Cult book event of the month - David Gedge in conversation with Iain Key at Fountain Records, Stretford.

What makes a book event a ‘cult’ book event? When it’s David Gedge of The Wedding Present talking about the third instalment of his comic book-style autobiography in a cool record shop in Stretford, that’s what. And it’s at lunchtime. And it’s free. Iain Key - author of ‘people’s history’ books on The Smiths and The Clash - will be hosting. He tells Cult Manchester’s David Nolan what to expect.

Cult Manchester: The Wedding Present… possibly in the Top Three of most cult bands ever?

Iain Key: Absolutely. They've been going for 40 years, and they've touched so many people's lives. Like any good band, there've been fallow periods, successful periods - bit like The Fall, really. It's a lunchtime session from 12.30 for one hour. David's promoting the third volume of his autobiography, which is a comic/graphic novel called What Have I Said Now?

CM: That's pretty cult…

IK: Yeah! I'll be talking to him about how that came about. He'll also be selling and signing books and talking to people as well.

CM: In a cool venue…

IK: Fountain Records is actually my local record shop. For my current book on The Smiths - It’s Time the Tale Were Told: A People’s History of The Smiths - we did a signing/launch event there. I've known Nigel who owns it probably for about 10 years. While we were there, the publisher, who's also good friends with David Gedge, said… Oh, this would be quite a nice place for David to do something. He’s in-between shows in Hebden Bridge and Wolverhampton on the day of the event (11 September) so he slipped Stretford into his schedule; and this one is free entry so not to be missed!

CM: You were involved in music previously (Iain was manager of Manchester indie band Northside); now you’ve turned to books. Do you fancy going back into music management?

IK:  No, not at all.

CM: A mug’s game?

IK: I think it's a more of a young person's game. I do enjoy that I've kind of transitioned slightly from writing reviews and things into doing the books, which are ‘people's histories’. I like the research and the trail of breadcrumbs that come with that and the different people you meet. It takes you everywhere. Music is a great leveller.

Iain Key. Photo by Hels Millington.

David Lewis Gedge: What Have I Said Now? Tales From The Wedding Present Volume Three. David will be in conversation with Iain Key at Fountain Records, King Street, Stretford. Friday 11 September at 12.30pm. Free tickets here.