The Wolfgang Press
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1983 |
| Founder | Michael Allen, Mark Cox, Andrew Gray |
| Defunct | 1995 (initially) |
| Fate | Reunited in 2024 |
| Headquarters | United Kingdom |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Michael Allen, Mark Cox, Andrew Gray, Stephen Gray |
| Products | Albums, singles, EPs |
The Wolfgang Press is a British post-punk ensemble that initially operated between 1983 and 1995. The primary members consisted of Michael Allen (vocals, bass), Mark Cox (keyboards), and Andrew Gray (guitar). In 2024, the band reunited with Stephen Gray stepping in for Cox to release a new album titled A 2nd Shape under Downwards Records.
Their most widely recognized track is the 1992 global hit single "A Girl Like You".
Style and influences
According to their official 4AD biography, the band started within the "post-punk" genre before transitioning into "avant-dance groovers" with the release of Queer. Although frequently categorized as part of the "goth" scene, the band members refuted this label.
Allen highlighted several key influences, naming albums such as De La Soul's 3 Feet High and Rising, Massive Attack's Blue Lines, along with works by Nick Cave and The Fall. He also pointed to Public Image Ltd's Metal Box as a major source of inspiration.
Rema-Rema, Mass (1978–1981)
Allen’s musical journey began with the Models in 1977. Both Allen and Cox were involved in Rema-Rema and later Mass, while Gray was affiliated with In Camera. All these groups released material on the 4AD label.
Formed in 1978 by school friends Allen and Gary Asquith, Rema-Rema included Cox, Marco Pirroni, and Max Prior. Their sole output was the Wheel in the Roses 12" EP released in April 1980. The group disbanded after Pirroni departed to join Adam and the Ants, leading to a reformation as Mass.
Mass featured Allen, Cox, Asquith, and Danny Briottet. They issued the single "You And I"/"Cabbage" in October 1980 followed by the album Labour of Love in May 1981 before dissolving later that year. Asquith and Briottet went on to create Renegade Soundwave; Asquith also contributed to Queer.
The Burden of Mules (1983)
Following Mass’s breakup, Allen and Cox maintained their partnership. The Burden of Mules was characterized by Trouser Press as "a dark and cacophonous work, delivering an angry, intense slice of post-punk gloom"; meanwhile, the AllMusic Guide to Electronica described some tracks as "so morose and vehement they almost become self-parody." ZigZag praised it as an artistic triumph and a strong declaration. Notably, their retrospective collection Everything Is Beautiful omits songs from this album.
Guest artists on the record included Richard Thomas (Dif Juz), David Steiner (In Camera), and guitarist/percussionist Andrew Gray, who shortly thereafter became a full-time member.
Early EPs
The EP releases Scarecrow, Water, and Sweatbox, all produced by Robin Guthrie, were eventually gathered—with some remixed versions—into the compilation The Legendary Wolfgang Press and Other Tall Stories. According to the AllMusic Guide to Electronica, Scarecrow is "lighter and more polished," while Water contains "ominously sparse torch songs," and Sweatbox represents "deconstructionist pop."
Standing Up Straight (1986)
Described on their 4AD profile as "a potent fusion of industrial and classical elements," Standing Up Straight received acclaim from Trouser Press, which called it "inventive and challenging," noting its use of industrial and classical instrumentation but cautioning that it is "not for the faint-hearted." The AllMusic Guide to Electronica refers to it as "a demanding yet ultimately rewarding album."
Bird Wood Cage (1988)
The AllMusic Guide to Electronica identifies Bird Wood Cage as a significant release, marking the band's integration of dance and funk styles that would become prominent in their subsequent projects. According to Trouser Press, the album blends female backing vocals, wah-wah guitar with a funky edge, and dub reggae influences.
This album was preceded by the EP Big Sex, which introduced many of its musical ideas. Notable singles from this period include "King of Soul," "Kansas," and the double A-side "Raintime"/"Bottom Drawer."
Allen later described Bird Wood Cage as his favorite Wolfgang Press record.
Queer (1991), "A Girl Like You" (1992)
Drawing inspiration from De La Soul's 1989 debut 3 Feet High and Rising, Allen stated that the band rediscovered the enjoyment in music-making, leading them to rethink their creative approach.
The album showcases more extensive use of sampling alongside funkier, more pop-oriented rhythms. The AllMusic Guide to Electronica characterizes it as "alien funk," combining unconventional beats, dark sonic layers, and brooding grooves. To achieve a richer sound, band members played various instruments themselves. Leslie Langston from Throwing Muses provided bass on most tracks.
Singles included "Time," which samples Pink Floyd's track of the same name, and a rendition of Randy Newman's "Mama Told Me Not to Come."
Released in May 1992, "A Girl Like You" became a global success, peaking at No. 2 on the US Billboard Modern Rock chart. Tom Jones later covered the song—with Allen and Gray contributing bass and guitar—and commissioned the group to compose "Show Me (Some Devotion)" for his 1994 album. Jones also performed alongside them at a 4AD anniversary event in Los Angeles in 1995.
Due to difficulties clearing samples, the 1992 US edition of Queer, which featured "A Girl Like You," underwent significant re-recording and remixing.
Funky Little Demons (1995)
Following the success of "A Girl Like You," the band invested in their own recording studio, eliminating the need for external studio rentals. They dedicated two years to producing Funky Little Demons.
Trouser Press characterized this album as straightforward dance music with appropriate elements but noted that the band had shifted from innovators to being perceived as "just another white post-new wave soul band."
