Wire will reissue their hugely influential first three albums, ‘Pink Flag’ (1977), ‘Chairs Missing’ (1978) and ‘154’ (1979) as special edition CD books on May 18 and standard edition CDs and LPs on July 6. Now, the band have shared a previously unreleased demo version of the track The 15th from ‘154’. Take a listen via YouTube below.
‘Pink Flag’ (1977), ‘Chairs Missing’ (1978) and ‘154’ (1979) 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 and are cited as a major influence by acts including Henry Rollins & Black Flag, R.E.M., Hüsker Dü, Minutemen, Minor Threat and many more.
These albums have been out of production for some time (the originals are selling for crazy prices), but will be made available again this Spring via the band’s own pinkflag record label. The release formats will be as special edition CD books with a mountain of exclusive unreleased material and rarities on May 18th. The Special Editions will be launched with a question & answer / signing session at Rough Trade East in London on Saturday, May 19th (info here). They will be followed by standard edition LP and CD formats on July 6. Additional details on each release are listed below.
‘Pink Flag’ / ‘Chairs Missing’ / ‘154’ Special Edition CD books
Release date: May 18, 2018 via Pink Flag
These are the definitive re-releases. 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, brand-new interviews with all original band members, and lyrics.
The original album is presented on its own CD, accompanied by 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 also 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.
For a full tracklisting, visit http://pinkflag.com/specialeditions or go here.
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.
