The Eighties: Bliss was it in that dawn to be alive, but to be young, musically gifted and British was very heaven—or something like that. Following in the footsteps of jangle guitar-heavy bands like The Smiths, The Wedding Present became one of the most well-respected indie groups of that creatively explosive era. The band has survived numerous lineup changes since its conception in Leeds in1985 and continues to create masterful, inventive pop music to this day, as heard on their latest release, El Rey. The man who was there from the beginning, David Gedge, was kind enough to take the time to chat about the art he creates, and shed some light on how he still manages to do it so darn well after all these years.
Gedge caught the musical bug early in his life. The presence of music in his youth was such a pleasant constant that it only seemed natural that he would make it his life’s work. “I don’t think I ever really decided,” he reflected on how his career came to be. “I think it was almost pre-destined for me. That sounds stupid I suppose, but for as long as I can remember, from a very early age, I was obsessed with playing records, pretending to be a DJ on the radio…” Even after attaining his university degree, Gedge’s focus held strong to the world of music and he decided to make his move. “I thought, ‘Well, it’s now or never. I’ve got to take this seriously and form a real group.’”
The Wedding Present is one of those rare breeds of bands who found a way to make their first release an instant classic, right out of the gate. The urgency and excitement of speeding brittle guitars, new wave rhythm and clever lyricism made their debut, George Best, a favorite among critics and music fans alike. When trying to establish yourself as a musical institution, having a great debut LP gives you an instant advantage. It also never hurts to have one of the most important DJs in the history of radio counted among your biggest fans, giving your record plenty of airplay and attention. Among many other things, the late great John Peel was famous for his eclectic taste in music and for championing new bands—breaking them into the public’s collective conscious. This greatly worked in The Wedding Present’s favor.
“He was a kind of Julius Caesar in a way,” remembered Gedge. “He put his thumb up and that band made it—he put his thumb down and no one heard of them and they disappeared. In some ways, it wasn’t a good thing particularly, but obviously it did bring a lot of indie bands to peoples’ attention. He’s sadly missed in that respect, certainly.”
As much as Peel’s endorsement helped The Wedding Present gain initial popularity, it was the band’s indisputable talent that kept them successful throughout their long career. Their aurally appealing signature sound alone—brilliantly bright guitar treble layered over a rollicking sea of Gang of Four-esque bass and drum—would have been enough to make them stars, but it is Gedge’s romanticized lyrical wit that immediately alerts listeners that they are experiencing something truly special. Though themes love and relationships are common in pop music, Gedge finds them anything but ordinary. He has become a master of multiple interpretations, and spends a good deal of time figuratively walking around in other peoples’ shoes.
“I’ve always been really interested in the way people speak to each other; what they say, how they say it, why they say it,” he explained. “I suppose I’m more of a fan of the dialogue really, like film dialogue for instance. I’ve been influenced by that. Most of my writing is very conversational, just kind of along the lines of what people say to each other especially at the times of beginning a relationship, or the end of a relationship, or something like an affair. I think people say the most fantastic things!”
He went on: “I think [love] is such a massive subject. A few years ago I started to get a little bit worried that my style was obviously honing into this relationship thing. I’ve never been really interested to write about anything else. I’ve tried other things—more political stuff or stupid things like science fiction or whatever, but I’ve never been quite as happy as writing a classic love song. Those kinds of things mean the most to me, even in other peoples’ music.”
Gedge’s lyrical ability to tap into the complexity, brutal tragedy, and humor of the human psyche at its most fragile brings to mind writers such as Morrissey, Bob Dylan and even Oscar Wilde. One only needs to glance at a handful of song titles to get the idea. “Everyone Thinks He Looks Daft,” “I’m From Further North Than You,” and “What Did Your Last Servant Die Of?” are just a few of the many teasing songs that The Wedding Present has been known to deliver.
On the other end of the spectrum is naked heartbreak. In “Once More” the band explores a bleakness that hints at Joy Division’s “Love Will Tear Us Apart.”
“And does your heart begin to fail when the moment gets closer? / You always turn the other way / But it doesn’t really matter at all,” Gedge sings.
Naturally, when so many songs are about personal relationships, the question is raised: Just how much of the band’s content is autobiographical? Quite a bit, as it turns out.
“You always feel like if you write about someone who you’re quite close to or a friend of yours that they’re going to be offended, but…they don’t mind it because they feel like they’re immortalized in song,” explained Gedge. “They quite enjoy that I think, but I do disguise them quite a bit as well. I’ve had people come up to me and say, ‘I recognize myself in that song. That’s me!’ and I say, “Actually no, that wasn’t you. This one’s about you! [laughs]”
Multiple lineup changes over the years would be enough to cripple most bands into obscurity, but Gedge feels that The Wedding Present’s many transformations were actually a positive and exciting part of the band’s history. “It’s almost like it’s been about five bands now. You go through the years and someone leaves and someone new joins, and they’ve got a whole new set of inspiration and influences and enthusiasm. It’s really like starting again.”
Presently, The Wedding Present’s lineup consists of Gedge (vocals/guitar), Terry de Castro (bass/backing vocals), Graeme Ramsay (drums) and Chris McConville (guitar), who recently released the band’s stunning new album, El Rey. The album hosts a myriad of fascinating stories and characters with a sound that is sure to bring to mind the smooth confidence of newer groups such as Luna, Interpol and Voxtrot.
“The thing I like best about him is his lovely girlfriend,” Gedge playfully announces in a song of the same name.
The tragically wronged lover in “Don’t Take Me Home Until I’m Drunk” takes a more directly romantic stance. “But, deep down, I know I was blind / She just used me to make up her mind / But if I had to do it all again, I would.”
El Rey’s standout tracks include the haunting melodic delicacy of “Swingers,” and the troubling, ominous mood of “Palisades.”
The approach to creating packaged music presents itself as a bit of a paradox, especially for an artist who grew up with a fascination for singles in an age where the album was king.
“We do tend to make LPs, really. I think we always have done,” Gedge explained. “It’s very hard for me to say that in a way because I grew up listening to the radio, and I’ve always been a massive fan of singles…even now, I’ve got my iPod and I much prefer to put it on shuffle and listen to all these different songs rather than play an LP, for instance.” El Rey seems to be an ideal compromise to this conflict. Collectively, the songs work together, their alternately optimistic and dark themes seamlessly weaving into each other, but their individual construction is strong enough to allow them to stand alone if necessary.
As impressive as their songs present themselves in album form, a Wedding Present live event is an experience not to be missed—an experience where the crowd’s enjoyment is rivaled only by the band’s. “I just love doing it so much and it just feels like my natural place to be,” said Gedge.
The Wedding Present’s current tour of the states will lead them to The Annex in Madison on September 30 for an 8:30 pm show with special guests, Dirty On Purpose.
-Shelley Peckham
Filed under: Music News & Reviews | Tagged: David Gedge, The Wedding Present
