Speed was cheaper then, of course.
― Matt Riedl (veal), Monday, 24 June 2002 00:00 (twenty-one years ago) link
I just bought a DVD of Wire doing a "154" show from German TV, 1979. They encore with "Pink Flag", though who cares? The stuff they play before that is one of the best shows I've ever seen by a band. Incredibly intense, slightly pretentious at points but still so super amazing. I was kinda dumbfounded after watching it.
There's a selection of 80's clips at the end of the DVD by Wire and their solo side incarnations, but except for the solo stuff it's just horribly dated. Except for "Ahead".
― Jay Vee (Manon_70), Thursday, 4 December 2003 21:42 (twenty years ago) link
― Kate Silver (Kate Silver), Thursday, 4 December 2003 21:48 (twenty years ago) link
― Rockist Scientist, Thursday, 4 December 2003 21:52 (twenty years ago) link
They've got it at Mondo Kim's here in NYC. Along with DVD's of old Factory videos, Blondie clips, Smiths at Versailles --- some great things that all seem to be the handiwork of someone with an awesome video collection who's just compiling onto DVD-R and selling through Kim's. Not entirely legal but -- hey, you know.
― Jay Vee (Manon_70), Thursday, 4 December 2003 21:54 (twenty years ago) link
DVD sounds great; snarl.
― F. Anthony O'Reilly (Ferg), Thursday, 4 December 2003 22:55 (twenty years ago) link
― Sasha (sgh), Friday, 5 December 2003 01:29 (twenty years ago) link
― latebloomer (latebloomer), Friday, 5 December 2003 05:13 (twenty years ago) link
― Schwingung (Damian), Friday, 5 December 2003 09:19 (twenty years ago) link
― sucka (sucka), Friday, 5 December 2003 11:53 (twenty years ago) link
Oh fuck, that's on Chairs Missing!
― Dr. C (Dr. C), Friday, 5 December 2003 20:38 (twenty years ago) link
― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Friday, 5 December 2003 20:39 (twenty years ago) link
― Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Friday, 5 December 2003 22:21 (twenty years ago) link
― hstencil, Friday, 5 December 2003 22:23 (twenty years ago) link
― Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Friday, 5 December 2003 22:26 (twenty years ago) link
― Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Friday, 5 December 2003 22:29 (twenty years ago) link
Why the Limp and Good Charlotte comparisons?
― Kate Silver (Kate Silver), Friday, 5 December 2003 22:30 (twenty years ago) link
― hstencil, Friday, 5 December 2003 22:31 (twenty years ago) link
― F. Anthony O'Reilly (Ferg), Friday, 5 December 2003 22:33 (twenty years ago) link
I just can't stand all the turgid bullshit on 154. Prog for punks, blech.
― Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Friday, 5 December 2003 22:34 (twenty years ago) link
― hstencil, Friday, 5 December 2003 22:35 (twenty years ago) link
― Broheems (diamond), Friday, 5 December 2003 22:37 (twenty years ago) link
― Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Friday, 5 December 2003 22:38 (twenty years ago) link
― Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Friday, 5 December 2003 22:40 (twenty years ago) link
― hstencil, Friday, 5 December 2003 22:41 (twenty years ago) link
― amateur!st (amateurist), Friday, 5 December 2003 22:44 (twenty years ago) link
― Kate Silver (Kate Silver), Friday, 5 December 2003 22:47 (twenty years ago) link
― Schwingung (Damian), Saturday, 6 December 2003 02:51 (twenty years ago) link
You should be slapped across the face with a sandpaper glove for that comment.
― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Saturday, 6 December 2003 03:04 (twenty years ago) link
I was listening to 154 this morning and the lyrics are fantastic.
