The Wrens

Last updated
The Wrens
Origin New Jersey
Genres Indie rock, alternative rock
Years active1989–present
Labels Sub Pop
Grass Records
Saddle Creek
Ten 23
No Karma
Absolutely Kosher Records
LO-MAX Records
BB*Island
Past membersCharles Bissell
Greg Whelan
Kevin Whelan
Jerry MacDonald
Website www.wrens.com

The Wrens are an American indie rock band from New Jersey. The group consisted of Charles Bissell (guitar/vocals), brothers Greg Whelan (guitar/vocals) and Kevin Whelan (bass/vocals), and Jerry MacDonald (drums). They released three albums; a fourth album was recorded and mastered for a planned 2013 release, but was subsequently retracted. [1] After reworking his contributions, Bissell teased a 2021 release for the new album, [2] but the band broke up shortly after following disagreements over business arrangements. [1] The band had a reputation for their intense live shows – following a gig at the University of London Union in London in March 2006, The Guardian declared that "on this form the Wrens are surely one of the best live bands in the world". [3]

Contents

History

Brothers Greg and Kevin Whelan formed their band in the late 1980s, recruiting former high school classmate Charles Bissell in 1989 as a guitarist for a proposed gig supporting The Fixx, which was cancelled in the end. Jerry MacDonald replaced the band's original drummer in 1990 and the quartet moved into a house together in the town of Secaucus, New Jersey, to concentrate on their music career. [4] After a number of name changes the group settled on the name Low, and in 1993 they recorded a 7-inch single with the same name which they sent out to various record companies – one of them, Grass Records, signed the band almost immediately on hearing the record. However, on learning that there was already a slowcore group named Low, the band changed their name to the Wrens in 1994. [5]

By 1996, the Wrens had released two full-length albums, Silver (1994) and Secaucus (1996). Both arrived to critical acclaim and gained a following of fans.[ citation needed ] In summer 1995 Grass Records was bought out by businessman Alan Meltzer, who wanted to refocus the label on scoring more mainstream popularity and hit songs. During their 1996 tour for Secaucus the band was offered a new long-term contract for over a million dollars, on condition that in the future they tailor their songs to a more radio-friendly sound. Fearing loss of independence and a watering down of their music, the band refused to sign the contract. As a result, they were not offered another record deal and all production and promotion of their previous two albums was stopped. [6] [7] Meltzer changed Grass Records' name to Wind-Up Records, eventually scoring the mainstream success he sought with groups such as Creed and Evanescence. The Wrens battled for years afterwards to try to regain the rights to the albums in order to make them available again – in 2006 Wind-Up finally relented and re-released Silver and Secaucus on November 14 of that year, although the label retained the rights to the records. [6] [8]

Following the termination of their contract with Grass Records, a six-track EP, Abbott 1135, was released in 1997 on Ten23 Records (the label run by the people who had originally signed the Wrens to Grass Records). The same year a cassette titled Overnight Success was circulated, featuring early demo versions of songs that would appear on their third album, although to date[ when? ] this cassette has never been officially released. Despite spending more than a year in discussions with various major labels, notably Interscope Records, in order to secure a record contract, none of the talks resulted in a deal. With no contract and their financial lifeline cut off, the members of the Wrens took full-time jobs while they began work on their third album in 1999. By this point drummer MacDonald was married with a young family and had moved out, but the other three members were still living together in the same house in Fort Lee, New Jersey, where MacDonald would join them to record new material when he was able to. The problems with the record labels are usually cited as the reason for the slow progress on the album, although in a 2004 interview Charles Bissell conceded that a far bigger problem had been the combination of exhaustion, writer's block and lack of confidence in the new material which caused them to extensively re-write or scrap many songs. [9]

It took four years before the record, titled The Meadowlands , was finally completed in early 2003. The Wrens had received an offer a few years previously to release the album on Drive-Thru Records, but decided instead to sign to Absolutely Kosher Records, run by their friend Cory Brown. The album was more varied than their first two records, containing longer and more downbeat songs than their previous records (a fact noted by several critics [7] [10] ), dealing with the problems they had experienced with record labels and the concerns of a more grown-up band, such as family life and jobs. The album received overwhelmingly positive reviews from the music press, in publications such as AllMusic, [11] Pitchfork [7] and praise from critic Robert Christgau. [12] The album was described by The New York Times as a "nearly universally acclaimed disc of bright literate pop". [13] It took a further two years before the album was released in Europe on LO-MAX Records and on the German BB*Island label, to similarly rave reviews.

