Puressence is a rock band from Failsworth, in the Metropolitan Borough of Oldham, Greater Manchester, England.
The band formed in 1991, having played a series of gigs at Manchester’s In The City festival. Manchester City fans James Mudriczki, Neil McDonald, Anthony Szuminski and Manchester United fan Kevin Matthews met on a bus on their way to watch The Stone Roses play at Spike Island. None of them had tickets so they had to climb over a fence to get in. Kevin watched the Roses' Gary Mounfield play bass with such panache that he immediately rushed out afterwards and bought a bass guitar himself. The rest of the members followed suit and bought the necessary equipment to complete a band. (Though by this time, Neil (a.k.a "Nelly"), had been playing the guitar since his early teens as a Van Halen fan, originally plying his trade in the cellars of Woodley Methodist Church, near where he lived.) The other band members had little to no musical experience or training. It was decided when choosing roles that James would sing; Neil took guitar, and Anthony took drums. Through much practice their music developed and they decided on the name Puressence, a name instantly identified by most Mancunians for the paper letters 'P'-'U'-'R'-'E'-'S'-'S'-'E'-'N'-'C'-'E', which were notoriously plastered around Manchester city centre, on derelict buildings, and on bridges (the most famous being the railway bridge opposite the Haçienda). Manchester indie label 2 Damn Loud released two singles and there was a further single with Rough Trade Singles Club. But the big breakthrough came a couple of years later, when the band signed to Island Records. Shortly after Planet Helpless was released, Puressence left its record company after they were advised "We need you to sound more like Savage Garden." In August 2003, after more than 12 years with Puressence, guitarist and founder member McDonald left the band. He was replaced by Lowell Killen, who is originally from the Isle of Man. He has played in other bands and left Manchester band Dry Riser to join Puressence. In 2004, the band played at The Witchwood in Ashton-under-Lyne. In 2006, the band released a single titled Palisades on new Manchester label Reaction, followed by an album, Don't Forget To Remember, in September 2007. On September 10-11, 2008 Puressence played their first shows in the USA. The first was at the Mercury Lounge in Soho. The next night they played the Apple Store in Soho. The band was well received. The opening song at the Mercury Lounge was "I Suppose" They passed out free CD singles of "Don't Know Any Better" to many hardc... fans from around the States. Puressence were supported by NO*TOKYO for their New Years Eve Special in 2008.
Band members
* James Mudriczki: Vocals
* Lowell Killen: Guitar
* Kevin Matthews: bass guitar
* Tony Szuminski: drums/percussion
Early singles (1992-93)
Prior to releasing these albums, Puressence released 2 singles and an EP. First the double A-side "Siamese"/"Scapa Flow" was released through Rough Trade. Then followed the EPs Petrol Skin and Offshore, both released through 2 Damn Loud Records.
* "Siamese" (Rough Trade) June 1992
1. "Siamese"
2. "Scapa Flow"
* Petrol Skin EP (2 Damn Loud Records) 6 July 1992
1. "Telekenesis"
2. "Suck The Knife"
3. "Polystyrene Snow"
4. "Petrol Skin"
* Offshore EP (2 Damn Loud) 19 April 1993
1. "Offshore"
2. "None Handed (demo)"
3. "Mist"
Toby Chalmers of Island Records evidently saw enough potential to offer them a recording contract. Support slots to local favourites Marion introduced them to new supporters.
Studio albums
* 1996 - Puressence
* 1998 - Only Forever
* 2002 - Planet Helpless
* 2007 - Don't Forget To Remember
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