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Ignored by the majority but adored by a faithful, modest few, Failsworth, Manchester's Puressence were something of a contradiction in terms. Although they shared a laddish image and an implied arrogance with the mid-'90s incarnations of other north west England indie rock acts such as Oasis and the Charlatans, the high-register, ethereal vocals of frontman James Mudriczki pointed to something altogether more sophisticated. Claims that the band met on a bus on the way to the Stone Roses' legendary May 1990 gig at Spike Island, helped fuel and maintain their down-to-earth credentials, while in contrast their music represented a transcendence of the mundane -- similarly executed during this period by acts such as Aberdeen, Scotland's Geneva, and later by Southampton's the Delays. Upon their formation, guitarist Neil McDonald was the only member with any musical knowledge; bass player Kevin Matthews and drummer Anthony Szuminski soon caught up, providing the ideal, brooding backdrop for ...