After Leeds alt-rock band The Lost Pandas disintegrated around them in the early 1980s, singer/guitarist David Gedge and bassist Keith Gregory decided to form a new group. In 1985, beguiled by pop radio, punk brashness, The Velvet Underground and David’s erstwhile schoolmates, The Chameleons… they launched The Wedding Present.

That band was – and remains – uncompromising and unwaveringly authentic in every way and, as a result, Gedge, without intention, has become a legendary figure in alternative music. He has become one of the chief architects and originators of modern guitar rock and the mastermind behind one of the richest, catchiest and most consistently enthralling catalogues in pop history.

Four decades on, and with 13 studio albums, 20 compilation albums and a whole host of singles, EPs, live albums and radio sessions – with more on the horizon – The Wedding Present : 40 is a commemorative reflection of this complex and fascinating catalogue.

Available as four vinyl and four CD box sets, this is not your usual collection of ‘most popular’ songs, but rather a chronological, aural journey of album tracks, singles and B-sides. The stunning artwork has been put together by Jonathan Hitchen – who designed many of the band’s original record covers – and there are extensive sleeve notes by David Gedge himself along with esteemed music writer Mark Beaumont [NME, Guardian, Independent]. Gedge’s commentary provides a unique insight into the workings of the band and an absorbing track-by-track guide to the compilation

CD1
1 Go Out And Get ’Em, Boy!
2 You Should Always Keep In Touch With Your Friends [Peel Session Version]
3 Anyone Can Make A Mistake
4 Everyone Thinks He Looks Daft
5 A Million Miles
6 My Favourite Dress [LP Version]
7 Nobody’s Twisting Your Arm
8 Davni Chasy
9 Give My Love To Kevin [Acoustic Version]
10 Kennedy
11 What Have I Said Now?

CD2
12 Bewitched
13 Take Me!
14 Brassneck [Single Version]
15 Crawl
16 Dalliance
17 Dare
18 Suck
19 Blonde
20 Corduroy [LP Version]

CD3
21 Heather
22 Blue Eyes
23 Come Play With Me
24 Flying Saucer
25 Click Click
26 Spangle [LP Version]
27 Convertible
28 Montreal
29 Kansas
30 Interstate 5 [LP Version]
31 I'm From Further North Than You

CD4
32 Perfect Blue
33 Don’t Take Me Home Until I'm Drunk
34 Boo Boo
35 Deer Caught In The Headlights
36 Two Bridges [LP Version]
37 Rachel
38 I Am Not Going To Fall In Love With You [LP Version]
39 Science Fiction [LP Version]
40 Hot Wheels