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
Simmer Down
Puressence Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I don't wanna let you down
I see what you're doing now
Well it's a crime
What you've been through
See how I changed my ways
And I
I wont be lonely
I wont be lonely, like you are now
Simmer down, yeah yeah
Open out, yeah yeah
Do it now
I wont be lonely
I wanna know me, is new in town
Stuffed out a hurricane
I came through the last chicane
It's time, to push on through
I heard Robert Nester called
"Freedom for one and all"
And now
Just look at me
I'm a silver breeze
I'm a passing cloud
So simmer down, yeah yeah
Open out, yeah yeah
Do it now
Yeah yeah
Yeah yeah
Simmer down, yeah yeah
Open out, yeah yeah
Do it now
Do it now
The sun comes out
Yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah
In Puressence's hauntingly beautiful song, "Simmer Down," the singer expresses his desire to not let down his loved one. He empathizes with what they've been through, describing it as a "crime." However, he also declares that he has changed his ways and won't be lonely like his loved one is currently. The repetition of "simmer down" and "open out" in the chorus is a plea for his loved one to calm down and open up to him. He wants to form a connection with his loved one, who may be guarded due to their past hurt. The bridge of the song is a powerful statement of determination, with the singer stating that he is like a "silver breeze" or a "passing cloud," weathering any storm, storming past barriers towards finding understanding and empathy with his loved one.
This song may be interpreted as an expression of compassion and empathy for someone with emotional baggage from past experiences. The lyrics, "I see what you're doing now, well it's a crime, what you've been through" is a powerful statement that highlights the weight of past traumas and the constant battle to overcome them. The singer provides hope for his loved one that he won't let them down and will be there for them as they work through their struggles. The song has a gentle, soothing melody that underscores the sentiment of hopefulness and tenderness.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't wanna let you down
I want to make you proud and not disappoint you.
I see what you're doing now
I understand your actions and their possible implications.
Well it's a crime
It's a terrible thing that you had to endure.
What you've been through
The struggles that you have faced and overcome.
See how I changed my ways
I recognized my past behavior and have decided to make a difference.
Strung out since yesterday
I have been struggling for some time, but I am making progress.
And I
Me, personally, I am committed to changing my ways.
I won't be lonely
I will no longer feel isolated and disconnected like you do now.
Like you are now
At this moment, you feel alone and alienated.
Simmer down, yeah yeah
Calm down, relax and take things easy, no need for panic.
Open out, yeah yeah
Expand your horizons, be open to new opportunities and possibilities.
Do it now
Take action immediately, no need to wait or hesitate.
I wanna know me, is new in town
I am discovering a new side of myself that I never knew existed before, and it feels like a fresh start.
Stuffed out a hurricane
I went through a really tough time, but I survived it and came out stronger.
I came through the last chicane
I overcame the final obstacle in my way and am ready to move forward.
It's time, to push on through
It's time to keep going and not give up, even when things get tough.
I heard Robert Nester called
I heard Bob Marley's message of freedom and it inspired me.
"Freedom for one and all"
Everyone should have the right to be free and live their lives without fear or oppression.
Just look at me
Take a moment to see how much I have changed and grown.
I'm a silver breeze
I am free and unencumbered, like a refreshing breeze.
I'm a passing cloud
I am here for a moment but then move on, leaving behind a positive impact.
The sun comes out
A new day dawns and brings with it new opportunities and possibilities.
Contributed by Julian N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.