In an exclusive interview for Eastwood guitars, Wire’s lead singer and guitarist, Colin Newman, said:

“Wire really never were a punk band… we happened to be there at the same time. You could list the Ramones as one of our influences, but we were never interested in just doing that genre.”

Eastwood met with Colin Newman ahead of their gig in Leeds, England, last month. Wire were headlining their own festival, DRILL, which takes places in different countries, including the US, England, Belgium and Germany.

The band is currently promoting their new album, Silver/Lead, that shows they are still musically relevant in 2017 – and, perhaps as Colin suggest, not really “punk”. At least not anymore!

Colin Newman live at Leeds’ Brudenell Social Club

The article also reveals plans for a Colin Newman signature guitar, based on Colin’s favorite guitar – the Airline MAP, which he fitted with a piezo pickup for acoustic tones.

Since forming in 1976, Wire have become one of the most influential British bands from the late seventies – despite never achieving the same level of success as the Sex Pistols or The Clash. Bands as diverse as R.E.M., Sonic Youth, Franz Ferdinand, Blur, Elastica, My Bloody Valentine, Black Flag and, more recently, Parquet Courts, have been influenced by Colin Newman & co. 

Today, with the addition of new guitarist Matt Simms (who joined in 2010), Wire remain relevant and a superb live band – and the same goes for their records. Albums such as Change becomes Us, Nocturnal Koreans and this year’s Silver/Lead are proof of their continued musical vitality.

LISTEN: Wire’s “Short Elevated Period” (from Silver / Lead, 2017)

READ COLIN NEWMAN INTERVIEW

“We are not a punk band” says Wire’s Colin Newman from MyRareGuitars.com

Josh Klinghoffer with the Airline Bighorn Guitar (Red Hot Chili Peppers)

Red Hot Chili Peppers - I'm With You album cover

10) Red Hot Chili Peppers – I’m With You

When I first saw a photo of Josh Klinghoffer with his green Airline Bighorn, I knew I was going to like this album.

Magazine - No Thyself album cover

Magazine Reunion Tour 2009 concert ticket

9) Magazine – No Thyself

Even if there was no music on this disk – just the lyrics – it would make my top ten list. In fact, it was on my top ten list before I heard it, that is how much a fan of Magazine and Howard Devoto I am. Crazy really, so much so that I bought a concert ticket to their reunion concert in 2009. It was in UK, I am in Canada and I had no intention of going, I just had to have a ticket. Who spends 50 bucks on a ticket to a show they do not plan to attend? Anyway, great record, great lyrics, great to see Magazine back in the saddle.

Bazan - Strange Negotiations album cover

8 ) David Bazan – Strange Negotiantions

You’re a god damn fool, You’re a god damn fool, You’re a god damn fool, and I love you.

Wire - Red Barked Tree album cover

7 ) Wire – Red Barked Tree

WIRE just keeps on impressing. Just when you thought they can’t get better, they do. WIRE should be proud, and all those whom they’ve influenced over the years, get confirmation once again.

Buzzcocks - What Do I Get? album cover

6 ) Buzzcocks – What Do I Get?

It’s a 2011 release, but a LIVE album from a 2003 Sheppard’s Bush concert. It also includes a DVD of the performance and manages to fit 28 tracks into true Buzzcocks breakneck speed. More than a quarter of a century into their career at the time of this show, there’s not even the hint of a suggestion of them slowing down . Word is also out that 2012 will include a couple of shows in UK featuring Howard Devoto and the Spiral Scratch tunes. Too cool.

Dum Dum Girls - Only In Dreams album cover

5 ) Dum Dum Girls – Only in Dreams

The popularity of the single “Bedroom Eyes” (link to the video) brought the The Dum Dum Girls to a much wider audience this year. That’s good. This second album from the band is a leap forward. Give it a spin.

Blackie & the Rodeo Kings - Kings and Queens album cover

4 ) Blackie and the Rodeo Kings

What do you get when you take one of best bands to ever come out of Canada and make a record with an all-star cast of singers? Perhaps the best album of the year, that’s what.

Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks - Mirror Traffic album cover

3 ) Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks – Mirror Traffic

I’ve been a Pavement fan since day one and Malkmus has done it again. The meandering vocal lines intertwine with the seemingly sloppy and lazy guitar playing to create a fantastic collection of inspired pop gems. Did I say sloppy/lazy? Not really, just very refreshing to not hear a guitar played along to a click track. Long live this music.

City and Colour - Little Hell album cover

2) City and Colour – Little Hell

Dallas Green’s City and Colour is making us Canadians proud. Lavishly produced, beautiful vocals, haunting electric guitars over warm acoustics – just a great record. Go get it.

The Black Keys - El Camino album cover

1) The Black Keys -El Camino

What a killer record. Something about this album makes me want to quit my job, get the old band together, buy a crappy used van and hit the road. The production on this record makes you feel like you are right there in the middle of The Black Keys rehearsal space – it is compelling and it is making me want to pick up a guitar right now and jam along with them.

My Top 10 Albums of 2011 List (Part 1) from MyRareGuitars.com

WIRE on Jimmy Fallon

Panic at the Disco on Conan

Steve Earl on Letterman (Eleanor Whitmore on Tenor)

Mike Robinson taping Guitar Pics for Treasure HDTV

Mike Robinson taping Guitar Pics for Treasure HDTV

Eastwood Celebrity Sightings (May 2011) from MyRareGuitars.com

Wire: Red Barked Tree

The 1980’s were hit and miss decade for fans of WIRE, but few argue that 1988’s A BELL IS A CUP was a standout album, and it still stands the test of time. Twenty-two years later, WIRE has done it once again with RED BARKED TREE. From the opening notes of PLEASE TAKE, the album feels like a book-end to that 1988 classic LP. Better still, as the album progresses it opens up to a fresh sounding WIRE – bright and upbeat – borrowing the knowledge from the past yet delivering a vibrant, new, lyrical series of songs. Colin Newman covers the gamut ranging from angst ridden romps (check out the free download TWO MINUTES) to soulful ballads like ADAPT. One surprise track is BAD WORN THING, which manages to capture all-things-good about WIRE – great lyrics, great melody and haunting guitars, topped with the best vocals I’ve heard from Lewis in years. What follows is MOREOVER where the muscle of the band flexes again – a subtle reminder of their ability to kick ass. Red Barked Tree just gets better with every spin. Just when you thought they can’t get better, they do. WIRE should be proud, and all those whom they’ve influenced over the years, get confirmation once again.

Wire

CD Review: Red Barked Tree (WIRE) from MyRareGuitars.com

• Wed10/01/08 – Nick Cave
• Fri10/03/08 – The Wedding Present
• Sat 10/04/08 – Alkaline Trio
• Sun 10/05/08 – Beck with MGMT
• Tue 10/07/08 – Wire
• Fri 10/10/08 – The NOTWIST
• Sat 10/11/08 – Lucinda Williams
• Sun 10/12/08 – Crooked Fingers

Here are some photo’s, videos and comments from a few.

BECK with Jessica Dobson playing her AIRLINE TUXEDO Guitar. If you have never been to a BECK show, do yourself a favor, GO!

Here is BECK again the following Friday night in David Letterman:

My thanks to Jessica for making that AIRLINE Tuxedo look better than it ever has!

MGMT performing their mega cool #1 2008 summertime song TIME TO PRETEND featuring the EASTWOOD WANDRE Guitar.

A certain highlight of the week was WIRE at Lee’s Palace. I recently read a review of their new LP OBJECT 47, being called “music from the year 2038″. Why? Because WIRE has always been 30 years ahead of their time. I must agree, find out for yourself. I did not manage to get any video or photo’s (too much beer, perhaps?) but here is some footage on youtube from an earlier show on the tour – featuring Colin Newman with his AIRLINE MAP Guitar.

And perhaps the best show of the week – even though NO Eastwood or AIRLINE guitars were to be seen – was The Notwist. This is a band that you should see. Five piece, with many more than 5 instruments – 2 guitars, bass, Piano, synth, drums, a variety of synth drums, turntables, vintage LP’s, weird remote controlled percussion digital whateverf!!?@, the list goes on… some of the most exciting music being written today. Make sure to check them out, buy the CD NEON GOLDEN check out this track -ONE WITH THE FREAKS – is #1 in my IPOD for the past 12 months, and played LOUD was a HUGE 3rd encore crowd pleaser at the Lee’s Palace Show. Here is the video (turn it up because the audio is REALLY low):

Live in Toronto (October 2008) from MyRareGuitars.com

Githead: Art Pop album

First, the contest for the Pete Shelley Signature Guitar is wrapping up on Dec 10th, so get your entry in before it’s too late! Second, we have finished our next video interview – with Colin Newman (Wire) and his wife Malka Spigel who are Githead. Yes, I’m a Wire fan (who isn’t!?) but Githead is something you really need to check out. Enjoy!

Githead: Colin Newman & Malka Spigel Talk Art Pop from MyRareGuitars.com

Our first day in London included a visit with Chris Spedding

That afternoon we drove up to OXFORD to catch of Ian Hunter of Mott The Hoople fame. Unbelievable showman, he rocked the SOLD OUT show.

The next day we drove up to Nottingham in search of Robin Hood, but instead ran into John Cooper Clarke. For those of you unfamiliar with his work, your are missing out. John is one of the best comedians the UK has ever produced, and one of these days I will convince him to come back to North America to treat us to his twisted sense of humor. Here is a sample of what we heard: “A man goes to his doctor for his annual medical examination. Doctor says, “I’m afraid you’re going to have to stop masturbating”. The man exclaims, “Stop masturbating? WHY?” Doctor says, “Well, I’m trying to conduct a medical examination!”

Me with John Cooper Clarke, comedian

Next stop was Sheffield to visit some friends and check out the new JOY DIVISION movie, CONTROL. Great movie, even better because “Ian Curtis” in the movie is playing and EASTWOOD VG6 Guitar. =)

The Undertones

Up to Holmfirth to spend some time with one of the best bands around, The Undertones. The SOLD OUT audience was treated to a memorable set of non-stop hits. I can’t remember seeing a more appreciative group of fans. Just another band on the list of bands we need to get back over the pond. Thanks guys for your hospitality and for getting those EASTWOOD Guitars up on stage and put to good use!

Mike Robinson & Bill Nelson at Nelsonica 07

Next stop was YORK in the North of England. I’ve been planning this trip for a couple of years, and it finally came together. I had to opportunity to interview Bill Nelson, live on stage at Nelsonica 07. An incredible, memorable event. We will have the entire video interview available in the coming months, on-line. I’m hoping to get Bill to bring NELSONICA to North America in 2009. More info to come….

The next morning we braved the 5 hour drive, back down to London (in typical British weather and traffic) to get to the comeback show of Edwyn Collins. Worth twice the drive….

At the Edwyn Collins comeback show

Quite an emotional event. Edwyn suffered a near fatal brain hemorrhage in 2005 and had to relearn how to walk, talk, read and write. All his friends were on hand to support this comeback show, including the BBC, and what a show it was.

Colin Newman and his wife Malka Spigel, who are half of the band GITHEAD

After a day off in London, we made our way over to meet with Colin Newman and his wife Malka Spigel, who are half of the band GITHEAD. We visited them in their home studio, discussed the recent GITHEAD release and then popped out for a couple of pints to discuss the music industry in general. Colin gave me an advanced copy of the new WIRE release, READ & BURN. I will post a review in next months newsletter.

Last leg of the trip we spent with Pete Shelley of BUZZCOCKS fame

Last leg of the trip we spent with Pete Shelley of BUZZCOCKS fame. We are nearing completion of the soon to be released Limited Edition replica of Pete’s famous STARWAY guitar – here we are discussing final details. All the pickguards are signed, the custom signature hardshell fitted cases are in, the signed original photo’s are on their way, and the BUZZCOCKS leather straps are in production. We will be launching a contest in the next few weeks, so stay tuned. Send an email if you want some advanced photographs and specs.

UK Trip (October 2007) from MyRareGuitars.com