Wire (band)

Wire
Wire in 2013; left to right: Matthew Simms, Robert Grey, Colin Newman, Graham Lewis
Background information
Also known asWir
OriginLondon, England
Genres
DiscographyWire discography
Years active1976–1980, 1985–1992, 1999–present
Labels
MembersColin Newman
Graham Lewis
Robert Grey
Matthew Simms
Past membersGeorge Gill
Bruce Gilbert
Margaret Fiedler McGinnis
Websitewww.pinkflag.com

Wire are a British rock band, formed in London in October 1976 by Colin Newman (vocals, guitar), Graham Lewis (bass, vocals), Bruce Gilbert (guitar), George Gill (lead guitar) and Robert Grey (aka Robert Gotobed; drums). They were originally associated with the punk rock scene, appearing on The Roxy London WC2 album, and were instrumental to the development of post-punk, while their debut album, Pink Flag, was influential for hardcore punk.

Wire are considered a definitive and highly influential art punk and post-punk band, due to their richly detailed and atmospheric sound and obscure lyrical themes. They steadily developed from an early noise rock style to a more complex, structured sound involving increased use of guitar effects and synthesizers (1978's Chairs Missing and 1979's 154). The band gained a reputation for experimenting with song arrangements throughout their career.