We’ve been fans of New Jersey’s finest since even before their first album came out back in 1994, so let’s just say we’re used to sitting around waiting for them to take their sweet-ass time putting out new music. (Three albums in more than 14 years makes the Wrens about as prolific as Boston, which is kind of like being as tall as Bridget Powers.) As reported in a Wrens Watch Special Report, January 9 marked a huge milestone for the guys: guitarists Charles Bissell and Greg Whelan, bassist Kevin Whelan and drummer Jerry MacDonald. They issued “Pulled Fences,” their first new (well, sort of new) song since 2003’s The Meadowlands. Perhaps motivated by finally releasing something, the band convened—not in a real studio, but in Kevin’s basement—16 weeks ago to begin work on its new album. And not only that, the Wrens recorded an actual song (which you can download for free here). When we checked in with Bissell 13 weeks ago, he took exception with our good-natured sarcasm and quickly ended the interview. After ignoring us for a while, Bissell finally gave us a progress report; it seems that while other bands get together and record, the Wrens stay apart and talk to each other on the phone. Or they do nothing at all. Or they update their Facebook pages. Eight weeks ago, Bissell informed us he was “too busy” to respond to our questions, but he did promise us some exclusive Wrens mp3s in the near future. Seven weeks ago, he didn’t even bother responding to our emails, prompting us to call him an unprolific Ryan Adams. That got Bissell’s attention, who six weeks ago apologized (profanely) and promised us an exclusive Wrens mp3 for the April 6 Wrens Watch. After not delivering, he said he’d come through the next week, but he didn’t. When Bissell ignored us again (Wrens Watch, April 20 and April 27), we speculated the Wrens were actually recording or preparing for upcoming shows in George, Wash. (May 24) and Chicago (July 24 and 25). Or maybe Bissell was just being a jerk. But then he told us last week he’d have a new Wrens mp3 for us, possibly as soon as this week. And guess what? The man finally came through. Download a demo of “Z,” which was written and performed by Kevin. Be sure to tell us what you think of it, and we’ll report back to Bissell.
“Z” (demo) (download):
https://magnetmagazine.com/audio/Z.mp3
4 replies on “Wrens Watch, May 11, 2009: Download Brand New Wrens Song Below!”
I know next to nothing about the Wrens, but this sounds nearly like harassment. It sounds like they are slow producers, but there could be a myriad of reasons for that, the most likely one is day jobs. If someone was on my band’s *ss like this, I’d be less than cordial. It’s nice that you guys care, but man, maybe back off a bit.
Chris, I’m pretty sure these ongoing “Wrens Watch” postings are part of an ongoing joke, which the band members themselves are probably in on. Otherwise, I think the band would never have had any subsequent correspondence with Magnet, nor allowed Magnet’s website to post this new song download.
Oops. You’re right. It’s way more clever than I could perceive. It’s actually very amusing now that I get it. Thanks for pointing that out…
Sure, no problem. When I read the first posting a few months ago, I also thought that Magnet was being obnoxiously pushy toward the Wrens. But by the second or third posting, with Wrens member Charles Bissell still sort-of-responding, I figured out that it must be an ongoing improvised joke.