This band meant so much to me as a teenager. Their use of volume and candour is masterful, and its rare to find a band exploring the range of emotions that WP plundered - envy, jealousy, abondonment, insecurity. They beefed up a LOT once they hit their Seamonsters phase, too. Few indie rock songs better than Brassneck or Dalliance.
Ahh man!! Do you know when you first reacted to the Smiths… and fell in love with them? Well, I think this is gonna be the same!!! The Wedding Present are legendary, and have been sooo influential on so many UK bands that followed in the late 80’s… early 90’s. David Gedge’s lyrics, like Morrissey’s, are so beautiful….full of heartbreak, bitterness and regret! So relatable and real!! They come from a city called Leeds… which is very close to Manchester, so that might explain the accent similarities. Also, Gedge’s insanely fast guitar strumming is a thing of legend. Wait till you hear some songs off their follow up album from 1989 called ‘Bizzaro’…. The track ‘Take Me’ is one intense 9 minute rollercoaster of insane guitar work and finger bleeding strumming…. It’s their trademark!! One of their biggest fans was non other than legendary BBC radio DJ… John Peel! After the Fall, they were one of his favourite bands! They’ve been through a break up (mid 90’s) and reformation over the years…. Not to mention line up changes….but Gedge has been a constant! He is essentially the Wedding Present. They reformed around 2006ish… and have been going since…. Still touring. They also hold the record of most top 10 singles to be released in one year…. In 1991 they release one new song (7” inch single) from Jan to December 1991, which contained a cover version on the B side!
Love it Nick. This was the first band I went to see ( unless you include seeing The Tartan Lads as a kid - don't check them out). Tho if you get a chance, check out The Ukrainians, an off shoot of the Wedding Present, with an authentic Eastern European sound. They even did a few Smith's covers.
This takes me back! Great band and song. I remember when Gedge and gang played live on Conan O'Brien long ago, and waiting up to record them on my VCR.
a great introduction to the Weddoes heartbreak lyrics and jangly rhythm guitar sound. Brassneck, Crushed, Dont Talk Just Kiss, Dalliance, Corduroy, Blue Eyes, to name a few more.
I just knew you would like this band. There are only a couple of bands I've seen live more often and I doubt I'll ever tire of them. Last time I saw them I started to fear for Gedge's health as they closed with this song- the amount of effort required to play guitar that hard and fast for so long is enormous and he's not as young as he was the first time I saw them! He has clearly aged much better than I have though. I'm pretty sure he is the only original member still playing but they are still an incredible band both live and in the studio. They released a lot of acousticy versions of their best loved tracks on UA-cam over lockdown that are well worth looking up. Thanks for (finally) checking the band out. 😉
I’d like to hear you react to dalliance if you like my favourite dress. I loved this band and saw them in 92 then again 4 years ago. I love gedges obsessive lyrics and the mesmerising guitars.
Still a great live band. Gedge is a magnificent guitarist. Worth listening to Kennedy, Brassneck, Dare, Corduroy & What have I said Now as a quick primer but there are many other essential tracks.
The first time i heard of the band was on John peel's show and I thought the same very Morrissey in voice and lyrics also I hear a George Formby influence in guitar playing, probably just me who can hear it? It's been awhile since you listened to any new songs by The Fall, when you have the time can you listen to their song called Fantastic Life or Eat Y'self Fitter either song would be great thanks.
The Wedding Present. All Their Songs Sound The Same. I saw the Wedding Present at Plymouth Academy, probably 1988 - 89 loudest band I've ever seen. So loud, I literally had problems walking straight for a good few days after. Well worth it though.
I can't support this comment enough! HMHB are a bit of a challenge lyrically for anyone not brought up in the UK but are well worth the extra effort it might take.
This band meant so much to me as a teenager. Their use of volume and candour is masterful, and its rare to find a band exploring the range of emotions that WP plundered - envy, jealousy, abondonment, insecurity. They beefed up a LOT once they hit their Seamonsters phase, too. Few indie rock songs better than Brassneck or Dalliance.
The one and only wedding present, one of the most underrated bands in the UK.
