980, 1985-1992, 2000-present
2. Origin: London, England
3. Studio albums: 9
4. Singles and EPs: 19
5. Bands who have covered Wire: Minor Threat, My Bloody Valentine, The Minutemen, The New Bomb Turks, The Pink Lincolns

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