Live Wire -

Live Wire was an English pub-rock band from London that released the 1979–81 A&M albums Pick It Up, No Fright, and Changes Made. Singer–guitarist Mike Edwards led all three lineups; guitarist–keyboardist Simon Boswell joined after the debut and produced the final two albums.

Members: Simon Boswell (guitar, vocals, keyboards, 1980-81), Chris Cutler (guitar, 1979), Mike Edwards (vocals, guitar), German Gonzales (drums), Jeremy Meek (bass, vocals)

Background

Live Wire formed in London in 1977 around singer–guitarist Mike Edwards and Rocksoff guitarist Chris Cutler (not the Henry Cow drummer). Bassist Joe Sluys and drummer German Gonzales completed the founding quartet.

The group worked as a London pub band and recorded “Lone Car Cruising” in December 1978 for The Honky Tonk Demos, an Oval Records roots-rock sampler with cuts by Darts, Dire Straits, Graham Parker, and Charlie Dore. Jeremy Meek replaced Sluys before A&M issued the debut album.

Pick It Up

Live Wire released their debut album, Pick It Up, in 1979 on A&M.

The album features ten originals by Edwards, who handles rhythm and slide guitar while Cutler plays lead and rhythm guitar, anchored by the Meek/Gonzales rhythm section.

“Hit & Run Driver” shuffles through choppy accents and shaky twang beneath a cool, detached delivery.

A1. “Hit & Run Driver” (3:30)
A2. “Money” (3:04)
A3. “Thinking of You” (3:26)
A4. “Water Into Wine” (3:24)
A5. “Lone Car Cruising” (6:10)

B1. “Hey Good Looking” (4:03)
B2. “Superstitious” (3:11)
B3. “Weaving” (2:53)
B4. “Paid in Smiles” (3:49)
B5. “Hard They Come Up” (5:05)

Glyn Johns produced and engineered Pick It Up, assisted by Sean Fullan. Johns co-produced and engineered 1978/79 albums by The Who (Who Are You), Joan Armatrading (To the Limit), and Mark Benno (Lost in Austin).

Pick It Up appeared in a sleeve designed by Michael Ross, the visual director of mid-Seventies covers for Moonrider, The Movies, Baker Gurvitz Army, and 1978/79 albums by The Police, Squeeze, Budgie, and Joe Jackson. The cover shows Live Wire through a barb-wire fence, modified at the center to read Pick It Up, captured by Tubular Bells photographer Trevor Key, also credited on recent albums by Oldfield, the Sex Pistols, and X-Ray Spex.

A&M issued “Money” in October 1979 (b/w “Hey Good Looking”). The label followed with “Hit & Run Driver” in November 1979 (b/w “Thinking of You”).

No Fright

Live Wire released their second album, No Fright, in 1980 on A&M.

The album introduces Advertising alumnus Simon Boswell on guitar and keyboards while Edwards, Meek, and Gonzales return in their established roles. Edwards wrote all ten songs; Boswell assumed production and added harmony vocals.

“Don’t Bite the Hand” drives serrated chords across darting bass runs and hard syncopated accents. “Castle in Every Swiss Cottage” slows through delicate passages beneath spacious echo. “No Fright” races around a recurring keyboard figure as urgent lines trace a nightmare spiral.

A1. “Don’t Bite the Hand” (3:33)
A2. “Competition” (4:41)
A3. “Broken Glass” (4:08)
A4. “Break of Day” (3:03)
A5. “Castle in Every Swiss Cottage” (5:26)

B1. “One More Show” (3:37)
B2. “First Night Every Night” (2:10)
B3. “Tagesschau” (2:47)
B4. “No Fright” (4:22)
B5. “Red Light Is On” (6:02)

Live Wire recorded and mixed No Fright at Southern Studios, London, with producer Boswell and engineer Simaen Skolfield. Boswell’s concurrent A&M work included the July 1980 Mark Andrews & the Gents single “Does It Get to You (Like It Gets to Me).”

Ross designed the sleeve for No Fright and its followup in sequence with 1980/81 covers for Squeeze, Chris De Burgh, Athletico Spizz 80, Chaz Jankel, Ali Thomson, Rupert Hine, and Henry Badowski. Both Live Wire albums feature group pics by Mike Owen, a fashion photographer also credited on 1981–83 albums by the Boomtown Rats and Fun Boy Three.

In July 1980, A&M issued “Don’t Bite the Hand” (b/w “First Night Every Night”). The label followed in August 1980 with an edited “Castle in Every Swiss Cottage” (b/w “Tagesschau”). A&M issued “No Fright” as the third single in October 1980 (b/w “Break of Day”).

Changes Made

Live Wire released their third and final album, Changes Made, in 1981 on A&M.

The album retains the Boswell-era quartet and adds saxophonist John Earle. Edwards wrote seven songs, while Boswell supplied “Don’t Look Now” and “Anarchists in Love.” The two members co-wrote the opener, “Child’s Eye.”

“Don’t Look Now” speeds with a blunt riff and projected delivery. “Sleep” evolves from a humble intro to a thumping chorus. “Child’s Eye” brightens a toughened pop contour beneath Edwards’ rough drawl.

A1. “Child’s Eye” (4:16) – Edwards, Boswell
A2. “Don’t Look Now” (3:04) – Boswell
A3. “Sleep” (4:06)
A4. “Changes Made” (3:49)
A5. “Soundtrack” (3:37)

B1. “Anarchists in Love” (3:24) – Boswell
B2. “Power” (3:28)
B3. “Running” (4:05)
B4. “Burn” (4:57)
B5. “Wait in the Shadows” (3:58)

Live Wire recorded Changes Made in December 1980 at Konk Studios, London, with Skolfield and Boswell, who produced the subsequent Nine Below Zero album Third Degree.

A&M issued “Don’t Look Now” as the first single from the album (b/w “Power”). In June 1981, the label issued an edited “Sleep,” backed with “Breaking Down My Door,” a non-album Edwards exclusive.

B. “Breaking Down My Door” (3:29)

Later Activity

Edwards issued the 1983 solo single “Beat of My Heart.” Boswell moved from record production into film scoring; Dario Argento recruited him for the 1985 film Phenomena.

Meek played on 1983 albums by Joan Armatrading, The The, and Amii Stewart. He later established a long association with Paul Carrack and played bass on the 2018 album These Days.

Discography: