b. Nicholas Allen Jones, 20 January 1969, Tredegar, Wales. Wire made his name in the 90s as bass player and co-lyricist (with Richey Edwards) of the Welsh rock band Manic Street Preachers. Following Edwards' unexplained disappearance in 1995, Wire continued as sole lyricist as the band entered their most commercial period. His lyrics remained true to the socialistic credo of the band's early days, even as their music became softer and slicker.
In 2006, during a lull in Manic Street Preacher activities, Wire followed bandmate James Dean Bradfield down the solo route with the release of I Killed The Zeitgeist at the end of the year. This low-key album was an unexpected delight, a back to basics blend of abrasive rock guitars and forays into spoken-word that recalled the spit and snarl of early Manic Street Preachers records. Wire's vocals were an acquired taste, however, and quickly grated over the course of a whole album.