Despite the critical success of The Meadowlands, the band were unable to start work quickly on a follow-up album due to financial and personal constraints: Bissell had left his job in advertising to earn his living as a guitar teacher but the other three members remain in full-time employment (the Whelan brothers work for a multinational pharmaceutical company in New York City and MacDonald works in the sales division of a financial services company in Philadelphia [14] ), and the band no longer had a single house where the members could demo ideas and record songs, as both Bissell and Greg Whelan had gotten married and moved out. In 2006, the Wrens recorded a cover of the song "They'll Need A Crane" for the tribute album Hello Radio: The Songs of They Might Be Giants . [15] The band also contributed a new song, "Crescent", to Dear New Orleans, a 2010 benefit album released to raise funds and mark the fifth anniversary of the Hurricane Katrina disaster. [16]

On May 1, 2014, the Wrens' Twitter account said that the band had finished recording its fourth album. [17] No release date was announced. In late November 2015, the band released an alternate version of a song from the album, "Three Types of Reading Ambiguity", which was made available to premium subscribers of Esopus Magazine . The song was released on a limited edition audio cassette, which also included another version of the song performed by artist Beth Campbell. [18] [19] [20]

In a January 2021 interview with Uproxx, Bissell stated that the fourth album was finished in June 2019, and that the band had signed to an unspecified record label years earlier who would hopefully release the album in 2021. Bissell noted that "we had some band stuff to work out, to get everyone back on board again". [2]

On September 20, 2021, The New York Times reported that Kevin Whelan would be releasing some of his contributions to the unreleased fourth Wrens album under the name Aeon Station with support from Greg Whelan and Jerry MacDonald, and that Kevin Whelan and Bissell were no longer speaking. The report indicated that the fourth Wrens album had been completed, mastered, and given to Sub Pop for release in 2013 before being retracted at Bissell's request so he could further develop his songs. In 2019, Bissell completed his contributions, then approached the rest of the band seeking a new business arrangement that reflected both his work as a songwriter and his work maintaining the Wrens' presence online and in the music industry. Whelan said that he "was never against that, but when we started talking about how to do it, it got very drawn out and complicated” and that he was done waiting, which led to the creation of Aeon Station to release his songs. Bissell subsequently indicated "that the Wrens were dead" and that he was planning his own album to release his songs. [1]

In October 2023, Bissell announced that tracks he had initially composed for The Wrens' fourth album would be released in early 2024 under the name Car Colors via Absolutely Kosher Records. A single from the album, "Old Death," was released on November 17, 2023. [21] [22]

Aeon Station

Aeon Station’s debut album Observatory, was released by Sub Pop Records on December 10, 2021. It was previewed by the singles "Queens", "Leaves" and "Fade". [23] [24] [25]

Discography

Albums

Singles

EPs

Self-released unofficial recordings

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Death Cab for Cutie</span> American rock band

Death Cab for Cutie is an American rock band formed in Bellingham, Washington, in 1997. Death Cab for Cutie's music has been classified as indie rock, indie pop, and alternative rock. The band is currently composed of Ben Gibbard, Nick Harmer (bass), Dave Depper, Zac Rae, and Jason McGerr (drums).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Mountain Goats</span> American band

The Mountain Goats are an American band formed in Claremont, California, by singer-songwriter John Darnielle. The band is currently based in Durham, North Carolina. For many years, the sole member of the Mountain Goats was Darnielle, despite the plural moniker. Although he remains the core member of the band, he has worked with a variety of collaborators over time, including bassist and vocalist Peter Hughes, drummer Jon Wurster, multi-instrumentalist Matt Douglas, singer-songwriter Franklin Bruno, bassist and vocalist Rachel Ware, singer-songwriter/producer John Vanderslice, guitarist Kaki King, and multi-instrumentalist Annie Clark.

Absolutely Kosher Records is an independent California-based record label founded in 1998 in San Francisco by Cory Brown. The label moved to Berkeley in 2002 and then to Emeryville in October 2006 when it partnered with Misra Records for 3 years before separating.

<i>The Meadowlands</i> (album) 2003 studio album by The Wrens

The Meadowlands is the third and final studio album by American indie rock band the Wrens, released by Absolutely Kosher Records on September 9, 2003, and in the UK two years later on September 19, 2005 by LO-MAX Records and in Germany by BB*Island. Recording of the album originally began in January 1999, but writer's block and a loss of faith in the tracks they were recording meant the band took four years to complete the album, with many songs being rewritten or scrapped as recording proceeded.

<i>Sonic Youth</i> (EP) 1982 EP by Sonic Youth

Sonic Youth is the debut EP by American rock band Sonic Youth. It was recorded between December 1981 and January 1982 and released in March 1982 by Glenn Branca's Neutral label. It is the only recording featuring the early Sonic Youth lineup with Richard Edson on drums. Sonic Youth differs stylistically from the band's later work in its greater incorporation of clean guitars, standard tuning, crisp production and a post-punk style.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Extra Lens</span> American band

The Extra Lens, formerly known as The Extra Glenns, is a band made up of Franklin Bruno and John Darnielle. The band acts as a side project for both artists, and stayed underground throughout the 1990s, recording tracks for singles and some compilations. Both artists primarily concentrate on their own solo work, though as their popularity has grown, they have continued to work together.

