The West Coast quartet Wire Train came of age in the early ’80s, blending atmospheric psychedelic production with jangling new wave songcraft on their 1983 debut, In a Chamber. It was the start of a career that saw the band go through lineup changes, label scuffles, and a shifting musical approach that went from sophisticated pop on 1985’s Between Two Words to folky classic rock on a self-titled 1990 album to danceable alternative rock on 1992’s No Soul No Strain.
When the band got together in early 1983, San Francisco State University students Kevin Hunter and Kurt Herr didn’t have much experience playing in bands or even making music. In fact, while Herr had basic guitar skills, Hunter had none. They spent six months working on their guitar playing and songwriting before looking for a rhythm section. After a few attempts that went nowhere, they found Swedish bassist Anders Rundblad and Argentinian drummer Federico Gil-Sola, then began playing shows around the city. At this point, they were using the name the Renegades when they cut a demo that found its way into the hands of a local DJ named Howie Klein, who was in the process of starting the 415 record label. He signed the band, who had changed their name to Wire Train, and before the group even released anything, the 415 label was bought by Columbia so they could get their hands on the band.
Working with producer David Kahne, the quartet came up with an impressive debut that blended atmospheric psychedelia with jangling guitar interplay and hooky songs. 1984’s In a Chamber was a critical success, spawning a few college radio hits and scoring the band a slot opening for Big Country on a U.S. tour that year. Wire Train also gained at least one famous fan: U2‘s Bono proclaimed In a Chamber his favorite album of the year.
Superior Music Publishing represents Wire Train’s Kevin Hunter worldwide. In addition to his work with Wire Train, Hunter is a prolific songwriter with songs performed by Jane Wiedlin, Sheryl Crow and more.