Most associate Wire with a trilogy of albums (1977s Pink Flag, 1978s Chair Missing, 1979s 154) that, as a whole, predicted punks evolution into synth-pop. That band broke up in 1980, reformed in 1985 as an electro-rock group, then disbanded again in 1990. Wire sat out the 90s, reforming again in 2000, just early enough to resist being swept up in the post-punk revival and subsequent nostalgia trend. As its history proves, Wire doesnt break up and reform because its cool, but because they prefer to record only when inspired. The latest addition to its sporadic catalog, Red Barked Tree, is a protest/concept record railing against our too-modernized society. The metallic, fuzzed-out rhythms are there, but acoustic guitars also sneak in (a first!). Still, Wire have hardly gone soft. If anything, theyve simply embraced their status as fiftysomething post-punkers in a young mans game. With Nazca Lines. BRIAN J. BARR
Wed., April 13, 8 p.m., 2011
