PureVolume

Members: Paul Allgood, Chris Scendo

Electronic indie outfit Wedlock hails from Richmond, VA, having formed circa 2004 as a collaboration between programmer Jeff Hathaway and singer-songwriter Paul Allgood. Despite influences ranging from The Cars’ brand of American new wave to the bedsit cabaret of Soft Cell, originality was still the creed most deeply held by Allgood and the group’s shifting personnel.

Wedlock’s 2006 debut EP Matrimony was released on Kounterfeit Records, its steady 4/4 bass drum pulse, occasional glimmering synth and the bisexual themes explored in “Cuts Both Ways” being notable. The release of the John Morand-produced single “Discopharma” marked the end of Allgood and Hathaway’s working relationship as Wedlock, and once settled in North Carolina, Allgood formed a live outfit with keyboardist Jonathan Kidder which included bassist Kirk Bryson and Guatemalan drummer David Mendez. Mendez quickly departed, and Greg Klaiber, also of Grabass Revue, deputized as drummer until Ana Mitchell replaced him. Despite the shuffle and cloud of uncertainty hanging over the group, Allgood, Bryson and Kidder managed to eke out Exogamy (April 2008).
Initial responses were tepid, but the following spring they began gaining ground with singles such as “Reverend Charisma” that highlighted the 1978 People’s Temple murder-suicides, and the soulful “Black Sundress”, which peaked at #9 for mp3 downloads on Amazon. With it’s “hard-hitting lyrics and refreshing musicianship”, Exogamy reached the GLBT top 40 chart at Out-voice, peaking at #8.

They took their next cue from Action Action with their 2009 follow-up Continuity which came, true to form, with an entirely new line-up (Allgood; Baxter Smith – keys; Lee Whitsel – bass). The trio finished as runners-up in the Indie Band of The Year competition at Music Emissions, a Canadian e-zine, for their work on Continuity, and reviews were generally positive.

2010 saw the potential end of Wedlock as Allgood, Smith and Whitsel could only keep the chemistry long enough to produce the Blameless EP for Richmond singer Bryanna Rain. Their own Witnesses EP appeared in August before Allgood moved on to form Celadon Candy with former bandmate Jason Bowden.After placing Wedlock on hiatus, Allgood recently teamed with keyboardist Chris Scendo to reactivate the band.