On this day, 22 years ago (28 April 2003), Wire released their tenth studio album Send. It was their first recording, with the original four piece line-up, since the Manscape (1990). Drummer Robert Gotobed quit after the release of Manscape because he felt the musical direction of Wire increasingly relied too much on drum machines and loops. It was also the first full-length release by any incarnation of the group since 1991! The album contains seven songs previously released in 2002 on the EPs Read & Burn 01 and Read & Burn 02, and four songs exclusive to this release.

The initial first 2000 mail-order copies of the album came with a bonus live album WIRE - Metro, Chicago, 14 September 2002. Reportedly this inclusion was made to boost the sellings since the majority of the tracks on Send had already been released as the two Read & Burn EPs.

The album was critically acclaimed by many music magazines and received an overall 4/5 star quotation.

The British music magazine Mojo ranked Send at 10 on their best albums of 2003 list. The album also scores 84/100 on the Metacritic website, signifying "universal acclaim".

Send (Original 2003 Digi-Pack CD tracklist)

DISCOGS

Wire

Colin Newman
Graham Lewis
Bruce Gilbert
Robert Grey (aka Robert Gotobed)

Today we celebrate the birthday of Catherine Elizabeth Pierson, better known as Kate Pierson, singer of The B-52’s. She was born 77 years ago on April 27 (1948) in Weehawken, New Jersey, USA and became in 1976 one of the founding members of The B-52's. Beside singer/lyricist she is also a multi-instrumentalist, playing guitars, bass and keyboards. In the early years of The B-52's, as well as a vocalist, Pierson was also the main keyboard player and was notable for performing on a keyboard bass during many live shows (see The B-52's video below) and many of the band's recordings, taking on a role usually filled by a bass guitar player which differentiated the band from their contemporaries. This along with Pierson's distinctive wide ranging singing voice remain trademarks of The B-52's unique sound until today.

In 2015, Pierson released her first, and so far only, solo album, Guitars and Microphones. She later released the non-album single "Better Not Sting the Bee" and a cover of "Venus" (video below) as a stand alone single.

Pierson has also collaborated with many other artists including The Ramones and R.E.M but probably her biggest worldwide succes, besides The B52’s, was her duet single with Iggy Pop, “Candy’ (video below).

Happy birthday Kate!

From June 6 to 9, 2025, the 32nd edition of the Wave-Gotik-Treffen will take place in Leipzig, Germany. Every goth who has the opportunity should make a pilgrimage to Leipzig at least once in their life — that’s well known — and chances are that after one visit, you'll be hooked and want to return every year. Aside from the inevitable dent in your wallet, we can't think of any reasons not to go. On the contrary, we’d like to give newcomers some extra information about what a trip to Leipzig entails and how best to prepare.

So far, 156 bands have confirmed (a number that will likely increase), and they will perform across various venues throughout the city — from the underground cellars of the Moritzbastei, the stunning neo-antique domed hall in the Volkspalast, to the Heidnisches Dorf (Pagan Village) with its medieval market, and larger concert halls. Every facet of dark culture will be represented: from electro-pop to gothic metal, from EBM to neofolk, from medieval music to post-punk. Of course, you’ll find plenty of familiar names, but the festival also offers endless opportunities for discovery. WGT always includes a more classical offering as well, featuring opera, choir, and chamber music. Boredom simply isn’t an option in Leipzig.

The residents of Leipzig have become accustomed to the thousands of goths who flood their city for four days every year. With an annual economic impact of 15 million euros — benefiting shops, hotels, and the hospitality sector — they certainly have no reason to complain. If you’re only now looking to book a hotel in Leipzig, you’re pretty late, but camping is also an option. Altogether, around 20,000 goths from all over the world come to Leipzig every year, making it the largest international festival in the scene.

We recommend traveling to Leipzig on Thursday, not just to avoid stress and ensure you're fully dressed up for all the events, but also because there are pre-festival events, performances, and parties taking place on the eve of the festival. A festival wristband also gives you unlimited access to public transportation, which is necessary as the concert venues are often spread out, and it often includes free access to museums and other cultural activities as well.

A ticket costs €170, which is quite affordable for a four-day festival. However, note that only full festival passes are available — there are no day tickets. You can order your tickets through the following link:

👉 www.wave-gotik-treffen.de

Today it’s 39 years since Siouxsie and the Banshees released their seventh studio album Tinderbox (21 April 1986). Two songs were released as singles between late 1985 and early 1986, Cities in Dust and Candyman.

The B-sides of Cities in Dust and Candyman, were added as bonus tracks on the original CD version of this album.

Tinderbox peaked at number 13 in the UK Album Chart and at number 88 on the US Billboard 200.

A remastered CD version was issued in 2009 with bonus tracks including an unreleased version of Song from the Edge of the World and an unreleased song called Starcrossed.

A 180g vinyl reissue of the album, remastered from the original ¼” tapes and cut half-speed at Abbey Road Studios by Miles Showell, was released in August 2018.

The album is considered a classic by both critics and musicians.

Tinderbox (Original LP Tracklist)

Side A
01. Candyman 3:44
02. The Sweetest Chill 4:07
03. This Unrest 6.21
04. Cities in Dust 3:51

Side B
01. Cannons 3:14
02. Party's Fall 4:56
03. 92° 6:02
04. Land's End 6:14

DISCOGS

Industrial synth punk band, VIRGIN BIRTH have returned with a new song called "I Can't Read". This serves as the second and final single from the band's upcoming full-length record titled Total Annihilation, which is set to be released on May 4th via Never Nervous Records.

Lyrically, the song explores the frustration and confusion that comes with misinterpreting seemingly straightforward conversations, especially in digital communication like emails and text messages. It delves into the nuances of language, the gaps between intention and perception, and the subtle misunderstandings that can arise when tone and context are lost in written exchanges.

Add in the upbeat tempo and paranoid synthesizer riffs, and you should get that familiar feeling of second-guessing meanings, overanalyzing responses, and struggling to grasp what should be obvious. This reflects the challenges of modern communication in an increasingly text-based world.

"I Can't Read" is available on all major digital outlets including Spotify and Bandcamp.

virginbirth.bandcamp.com