Byron Coley

Issue 499
September 2025
Essay
“An absolutely pure statement”: Michael Hurley’s final album reviewed
August 2025

In The Wire 499, Byron Coley reviews the final studio album by the late US troubadour Michael Hurley

Issue 495
May 2025

Issue 489
November 2024
+ The Wire Tapper 66
Tracks
Unlimited Editions: HoZac
May 2021

Byron Coley traces the threads through Chicago label and publisher HoZac's back catalogue, selecting tracks representing the imprint's global sub-underground network
Essay
Marc Orleans RIP
July 2020

Byron Coley chronicles the life of prolific East Coast guitarist, lap steel player and chess freak Marc Orleans, of Sunburned Hand Of The Man, Spore and many more
News
Mats Gustafsson’s anthology of interviews probes the enduring fascination of vinyl
Mats Gustafsson’s anthology of interviews probes the enduring fascination of vinyl

The veteran saxophonist talks to legendary record collectors including Henry Rollins, Robert Crumb and various Wire contributors
News
Thurston Moore and Byron Coley's Bull Tongue print journal
Thurston Moore and Byron Coley's Bull Tongue print journal

Bull Tongue Review published, with writing by Steve Albini, Alan Bishop, Mats Gustafsson, Dylan Nyoukis, Bruce Russell, Brian Turner, Naomi Yang and more

Issue 358
December 2013
Essay
Lou Reed 1942–2013: Byron Coley: Lou Reed Is Dead
November 2013

Lou Reed died on 27 October, 2013. “Whatever you do, don’t talk to Lou.” Byron Coley ignores a warning.

Issue 353
July 2013
Essay
The Wire 300: Byron Coley commemorates one of the New Weird America’s founding fathers
February 2013

Previously unpublished essay commissioned to celebrate The Wire's 300th issue.

Issue 336
February 2012
Tracks
Stream music by Los Llamarada
January 2012

Listen to the now-defunct Mexican outfit's 2009 The Collapse Of Today.
Book Extract
Read Extracts From Byron Coley's C'est La Guerre
August 2011

Read two extracts from C'est La Guerre: Early Writings 1978–1983, a collection of writings by The Wire's regular Size Matters columnist from the beginning of his career.
News
Byron Coley C'est La Guerre Book Launch
Byron Coley C'est La Guerre Book Launch

Three books will be launched this Friday by L’Oie De Cravan . C'est La Guerre is a collection of Byron Coley's early writings from 1978–1983,...

Issue 326
April 2011
+ The Wire Tapper 25

Issue 324
February 2011
WAITING FOR TONY
Rewind 2009: Contributors Charts
January 2010

Issue 305
July 2009

Issue 289
March 2008

Issue 228
February 2003

Issue 224
October 2002

Issue 220
June 2002
Interview
Ran Blake interview transcript

Read the unedited transcript of Byron Coley's interview with Ran Blake...