Mysterious feeling

Wire 'Chairs Missing' (1978)
Coming off the sublime 'Pink Flag', Wire went a little loony. But in a good way, mind you. The songwriting is less punk, more expansive, strange, psychedelic and even poppy. Listen closely and you'll find you're being sucked in again without mercy.

Start to move

Wire 'Pink Flag' (1977)
Wire first came to my attention after hearing the rousing version of "1 2 X U" by Minor Threat. My curiosity piqued, I searched and quickly found a used copy of this record. These short, energetic blasts (21 in all!) sure sounded different to me, not simply punk, certainly not traditional in any sense. And certainly not like anybody else making music at the time... strange, fragile and lowdown.