Wedding Gift Writers of songs as popular as them Kennedy, Dalliance, my favorite dress And brass neck, to mention just a few of the sped-up guitar licks that inspired the entire next scene. And the men from Leeds were one of the biggest names in British indie in the eighties: a fast-paced centrifuge who left gems in his wake. George the Best (1987) and sea monsters (1991), but they rolled the shutter down in the mid-nineties to make room for Cinerama. But with the new century David GedgeIts leaders decided to revive The Wedding Present, which they performed at Lemon Pop in 2008, and since then the band has enjoyed a joyous second youth, crystallized in impressive works such as the following. Get the Fountain (2005) and Valentina (2012).
In 2022, thirty years after the experiment Hit Parade (1992), The Wedding Present revisited the idea of releasing a new seven-inch single every month for a year and then compiling all these songs and B-sides into one album, so David Gedge and label now released this single. 24 songs (2023), is actually 30 cuts with added bonus tracks. And they turn it together NaturalKip Berman’s solo project (The Pains of Being Pure at Heart).
Are you still having fun going out? typeDavid?
Clear! Even after all the travel, all the waiting, hundreds of hotels and airports, thousands of sound checks, accumulated fatigue… Despite all this, you get on stage and the adrenaline increases. Suddenly you’re alive and playing your songs to people. Almost nothing can beat that feeling!
In 1992, The Wedding Present managed to place twelve singles (one new each month) in the top 30 British singles; Only Elvis Presley had ever achieved such a thing before. What motivated you and why did you try again in 2022?
At The Wedding Present we have a long history of experimenting with the idea of what it means to be a pop band, trying different and challenging projects. In 1992, one of these projects was twelve singles. In reality we saw it as a different way to release our music and the truth is that it was quite successful… and very media friendly! Thirty years later I decided to celebrate the anniversary by trying again and here we are.
These songs were compiled in a compilation this year under the title. 24 songsbut there are actually 30 of them on the album. Did you add bonus parts as gifts?
[Risas] Something like this. In fact, all 24 tracks from 1992 fit on the double album, but the songs on the 2022 version were longer overall. I was guessing they would fill five sides of twelve inch vinyl! So I thought, “If it’s going to be a triple LP, I might as well use the sixth side.” So I put together some extra tracks that I had only released as isolated singles, for example, and then added a dance remix and a little review of our Ukrainian music history side project.
Seamonsters is much more than a collection. singles; It carries the spirit of great albums. Do you think it’s one of your best albums? What was your original intention with it?
Thank you! I can’t say whether this is one of my best albums because I don’t know how to evaluate my own work, but I do know that there is a feeling and a mood that prevails in that album. When we play it live it sounds like one piece of music divided into ten parts. The intensity of the LP comes from being a step beyond our initial ultra-fast, distortion-free sound and experimenting heavily with layers of guitar and drums.
For decades, critics have labeled you as a romantic anti-hero, a resourceful and sardonic narrator of everyday life, and an unmistakable, angry, vulnerable guitarist. Do you agree?
It’s probably not my place to say that. I just do what I do. I would say that lyrics are influenced by personal relationships and how they work in daily life, how people communicate, what they say and how they say it. On the other hand, I try to be everything every day when I play guitar. I love taking this to extremes!
The spirit that strengthened your group in the late eighties, George the Best And Brave (1989)?
If you mean our independent spirit, then yes, totally. We went through the journey to commercial success flawlessly! We don’t record for anyone but ourselves, and we certainly don’t record for record company executives. I still do it for the right reasons and I think most people who subscribe to The Wedding Present share my vision.
What was the reason for the title? George the Best? Are you friends with the football player?
I grew up in Manchester and my football team is Manchester United. I was just a young kid when George Best became our star player, and he became something of an icon to me. I admired her rebellious nature, even her appearance. So, when I had to think of a name for our first LP, it seemed obvious to me, although I think others thought it was an odd name…
What has changed in the way you compose after forty years?
The way I compose and arrange music is constantly changing. I like to experiment and change direction, so although my work falls under the general umbrella of The Wedding Present, each album I make has its own personality.
Wedding Gift is known for not making compromises in the industry. A good way to maintain creative independence?
It seems odd to me that any artist – someone involved in creative work – would allow people in the industry to direct (or, in some cases, stifle) their creativity. These artists probably make more money than me, but are their businesses under control?
What repertoire will you perform on this tour? Do you prefer to showcase new material or recreate past hits?
Both at once! When we are not performing a specific album, our repertoire includes songs from the mid-eighties to the present day. There are so many to choose from!
What happened to Cinerama?
Cinerama was always my side band but it still exists. I have my own mini festival every August in Brighton (UK) and Cinerama performs there every year. We also played with strings and other orchestral players at Primavera Sound a few years ago and it was great. I’m also currently working on a new studio project for Cinerama.
On this tour you will meet old fans of The Wedding Present as well as a new generation of followers. How do you deal with this?
I’m happy if people are enjoying the music, whether they’re old or new fans. It’s nice that people have stayed with us for decades, but it’s also exciting to meet people who are just discovering you.
What has been the best part of your career so far?
I’m lucky enough to be able to follow my passion: writing songs, recording, traveling the world, making music and getting paid for it! But I also thoroughly enjoyed writing the first two volumes of my autobiography, Tales from The Wedding Present.
What would be a good reason to go somewhere? concert Wedding Gift in 2023?
There’s no reason not to!
FILE
History: Today is 21.00.
Place: Mamba! Chamber, Murcia.
Price: 18 euros.