Wilco

Wilco is an American alternative rock band from Chicago, formed in 1994 by members of Uncle Tupelo after Jay Farrar leaves that group. Jeff Tweedy and bassist John Stirratt remain from the original line-up, while the band’s later members include guitarist Nels Cline, multi-instrumentalists Pat Sansone and Mikael Jorgensen, and drummer Glenn Kotche. Earlier members include Ken Coomer, Jay Bennett, Bob Egan, Leroy Bach and Max Johnston.

Formation and early albums

The band takes its name from “wilco”, the radio procedure term meaning “I will comply”. Its first album, A.M., is closely tied to Uncle Tupelo’s alternative country sound, although Wilco later moves towards more experimental material. John Stirratt contributes “It’s Just That Simple” to that album, and it is the last Wilco release written solely by someone other than Tweedy.

Wilco’s second album, Being There, is released as a double album at a single-album price after Tweedy asks the label to agree to the arrangement. Max Johnston leaves during the recording period, Bob Egan joins on pedal steel guitar, and Jay Bennett becomes an important addition on keyboards and guitar. The album is well received and marks a major step forward commercially and critically.

Mermaid Avenue and wider recognition

Wilco collaborates with Billy Bragg on the Mermaid Avenue projects, recording new settings for previously unrecorded Woody Guthrie lyrics. The first Mermaid Avenue album is released with Bragg in 1998, sells strongly, and is nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Folk Album. A second volume follows later from the same sessions. After these recordings, Leroy Bach replaces Bob Egan.

Summerteeth, recorded after the Mermaid Avenue work, uses extensive overdubbing and Pro Tools and includes the single “Can’t Stand It” in a radio-friendly version. It receives strong critical attention, even though its sales are lower than Being There.

Yankee Hotel Foxtrot and label dispute

Yankee Hotel Foxtrot becomes the band’s best-known release and the record most associated with a dispute over its release. Reprise Records rejects the finished album and Wilco leaves the label, later releasing the record through Nonesuch, another Warner Music Group subsidiary. The album becomes Wilco’s best-selling release, reaches number 13 on the Billboard 200, and tops the year-end Pazz & Jop poll. It is also named among the greatest albums of all time by Q and Rolling Stone.

The band documents the process in the film I Am Trying to Break Your Heart. Around this period, Glenn Kotche joins after introducing a new rhythmic approach, and Jay Bennett leaves after the album is completed.

Later work, lineup changes and awards

Wilco records Down with Wilco with The Minus 5 after agreeing to work with Scott McCaughey. In 2004 the band releases A Ghost Is Born, which includes the long electronic piece “Less Than You Think”. The album becomes Wilco’s first top ten record in the United States and wins two Grammy Awards, including Best Alternative Music Album and Best Recording Package.

After A Ghost Is Born, Leroy Bach leaves and Mikael Jorgensen, Pat Sansone and Nels Cline join the group, creating a new six-piece line-up. The live album Kicking Television: Live in Chicago documents this version of the band. Wilco also releases The Wilco Book and later records Sky Blue Sky, a less experimental album built through collaboration. That record is streamed online before release, is licensed for advertising use, and reaches the top five in the United States.

Style and influence

Wilco is generally described as an alternative rock band, with strong links to alternative country, americana, folk rock, indie rock, pop rock and rock. Its music draws on a wide range of influences, especially work from the period between 1966 and 1974, including John Cale, John Lennon, Neil Young, Brian Wilson and Television. The band also cites free jazz and mainstream jazz artists, and uses literary influences and cadavre exquis-style writing methods in some lyrics.

Wilco is sometimes called “American Radiohead” because of its stylistic range. Its influence extends to acts such as The National, Cherry Ghost, Pete Yorn and Grace Potter and the Nocturnals.