The Wedding Present

The Wedding Present Biography (Courtesy of Cooking Vinyl)

In the summer of 1985, David Lewis Gedge boarded a coach in London with a handful of dreams and pockets full of ideas. Oh, and about 500 records packed into a pair of his mother's suitcases. In this fashion, the single "Go Out And Get 'em Boy!" was collected from the pressing plant, delivered to the distribution company, and The Wedding Present was born. That pioneering spirit has been at the core of the band's philosophy ever since. First came George Best ("an unmitigated delight" -- NME) and early singles compilation Tommy, the first two full length releases on their own Reception Records, featuring bittersweet, breathtakingly real love songs hanging out in the middle of whirlwind guitars. And Sucker, whose twisted two-drummer rhythms will not be gracing the charts because the band are circumventing the music business and selling the record themselves. In between, the band have charted an appealing, if often eccentric course of their very own.

The final release on Reception was Why Are You Being So Reasonable Now? which, notably also came in a version sung in French, while Ukrainski Vistupi V Johna Peela where the band explored traditional Easter European folk music, was their first, absurdly off-beam, major label release. This was followed by the more traditionally incendiary Bizarro which featured their first hit single "Kennedy." The next step, made with characteristically Wedding Present logic, was to enlist noisemongering engineer Steve Albini's aid, at a time when everyone else was releasing dance mixes by big name producers. The resulting Seamonsters, recorded in the wilds of Minnesota in just 11 days, suggested a more thoughtful Wedding Present. The Guardian newspaper noted that "Albini has given The Wedding Present considerable weight, with David Gedge's voice trickling between banks of scowling guitars." Indeed, the singing ranged from sensual whispering to feverish screams, as Gedge investigated weightier subjects. 1992 brought another intriguing idea. By the end of December the group had released twelve records, one in each month, equaled Elvis Presley's 35 year old record for most hits in one year, rekindled everyone's interest in that ultimate pop format, the 7" single, and led the NME to describe the band as "casually revolutionary and underhandedly unique." A gang of impressive names, including Ian Broudie from the Lightning Seeds and legendary Rolling Stones producer Jimmy Miller collaborated on the industry challenging project, ultimately to be compiled on the two Hit Parade albums, the second of which was even awarded "record of the week" by Tony Parsons in The Daily Telegraph. Watusi, produced by Steve Fisk (a prime mover in the celebrated avant-garde scene of Seattle, Washington) then whisked the band into yet another new area with its trademark lo-fi pop, 3-part a capella harmonies and Waikiki-ready surf strains. This multifaceted recording, sprinkled with 60s and 70s pastiches and even a brass section was described by critics as their most varied and dynamic to date.

Throughout the many Top of the Pops appearances, world tours, and, that highest of accolades ... the unauthorized biography, The Wedding Present have always managed to remain close to their roots. Veteran presenter John Peel still considers himself a fan, and the band have released several recordings originally made for his highly respected BBC program, and appeared countless times in his end of year listeners' poll, The Festive Fifty. No doubt he's attracted by the fact that with this band, you're never quite sure just what's going to happen next!

They have now signed to Cooking Vinyl.


A Quick North American Album Discography