Matthew Simms

Last updated

Matthew Simms
OriginEngland
Genres Post-punk, experimental rock, electronic, alternative rock
OccupationGuitarist
Instrument(s)Guitar, electric organ
LabelsPink Flag, ORG Music

Matthew Simms is an English guitarist best known for his work with the band Wire. [1]

Simms formed the band It Hugs Back with schoolmates Paul Michael, Jack Theedom and Will Blackaby. [2] Their debut album, Inside Your Guitar, was released in 2009. [3] [4] Their second album, Laughing Party, was released in 2012. [5]

In 2010 Simms joined Wire for their Red Barked Tree tour [6] initially as a touring guitarist but then as a full member of the band. [6] The first Wire album Simms appeared on was 2013's Change Becomes Us . [7] He went on to appear on: Wire , [7] Nocturnal Koreans , [7] Silver/Lead, [7] and Mind Hive (2020). [8]

Since joining Wire Simms has balanced his work with both Wire and It Hugs Back. [5]

With fellow Wire-mate Graham Lewis Simms joined bassist Mike Watt (Minutemen) and drummer Bob Lee to form FITTED. [9] Initially formed as a one-off group for Wire's DRILL festival in Los Angeles, [9] [10] the four decided to record an album. [11]

First Fits, their debut album, was recorded from 2017 to 2018 [12] with Lewis and Watt trading lead vocals. [10] "Training Pit Bulls For The Navy" was the first single. [9]

Simms also records solo work under the pen name "Slows", [13] an experimental electronic project in which Simms plays electric organ. [1] He performed at London South Bank University at their inaugural Magnetic South festival in April 2016. [14]

Simms, Verity Susman and Kat Duma received a Canadian Screen Award nomination for Best Original Music in a Documentary at the 12th Canadian Screen Awards in 2024 for their work on Tramps! . [15]

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References

  1. 1 2 "LISTEN: Slows". The Quietus . 17 April 2015. Retrieved 17 January 2020.
  2. ↑ "It Hugs Back live in session for Marc Riley". BBC . Retrieved 18 January 2020.
  3. ↑ Perpetua, Matthew (6 April 2009). "It Hugs Back: Inside Your Guitar". Pitchfork . Retrieved 18 January 2020.
  4. ↑ Nicolson, Barry (3 April 2009). "Album Review: It Hugs Back". NME . Retrieved 18 January 2020.
  5. 1 2 Howarth, Benjamin (12 June 2012). "Interview: Matthew Simms". Penny Black Music. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
  6. 1 2 "Forever Change". Record Collector . Retrieved 17 January 2020.
  7. 1 2 3 4 Pinnock, Tom (14 September 2018). "Wire discuss their best albums: "Talking only gets you so far… it's the intuition that's important"". Uncut . Retrieved 17 January 2020.
  8. ↑ Richards, Sam (22 October 2019). "Wire announce new album, Mind Hive". Uncut . Retrieved 17 January 2020.
  9. 1 2 3 Pearis, Bill (21 August 2019). "FITTED, ft. Mike Watt & members of Wire, share first single from debut LP". Brooklyn Vegan . Retrieved 9 November 2019.
  10. 1 2 Helman, Peter (21 August 2019). "FITTED – "Training Pit Bulls For The Navy"". Stereogum . Retrieved 9 November 2019.
  11. ↑ Watt, Mike (7 April 2017). "I got to be in FITTED..." Facebook . Retrieved 9 November 2019.
  12. ↑ Phillips, Marc (23 October 2019). "Fitted, First Fits - The Vinyl Anachronist". Part-Time Audiophile. Retrieved 9 November 2019.
  13. ↑
  14. ↑ "Meet the artists of Magnetic South 2016". London South Bank University . Retrieved 18 January 2020.
  15. ↑ "BlackBerry Leads CSA Nominations". Northern Stars, March 6, 2024.
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