<i>Secaucus</i> (album) 1996 studio album by The Wrens

Secaucus is the second album by the American rock band The Wrens, released in 1996. Secaucus is named for the city in which it was recorded, Secaucus, New Jersey. The Wrens were signed to major label Grass Records for the album; Grass dropped the band after they refused to be forced into a new contract. The Wrens' follow-up to Secaucus, The Meadowlands, was released seven years later, in 2003.

The Dead Science was an experimental pop band based in Seattle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Franklin Bruno</span> American singer-songwriter, academic and writer

Franklin Bruno is an American singer-songwriter, academic and writer originally from Upland, California. He has been a member of Nothing Painted Blue since its inception in 1986.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Frog Eyes</span> Canadian indie rock band

Frog Eyes are an indie rock band from Victoria, British Columbia, Canada fronted by Carey Mercer. Their 2010 album Paul's Tomb: A Triumph was a longlisted nominee for the 2010 Polaris Music Prize. They have released eight albums and two EPs and are noted for their collaboration with Dan Bejar of Destroyer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sweet Trip</span> American experimental/electronic music act

Sweet Trip was an American electronic/experimental rock act formed in 1993 in the Bay Area of California by musicians Valerie Cooper and Roberto Burgos. They are known for their dreamy soundscapes and dense production techniques, often blending alternative rock subgenres with intelligent dance music.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Spencer Krug</span> Canadian musician (born 1977)

Spencer Krug is a Canadian musician. He is the singer, songwriter and keyboardist for the indie rock band Wolf Parade and also records under the name Moonface. He has also performed with other Canadian bands including Sunset Rubdown, Swan Lake, Frog Eyes, Fifths of Seven, and ska band the Two Tonne Bowlers, playing various instruments. His involvement in many musical acts has garnered him a noticeably high output of work, being credited on several releases a year. He is known for his distinctive voice and songwriting abilities.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">+/- (band)</span> American indietronic band

+/-, or Plus/Minus, is an American indietronic band formed in 2001. The band makes use of both electronic and traditional instruments, and has sought to use electronics to recreate traditional indie rock song forms and instrumental structures. The group has released two albums on each of the American indie labels Teenbeat Records and Absolutely Kosher, and their track "All I do" was prominently featured in the soundtrack for the major film Wicker Park. The group has developed a devoted following in Japan and Taiwan, and has toured there frequently. Although many artists append bonus tracks onto the end of Japanese album releases to discourage purchasers from buying cheaper US import versions, the overseas versions of +/- albums are usually quite different from the US versions - track lists can be rearranged, artwork with noticeable changes is used, and tracks from the US version can be replaced as well as augmented by bonus tracks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aeon Zen</span> British progressive rock/metal band

Aeon Zen are an English progressive metal band formed in 2008, led by founding member Rich Gray. They have been praised and heavily featured in the international music press, labelled by Classic Rock Magazine as 'a strong contender for best newcomer at the very, very least' and, additionally, as Progression Magazine’s selection for "debut album of the year".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Girls Names</span> Irish band

Girls Names was a band from Belfast, Northern Ireland, formed in 2009 by Cathal Cully and Neil Brogan. Before they disbanded in 2019, the released four albums—Dead To Me, The New Life, Arms Around a Vision, and Stains on Silence—as well as several EPs, singles, and split singles.

<i>Silver</i> (The Wrens album) 1994 studio album by The Wrens

Silver is the debut studio album by the alternative rock band The Wrens, released June 11, 1994.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mannequin Pussy</span> American punk rock band

Mannequin Pussy is an American punk and indie rock band from Philadelphia, formed in 2010. The band currently consists of lead vocalist and guitarist Marisa "Missy" Dabice, drummer Kaleen Reading, bassist Colins "Bear" Regisford, and guitarist Maxine Steen. They have released three studio albums: Mannequin Pussy (2014) and Romantic (2016) on Tiny Engines, and Patience (2019) on Epitaph Records. They released an EP, Perfect, in 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Muncie Girls</span> UK musical group

Muncie Girls were a British punk rock band, formed in Exeter, South West England in 2010. It consisted of Lande Hekt, Dean McMullen, and Luke Ellis (drums). The band released two studio albums, From Caplan to Belsize (2016) and Fixed Ideals (2018), on hometown label Specialist Subject Records and toured internationally.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vundabar</span> American indie rock band

Vundabar is an American indie rock band from Boston, Massachusetts. The band consists of Brandon Hagen, Drew McDonald, and Zack Abramo (bass).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Microphones discography</span>

The Microphones were an American indie folk, indie rock, and experimental band, founded and fronted by Phil Elverum. The band has released 5 studio albums, 13 miscellaneous albums, 3 extended plays, and 8 singles. Elverum began the Microphones initially as a solo project, releasing cassette demos of tests and experiments. Between 1996 and 1998, Elverum released four demos, mostly on Bret Lunsford's label Knw-Yr-Own. The CD Tests, released in June 1998, was a compilation album comprising tracks from previous cassettes. The same year, the band released the 7" single "Bass Drum Dream". The band's first studio album, Don't Wake Me Up, was released on K Records in August 1999 and gave the band a small following. Two more 7-inches were released in 1999: "Feedback " and "Moon Moon".

