Robert Grey (musician)
Robert Grey (born 21 April 1951) is an English musician best known as the drummer for Wire.[1] He is sometimes credited as Robert Gotobed.
Robert Grey | |
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 Grey in September 2013 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Robert Grey |
| Also known as | Robert Gotobed |
| Born | 21 April 1951 Marefield, Leicestershire, England |
| Origin | London, England |
| Genres | Punk rock, art punk, post-punk, experimental rock |
| Instruments | Drums |
| Years active | 1973 – present |
| Labels | Mute, Crammed, Beggars Banquet Records, Pinkflag |
| Associated acts | Wire |
| Website | http://www.pinkflag.com |
Career
In 1973, Grey joined his first band, an R&B group called the Snakes, as vocalist. The Snakes released one single, "Teenage Head". After the group folded, Grey began teaching himself to drum.[2]
He has been Wire's regular drummer since their start in 1976; at first he used the stage name 'Robert Gotobed'.[3] Grey left the band in 1990, after the release of the album Manscape, because of Wire's increasing use of sequencers, computers, and drum machines.[4] He began to feel uncomfortable as the band moved further into a computer-based environment. After his departure, the band dropped one letter from its name, becoming "Wir". Grey started exploring African drumming and devoted his time to organic agriculture, running a small farm in The Midlands, England.[2]
He rejoined Wire in 2000, dropping his Robert Gotobed alias and using his birthname Robert Grey. He has recorded and toured with the band since.
References
- Perry, Jonathan (5 April 2011). "Wire is still electric". The Boston Globe.
- "Pinkflag.com (the official Wire website) - Us - Robert Grey". Pinkflag.com.
- Strong, Martin C. (2000). The Great Rock Discography (5th ed.). Edinburgh: Mojo Books. pp. 1075–1076. ISBN 1-84195-017-3.
- "Robert Gotobed in interview". Stereosociety.com.
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