Wire

7-16-10

Wire – Singles

I recently recommended Wire to a friend who lives in Washington state. He liked my recommendation! I told him their best stuff were their “punk singles”. I recommended he buy a collection CD of their older material…

DOT DASH / OPTIONS R

HARVEST UK HAR 5161, 1978 2 TRKS with pic sleeve

I AM THE FLY / EX LION TAMER

HARVEST UK HAR 5151, 1978 2 TRKS with pic sleeve

MANNEQUIN / FEELING CALLED LOVE / 12XU

HARVEST UK HAR 5144, 1977 3 TRKS with pic sleeve

MAP REF. 41N 93W / GO AHEAD

HARVEST UK HAR 5192, 1979 2 TRKS with pic sleeve

OUR SWIMMER / MIDNIGHT BAHNHOF CAFE

ROUGH TR UK RTO 79, 1979 2 TRKS with pic sleeve

OUTDOOR MINER / PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT

HARVEST UK HAR 5172, 1978 2 TRKS with pic sleeve, white vinyl

QUESTION OF DEGREE, A / FORMER AIRLINE

HARVEST UK HAR 5187, 1979 2 TRKS with pic sleeve

If hard pressed, I think I like “A Question Of Degree” and “Our Swimmer” the best. I think “Our Swimmer” is about their most commercial singles ever released – yet, it’s what got them off of EMI (and onto Rough Trade).

Wire were certainly popular with the artsy crowd in 1978/9. Some people “got it” immediately – others didn’t know what to make of their punk minimalism. I think I finally got the message about the time of “154”, which I still think is their strongest album. I never saw them play live.

I tried to follow Colin Newman through a solo career – but only got as far as his first few solo releases. I never got very many of the re-formed Wire albums / singles – though I understand they are popular with the post-new wave crowd.

I don’t think there were ever music videos made for any of the above listed singles – well, I certainly never saw any! Another friend eventually gave me some Wire videos, but I think they were live shows, not ‘produced’ music videos.

So, all hail Wire! But I do still enjoy other UK early new wave bands more: Magazine, XTC, Ultravox (Mk. I) etc.