References

  1. 1 2 3 Lindgren, Hugo (September 20, 2021). "The 18-Year Wait for New Wrens Music Is Over. Sort Of". The New York Times . Retrieved 2021-09-21.
  2. 1 2 Hyden, Steven (Jan 21, 2021). "An Update From The Wrens On The Most Delayed Indie Album In History". Uproxx . Retrieved 2021-09-21.
  3. ↑ Hann, Michael (March 9, 2006). "The Wrens ULU, London". The Guardian . London, England. Retrieved 2009-01-05.
  4. ↑ Lippy, Tod (Fall 2004). "Home Made: An Interview with the Wrens". Esopus . New York City (3): 43–55. Retrieved May 3, 2014.
  5. ↑ The Wrens Biography, Allmusic
  6. 1 2 "Wrens' First Two Albums To Be Reissued". Paste Magazine. October 10, 2006. Retrieved 2009-01-05.
  7. 1 2 3 Schreiber, Ryan (September 30, 2003). "The Meadowlands" . Retrieved December 12, 2011.
  8. ↑ Phillips, Amy; Solarski, Matthew (December 12, 2006). "The Year in News 2006: Part 2". Pitchfork . Retrieved November 6, 2011.
  9. ↑ McMahan, Tim (March 10, 2004). "Songs from the Meadowlands". The Reader . Omaha, Nebraska . Retrieved December 11, 2011.
  10. ↑ Garrett, Jon (September 19, 2003). "Review: The Meadowlands". PopMatters . Retrieved November 6, 2011.
  11. ↑ Phares, Heather. "The Wrens: The Meadowlands Review". Allmusic. Retrieved 2009-01-05.
  12. ↑ Christgau, Robert. "Robert Christgau: CG: The Wrens". Robertchristgau.com. Retrieved 2009-01-05.
  13. ↑ La Gorce, Tammy (May 7, 2006). "MUSIC; Once More to the Abyss For the Wrens". The New York Times . Retrieved 2009-01-05.
  14. ↑ "Quit Your Day Job: The Wrens". Stereogum. February 21, 2007. Retrieved December 12, 2011.
  15. ↑ "Hello Radio: The Songs of They Might Be Giants - Various Artists | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic .
  16. ↑ "Music Marketing and Promotion | Digital Distribution | #1 Music Agency". Viewmaniac.com.
  17. ↑ "just finished my last vocal, so um..hope you're sitting down...record's done. One week mixing then handed all to mastering BY Mothers' Day". Twitter.com. May 1, 2014.
  18. ↑ "The Wrens Release New Song "Three Types of Reading Ambiguity" on Limited Edition Cassette". Pitchfork.com. 10 October 2015. Retrieved 2016-04-22.
  19. ↑ "The Wrens Are Releasing New Song "Three Types Of Reading Ambiguity" On Limited Edition Cassette". Stereogum.com. 10 October 2015. Retrieved 2016-04-22.
  20. ↑ "ESOPUS Magazine : FALL 2015 THREE TYPES OF READING AMBIGUITY". Esopus.org. Retrieved 2016-04-22.
  21. ↑ "The Wrens' Charles Bissell Says Band Is Over, Announces Song From New Solo Project Car Colors". Pitchfork.com. 6 October 2023. Retrieved 2023-10-06.
  22. ↑ "The Wrens' Charles Bissell Releases First New Music In 20 Years: Hear Car Colors' "Old Death"". Stereogum.com. Retrieved 2023-11-17.
  23. ↑ "'It's repulsive to me': the bitter feud of indie-rockers the Wrens". The Guardian . 24 November 2021. Retrieved 10 December 2021.
  24. ↑ "Aeon Station - "Fade"". Stereogum.com. 16 November 2021. Retrieved 10 December 2021.
  25. ↑ Arnone, Joey. "Aeon Station Share Video for New Single "Fade"". Undertheradarmag.com. Retrieved 10 December 2021.
  26. ↑ "The Wrens - Life Stories From The Union". Discogs.com. 1995.
  27. ↑ "Park Ave./Wrens - Park Ave. | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic .
  28. ↑ "The Wrens/The Five Mod Four [Split CD] - The Wrens | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic .
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.