The Wolfgang Press

The Wolfgang Press was an English post-punk band, active from 1983 until 1995, recording for the 4AD label. The core of the band was Michael Allen (vocals, bass), Mark Cox (keyboards), and Andrew Gray (guitar), with many guest musicians.   The group is best known for its 1992 international hit single "A Girl Like You (Born To Be Kissed)".   (wiki)   * * *   by Jason Ankeny   Enigmatic, moody, and challenging, Britains Wolfgang Press were one of the most mercurial talents of the post-punk era, restlessly moving from gothic noise to dark balladry to eccentric funk; paradoxically, the group was also the 4AD labels longest tenured artist — even their stylish album packages were all the product of the same designer, Alberto Ricci.   Formed in London in 1983, the Wolfgang Press comprised vocalist Michael Allen, guitarist Andrew Gray, and keyboardist Mark Cox. Allen and Cox first teamed in the group Rema Rema, which also featured Adam & the Ants alum Marco Perroni; after reuniting in the short-lived quartet Mass, the duo recruited Gray, and as the Wolfgang Press issued their cacophonous, gloomy debut LP, The Burden of Mules, in 1983. An EP trilogy co-produced by Cocteau Twin Robin Guthrie followed in quick succession: while 1984s Scarecrow was a lighter, more streamlined affair, 1985s Water spotlighted ominously sparse torch songs, and the same years Sweatbox explored deconstructionist pop.   The Wolfgang Press second full-length effort, 1986s Standing Up Straight, incorporated industrial and orchestral influences into the mix, while the Big Sex EPs Gods Number offered a soulful backing chorus, a harbinger of things to come. Indeed, after 1988s hypnotic Bird Wood Cage and its leadoff single, King of Soul, introduced strong elements of dub, reggae, and R&B, the trio took the full plunge into the dance arena with 1991s Queer, an idiosyncratic outing admittedly inspired by De La Souls landmark 3 Feet High and Rising; the first single, a surreal cover of the Randy Newman-penned Mama Told Me Not to Come, was a minor hit. 1995s Funky Little Demons completed the Wolfgang Press transition into white funk; prior to its release, however, Cox exited the groups ranks.