― Julio Desouza (jdesouza), Saturday, 6 December 2003 15:06 (twenty years ago) link
― Cinnimiccio (Anthony Miccio), Saturday, 6 December 2003 16:37 (twenty years ago) link
― Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Saturday, 6 December 2003 16:37 (twenty years ago) link
― fiddo centington (dubplatestyle), Saturday, 6 December 2003 16:56 (twenty years ago) link
and yeah i love it
― geeta (geeta), Saturday, 6 December 2003 16:58 (twenty years ago) link
― Ned Raggett (Ned), Saturday, 6 December 2003 17:12 (twenty years ago) link
― fiddo centington (dubplatestyle), Saturday, 6 December 2003 17:14 (twenty years ago) link
― fiddo centington (dubplatestyle), Saturday, 6 December 2003 17:15 (twenty years ago) link
― geeta (geeta), Saturday, 6 December 2003 17:20 (twenty years ago) link
― fiddo centington (dubplatestyle), Saturday, 6 December 2003 17:24 (twenty years ago) link
― cinno blountington (dubplatestyle), Saturday, 6 December 2003 17:27 (twenty years ago) link
Hey Jess, why do ya think that Chairs Missing is better than Pink Flag?
― Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Saturday, 6 December 2003 17:58 (twenty years ago) link
― Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Saturday, 6 December 2003 17:59 (twenty years ago) link
― amateur!st (amateurist), Saturday, 6 December 2003 18:01 (twenty years ago) link
That said Ned's post way back when is the only one of these that actually says why 154 is so damn loved. Can someone tell me what exactly I'm supposed to be enjoying on that thing (aside from the pre-Pixies prettiness of "the 15th" and "Map Ref" actually having a hook).
― Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Saturday, 6 December 2003 18:06 (twenty years ago) link
― fiddo centington (dubplatestyle), Saturday, 6 December 2003 18:09 (twenty years ago) link
all that said, "map ref" is still probably in my top 10 favorite songs of all time.
― fiddo centington (dubplatestyle), Saturday, 6 December 2003 18:10 (twenty years ago) link
― amateur!st (amateurist), Saturday, 6 December 2003 18:11 (twenty years ago) link
Going to see these guys in March!
― With considerable charm, you still have made a choice (Sund4r), Friday, 24 January 2020 03:05 (four years ago) link
Toying with seeing them again. Current version of band were good live a few years back
― curmudgeon, Friday, 24 January 2020 19:58 (four years ago) link
they're not coming to SF this time :(
― lukas, Friday, 24 January 2020 20:11 (four years ago) link
I listened to the entire album today and can't remember a single thing about it except one of them yelling OKLAHOMA really loud
― opden gnash (imago), Friday, 24 January 2020 20:12 (four years ago) link
They still play only new songs?If sođ
― nostormo, Friday, 24 January 2020 20:47 (four years ago) link
I think I'd rather see them only play new songs. Not that I'm likely to go out of my way to see them.
― Frozen Mug (Tom D.), Friday, 24 January 2020 20:54 (four years ago) link
I want to see them play material from Read & Burn 1-3 and Send
― opden gnash (imago), Friday, 24 January 2020 21:00 (four years ago) link
They mix it up live but tend to focus on the last few albums.
― Gerald McBoing-Boing, Friday, 24 January 2020 21:28 (four years ago) link
Oh damnit, I was out of town last time they performed and it was at the closest venue to wear I live too.
― octobeard, Friday, 24 January 2020 21:47 (four years ago) link
Yeah, they've been reasonably normal about the old songs in recent years. You won't get dot dash, but.
― Mark G, Friday, 24 January 2020 22:50 (four years ago) link
opden gnash (imago) at 3:00 24 Jan 20I want to see them play material from Read & Burn 1-3 and Sendsaw em in that era and that's pretty much all they did!
― Blues Guitar Solo Heatmap (Free Download) (upper mississippi sh@kedown), Friday, 24 January 2020 23:39 (four years ago) link
it must have ruled!
― opden gnash (imago), Saturday, 25 January 2020 00:35 (four years ago) link
Ha, tbh, I bought a ticket because they're basically playing next door but hadn't checked recent setlists. I just sort of assumed I'd get to see "Map Ref..."
