A band with a history that’s inextricably intertwined with the BBC and in particular the late BBC DJ John Peel, an early champion of the band, the ‘Marc Riley Sessions Volume 1’ echoes the famous Peel/Selwood releases on the Strange Fruit label that included BBC sessions from the likes of New Order, Buzzcocks, The Cure and Echo & The Bunnymen. “There were many other bands who benefitted from the ‘Peel Effect’. Too numerous to mention. But one of those was — as if you can’t see this coming — The Wedding Present. The constant support. Plays. Sessions. Encouragement. Friendship. John’s love of the George Best LP (which was a heroic support considering John’s affiliation to Liverpool — Manchester United’s most hated rival) was well known… and until John passed away he remained a firm fan of all things ‘Gedge’”, says Riley.
