Wire - Interview
by Anthony Strutt
published: 5 / 11 / 2010

intro
Anthony Strutt talks to Wire bassist Graham Lewis at a gig in London about 'Red Barked Tree', their forthcoming new album
I have been aware of Wire forever, but have only really listened to them recently. My friend Christiane came to London from Germany in June for Paul McCartney’s gig at Hyde Park and planted a copy of their compilation album, ‘On Returning (1977-1979)’, in my hand and told me to listen to it. She had got it from the wonderful Fopp at a stupid price. I know why she liked them, as we have both been aware of R.E.M.'s cover of Wire’s song, ‘Strange’, on their 1987 album ‘Document’. For two nights in early November Wire played the King's Cross venue, The Lexington, which has become home to the secret gig by everyone these days. I knew it was sold out, but thought if anything I would get my new present signed by these legendary punks, which I did. The only member of the band that escaped me was vocalist and guitarist Colin Newman, who passed by me and didn't look like the recent picture I had seen of him at all. The evening was about getting a CD signed, but I was able to speak to bassist, Graham Lewis, and ask him a few questions about ‘Red Barked Tree’, their new album. PB: I believe the new album is finished. GL: Yes, it was finished in October. PB: How different is it to the other material you have released? GL: It is quite similar to the last two albums, ‘Send’ and ‘Object 47’, but I would say that it is much more lyrical and it sounds a bit like our earlier material. PB: You are not on Mute Records anymore? GL: No, we haven't been since 2000. We now have our own label, Pink Flag. It is the only way we could do it. People don't buy albums anymore. People just buy tracks, so the only way we sell stuff is at gigs. Chris Blackwell of Island Records was saying it's like back in the 1930s when Court Basie could only sell songs if they came to his concerts. It has gone back to that situation. PB: When will the new album be released? GL: It will be January or February. We will then do a UK tour in February. PB: Thank you.
Band Links:-
https://www.facebook.com/WIRE.pinkflaghttps://twitter.com/WireHQ
http://www.pinkflag.com/
https://plus.google.com/114864217505937030910/about
https://soundcloud.com/wirehq
https://www.youtube.com/user/wirehq
Have a Listen:-
interviews |
Interview with Colin Newman (2007) |
![]() |
Wire’s career spans 30 years, and has extended from punkish early albums to electronic, melodic records in the 80's to more taut recent records. Mark Rowland talks to Colin Newman from the group about the re-release of the band's early catalogue with extra live recordings and their continued impact |
live reviews |
Lexington, London, 15/4/2015 |
![]() |
At the Lexington in London, Adrian Janes witnesses a powerful performance from reinvigorated post-punk veterans, Wire |
soundcloud
reviews |
Wire (2015) |
![]() |
Competent eponymous fourteenth studio album from seminal post-punk outfit, Wire |
Red Barked Tree (2010) |
Object 47 (2008) |
Send (2003) |
most viewed articles
current edition
Yardbirds - Interview with Jim McCartyPeter Doherty - Blackheath Halls, Blackheath and Palace Halls, Watford, 18/3/2025 and 21/3/2025
Johnny Cash - Video Vault
John Philip Shenale - Interview
Max Bianco and the BlueHearts - Troubadour, London, 29/3/2025
Armory Show - Interview with Richard Jobson
Deb Googe and Cara Tivey - Interview
Vapors - Interview
Loft - Interview
Waeve - Club Academy, Manchester, 18/3/2025
previous editions
Heavenly - P.U.N.K. Girl EPBeautiful South - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Pixies - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Barrie Barlow - Interview
Paul Clerehugh - Interview
Cliff Richard and The Shadows - Comment
Trudie Myerscough-Harris - Interview
Pere Ubu - Interview with David Thomas
Boomtown Rats - Ten Songs That Made Me Love....
Ken Loach - Interview
most viewed reviews
current edition
Bryan Ferry and Amelia Barrett - Loose TalkIvor Game - When Will You Fall Into My Loving Arms?
Gabriel Moreno - Nights in the Belly of Bohemia
Doris Brendel and Lee Dunham - Big Blue Sky
Bryan Adams - Live at the Royal Albert Hall 2024
Brooke Combe - Dancing at the Edge of the World
Shaw's Trailer Park - I Thought I Saw You
Ringo Starr - Look Up
FKA twigs - Eusexua
Leon Bridges - Leon
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart