Wire: the special editions

Wire’s first three albums need no introduction. They are the three classic albums on which Wire’s reputation is based. Moreover, they are the recordings that minted the post-punk form. This was adopted by other bands, but Wire were there first.

These seminal albums are now getting the definitive re-release treatment, in a format owners of the Silver/Lead and Change Becomes Us special editions will already be familiar with. Each album is presented as an 80-page hardback book – the size of a 7-inch, but obviously much thicker. After a special introduction by Jon Savage, Graham Duff provides insight into each album. These texts include recording details, lyrics, and brand-new interviews with Colin Newman, Graham Lewis, Robert Grey and Bruce Gilbert.

The original album is presented on its own CD, and is accompanied by additional discs that feature relevant extra tracks: singles; B-sides; demos; and many previously unreleased songs. Pink Flag is a two-CD set; Chairs Missing and 154 have three CDs each. All audio has been painstakingly remastered – or, in some cases, mastered for the first time!

This stunning set of presentations includes a range of images from the archive of Annette Green. Wire’s official photographer during this period, Green also shot the covers for Pink Flag and Chairs Missing. Promotional and informal imagery – in colour and black and white – is featured throughout the books. Most of the photographs have not been seen for 40 years – and many have never been published anywhere before.

These special editions are something every Wire fan will want to own.

Please note: although the three original albums remain available through digital stores and streaming services, the extra tracks from the special editions will not be released digitally.

For full tracklistings for the special editions, click the links elsewhere on this page.

Release date: 19 May. Pre-order now.

Press contacts:

UK: Kate Price – kate@stereosanctity.co.uk
USA: Caroline Borolla – caroline@clarioncallmedia.com