It’s been three years since The Wedding Present re-emerged from the ashes of Cinerama with the album Take Fountain. They’re back with what could be labeled David Gedge’s “L.A. album.” He lived in West Hollywood while he wrote these songs and it comes through in both tone and content (tons of references to L.A. landmarks, including the album title, El Rey, named after the famous mid-Wilshire venue). That said, the album was recorded in Chicago with the legendary Steve Albini (who also produced the seminal Seamonsters album), who roughs up each tune with the appropriate gloom and grit to match Gedge’s trademark forlorn lyrics—tempered occasionally by bassist Terry De Castro’s sweet vocals. Keep an eye out for tour dates (yes, Joe, I bought tickets for the Pontiac show) for your chance to catch one of the loudest shows I’ve ever witnessed.
Original post from 12/23/2004:
Multiple Choice:
Since 1985, The Wedding Present have provided
A) a distinct solace for those utterly steeped in general feelings of jealousy and rebuke.
B) David Gedge, a lead singer with a charmingly lousy voice and a ridiculously thick Leeds accent.
C) fantastic guitar riffs, faster in the carefree ’80s and wiser in the new millenium.
D) reliably good Brit-pop for longer than the flavor-of-the-week has been alive.
E) all of the above.
(It’s E, duh.)
www.scopitones.co.uk
www.manifesto.com
www.cookingvinyl.com
www.spinartrecords.com
They also produced "Ukrainski Vistupi V Johna Peela", which spun off into a Ukrainian folk band in their own right, The Ukrainians.
Thanks for the Wedding Present. Most cool.
Definetely one of the best things to ever come out of England.
The Ukrainian album was a 10" vinyl, if I remember right, without anything in English on the front. Geez, what a strange thing. Can you imagine that today? An entire album of ethnic music from an indie rock band? And it wasn't even the lead singer who's Ukrainian, right? Wasn't it the guitarist? The crazy '80s.
Yep, the Ukrainian in question was Pete Solowka. The Ukrainians are still around. As are the Wedding Present – fantastic new single out now (called Interstate 5) in case you didn't know.
And utterly unbelievably, just before Christmas, Gedge turned up unannounced at my front door. I kid you not: http://www.clagnut.com/blog/1342/
added link to "interstate 5" – which brings back fond memories of mix tapes joe used to make that were like 50% wedding present songs…not that i was complaining, mind you
interstate 5 is the coolest thing i have heard