The single "Going South" reached No. 117 on the UK Singles Chart and climbed to No. 33 on the US alternative chart. A promotional CD for "Christianity" was released in the US alongside a video directed by Mark Neale; however, 4AD dropped the band before an official launch.
In February 1995, Funky Little Demons appeared briefly on the UK Albums Chart, peaking at No. 75 for one week.
Cox departed from the group in February 1995 prior to the album's release. Allen and Gray continued without him, touring across the US to support the record but eventually acknowledged that Wolfgang Press had reached its endpoint.
Post-Wolfgang Press and Unremembered Remembered
A compilation titled Everything Is Beautiful (A Retrospective 1983–1995) was issued in 2001; however, it does not include material recorded before 1984.
Allen occasionally records and performs with his project Geniuser, led by Giuseppe De Bellis. Geniuser has released Mud Black (2005), an EP called Press/Delete (2010), and the album I Am (2018). Additionally, Allen collaborated with Gary Asquith's Lavender Pill Mob.
Gray pursued solo work under the name Limehouse Outlaw and released Homegrown in 2002 on his own label, featuring several compositions co-written by Allen. He also contributed to Lavender Pill Mob's efforts.
Cox provided songwriting and production assistance for U:guru.
Following Cox's exit in 1995–96, Allen and Gray planned a new album. Six tracks from these sessions were eventually released on Record Store Day 2020 as Unremembered Remembered, a mini-LP promoted as their final studio work. A seventh track was recorded but omitted from this release.
On September 27, 2024, The Wolfgang Press made a comeback with A 2nd Shape, a digital album featuring a refreshed lineup: original members Michael Allen and Andrew Gray joined by Andrew’s brother Stephen Gray replacing Mark Cox. This release revisits their earlier noisy post-punk style reminiscent of their Burden Of Mules period.
Name
Although some accounts propose the name originates from German actor Wolfgang Preiss, Spin reported that the band stated it referred to an instrument Mozart supposedly attempted to create for composing music, despite no evidence of such a device. Allen has explained that the name was selected to be "ambiguous and open to various interpretations."
Albums
- The Burden of Mules (August 1983), 4AD
- Standing Up Straight (August 1986), 4AD
- Bird Wood Cage (7 November 1988), 4AD (the 1988 CD release contains the Big Sex EP)
- Queer (5 August 1991), 4AD (original vinyl included the 12" EP Sucker featuring remixes by Martyn Young of Colourbox)
- Queer (1992), 4AD/Warner U.S.
- Funky Little Demons (23 January 1995), 4AD (first CD edition came with a four-track remix bonus disc)
- Unremembered Remembered (29 August 2020), 4AD
- A 2nd Shape (27 September 2024), Downwards
Singles and EPs
- Scarecrow (12" EP, July 1984), 4AD
- Water (12" EP, January 1985), 4AD
- Sweatbox (12" EP, April 1985), 4AD
- Big Sex (12" EP, December 1986), 4AD
- "King of Soul" (12", August 1988), 4AD
- "Kansas" (12", January 1989), 4AD
- "Raintime/Bottom Drawer" (12"/CD, May 1989), 4AD
- "Time" (12"/CD, April 1991), 4AD
- "Mama Told Me Not to Come" (7"/12", May 1991), 4AD/Warner U.S.
- "A Girl Like You" (7"/12"/CD), 4AD/Warner U.S.
- "Going South", 4AD/Warner U.S.
- "Christianity" (CD), 4AD/Warner U.S.
Compilations
- The Legendary Wolfgang Press and Other Tall Stories (November 1985), 4AD – a collection of EPs including some alternate versions; CD edition features two additional tracks
- Everything Is Beautiful (A Retrospective 1983-1995) (1 October 2001), 4AD
Appearances on various artists compilations
- State of Affairs (Pleasantly Surprised cassette PS-002, 1984): "Prostitute" (Remixed Version)
- Dreams and Desires (Pleasantly Surprised cassette PS-006, 1984): "Ecstasy" (instrumental)
- Document: Pleasantly Surprised (82 - 85) (Pleasantly Surprised cassette PS-012, February 1986): "Prostitute" (Remixed Version)
- Abstract 5 (Sweatbox AMO-5, 1985; LP with issue No. 5 of Abstract magazine): "Fire Eater" (Remix)
- Lonely Is an Eyesore (4AD CAD-703, June 1987): "Cut the Tree"
- Unbelievable - The Indie Dance Album (Posh Music for Kids UNB-101, 1991): "Time"
- Volume One (Volume CD, September 1991; CD accompanying issue No. 1 of Volume magazine): "Sucker" (Version) (3:36)
- Rough Trade: Music for the 90's Vol. 3 (Rough Trade Deutschland RTD-199.1215.2 CD, 1991): "Louis XIV" (4:10)
- NME Viva 8 - Live at the Town and Country Club 8-1-92 (NME, 1992): "Dreams and Light" (3:22)
- Lilliput 1 & 2 (4AD LILLIPUT-1+2, 1992): "A Girl Like You", "Birmingham"
- 4AD Presents the 13 Year Itch CD (4AD SHUFFLE-1, 1993): "Peace on Fire" (4:02)
- 4AD Presents the 13 Year Itch VHS (4AD SHUFFLE-1, 1993): "Kansas"
- All Virgos Are Mad (4AD/Warner 45789 CD, 1994; complimentary CD for concerts): "One"
- All Virgos Are Mad (4AD/Warner 45789 CD, 1994; complimentary VHS for concerts): "Kansas"
- Facing the Wrong Way (4AD FTWW-1, 1995): "Christianity" (Wicked Man Remix)