Matthew Simms

Matthew Simms
OriginEngland
GenresPost-punk, experimental rock, electronic, alternative rock
OccupationGuitarist
Instrument(s)Guitar, electric organ
LabelsPink Flag, ORG Music

Matthew Simms is an English guitarist best known for his work with the band Wire.[1]

Simms formed the band It Hugs Back with schoolmates Paul Michael, Jack Theedom and Will Blackaby.[3] Their debut album, Inside Your Guitar, was released in 2009.[4][5] Their second album, Laughing Party, was released in 2012.[6]

In 2010 Simms joined Wire for their Red Barked Tree tour[7] initially as a touring guitarist but then as a full member of the band.[7] The first Wire album Simms appeared on was 2013's Change Becomes Us.[8] He went on to appear on: Wire,[8] Nocturnal Koreans,[8] Silver/Lead,[8] and Mind Hive (2020).[9]

Since joining Wire Simms has balanced his work with both Wire and It Hugs Back.[6]

With fellow Wire-mate Graham Lewis Simms joined bassist Mike Watt (Minutemen) and drummer Bob Lee to form FITTED.[10] Initially formed as a one-off group for Wire's DRILL festival in Los Angeles,[10][11] the four decided to record an album.[12]

First Fits, their debut album, was recorded from 2017 to 2018[13] with Lewis and Watt trading lead vocals.[11] "Training Pit Bulls For The Navy" was the first single.[10]

Simms also records solo work under the pen name "Slows",[2] an experimental electronic project in which Simms plays electric organ.[1] He performed at London South Bank University at their inaugural Magnetic South festival in April 2016.[14]

Simms, Verity Susman and Kat Duma received a Canadian Screen Award nomination for Best Original Music in a Documentary at the 12th Canadian Screen Awards in 2024 for their work on Tramps!.[15]

  1. ^ a b c d "LISTEN: Slows". The Quietus. 17 April 2015. Retrieved 17 January 2020.
  2. ^ a b "Enormous Pause". Bandcamp. 28 September 2018. Retrieved 17 January 2020.
  3. ^ "It Hugs Back live in session for Marc Riley". BBC. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
  4. ^ Perpetua, Matthew (6 April 2009). "It Hugs Back: Inside Your Guitar". Pitchfork. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
  5. ^ Nicolson, Barry (3 April 2009). "Album Review: It Hugs Back". NME. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
  6. ^ a b Howarth, Benjamin (12 June 2012). "Interview: Matthew Simms". Penny Black Music. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
  7. ^ a b "Forever Change". Record Collector. Retrieved 17 January 2020.
  8. ^ a b c d Pinnock, Tom (14 September 2018). "Wire discuss their best albums: "Talking only gets you so far… it's the intuition that's important"". Uncut. Retrieved 17 January 2020.
  9. ^ Richards, Sam (22 October 2019). "Wire announce new album, Mind Hive". Uncut. Retrieved 17 January 2020.
  10. ^ a b c Pearis, Bill (21 August 2019). "FITTED, ft. Mike Watt & members of Wire, share first single from debut LP". Brooklyn Vegan. Retrieved 9 November 2019.
  11. ^ a b Helman, Peter (21 August 2019). "FITTED – "Training Pit Bulls For The Navy"". Stereogum. Retrieved 9 November 2019.
  12. ^ Watt, Mike (7 April 2017). "I got to be in FITTED..." Facebook. Retrieved 9 November 2019.
  13. ^ Phillips, Marc (23 October 2019). "Fitted, First Fits - The Vinyl Anachronist". Part-Time Audiophile. Retrieved 9 November 2019.
  14. ^ "Meet the artists of Magnetic South 2016". London South Bank University. Retrieved 18 January 2020.
  15. ^ "BlackBerry Leads CSA Nominations". Northern Stars, March 6, 2024.