On a Wire
Encyclopedia
On a Wire is a 2002 album released by The Get Up Kids
on Vagrant Records. The album was also released in two record
versions: black 180 gram vinyl and Limited Edition picture disc.
, the band was looking to depart from their high-energy powerpop style in lieu of a slower, more mellow sound. After recording several demos, they enlisted producer Scott Litt
to produce the album. According to Matt Pryor, Litt was chosen because he would be less likely to push a sound that would sell albums, as opposed to what the band wanted to write. Pianist James Dewees
stated in an interview with AP Magazine
that Litt "knew how to make bands sound good, but he was taking a band that was used to playing four-chord rock songs. We didn't know what we were doing." The album was recorded from January–February 2002 at Tarquin Studios in Bridgeport
, Connecticut
except for the song "Campfire Kansas", which was recorded in November 2001 at Z'Gwoth Studios in Lawrence, Kansas
.
released the first single off of the album, "Overdue", accompanied by an animated music video directed and animated by Travis Millard, who also did the artwork for the album, as well as the band's second album Something to Write Home About
. When the single and the album were received poorly, the label drew back much of the support for promoting the album in North America, instead trying to recoup their investments in the overseas market. A second, Europe-only single for "Stay Gone" was released, along with a music video, which can only be found on Vagrant's compilation Another Year on the Streets: Vol. 3.
The band also toured to promote the album, although it was far less extensive than their three-year stint supporting their previous album, Something to Write Home About
. In the summer of 2002, the band went on a tour of the United States, supported by indie band Superchunk
.
, many smaller publications felt that the band had abandoned their roots as second-wave emo
group. However, despite the criticism, the band still incorporated much of their musical growth into their follow-up Guilt Show
, which was much better received. However, many fans were upset with the concerts, since many of the songs on the album did not fit well with the band's usually energetic live show.
However, the poor reception of the album had a larger impact on the band's widespread popularity as a whole. In an interview with AP Magazine
, lead singer Matt Pryor considered that the dramatic change in style for On a Wire seriously impacted the momentum the band had gained from Something to Write Home About
, allowing later bands such as Dashboard Confessional
to take much of the fan base that The Get Up Kids had previously earned.
Years later, Pryor acknowledged the effect the shift between Something to Write Home About and On a Wire had on their fan base in an interview with New York Press
: "I feel like the way that we rolled out On A Wire was kind of abrasive and confrontational. I think it was very polarizing to our fans. We were kind of like, ‘This is what we do, fuck you guys.’ But hindsight is 20/20; I learned from that experience."
Production
Design
The Get Up Kids
The Get Up Kids are an American alternative rock band from Kansas City, Missouri. Formed in 1995, the band was a major player in the mid-90's emo scene, otherwise known as the "second wave" of emo music...
on Vagrant Records. The album was also released in two record
Gramophone record
A gramophone record, commonly known as a phonograph record , vinyl record , or colloquially, a record, is an analog sound storage medium consisting of a flat disc with an inscribed, modulated spiral groove...
versions: black 180 gram vinyl and Limited Edition picture disc.
Recording
After touring extensively to support Something to Write Home AboutSomething to Write Home About
Something to Write Home About is the second full-length studio album by American rock band The Get Up Kids, released on September 21, 1999. The album was produced by The Get Up Kids themselves, with co-producers Chad Blinman and Alex Brahl. Blinman also recorded and mixed the album, with Brahl...
, the band was looking to depart from their high-energy powerpop style in lieu of a slower, more mellow sound. After recording several demos, they enlisted producer Scott Litt
Scott Litt
Scott Litt is an American record producer who mostly works with artists in the alternative rock genre and is best known for producing six R.E.M. albums.-Biography:...
to produce the album. According to Matt Pryor, Litt was chosen because he would be less likely to push a sound that would sell albums, as opposed to what the band wanted to write. Pianist James Dewees
James Dewees
James Dewees is an American musician who has been involved in many musical projects including Coalesce, The Get Up Kids, Reggie and the Full Effect, New Found Glory, My Chemical Romance, and, most recently, Leathermouth....
stated in an interview with AP Magazine
Alternative Press (music magazine)
Alternative Press is an American music magazine based in Cleveland, Ohio. It generally provides readers with band interviews, photos, information on upcoming releases, and music charts. It was founded in 1985 by Mike Shea, who is the current president....
that Litt "knew how to make bands sound good, but he was taking a band that was used to playing four-chord rock songs. We didn't know what we were doing." The album was recorded from January–February 2002 at Tarquin Studios in Bridgeport
Bridgeport
Bridgeport is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Connecticut.Bridgeport may also refer to:-Places:In Canada:* Bridgeport, Nova ScotiaIn the United States:* Bridgeport, Alabama* Bridgeport, California, in Mono County...
, Connecticut
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
except for the song "Campfire Kansas", which was recorded in November 2001 at Z'Gwoth Studios in Lawrence, Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas
Lawrence is the sixth largest city in the U.S. State of Kansas and the county seat of Douglas County. Located in northeastern Kansas, Lawrence is the anchor city of the Lawrence, Kansas, Metropolitan Statistical Area, which encompasses all of Douglas County...
.
Promotion
Before the release of the album, Vagrant RecordsVagrant Records
Vagrant Records is an indie rock label based in Los Angeles, California and is home to such artists as The Hold Steady, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes, Active Child, PJ Harvey, Reptar, School of Seven Bells, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Thrice, James Vincent McMorrow, Placebo, and many...
released the first single off of the album, "Overdue", accompanied by an animated music video directed and animated by Travis Millard, who also did the artwork for the album, as well as the band's second album Something to Write Home About
Something to Write Home About
Something to Write Home About is the second full-length studio album by American rock band The Get Up Kids, released on September 21, 1999. The album was produced by The Get Up Kids themselves, with co-producers Chad Blinman and Alex Brahl. Blinman also recorded and mixed the album, with Brahl...
. When the single and the album were received poorly, the label drew back much of the support for promoting the album in North America, instead trying to recoup their investments in the overseas market. A second, Europe-only single for "Stay Gone" was released, along with a music video, which can only be found on Vagrant's compilation Another Year on the Streets: Vol. 3.
The band also toured to promote the album, although it was far less extensive than their three-year stint supporting their previous album, Something to Write Home About
Something to Write Home About
Something to Write Home About is the second full-length studio album by American rock band The Get Up Kids, released on September 21, 1999. The album was produced by The Get Up Kids themselves, with co-producers Chad Blinman and Alex Brahl. Blinman also recorded and mixed the album, with Brahl...
. In the summer of 2002, the band went on a tour of the United States, supported by indie band Superchunk
Superchunk
Superchunk is an American indie rock band from Chapel Hill, North Carolina, consisting of singer/guitarist Mac McCaughan, guitarist Jim Wilbur, bassist Laura Ballance, and drummer Jon Wurster. Formed in 1989, they were one of the bands that helped define the Chapel Hill music scene of the 1990s...
.
Reception
While the album was received with mild praise from more mainstream publications like Rolling StoneRolling Stone
Rolling Stone is a US-based magazine devoted to music, liberal politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks. Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J...
, many smaller publications felt that the band had abandoned their roots as second-wave emo
Emo
Emo is a style of rock music and its associated subcultureEmo may also refer to:- Businesses :* Emo , an Irish oil company and filling station chain* Emo Speedway, a racetrack in Emo, Ontario...
group. However, despite the criticism, the band still incorporated much of their musical growth into their follow-up Guilt Show
Guilt Show
Guilt Show is the fourth studio album by The Get Up Kids. It was released on Vagrant Records on March 3, 2004.-Recording:The album was the first album to be recorded in Black Lodge Studios, the recording studio in Eudora, Kansas renovated and owned by The Get Up Kids and producer Ed Rose...
, which was much better received. However, many fans were upset with the concerts, since many of the songs on the album did not fit well with the band's usually energetic live show.
However, the poor reception of the album had a larger impact on the band's widespread popularity as a whole. In an interview with AP Magazine
Alternative Press (music magazine)
Alternative Press is an American music magazine based in Cleveland, Ohio. It generally provides readers with band interviews, photos, information on upcoming releases, and music charts. It was founded in 1985 by Mike Shea, who is the current president....
, lead singer Matt Pryor considered that the dramatic change in style for On a Wire seriously impacted the momentum the band had gained from Something to Write Home About
Something to Write Home About
Something to Write Home About is the second full-length studio album by American rock band The Get Up Kids, released on September 21, 1999. The album was produced by The Get Up Kids themselves, with co-producers Chad Blinman and Alex Brahl. Blinman also recorded and mixed the album, with Brahl...
