The Wrens (band)
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| The Wrens | ||
|---|---|---|
| Background information | ||
| Origin | New Jersey | |
| Genre(s) | Indie rock | |
| Years active | 1989 – present | |
| Label(s) | Wind-Up Records/Grass Records Drive Thru Records Saddle Creek Ten 23 Absolutely Kosher LO-MAX Records |
|
| Website | Official website | |
| Members | ||
| Charles Bissell Greg Whelan Kevin Whelan Jerry MacDonald |
||
The Wrens are an indie rock band that formed in the late 1980s in New Jersey. The group consists of Charles Bissell, Greg Whelan, Kevin Whelan, and Jerry MacDonald. Their debut album Silver was released in 1994. The band was plagued by label problems throughout the rest of the 1990s, leaving them unable to release an album for many years after Secaucus in 1996. The band's third offering, The Meadowlands, finally surfaced in late 2003 to enormous critical acclaim; it topped critics' polls over the following two years. The band's incendiary live shows did much to raise their profile and build up a fanatical live following.
The Wrens are currently being filmed for a documentary by the production company Little Quill.
Contents |
[edit] History
Charles Bissell, Greg Whelan, Kevin Whelan, and Jerry MacDonald formed a band in the late 80s under the name "Low." They eventually released a 7" under this name. They were signed to the label Grass Records soon after, but changed their name to The Wrens after learning about the popular slowcore group that was also named Low. By 1996, The Wrens had released two albums, Silver (1994) and Secaucus (1996). Both arrived to critical acclaim and a fair following of fans. Meanwhile, Grass Records was bought by Alan Melzter, who wanted to focus more on popularity and hit songs. He tried to force the Wrens to sign a new, bigger contract, as well as to make more radio-friendly music, but the band refused. As a result, they were dropped from the label and production of their previous two releases was halted. Meltzer ended up changing Grass Records' name to Wind-Up Records and signing the band Creed.
The Wrens continued to make music quietly. All of the band's members besides MacDonald lived in the same house, and they continued to write and record songs, while also keeping day jobs. Over the next seven years, the band was in limbo, searching for a new home while still trying to put a new album together. Finally, in 2003, the band released its third full-length album, The Meadowlands. The new album was a resounding success for The Wrens, achieving huge critical success. The band also gained a new following after the album was released.
In late 2006, Wind-Up records finally reissued the band's first two albums. The band is also working on a follow-up to The Meadowlands.
[edit] Discography
[edit] Albums
- Silver (1994)
- Secaucus (1996)
- The Meadowlands (CD-R) (First Edition) (2002)
- The Meadowlands (Value Added Edition) (2003)
- The Meadowlands (2003)
[edit] Singles/EPs
- Low (7") (1993)
- Napiers (7") (1994)
- Life Stories From The Union 7" (1995)
- Split w/ Park Ave. (7") (1995)
- Rest Your Head (7") (1996)
- Abbott 1135 (1997)
- Overnight Success (1998)
- Split w/ The Five Mod Four (2002)
