I Am The Fly by Wire
Release Date : 1978
Album : Chairs Missing
Originally released as the first single from Wire's second album, Chairs Missing, I Am The Fly marks a major shift in musical style for the band. Their first album, Pink Flag, by comparison was a minimalist punk effort, with little to no emphasis on synthesizers and creating soundscapes. I Am The Fly would be the first chance the public would have to hear the "new" Wire sound, the sound that would shape their future.
Originally formed in 1976, Wire were part of an exploding UK punk scene which also included The Clash, The Damned, and The Sex Pistols, among many others. However while most of these groups chose to continue with their style of sound, Wire had much loftier ambitions. They saw a style of music that encompassed part of the elements of punk with real orchestration and experimentation with instruments not normally associated with punk rock. The result of this change was "Chairs Missing", and it's followup, "154".
I Am The Fly is quite possibly the best example of Wire's shift in sound. It retains the punk attitude and snarl while also encompassing the use of synthesizers and a much more balanced sound. The song was a hit in the UK and is considered one of Wire's best. For a band that is routinely called "one of the most important rock groups of the 70's and 80's", it is a prime example of a band at it's finest hour.
Wire continue to play to this day. Their first three albums were re-released in 2006 and garnered them a renewed interest. Many who had never heard Wire before were immediately taken with the group's unique sound and style In July 2008 they released Object 47, their first new album since 2003's "Send". In August 2008 they co-headlined London's Offset Festival with Gang of Four.
In closing, I hope you enjoy this piece of early post-punk excellence and take the time to examine Wire further, as they are an extremely underrated and influential group. From their trailblazing sound movements to their landmark plagiarism case against Elastica, Wire has always been doing things just a little differently...and it always works.
Kevin Fever
For Further Reading on Wire please check the following links...
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