Down With Wilco: The Story of an Unexpected Collaboration
Between the chaotic recording of Yankee Hotel Foxtrot and the success that followed, Wilco had a meeting of the minds with The Minus 5, a collaborative effort from Scott McCaughey (pronounced McKoy, not McKai, as I say throughout this video) of The Young Fresh Fellows. Joined by R.E.M.’s Peter Buck and The Posies’ Ken Stringfellow, this collective came together to create “Down With Wilco,” and this is the story behind that 2003 album by The Minus 5.
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WATCH NEXT:
✓ How Peter Buck Found His Sound: https://youtu.be/KGd0rUxDuLE
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Poetic Wax is hosted by Andrew (Andy) Fenstermaker.
CHAPTERS:
0:00 Down With Wilco
2:03 The Origins of The Minus 5
4:12 Wilco Enters the Picture
6:04 A Look at the Music
6:56 The Impact of Down With Wilco
7:47 What Came After
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@AndyFenstermaker
November 22, 2025 at 1:36 am
Next, check out this story of how Peter Buck got his sound and landed his famed Rickenbacker guitar: https://youtu.be/KGd0rUxDuLE
@erichimes3062
November 22, 2025 at 1:36 am
The “Gun Album” is a superb example of songwriting
* It’s pronounced “McCoy” FYI
@eatingsound373
November 22, 2025 at 1:36 am
Nice shirt! Would love to see some Decemberists content.
@wmperry2790
November 22, 2025 at 1:36 am
I was through with Wilco after the responsibility dodgeing firing of Jay Bennett by tweedy. If you're in a group of people where one person can fire anyone, then youre not in a band, you are one of the backing musicians. Tweedy through away the oppotunity to be in a band in order to be in absolute control, which i can understand given his past situ's and personality. But it was the wrong decision for Wilco the band, which ceased to exist and became a collective name for "Tweedy & the help". He'd have lbenifeted more from being in a real collboration and devoting more substantial focus onto solo stuff, like 50/50, than feeling wilco had to be one or the other.
Every time, things approach greatness the more they become true collaborations among equals. If no one can tell you no, you are doomed.
@golt_45
November 22, 2025 at 1:36 am
One of my favorite albums of all time.
@wylieroth3145
November 22, 2025 at 1:36 am
I know I'm in a minority here, but I never understood the popularity of Wilco and I'm watching this to see if there is something I missed or just didn't get with the idea that you might be able to change my mind.
Nope. Also, I have been a huge fan of Nels Cline long before anyone knew a Tweedy.
Carry on.
@robbeason
November 22, 2025 at 1:36 am
Nice work.
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