Since it was founded in 1982, The Wire magazine has covered a vast range of alternative, experimental, underground and non-mainstream music. Now some of that knowledge has been distilled into The Wire Primers: a comprehensive guide to the core recordings of some of the most visionary and inspiring, subversive and radical musicians on the planet, past and present.
Each chapter surveys the musical universe of a particular artist, group or genre by way of a contextualizing introduction and a thumbnail guide to the most essential recordings.
A massive and eclectic range of music is celebrated and demystified, from rock mavericks such as Captain Beefheart and The Fall; the funk of James Brown and Fela Kuti; the future jazz of Sun Ra and Ornette Coleman; and the experimental compositions of John Cage and Morton Feldman. Genres surveyed and explained include P-funk, musique concrète, turntablism, Brazilian Tropicália, avant metal and dubstep.
The Wire Primers is a vital guide to contemporary sounds, providing an accessible entry point for any reader wanting to dig below the surface of mainstream music.
Stewart has written a chapter on The Fall for this book.
Genghis McKahn, Guardian.co.uk
Genghis McKahn, Guardian.co.uk
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Joycey, readytogo.net
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Patrick Kavanagh, Guardian.co.uk
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Jamespearse, Twitter
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Yukio Mishima, dontstartmeoff.com
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Karen Laidlaw, Edfringe. com.
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Anon, BBC Complaints Log
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Tres Ryan, Twitter
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Guest1001, Youtube
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Peter Ould, Twitter
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Sam Rooney, Youtube
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Johnny Kitkat, dontstartmeoff.com
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Al Murray, Comedian
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Carla, St Albans, Dailymail.co.uk
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Stuart, Chortle
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Frankie Boyle, Comedian
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Mrdavisn01, Twitter
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Brendon, Vauxhallownersnetwork.co.uk
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Gabrielle, Chortle.com
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Rudeness, Youtube
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GRTak, finalgear.com
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Mini-x2, readytogo.net
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NevW47479, UKTV.co.uk
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Foxfoxton, Youtube
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Cyberbloke, Twitter
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Lee Mack, Mack The Life, 2012
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Neolab, Guardian.co.uk
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Dahoum, Guardian.co.uk
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Keilloh, Twitter
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Someoneyoudon'tknow, Chortle.com
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Iain, eatenbymissionaries
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Spanner, dontstartmeoff.com
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Etienne, Chortle.com
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Alex Quarmby, Edfringe.com
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Microcuts 22, Twitter
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Contrapuntal, Twitter
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Birmingham Sunday Mercury
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98rosjon, Twitter
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Richard Herring, Comedian
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Nicetime, Guardian.co.uk
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DVDhth's grandparents, Twitter
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Meanstreetelite, Peoplesrepublicofcork
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Dave Wilson, Chortle.com
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Pnethor, pne-online.com
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Anon, dontstartmeoff.com
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John Robins, Comedian
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Gmanthedemon, bbc.co.uk
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Tweeter Kyriakou, Twitter
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Cabluigi, Guardian.co.uk
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Jackmumf, Twitter
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Ishamayura Byrd, Twitter
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Joskins, Leeds Music Forum
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Gwaites, Digitalspy
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Lucinda Locketts, Twitter
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Len Firewood, Twitter
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Anonymous, don'tstartmeoff.com
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Rowing Rob, Guardian.co.uk
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Anonymous, The Northfield Patriot
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James Dellingpole, Daily Telegraph
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Bobby Bhoy, Twitter
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Neva2busy, dontstartmeoff.com
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Maninabananasuit, Guardian.co.uk
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Dominic Cavendish, Telegraph
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Visualiser1, Twitter
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General Lurko 36, Guardian.co.uk
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Dominic Cavendish, Daily Telegraph
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Clampdown59, Twitter.
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Henry Howard Fun, Twitter
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Stokeylitfest, Twitter
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Joe, Independent.co.uk
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Kozzy06, Youtube
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Deepbass, Guardian.co.uk
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Slothy Matt, Twitter
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Pudabaya, beexcellenttoeachother.com
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Leach Juice, Twitter
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Dick Socrates, Twitter
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Zombie Hamster, Twitter
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Emilyistrendy, Youtube
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Bosco239, youtube
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Guest, Dontstartmeoff.com
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Shit Crit, Twitter
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Pirate Crocodile, Twitter
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BBC iPlayer edition of discussion of Stewart Lee on A Good Read
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Idrie, Youtube
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Aaron, comedy.co.uk
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Lancethrustworthy, Youtube
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Anamatronix, Youtube
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Sweeping Curves, Twitter
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Hiewy, Youtube
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Tin Frog, Twitter
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FBC, finalgear.com
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Syhr, breakbeat.co.uk
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Shane, Beverley, Dailymail.co.uk
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Fairy Pingu, Twitter
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Cojones2, Guardian.co.uk
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Pudabaya, Twitter