Wire's debut album, Pink Flag (1977), contains songs which are diverse in mood and style, but most use a minimalist punk approach, unorthodox structures, and several songs are under a minute in length; "Field Day For The Sundays" is only 28 seconds long.
Chairs Missing followed in 1978, and found Wire stepping back from the stark minimalism of Pink Flag, with longer, more atmospheric songs and synthesizer parts added by producer Mike Thorne. The experimentation was even more prominent on 154 (1979). Many of the songs had bassist Graham Lewis on lead vocals.
In 1979, creative differences pulled the band in different directions, leading to the Document and Eyewitness LP (1981), a recording of a performance that featured, almost exclusively, new material. The LP came packaged with an EP of a different performance of more new material. Some of these songs, along with others performed but not included on the album, were included on Colin Newman's post-Wire solo albums ("5/10", "We Meet Under Tables"), while others were released by Gilbert and Lewis' primary post-Wire outlet Dome ("And Then...", "Ritual View"). The band disbanded for the first time in 1980
Between 1981-85 Wire ceased recording and performing in favour of solo and non-Wire collaborative projects such as Dome, Cupol, Duet Emmo, and several Colin Newman solo efforts. In 1985, the group reformed as a "beat combo" (a joking reference to early 1960s beat music or even possibly beatniks), with greater use of electronic musical instruments. It released It's Beginning To And Back Again (IBTABA) in 1989, a "live" album of mostly re-worked versions of songs from The Ideal Copy and A Bell Is a Cup...Until It Is Struck, heavily re-arranged, edited, and remixed. A new song from the album, "Eardrum Buzz", became the band's biggest charting single.
Gotobed left the band in 1990, after the release of the album Manscape. After his departure, the band dropped one letter from its name, becoming "Wir" (still pronounced "wire"), and released The First Letter in 1991. Once again, the band disbanded in 1992 There followed a further period of solo recordings, during which Newman founded the Swim ~ label, and later Githead with his wife (ex-Minimal Compact bassist Malka Spigel), while Wire remained an occasional collaboration. It was not until 1999 that Wire again became a full-time entity.
With Gotobed back in the line-up (now using his birth name, Robert Grey), the group initially reworked much of their back catalogue for a performance at Royal Festival Hall on 26 February 2000. Wire's reception during a short tour of the US, and a number of UK gigs, convinced the band to continue. Two EPs and an album Send (2003) followed, as well as collaborations with stage designer Es Devlin and artists Jake and Dinos Chapman. In 2004 the band split once more.
In 2006, Wire's 1970s albums were re-released with original vinyl track listings. Rumours abounded of a renewal of activity to mark the 30th anniversary of the band's debut as a 4 piece and the re-release of Pink Flag in 2007. A third Read & Burn EP was released in November, 2007.
A full-length album of new material entitled Object 47 was released in July 2008. Bruce Gilbert was not involved in this recording, although according to Colin Newman, he did feature in a minimal capacity on the third Read and Burn EP. 2011 saw the release of the band's twelfth studio album Red Barked Tree.
Stampede
Wire Lyrics
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Pleased as punch but not so nimble
Taking chances that you're given
Take the Trabant to Brabant
Find security
In Western arms, in Western arms
Find security
The non-believers can't agree
Hands are tied, we can't discuss it
Swapping pot-pourri for concrete
Take the glitter to Gorky
Find security
In Western arms, in Western arms
Find security
Insiders think they've cracked the nut
Punch to please and not to crumble
Faking answers you are living
Empty larder history
Find security
In Western arms, in Western arms
Find security
The double agent's single cell
Splits the endgame party symbol
Forked, endorsed, but not forgiven
Delegations with stones
Find security
Buy Western charms, buy Western charms
With security
The Wire's song titled Stampede is a reflection of the socio-political stance of the band during its heyday in the late 70s and early 80s. The lyrics depict the challenges faced by people during times of peril and the measures taken to find security in what was then a turbulent time, particularly in Europe. The song stands out as a commentary on the Cold War and the divide between the East and the West that dominated politics in the period.
The lyrics, "Pleased as punch but not so nimble, taking chances that you're given," express the precarious nature of living in such uncertain times. The character in the song appears to be taking opportunities as they arise to safeguard themselves, even if that means relying on Western arms, as seen in the lyrics "Take the Trabant to Brabant, find security in Western arms." The use of the word 'glitter' in "Take the glitter to Gorky" portrays a sense of seeking refuge in the perceived glamour of Western society.
Line by Line Meaning
In times of peril such as these
During difficult times like the present situation
Pleased as punch but not so nimble
Happy with the current situation but not very agile to handle any sudden changes
Taking chances that you're given
Risking everything that is available
Take the Trabant to Brabant
Travel to a safer place
Find security
Search for a secure environment
In Western arms, in Western arms
In the care of Western countries, who are considered safe
The non-believers can't agree
The people who do not share the same beliefs have a disagreement
Hands are tied, we can't discuss it
Unable to have a conversation or debate about the matter
Swapping pot-pourri for concrete
Trading something valuable for something concrete or tangible, but of little value
Take the glitter to Gorky
Go to a place that is not safe but glittery
Insiders think they've cracked the nut
People who know the inside story believe they have solved the problem
Punch to please and not to crumble
Act in a way that pleases others and not to break down under pressure
Faking answers you are living
Living with false answers to the problem because the real ones are still unknown
Empty larder history
A past that is now of no use, or no longer beneficial
The double agent's single cell
The spy who is working as a double agent cannot be trusted
Splits the endgame party symbol
Causes division among the people who are working together towards a common goal
Forked, endorsed, but not forgiven
Punished for the wrongdoings, but not forgiven
Delegations with stones
People who come with weapons to the peace talks
Buy Western charms, buy Western charms
Get the help of powerful Western countries to stay safe
With security
With the guarantee of being secure
Contributed by Grayson M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Justin Wilson
No one knows this band. And those few that know dismissed this album if they even knew it existed in the first place. What an absolute shame that is! While I don’t love this album like their others, this is an absolute overlooked gem that stands out not only as the album’s best track, but as one of the best tunes of 1990 on either side of the Atlantic.
TheAnalPunisher
I know them...they're great no matter what they do, The Ideal Copy is also brilliant.
John L
Tremendous song by one of my top 10 favorite bands ever.
Nick Rowsell
Maximum perspicacity and ''Euro - chic'' from Wire .. .. .. tackling all those real issues like wot Gary Barlow does'nt .. .. ''Chart bound sound'' as the great, late John Peel used to blurt when faced by unassailable genius.
David Ellis
Second comment. 1990 World Cup . Gary Linekar.