Interview: Wedding Present

http://www.scopitones.co.uk/news.htm

One of the longest surviving bands of the 80’s The wedding Present are back and looking as sharp as ever. Lead singer David Gedge lets us know what he’s been up to and what to expect from his band in the future.

HOLV: David, how are things?

DG: Very good, thanks. We're in the thick of rehearsing for the upcoming tour so, I'm currently trying to remember the lyrics to 20 year old songs! We're also about to put finishing touches on some demos for our new album. It's all hands on deck for us this week!

HOLV: You've been US based for a while now, has this broadened your musical
horizons any?

DG: Yes, I've been living in Los Angeles, so I've been getting into a lot of hair rock, I love to hear extended guitar solos when I'm cruising down Sunset on my Harley.

HOLV: You are currently working with a couple of Scots, Graeme Ramsay and
Chris McConville. Was teaming up with them part of a decision to keep a
British spine to your group?

DG: It's just a coincidence really. Chris was originally our live sound engineer, and when the guitarist vacancy came up, he was very enthusiastic to fill it. He recommended Graeme and then Graeme recommended our new sound engineer, who's also from Scotland. This is starting to feel like a conspiracy!

HOLV: You have a tour of the UK lined up for later in the year, what are you
most looking forward to about it, apart from the weather obviously?

DG: Our tour starts in a week. We're going to play our first album, George Best, from beginning to end as part of the set. I'm kind of looking forward to that because it's a bit of a surreal experience... revisiting a part of your past in such an intense way. You're right about the weather though... Germany in November, bring it on!

HOLV: The late great John Peel was a huge fan of your work. Will we ever have
someone on mainstream radio able to champion so many alternative and
pioneering musicians the way he did again?

DG: Well, I'm not sure we will, no... but things move on don't they? I would almost venture to say that we don't need it any more. With things like Myspace, the very essence of John Peel is spread everywhere... anyone can type a band name into there and listen to them. There are no restrictions, no one telling people what or who to listen to...

HOLV: When can our readers expect to hear a new Wedding Present album?

DG: I can't say exactly when, but I will say that we're working hard on new songs and we'd like to get it out next year sometime...

HOLV: Lastly, you released George Best in the mid 80's, its now 2007! So many
other great artists who started out in the same era have fallen by the
wayside or been forgotten about. What is the secret to maintaining a
high standard of music and ensuring its popularity over the years?

DG: The fundamental thing is that you have to have good songs. That sounds like almost a ridiculous thing to say, but for so many bands, fashion, hype, style and production values seem to be upper most in their minds... but I think that can only sustain you for a limited period. If you want to be in a lasting pop group, you have to continue making good pop music. And that's not as easy as it might sound.

Interviewed By Hammond