Wig (3)

Formed in Ann Arbor, Michigan in 1989. Merging the heaviness of ‘70s hard rock, the bombast of modern industrial music, the colorful flourishes of psychedelia and prog-rock, and the menace of punk, the original line-up of vocalist Preston Cleveland, bassist Fran Falls, guitarist Schurgin and drummer John Burke created a unique sound that was as abrasive as it was mind-altering. Along with local contemporaries Laughing Hyenas and Big Chief, WIG was part of the Ann Arbor musical renaissance of the late-'80s/early-'90s. Over their 9-year existence, they shared the stage with the likes of the Butthole Surfers, Mudhoney, Urge Overkill, Afghan Wigs, and Kid Rock. In 1990, WIG’s debut record, "Lying Next To You," was released on the Detroit independent label Nocturnal Records and was later chosen as “Record of the Week” by the legendary John Peel on his BBC radio show. That same year, WIG toured the Midwest and East Coast as support act for compadres the Laughing Hyenas. The original band recorded one more record for Nocturnal, the “.Just Obscene" b/w “All the Love In the World” single in 1991. Differences over the musical direction of the group led to the departure of Preston Cleveland, who went on to form Mule and then record and perform under the moniker P.W. Long. Burke, Falls and Schurgin carried on as a 3-piece outfit for another year before singer Clark S. Nova joined the fold. During that period, WIG continued to refine their sound and explore new sonic territory. On the strength of a demo tape featuring Nova, WIG garnered a record deal with Polydor (subsequent mergers within Polygram would put the band on Island Records). The benefit of a decent recording budget and ample time in the studio allowed the band the freedom to experiment and bring their sonic vision to life. Recorded in Detroit, WIG’s major label debut, "Deliverance," was released in 1994 and the band toured incessantly in support of it. Despite positive reviews, however, Island failed to promote the album. Undeterred, WIG continued to hone their live show and expand their fan-base while writing and recording material for their next record. Recording for the follow-up to "Deliverance" began again in Detroit in early 1995 but, unsatisfied with the results of those initial sessions, the band went to Chicago to work with Keith Cleversley (The Flaming Lips, Hum). On the recommendation of the label, WIG agreed to record some tracks in Los Angeles with Andy Johns (Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin). Having amassed several tracks over two years (some of which Island deemed too weird or abrasive and, thus, remain unreleased), WIG left Ann Arbor for Los Angeles before "Wireland" was released in the fall of 1997. The record was even more expansive in its sound and songwriting than its predecessor and received critical acclaim, but like "Deliverance" before it, Island never gave it the promotional push it deserved and "Wireland" failed to break the band to a larger audience. WIG, which now included second guitarist Wayne Faler from Ann Arbor, did a tour of the West Coast and played at the annual South by Southwest festival in Austin, Texas. They recorded a handful of new songs for a demo shortly after being dropped from Island’s roster and played what would be their last show in the spring of 1998 at The Troubadour in Los Angeles before disbanding.