, allowing later bands such as Dashboard Confessional
Dashboard Confessional
Dashboard Confessional is an American rock band from Boca Raton, Florida, led by singer-songwriter Chris Carrabba. The name of the band is derived from the song "The Sharp Hint of New Tears" from the debut album The Swiss Army Romance....
to take much of the fan base that The Get Up Kids had previously earned.
Years later, Pryor acknowledged the effect the shift between Something to Write Home About and On a Wire had on their fan base in an interview with New York Press
New York Press
New York Press was a free alternative weekly in New York City, that was published from 1988 to 2011. During its lifetime, it was the main competitor to the Village Voice...
: "I feel like the way that we rolled out On A Wire was kind of abrasive and confrontational. I think it was very polarizing to our fans. We were kind of like, ‘This is what we do, fuck you guys.’ But hindsight is 20/20; I learned from that experience."
Track listing
Personnel
Band- Matthew PryorMatthew PryorMatthew Pryor is an American musician who lives in Lawrence, Kansas. Pryor was in the band Secret Decoder Ring, and through playing shows in the Kansas City area, met the members of his future band, indie rock group The Get Up Kids, which was formed in 1995...
- guitar, vocals - James DeweesJames DeweesJames Dewees is an American musician who has been involved in many musical projects including Coalesce, The Get Up Kids, Reggie and the Full Effect, New Found Glory, My Chemical Romance, and, most recently, Leathermouth....
- keyboards, vocals - Jim SupticJim SupticJim Suptic is an American musician and entrepreneur, best known for being the guitarist for Kansas City, Missouri band The Get Up Kids.-The Get Up Kids:...
- guitar, vocals - Ryan PopeRyan PopeRyan Pope is an American musician who lives in Lawrence, Kansas.-History:Ryan Pope grew up in Olathe, Kansas. In the summer of 1994, he was in a band called "Kingpin" with his brother Rob and future The Get Up Kids bandmate Jim Suptic...
- drums - Rob PopeRob Pope-History:Rob Pope grew up in Olathe, Kansas. In the summer of 1994, he was in a band called "Kingpin" with his brother Ryan and future Get Up Kids bandmate Jim Suptic. After the band broke up due to internal conflicts, Rob and Jim re-formed with Matt Pryor, who had been playing with Secular Theme...
- bass
Production
- Scott LittScott LittScott Litt is an American record producer who mostly works with artists in the alternative rock genre and is best known for producing six R.E.M. albums.-Biography:...
- producerRecord producerA record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
, mixingAudio mixing (recorded music)In audio recording, audio mixing is the process by which multiple recorded sounds are combined into one or more channels, most commonly two-channel stereo. In the process, the source signals' level, frequency content, dynamics, and panoramic position are manipulated and effects such as reverb may... - Peter KatisPeter KatisPeter Katis is an American record producer, engineer, mixer and musician.Working primarily out of his own residential studio in Bridgeport, Connecticut, Katis is best known for producing alternative and indie rock bands, especially for Fat Cat Records.-Biography:Katis attended New Canaan Country...
- engineer, additional mixing - Jamie Duncan - mixing assistant
- Carl Nappa - digital editing
- Stephen Marcussen - mastering
- Ed RoseEd RoseEd Rose is an American sound engineer and record producer. He has worked extensively with groups in the modern emo and pop punk scenes. He also co-owns Black Lodge Recording with Rob Pope and his brother Ryan Pope.-History:...
- additional creative input on "Overdue"
Design
- Travis Millard - artworkCover artCover art is the illustration or photograph on the outside of a published product such as a book , magazine, comic book, video game , DVD, CD, videotape, or music album. The art has a primarily commercial function, i.e...
- Joby J. Ford - art design
Album Position
| Year | Album | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | On a Wire | The Billboard 200 | 57 |
| 2002 | On a Wire | Independent Albums Independent Albums The Billboard Independent Albums is a chart of the highest-selling independent music albums and extended plays in the United States, compiled by Nielsen SoundScan and published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is used to list artists who are not signed to major labels... |
3 |
External links
- Fudge Factory Comics - Artist Travis Millard's website.