The Wrens (band)

Infobox musical artist |
Name = The Wrens

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Origin = New Jersey
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Genre = Indie rock
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Years_active = 1989 – present
Label = LO-MAX
Wind-Up Records/Grass Records
Drive Thru Records
Saddle Creek
Ten 23
Absolutely Kosher
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URL = [http://www.wrens.com/ Official website]
Current_members = Charles Bissell
Greg Whelan
Kevin Whelan
Jerry MacDonald
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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. The Wrens are currently being filmed for a documentary by the production company Little Quill.

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 Meltzer, 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 hard but very slowly on a follow-up to "The Meadowlands".

Also in 2006, The Wrens recorded a cover of the song "They'll Need A Crane" for Hello Radio, a tribute album to They Might Be Giants.

Discography

Albums

*"Silver" (1994)
*"Secaucus" (1996)
*"The Meadowlands (CD-R) (First Edition)" (2002)
*"The Meadowlands (Value Added Edition)" (2003)
*"The Meadowlands" (2003)

ingles/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)

External links

* [http://www.wrens.com/ Official Site]
* [http://www.lomaxrecords.com/ LO-MAX Records]
* [http://www.littlequill.com/ Little Quill Productions: The Wrens Documentary]
* [http://yaymatt.livejournal.com/63212.html Personal account of The Wrens live, with pictures]
* [http://www.timmcmahan.com/wrens2.htm Lazy-i Interview: March 2004]
* [http://www.corporatecountrysucks.com/Corporate_Country_Sucks_Vid.html Interview and performance on Corporate Country Sucks TV show.]