Wire Go Ahead Rare Original Studio Version

Released as b-side to Map Ref. 41 Degrees N 93 Degrees W on 7". Released as a bonus track on the '94 reissue of 154 by Harbest/EMI Records.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Wire
• 154
• punk
• post-punk
• progressive
• rock
• colin
• newman
• graham
• lewis
• bruce
• gilbert
• cure

[TheHouseOfSparrows]

It would be interesting if the members of Wire went over the songs they put together after 154 but before their first breakup and compiled their "fourth" album. Stuff like this, "A Panamanian Craze?", and "Our Swimmer" suggest that it might have been their finest album yet.

[KingOfUm]

@TheHouseOfSparrows I couldn't agree more, it probably would've been really great. At least we have some compilations to compensate for it, though. Makes me think however that if they hadn't broken up, the Dome material and all of their solo albums may've never existed, so maybe it was best that they did have a hiatus?

[TheHouseOfSparrows]

@KingOfUm Oh, there's no question that they did what they had to do. The material was certainly there for another album, but wishing that they could have stuck it out to realize it is just folly.

I did like the review of one of their late 70s tours that said roughly "As a preview of their fourth album these shows are essential. But they don't actually release their third album until next month..."

[KingOfUm]

@TheHouseOfSparrows I recall that review! That line really portrays their eccentric attitude towards music, made me laugh too. They sure were pretty prolific back then, which is in itself respectable in any musician (especially in the last 15 or so years most musicians tend to release a new album maybe 3-4 years, if we're lucky).

[napoleonbonerpart]

they performed this as an encore to a gig they played at the Garage in Islington. This was after they'd been reformed for a while and started revisiting their earlier stuff. Their set consisted of most of Pink Flag and one or two others from later albums. I think this was about 1999 or it could have been earlier. They all put down their instruments and Colin Newman read from a faxed sheet while Gotobed tapped on a wood block. I think AC Marias joined them on this song

[KingOfUm]

@napoleonbonerpart That's a really neat story, wish I could've been there.

[jamie1707]

Many thanks to Logan Murphy over at C&L for reminding me of this gem.

[hiddenfire65]

I love the way the live version sounds out-of-control, total chaos over a bassline.

[KingOfUm]

@hiddenfire65 Rare in the sense that it isn't on all of the album's reissues (I've found only one or two) and, like you said, the D&E version is much easier to find. Personally I like this version better, but the mixing is a little flat.

[hiddenfire65]

It was on the earlier CD issue(s) as well. It's not especially rare.  And sounds better live on "Document and Eyewitness".