The Wake

The Wake is a Scottish indie band from Glasgow, active from 1981 to 1995. Their sound moves from post-punk towards indie pop, and they are also associated with dream pop, jangle pop, new wave and twee pop.

Formation and early releases

The band forms in Glasgow in 1981, with Gerard “Caesar” McNulty, Steven Allen and Joe Donnelly as the original members. Donnelly is later replaced by Bobby Gillespie, while Steven Allen’s sister Carolyn Allen joins soon after and remains with the group until it ends. The Wake issue their first single themselves on the Scan 45 label, pairing “On Our Honeymoon” with “Give Up”.

The single draws the attention of New Order manager Rob Gretton, who helps them sign to Factory Records in 1982. They record the album Harmony at Strawberry Studio in Stockport, and then release a series of singles on Factory and its French sister label Factory Benelux.

Factory Records years

In 1983, The Wake tour with New Order and gain critical attention, although they are often compared unfavourably with their labelmates. Bobby Gillespie leaves that year, later going on to play drums with The Jesus and Mary Chain and to find success with Primal Scream. He is replaced by Alexander “Mac” Macpherson. The band also records a session for John Peel’s BBC programme in 1983.

Their 1984 single “Talk About the Past”, which features Vini Reilly of the Durutti Column on piano, becomes an indie hit. The recording and release of the 1985 album Here Comes Everybody marks the peak of their career. Later Factory releases are limited: “Of the Matter” appears in 1985, followed by the four-track EP Something That No One Else Could Bring in 1987.

Sarah Records and later years

Disappointed by the lack of promotion from Factory Records, The Wake leave the label in 1988 and sign to Sarah Records in Bristol. They release two singles and two albums there, ending with Tidal Wave of Hype in 1994. By this stage the group is again a trio, made up of Caesar, Carolyn Allen and Steven Allen. They also share personnel with fellow Glasgow band The Orchids and have played live with them.

When Sarah Records closes in 1995, The Wake effectively come to an end.