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Wilco

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Wilco is a contemporary rock band, predominantly known for its country music roots. Primary songwriter / singer Jeff Tweedy was a member of the seminal 1980s group Uncle Tupelo. Tweedy split from UT and band mate Jay Farrar, taking most of Wilco (bassist John Stirrat, drummer Ken Coomer and string player Max Johnston) with him.

Wilco has steadily gained popularity since its first release A.M. in 1995, the only album to fully carry over the Tupelo sound. Multi-instrumentalist Jay Bennett joined the band, expanding their already rich sound, adding more electronic/keyboard music, as well as the strength of a second guitar. They released the double album 'Being There', which won glowing reviews and a devoted group of fans, but average sales.

In 1999, the band released Summerteeth, showing a band evolving from country to electric rockers. Songs like "I Can't Stand It" and "I'm Always In Love" demonstrated a buzzing shift in their sound, and the album was their most popular to date.

They returned to their country roots working with English songwriter Billy Bragg for two Mermaid Avenue albums, which paired their 20th century music with lyrics by the American folk icon Woody Guthrie.

The band's most recent release, Yankee Hotel Foxtrot is considered by many in the music industry to be one of 2001's best albums, as well as a standout in terms of innovation. What started as an album continuing down the musical and sonic path set by 'Summerteeth' morphed into a monster that would attract plenty of adulation and trouble.

Glenn Kotche replaced Coomer on drums (Coomer would later play with the band Swag), and brought a more musical and harder hitting style of playing to the songs. Multi instrumentalist Leroy Bach also joined so the band could better duplicate their complex arrangements live and in the studio.

The production seemed to go well, though serious rifts formed between Bennett and his bandmates. Tweedy eventually fired Bennett, saying there could only be one center to a circle. Meanwhile/finally, Warner, the band's label, rejected the album, sparking a long search to find a new home for band. Complaints abounded over the bizarre, noise driven elements of many YHF tracks, although the song 'Heavy Metal Drummer' became a radio staple (at least around Chicago). Songs leaked out online, and Nonesuch Records (owned by Warner) released YHF in 2001. Bennett started a project with longtime collaborator Edward Burch and released 'The Palace at 4 A.M.' on the same day YHF came out.

Filmmaker Sam Jones caught it all on tape and released the documentary I Am Trying To Break Your Heart, a B&W film with 2 DVDs. One already classic scene involves an acidic argument between Tweedy and Bennett over a mix of the song "Heavy Metal Drummer." One disc has the movie with extra footage and commentary, and the other has clips of live performances.

In 2004 Bach left the band, though Wilco is currently a sextet. The new album 'A Ghost is Born' will be released on June 22. Jay Bennett plans on releasing three albums this year.

Discography

Wilco is also an Australian manufacturer of electrical mains fittings, in particular three phase fittings. The Wilco 530 is the standard connector for lighting power outlets in Australian entertainment venues, supplying 240/415 volt power at 30 amps per phase plus a neutral and ground. Several other manufacturers make compatible fittings to it.

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