Puressence
- James Mudriczki (vocals)
- Lowell Killen (guitar)
- Kevin Matthews (bass)
- Anthony Szuminski (drums)
In the industrial heart of Greater Manchester, where the echoes of post-punk and Madchester reverberated through the streets, a chance encounter on a bus in 1990 would unknowingly set the stage for one of the region’s most emotionally resonant bands.
The destination was Spike Island, the legendary Stone Roses gig that became a cultural landmark.
Among the crowd were four young men from Failsworth—James Mudriczki, Kevin Matthews, Anthony Szuminski, and Neil McDonald (1991 – 2003), who would later channel that shared experience into the formation of Puressence, a band that would go on to craft five critically acclaimed albums and build a devoted international following.
1991 - 1995
Puressence officially formed in 1991. The original lineup featured James Mudriczki on vocals, Neil McDonald on guitar, Kevin Matthews on bass, and Anthony Szuminski on drums.
At the time, McDonald was the only member with formal musical training, but the others quickly caught up, driven by a shared passion and raw determination. Their early sound was a brooding blend of atmospheric rock and emotive lyricism, anchored by Mudriczki’s haunting falsetto—a voice that would become the band’s signature.
The band played their first ever gig on 23rd February 1991 at the 701 club in Failsworth, they were known as ‘Presence’.
Their debut single, Siamese / Scapa Flow, released in 1992, hinted at the sonic depth they were capable of.
This was followed by two EPs Petrol Skin and in 1993 Offshore—released through Rough Trade and 2 Damned Loud. These early works caught the attention of Island Records, who saw in Puressence a potential successor to the emotionally charged rock of bands like U2 and Radiohead.
Puressence (1996)
In 1996, Puressence released their self-titled debut album, Puressence, under Island Records. The album drew favourable comparisons to Radiohead’s The Bends, with its introspective lyrics, layered guitar work, and atmospheric production.
