The band played a series of gigs at Manchester's In The City festival. James Mudriczki, Neil McDonald, Anthony Szuminski and Kevin Matthews met on a bus on their way to watch the Stone Roses play at Spike Island. Matthews watched the Stone Roses' Gary Mounfield play bass and Matthews bought himself a bass guitar.[citation needed] The rest of the members followed suit and bought the necessary equipment to complete a band, although they had little to no musical experience or training.
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 plastered around Manchester city centre, on derelict buildings, and on bridges (the most notable being the railway bridge opposite the Haçienda).Manchester independent record label 2 Damn Loud released two singles and there was a further single with Rough Trade Singles Club.
The big breakthrough came a couple of years later, when the band signed to Island Records.
In August 2003, after more than ten 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 10 and 11 September 2008 Puressence played their first shows in the US. The first was at the Mercury Lounge in New York City. The next night they played the Apple Store in SoHo. The opening song at the Mercury Lounge was "I Suppose". They passed out free CD singles of "Don't Know Any Better" to many fans around the United States.
The band split in late 2013.
The band currently consisted of:
James Mudriczki: Vocals
Lowell Killen: Guitar
Kevin Matthews: Bass guitar
Tony Szuminski: Drums / percussion
Gazing Down
Puressence Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Floating over hills and mountains, airbone renegade.
I don't know why I don't even hesitate,
I don't know why I don't.
First communion tainded union,
Scribbled scriptures,
What's the point my son.
I don't know why I don't even feel afraid,
I don't know why I don't even hesitate.
The room slows down,
Soon I'll be coming round.
Gazing down on rows of houses, guess who pulls the strings?
Keep the money, feelings, everything.
But I don't know why I don't even hesitate
I don't know why I don't even hesitate.
The lyrics to Puressence's "Gazing Down" paint a picture of a out-of-body experience that encompasses transcendence and introspection. The song starts with the singer overlooking the place where his body is placed whilst being in a state of being airborne, feeling completely liberated. He doesn't understand why he doesn't hesitate to let go of the physical realm and become liberated. The first verse is concluding with a sense of defiance towards the individuals who have wronged or misled him.
The song's chorus explains an incident in the individual's life that made him feel disappointed and ultimately lost. He feels that he is entirely at the mercy of others, which keeps him from reaching his full potential. The pre-chorus is then repeated, this time with the added line of "Soon I'll be coming round." The singer seems to suggest that he is aware that this state that he is in is temporary, and that he will be returning to his physical form soon.
The song closes with the chorus, which is a lament towards the people who control his life, and his inability to do anything about it. The song offers a sense of introspection on the person's life in general and offers a word of advice to anyone who's been in a situation where they have felt powerless.
Line by Line Meaning
Gazing down on rows of houses where my body's laid.
Looking from a distance at the place where my physical body will eventually be buried.
Floating over hills and mountains, airbone renegade.
Drifting aimlessly over geographical landmarks, feeling rebellious in the freedom of untethered movement.
I don't know why I don't even hesitate,
Not understanding why there is no apprehension or pause in action, despite the possible danger or consequences.
First communion tainded union,
Religious ceremony or sacrament that has been spoiled or corrupted in some way.
Burn them down everyone.
Destroying or abolishing all tainted unions or corrupt institutions one by one.
Scribbled scriptures,
Religious texts or teachings that are hastily or carelessly written down.
What's the point my son.
Questioning the purpose or validity of such teachings.
I don't know why I don't even feel afraid,
Being unable to comprehend the lack of fear or anxiety in the face of potential danger or harm.
The room slows down,
Sensory experience of time slowing down, possibly due to heightened emotions or sensory input.
Soon I'll be coming round.
Anticipating the end of the experience or altered state of consciousness.
Gazing down on rows of houses, guess who pulls the strings?
Observing from afar the influence and control exerted over society by powerful individuals or groups.
Keep the money, feelings, everything.
The powerful maintain their dominance by hoarding wealth, manipulating emotions, and controlling all aspects of life.
But I don't know why I don't even hesitate
Questioning one's own lack of hesitation or resistance to the oppressive system, despite recognizing its flaws and injustices.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Adam Goffin
Thanks for uploading, class song and album.
Anthony Deline-Grant
3:34 is the best part.
Βασίλειος Kονδάκος
Nice one,reminds me of Stoner rock,gonna check the lyrics