― With considerable charm, you still have made a choice (Sund4r), Saturday, 25 January 2020 01:31 (four years ago) link
I saw them on the tour for Change Becomes Us. Of course that album was largely reworked from Document and Eyewitness era. My notes say they did these:
MaroonedDrillDoubles and Trebles (formerly âAlly in Exileâ)Adore Your IslandRe-Invent Your Second WheelStealth of a StorkB/W SilenceMagic BulletLove Bends (formerly âKeep Strumming Those Guitarsâ)As We GoAttractive SpaceThe Flying DutchmanBlogging for JesusMap Ref.SmashCometTwo People in a RoomSpentPink Flag
― eatandoph (Neue Jesse Schule), Saturday, 25 January 2020 02:15 (four years ago) link
OK, looks like "Two People in a Room" is on recent setlists anyway.
― With considerable charm, you still have made a choice (Sund4r), Saturday, 25 January 2020 02:29 (four years ago) link
makes sense, as it is...
ONE OF THE GREATEST SONGS OF ALL TIME
― But guess what? Nobody gives a toot!đ (Karl Malone), Saturday, 25 January 2020 02:59 (four years ago) link
Yeah, they've been reasonably normal about the old songs in recent years. You won't get dot dash, but.â Mark G, Friday, January 24, 2020 10:50 PM (one week ago) bookmarkflaglink
â Mark G, Friday, January 24, 2020 10:50 PM (one week ago) bookmarkflaglink
... But it seems you might get "Outdoor Miner"!!
― Mark G, Tuesday, 4 February 2020 20:22 (four years ago) link
Noted
― one charm and one antiup quark (outdoor_miner), Tuesday, 4 February 2020 23:51 (four years ago) link
WireNot About To Diepinkflag24 June 2022
http://images.roughtrade.com/product/images/files/000/237/028/hero/Screen_Shot_2022-02-18_at_1.39.28_PM.png?1645209764
Wire are pleased to announce the first ever official release of Not About To Dieout June 24th via pinkflag (pre-order). Along with the announcement they have shared track âStepping Off Too Quickâ and an accompanying video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4OKaijZUpA
The original Not About To Die was an illegal bootleg, released at some point in the early 80s by the dubiously named Amnesia Records. The album was made up of selections from demos recorded by the group for their second and third albums: Chairs Missing and 154. These demos had been recorded for EMI, with cassette copies circulated amongst record company employees. However, they were never intended for release. A typically shoddy cash-in, the songs on Not About To Die were taken from a second or possibly third generation cassette, with the album housed in a grainy green and red photo-copied sleeve. Compared with the high standards of production and design Wire have always been known for, it was something of an insult to band and fans alike. Now, in a classic act of Wire perversity, the group have decided to redress the balance and reclaim one of the shadier moments of its history, by giving Not About To Die its first official release. All the tracks have been properly remastered, with the relevant recording details in place. As for the sleeve artwork, whilst it strongly references the original, it is decidedly more artful in its execution. Having received proper care and attention, Not About To Die emerges as a fascinating snapshot of Wire in transition. Herein are embryonic versions of classic songs such as "French Film (Blurred)," "Used To" and "Being Sucked In Again," that the group would develop considerably for their epochal 1978 album Chairs Missing. Later demos such as "Once Is Enough," "On Returning" and "Two People In A Room" would surface in radically altered form on 1979âs 154. Some songs, such as âThe Other Window," are virtually unrecognisable from their later iterations. But the biggest prizes here may well be the numerous tracks that were destined to be omitted from Wire's later studio albums... Highlights include "Motive," which, whilst obviously still in an embryonic state, has an undeniable power. Robert Greyâs drumming is crisp and minimal, and Graham Lewisâs bass runs are particularly ear-catching. Despite its distinctly un-Wire title, "Love Ain't Polite" is also something of a gem. Bruce Gilbertâs guitar is razor sharp and Colin Newmanâs vocal is especially strong, with his delivery of the âbah-ba- bah-baâsâ providing an irresistible energy and charm. Meanwhile, the track which gives the album its title Not About To Die, officially known as âStepping Off Too Quickâ and shared online for the first time today, is alive with confident energy, and possesses what Newman half jokingly calls âThe best intro to any song ever." The intro is so good in fact, that it takes up a third of the songâs entire time frame. These properly mastered tracks have never been available on vinyl before, and they provide an opportunity to hear Wire at a point in their development when they were bursting with fresh ideas and a will to communicate them. This is post-punk at its very finest.
