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!

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

On 16 April 1985 The Sisters Of Mercy performed No Time To Cry on German pop music TV program Formel 1.

'No Time To Cry' was The Sisters of Mercy's single No. 9, released in advance of their first studio album First And Last And Always and was released on 8 March 1985, 40 years ago!

While the previous advanced First Last And Always single ‘Walk Away’ managed to penetrate the UK single charts to the 45th position, ‘No Time To Cry’ got stuck at the 63rd place.

The appearance of Craig Adams on this release is questioned, especially on Blood Money and Bury Me Deep. Rumor has it that the bass lines were programmed on the Doktor, as Adams supposedly was reluctant to participate in their recording.

No Time To Cry (7" single MR335, 249118-7)

A. No Time To Cry 3'25"
B. Blood Money 3'12"

No Time To Cry (12" single MR 335T, 249117-0)

A. No Time To Cry 3'58"
B. Blood Money 3'12"
B. Bury Me Deep

Line-up:

• Craig Adams - Bass
• Gary Marx - Guitars
• Wayne Hussey - Guitars
• Andrew Eldritch - Vocals
• Doktor Avalanche - Drums

No Time To Cry (Lyrics)

It's just a feeling
I get sometimes
A feeling
Sometimes
And I get frightened
Just like you
I get frightened too
But it's...
No time for heartache
(no no no) No time to run and hide
(no no no) No time for breaking down
(no no no) No time to cry

Sometimes in the world as is you've
Got to shake the hand that feeds you
It's just like Adam says
It's not so hard to understand
It's just like always coming down on
Just like Jesus never came and
What did you expect to find
It's just like always here again it's...

No time for heartache

(no no no) No time to run and hide
(no no no) No time for breaking down
(no no no) No time to cry

Everything will be alright
Everything will turn out fine
Some nights I still can't sleep
And the voices pass with time
And I keep
No time for tears
No time to run and hide
No time to be afraid of fear
I keep no time to cry
No time for tears
No time to run and hide
No time to be afraid of fear
I keep no time to cry
No time for heartache

(no no no) No time to run and hide
(no no no) No time for breaking down
(no no no) No time to cry

Songwriters: Andrew Eldritch / Craig David Adams / Gary Marx / Wayne Hussey
© Universal Music Publishing Group

Sources: Sisterswiki.org / Wikipedia / Discogs

DISCOGS