Ahh man!! Do you know when you first reacted to the Smiths… and fell in love with them? Well, I think this is gonna be the same!!! The Wedding Present are legendary, and have been sooo influential on so many UK bands that followed in the late 80’s… early 90’s. David Gedge’s lyrics, like Morrissey’s, are so beautiful….full of heartbreak, bitterness and regret! So relatable and real!! They come from a city called Leeds… which is very close to Manchester, so that might explain the accent similarities. Also,
Gedge’s insanely fast guitar strumming is a thing of legend. Wait till you hear some songs off their follow up album from 1989 called ‘Bizzaro’…. The track ‘Take Me’ is one intense 9 minute rollercoaster of insane guitar work and finger bleeding strumming…. It’s their trademark!! One of their biggest fans was non other than legendary BBC radio DJ… John Peel! After the Fall, they were one of his favourite bands! They’ve been through a break up (mid 90’s) and reformation over the years…. Not to mention line up changes….but Gedge has been a constant! He is essentially the Wedding Present. They reformed around 2006ish… and have been going since…. Still touring.
They also hold the record of most top 10 singles to be released in one year…. In 1991 they release one new song (7” inch single) from Jan to December 1991, which contained a cover version on the B side!
Nobody's Twisting Your Arm is my favourite Wedding Present song. Amazing guitar solo towards the end.
One of the best but ignored bands in history. Gedge is a master.
‘A Million Miles’ off that album is just the best lyrics
Phenomenal band - the first three albums are immense and I love Gedge's lyrics, quite unlike anyone else's. Incredible live band too.
Love it Nick. This was the first band I went to see ( unless you include seeing The Tartan Lads as a kid - don't check them out). Tho if you get a chance, check out The Ukrainians, an off shoot of the Wedding Present, with an authentic Eastern European sound. They even did a few Smith's covers.
This takes me back! Great band and song. I remember when Gedge and gang played live on Conan O'Brien long ago, and waiting up to record them on my VCR.
a great introduction to the Weddoes heartbreak lyrics and jangly rhythm guitar sound. Brassneck, Crushed, Dont Talk Just Kiss, Dalliance, Corduroy, Blue Eyes, to name a few more.
I just knew you would like this band. There are only a couple of bands I've seen live more often and I doubt I'll ever tire of them. Last time I saw them I started to fear for Gedge's health as they closed with this song- the amount of effort required to play guitar that hard and fast for so long is enormous and he's not as young as he was the first time I saw them! He has clearly aged much better than I have though. I'm pretty sure he is the only original member still playing but they are still an incredible band both live and in the studio. They released a lot of acousticy versions of their best loved tracks on UA-cam over lockdown that are well worth looking up.
Thanks for (finally) checking the band out. 😉
My Favourite Band.
Yes! Great choice! 👍
In my experience many Smiths fans consider The Wedding Present one of their favorite bands too.
I’ve never heard this one before. I enjoyed it. There was some Morrissey in his voice, I agree. Good one👍
I’d like to hear you react to dalliance if you like my favourite dress. I loved this band and saw them in 92 then again 4 years ago. I love gedges obsessive lyrics and the mesmerising guitars.
Still a great live band. Gedge is a magnificent guitarist. Worth listening to Kennedy, Brassneck, Dare, Corduroy & What have I said Now as a quick primer but there are many other essential tracks.
Try ,Take Me,
Kennedy
Nobody's Twisting Your Arm
..or check out Flying Saucer Live at KEXP🎸
Have you reacted to brassneck or everyone thinks he looks daft?
The first time i heard of the band was on John peel's show and I thought the same very Morrissey in voice and lyrics also I hear a George Formby influence in guitar playing, probably just me who can hear it?
It's been awhile since you listened to any new songs by The Fall, when you have the time can you listen to their song called Fantastic Life or Eat Y'self Fitter either song would be great thanks.
Fantastic! I love their song Kennedy but George Best is deffo their best work.
The Wedding Present.
All Their Songs Sound The Same. I saw the Wedding Present at Plymouth Academy, probably 1988 - 89 loudest band I've ever seen. So loud, I literally had problems walking straight for a good few days after. Well worth it though.
The Wedding Present - Felicity (Peel Session) just do it...
react to half man half biscuit- rock and roll is full of bad wools (if you need any help with cultural references i’m here to help!)
I can't support this comment enough! HMHB are a bit of a challenge lyrically for anyone not brought up in the UK but are well worth the extra effort it might take.
Absolutely! Good choice!
There are certainly a lot of British/English/Northern references to negotiate with that band!
Never go swimming