“I’m Not Always So Stupid” (from the “George Best- Plus” Re-release) By The Wedding Present

The Wedding Present- George Best Anniversary Tour -Liverpool Academy 27/10/2007

It’s hard to believe its twenty years since the release of The Wedding Present’s seminal “George Best” album, listening to it nowadays you realise what a classic collection of songs it is. If anything, it sounds even better in the present than it did all those years ago,the buzzing hornets nest guitars, the lyrics, which are as sharp as they are witty, all played at a break neck pace…..…….Now I might not believe its 20 years ago, but tonight at a packed Academy the evidence is all around me, hardcore “Prezzie fans” wait in anticipation for their hero, they may be a little paunchier, have a little less hair, but they are as enthusiastic as ever. As I edge my way to the front, negotiating several “well fed” gentlemen, I look back at the packed crowd behind me- I cant help feeling I’ve just wandered through a spec savers promotional photoshoot-(god knows what crowds at Who concerts look like!) and I wonder if the years have been slightly kinder to David Gedge.

When he arrives on stage I’m pleasantly suprised to see he hasn’t changed at all and looks as fit as a fiddle ! “You’re a genius,” somebody shouts, at which he feigns false modesty, “Fat Bastard” laughs another . “Fat ? That’s a bit unfair” retorts Gedge grinning sardonically, “A few pounds over maybe, but surely not…. fat?? – Anyway It’s great to be back in Manchester “ he continues, which always goes down well in Liverpool, as the band launch into a brace of Cinerama (Gedges other band)songs. Then a chap dressed up as a white rabbit holding countdown cards,wanders on stage, eventually stopping the cards to huge cheers with one printed bearing the album sleeve image of the legendary Manchester United booze hound (the only time a Man U shirt appearing in Liverpool will ever get a cheer, I wager ! ), and its heads down as “George Best” is played in its entirety as part of the set . Every song is greeted like an old friend,“Everybody Thinks He looks Daft,” “What Did Your Last Servant Die Of”,“My Favourite Dress” and “Shatner” have the crowd moshing with delight. “Don’t play “Nowhere Fast “ one of the stouter more mature fans breathlessly shouts…. ” I need a rest!!” Gedge and his band are on fire and the songs that where the soundtracks to many of the audience’s youth sound as fresh and as vital as ever.

It really is a case of an old master showing the Indie kids how it should be done,“Let me know when Razorlight sound this good ” deadpans Gedge after playing a newer song “ Don’t Take Me Home Until I’m Very Drunk “ Of course,he’s right, the Wedding Presents buzz-saw guitars, and wry, intelligent lyrics make Mr Borrels insipid, inane warblings seem even more insignificant. Although Gedge has never been blessed with the sweetest of voices he is undoubtedly one of the countries best, yet most underrated lyricists. His beautifully observed bitter sweet songs explore love, loss and the complexities and misunderstandings within relationships that deftly manage to combine both the poetic and the down to earth. They are of course great to sing a long to after a few beers, which tonight’s audience do so with great gusto.

The biggest cheer of the night comes as the set ends ” See you again “ says Gedge “Maybe next year?” He doesn’t bother with ego massaging fripperies such as encores and the crowd go home happy, knowing that even if the lumbago plays up in he morning it was worth it. Gedge’s songs may often lament the fact that all too often he doesn’t “get the girl” but on this evidence he’s still got the charisma, the style and the talent that have made the Wedding Present such an influential act……and long may he continue…

VP

“Everybody Thinks He Looks Daft” The Wedding Present -Liverpool 27/10/2007

“Kings Cross” By Lucy And The Caterpillar

Lucy & The Caterpillar is one of the many new artists creating a buzz within Manchester’s music scene at the moment. She plays bittersweet indie-folk infused tunes and writes songs involving waiting at train stations, alcopops, red wine and stupid bags of crisps . However despite her love of a beer or five , I don’t think shes quite in the George Best category yet. Opinion seems divided , its seems people either get Lucy’s music or they don’t. There appears to be no shades of grey as yet . However listening to “Kings Cross” proves beyond doubt there is a huge potential , and although she doesn’t sound much like Kate Nash , she has a similar quirky yet descriptive world view.

She has already supported the likes of Scott Matthews, Get Cape Wear Cape Fly, Simple Kid, and played D’percussion at Manchester . The VPME had a word with Lucy, under an enormous lettuce leaf , ahead of her appearance at the Leeds festival this weekend (23rd August 2007) and tried to get this Caterpillar malarkey cleared up

VP: So who is Lucy and who the devil is the caterpillar?

LUCY :I am Lucy and the caterpillar is different things, it depends on the day.. like right now, its my massive cardigan!!

VP: For people new to Lucy and The Caterpillar, what have you released and what’s next on the agenda?

LUCY : Well i have released 2 singles, “Red Red Wine “and “Kings Cross”. But nothing really is happening at the moment ,I think I’ll be releasing a new single soon but I’m not really in a rush.

VP: Who are your musical heroes

LUCY : Vashti Bunyan, Joni Mitchell and Destiny’s Child ooh and the Beatles.. you gotta love the Beatles.

VP: Whats been the most nerve wracking experience as a performer so far

LUCY : Latitude Festival, I was a complete leaf,I just couldn’t stop shaking. I think its because the stage was huge! A lot bigger than me! I got through it ok though!

VP: Tony Wilson, Mr Manchester has sadly passed away , is his legacy still felt by the latest generation of Manchester bands /performers

LUCY : Aww its such a shame, without him, Manchester music isn’t the same really. I think a lot of songs will be written about him.

VP: Is your glass half full or half empty , are you a pessimist or an optimist ?

LUCY : My glass is half full I look to the future and live for today.. is that cheesy? haha

VP: What was the first record you ever bought ?

LUCY : Hahahaha im honest, it was Billie Piper!! woo!!

VP: Social networking / Blogging etc is it hugely helpful in getting your music heard, or is this myspace malarkey just a load of old cobblers?

LUCY :I think its a load of cobblers really. People either listen you your music or they dont, having cool blogs and good pictures is pathetic. ( The VPME Excepted of course)

VP: Should we have to suffer a Spice Girls reunion ? wouldn’t it have been better, and more humane to the public ears to have a whip round if they needed the money ?

LUCY : I don’t think they are joining up again for the money, I think its more about.. proving they can still do it and they actually did something in their lives. You know what? I used to love the spice girls, I had a little club, all the girls in the neibourhood used to come to my house and I used to make up dance moves and they’d follow, ha!

VP: Are You religious , do you believe in the existence of Bono for example ?

LUCY : I’m not religious, I believe in living. live for the future thats what i say. Believe in yourself

VP : Sum up the past year in five beautifully descriptive words

LUCY : haha golly,Stressful, emotional, wonderfully, lovely , pisssed!

Links

On Myspace

Official Site

VIDEO

“Red Red Wine” Live On Channel M-By Lucy And Caterpillar

Lucy And The Caterpillar Wallpaper