The Weddos

[Tom Roche]

We were fortunate enough to have The Wedding Present play Atlanta 
last night, and what a corker of a show it was. The boy Gedge can 
always be found in the little merchandise corner before showtime 
hawking his wares, and I visited for awhile. I reminded him I'd spoke 
to him at Peel's wake when he'd said he was planning a US tour that 
was to not include Atlanta. I urged him to reconsider, but he said 
last time, '97 or so, there'd not been much of a turnout. I insisted 
this time there would be even though I had no clue.

So I he was happy to see a full house, and as the throng calling out 
for all sorts of hits and obscurities, Gedge would say from the stage 
" thats a good one" and "yes that's a good one too" and "oh, right, 
another good one" and then arms outstretched and head bowed diva-like 
he chirped sardonically "oooh such a burden to have written all these 
WONDERFUL SONGS."

But he's right, each one a densely packed noisy classic. Nary a 
clunker in the lot. I haven't followed the Cinerama breakup gossip 
and don't care, they are great songs all, expansive and 
claustrophobic at the same time. They head up to now NC,DC,NYC, 
Boston, etc. Within 15 seconds of leaving the stage's side he 
stealthily darted thru the oblivious crowd and was back at the table 
drenched in sweat on his social & mercenary quest. Really, 15 seconds.

By the way I did ask just what did he listen for radio 
enjoyment/education now that Peel was gone and he said not much and 
we agreed there is and will be no substitute. 6 Music comes somewhat 
close he said. He also said he'd been on a tour around Bury and rang 
up Peel acres recently and was invited to pop by. Everything of 
John's still pretty much untouched and days less hectic with the book 
completed.


tom