Dif Juz were an English instrumental post-punk band, formed in London in 19… Read Full Bio ↴Dif Juz were an English instrumental post-punk band, formed in London in 1980 and remaining active until 1986. The band comprised Dave Curtis (guitar), Alan Curtis (guitar), Gary Bromley (bass guitar) and Richard Thomas (percussion and saxophone).
Dif Juz band developed out of the punk band London Pride that was formed by the Curtis brothers. In late 1979, Alan Curtis was involved with new wave band Duran Duran. He apparently disappeared and missed a particularly volatile gig after the band hired the owners of the Birmingham Rum Runner nightclub as managers. In a 2003 interview, John Taylor (bass guitarist for Duran Duran said "straight away Alan Curtis skipped town, thinking getting involved with two nightclub owners meant he would end up in pieces down a city alleyway.
Following Alan Curtis' return to London, he resumed his collaboration with his brother Dave and Richard Thomas (all of whom played in London Pride), and was joined by Gary Bromley. They determined to create something new and different. Dave Curtis was a trained classical guitarist, Alan Curtis's guitar play was self-taught and innovative, Thomas had a thirst for mastering wind instruments and production values, and Bromley's bass playing, whilst honed in West London, could have found home in Kingston, Jamaica. The resulting soundscape was dense, atmospheric, and spacious, driven by pounding bass lines and rhythm.
It is believed that the name Dif Juz was adopted as a play on "different jazz," but according to Thomas, it was a spur-of-the-moment utterance that "didn't mean anything".
The band signed to label 4AD, and a demo was played by John Peel. The band performed a number of inspiring gigs in the London area in 1981, most notably at the Moonlight Club in West Hampstead and at the Ealing Town Hall. The band's debut full-length with the label, Extractions, was released in 1985. It reached No. 11 on the UK Indie Chart.
The band befriended fellow labelmates Cocteau Twins and frequently collaborated with them. Cocteau Twins guitarist Robin Guthrie produced several of their recordings and vocalist Elizabeth Fraser sang on "Love Insane" from the album Extractions; in turn, Thomas played saxophone and tabla on Cocteau Twins' 1985 album Victorialand. Occasionally, the two bands toured together and played together at the Saddlers Wells Theatre. Cocteau Twins bass player Simon Raymonde commented that Dif Juz were the "best live band [he'd] ever seen".
Although the band was mainly instrumental, they occasionally worked with a vocalist from North London, Hollis Chambers.
At one point they served as a backing band for reggae/dub luminary Lee Scratch Perry for a few live dates. A studio album of this collaboration was recorded with Robin Guthrie as producer, but the album was never released and sits unheard in the 4AD vaults. There is currently some debate as to why. 4AD's current stance is that the Curtis brothers never really appreciated the results; however, Dave Curtis has stated that he believes it's "the best thing Dif Juz ever did".
The band never officially disbanded. However, due to health issues, neither Dave Curtis nor Bromley were able to devote the time needed to the band, and this led to a "slow dissolve". For a time, the band continued with bass player Scott Rodger who performed recorded with the band on "Out of The Trees" and subsequent touring, but the spark seemed to be diminishing.The final step to dissolution occurred when Thomas became a touring drummer for The Jesus and Mary Chain.
4AD manager Ivo Watts-Russell said that he "expected these most individual of individuals to work together again at some point", but this never happened.
Thomas has also worked with Butterfly Child, Moose, Cocteau Twins, The Wolfgang Press and April March. His current project is Lost Horizons with long-time friend Simon Raymonde (Cocteau Twins)
Bromley is currently performing in a band called The Children.
Dave Curtis spent some time collaborating with The Wolfgang Press, This Mortal Coil and Tranquil Trucking Company.
Discography:
Studio albums:
Time Clock Turn Back (1983)
Who Says So? (1983)
Extractions (1985)
EP's:
Huremics (1981)
Vibrating Air (1981)
Compilation albums:
Out of the Trees (1986)
Soundpool (1999)
Dif Juz band developed out of the punk band London Pride that was formed by the Curtis brothers. In late 1979, Alan Curtis was involved with new wave band Duran Duran. He apparently disappeared and missed a particularly volatile gig after the band hired the owners of the Birmingham Rum Runner nightclub as managers. In a 2003 interview, John Taylor (bass guitarist for Duran Duran said "straight away Alan Curtis skipped town, thinking getting involved with two nightclub owners meant he would end up in pieces down a city alleyway.