― Loud guitars shit all over "Bette Davis Eyes" (NYCNative), Friday, 13 May 2022 20:31 (two years ago) link
Aren't most of those tracks on "Behind the Curtain"?
― Doodles Diamond (Tom D.), Friday, 13 May 2022 20:44 (two years ago) link
Well yes, but why not just reissue Behind the Curtain, which was an EMI release even if it felt like a bootleg? Is the idea here to reissue the demos without the embarrassingly crude first third, like Mary is a Dyke and After Midnight?
― mig (guess that dreams always end), Friday, 13 May 2022 20:46 (two years ago) link
Ah, "never before on vinyl"... got it.
― mig (guess that dreams always end), Friday, 13 May 2022 20:47 (two years ago) link
According to Discogs:
Culture VulturesFrench Film (Blurred)Indirect InquiriesUsed ToBeing Sucked In AgainI Should Have Known BetterThe Other WindowOn Returning
"...have never been officially released; the remaining tracks appear on the 1995 CD Behind The Curtain (Early Versions 1977 & 1978)."
― Loud guitars shit all over "Bette Davis Eyes" (NYCNative), Friday, 13 May 2022 23:08 (two years ago) link
Didn't all of these tracks come out with the 2018 3CD expanded editions?
― Gerald McBoing-Boing, Friday, 13 May 2022 23:52 (two years ago) link
Yes.
Anyway, my copy has just arrived, so..
― Mark G, Saturday, 14 May 2022 13:41 (two years ago) link
A guy's gotta make a living. Colin Newman, that is.
― Doodles Diamond (Tom D.), Saturday, 14 May 2022 14:40 (two years ago) link
the best fucking album ever made!!!!
― flamenco drop (BradNelson), Monday, 11 July 2022 12:32 (one year ago) link
yes. yes!!
― imago, Monday, 11 July 2022 12:48 (one year ago) link
I feel like all the criticisms of this album are like "oh it's so silly and OTT and comically doomy".
But that is what I love about it??
― Tim F, Monday, 11 July 2022 13:22 (one year ago) link
a touching display, you might conclude
― Malevolent Arugula (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Monday, 11 July 2022 13:28 (one year ago) link
You'd be very wrong if you did though.
― Eavis Has Left the Building (Tom D.), Monday, 11 July 2022 14:06 (one year ago) link
My favorite album. (Thanks, Fischerspooner.)
― death generator (lukas), Monday, 11 July 2022 16:48 (one year ago) link
Am I the only one who prefers Colin Newman's A - Z? I don't object to "silly and OTT and comically doomy" in general but the tracks led by Lewis and Gilbert just aren't as interesting melodically, harmonically, or vocally (though they are very interesting conceptually and lyrically).
― Halfway there but for you, Monday, 11 July 2022 16:57 (one year ago) link
(and texturally)
― Halfway there but for you, Monday, 11 July 2022 16:58 (one year ago) link
Ever tried "In Esse" ?
(Makes Metal Machine Music sound tuneful. I sort of like it, but)
― Mark G, Monday, 11 July 2022 17:17 (one year ago) link
I've heard all four Dome albums, and collectively they equal about one fine record plus a lot of mildly interesting experiments.
― Halfway there but for you, Monday, 11 July 2022 17:30 (one year ago) link