Following Alan Curtis' return to London, he resumed his collaboration with his brother Dave and Richard Thomas (all of whom played in London Pride), and was joined by Gary Bromley. They determined to create something new and different. Dave Curtis was a trained classical guitarist, Alan Curtis's guitar play was self-taught and innovative, Thomas had a thirst for mastering wind instruments and production values, and Bromley's bass playing, whilst honed in West London, could have found home in Kingston, Jamaica. The resulting soundscape was dense, atmospheric, and spacious, driven by pounding bass lines and rhythm.
It is believed that the name Dif Juz was adopted as a play on "different jazz," but according to Thomas, it was a spur-of-the-moment utterance that "didn't mean anything".
The band signed to label 4AD, and a demo was played by John Peel. The band performed a number of inspiring gigs in the London area in 1981, most notably at the Moonlight Club in West Hampstead and at the Ealing Town Hall. The band's debut full-length with the label, Extractions, was released in 1985. It reached No. 11 on the UK Indie Chart.
The band befriended fellow labelmates Cocteau Twins and frequently collaborated with them. Cocteau Twins guitarist Robin Guthrie produced several of their recordings and vocalist Elizabeth Fraser sang on "Love Insane" from the album Extractions; in turn, Thomas played saxophone and tabla on Cocteau Twins' 1985 album Victorialand. Occasionally, the two bands toured together and played together at the Saddlers Wells Theatre. Cocteau Twins bass player Simon Raymonde commented that Dif Juz were the "best live band [he'd] ever seen".
Although the band was mainly instrumental, they occasionally worked with a vocalist from North London, Hollis Chambers.
At one point they served as a backing band for reggae/dub luminary Lee Scratch Perry for a few live dates. A studio album of this collaboration was recorded with Robin Guthrie as producer, but the album was never released and sits unheard in the 4AD vaults. There is currently some debate as to why. 4AD's current stance is that the Curtis brothers never really appreciated the results; however, Dave Curtis has stated that he believes it's "the best thing Dif Juz ever did".
The band never officially disbanded. However, due to health issues, neither Dave Curtis nor Bromley were able to devote the time needed to the band, and this led to a "slow dissolve". For a time, the band continued with bass player Scott Rodger who performed recorded with the band on "Out of The Trees" and subsequent touring, but the spark seemed to be diminishing.The final step to dissolution occurred when Thomas became a touring drummer for The Jesus and Mary Chain.
4AD manager Ivo Watts-Russell said that he "expected these most individual of individuals to work together again at some point", but this never happened.
Thomas has also worked with Butterfly Child, Moose, Cocteau Twins, The Wolfgang Press and April March. His current project is Lost Horizons with long-time friend Simon Raymonde (Cocteau Twins)
Bromley is currently performing in a band called The Children.
Dave Curtis spent some time collaborating with The Wolfgang Press, This Mortal Coil and Tranquil Trucking Company.
Discography:
Studio albums:
Time Clock Turn Back (1983)
Who Says So? (1983)
Extractions (1985)
EP's:
Huremics (1981)
Vibrating Air (1981)
Compilation albums:
Out of the Trees (1986)
Soundpool (1999)
More Genres
No Artists Found
More Artists
Load All
No Albums Found
More Albums
Load All
No Tracks Found
Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Search results not found
Song not found
Roy's Tray
Dif Juz Lyrics
No lyrics text found for this track.
The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos
The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos
Justin Belsley
Definitely a repeat play throughout my lifetime. While I love the 4AD stuff, this particular album is my favorite of theirs—it’s so intimate. I, too, would place this in my top ten albums of all time. The flow is just amazing and then it’s over—always leaving you ready for one more spin. This is an unknown or often overlooked classic.
Spike Burst
On a single malt buzz..for a millisecond I misinterpreted you claimed this was a 4AD release. Abrazote.
Chuck Spidell
Best frakin' instrumental band from the '80s. That is, next to Durutti Column of course. Love the rawness of this track.
siriusfeline
D.C. is quite good and in a similar vein, but simplistic and meditative...they don't come close to touching the the dynamic genius and power of D.J. If you haven't, listen to the album 'Extractions'...sublime.
Rudy Perales
Had to buy this album on vinyl. :')
Spike Burst
Top 10 lp of mine .
siriusfeline
where can i buy this?
Vinyl Diary666
@siriusfeline Discogs
siriusfeline
@Spike Burst Not yet.
Spike Burst
Get it yet?