Curry Quiche
We were recently contacted by Curry Quiche, a collection of striking young chaps playing riffs and taps, to make your mind collapse while your hands claps – which sounds good to me! Having formed in 2005, these guys describe their music as alternative rock/rockabilly nonsense – which again sounds like one hell of a mix! Given that they got in touch and sent me through a link to their album 1 Seed, No Leeches, I figured I’d better check out what was going on!
Opening with It’s a Social Barrier Thing there’s an immediate smack in the face from the band, opening loud and not seeming to be holding back from the off. Throwing into a track which is both funky and full on, this is a sign from the off that this band is not only going to be good fun to listen to, but potentially a damned fine force on the live scene if they can pull this off! Imagine a combination of the Danger Mouse theme song and an 80’s stadium rock track and you’re getting somewhere close to where these guys are – it’s a daring mix but somehow, they’ve pulled it off! Daze Before The Storm continue this off piste approach to musical creation, once again launching us into a track which doesn’t follow convention yet somehow works well, ending up as a catchy track which is going to get you involved from the off.
Dry Handkerchief (video below) comes up next and begins to suggest there is actually a serious musical backing going on here, launching us into a classic indie anthem from the word go and showing that these guys may well want to have a laugh, but when they want to do music they can do it well! Catchy and powerful throughout, this is the sort of track which is going to work on a festival stage during the summer, it’ll have people singing along and everyone embracing what’s going on from the off. Another Place returns us to the more frantic approach to things, this time launching us straight into the track and combining the hammering backing guitar with a soaring synth line and pounding drums, the whole mix once again forming something which is both heavy and catchy at the same time, almost taking on a ska style beat as it grows. Once again demonstrating that this is a band to see on the live scene, this is a highpoint on the album and a track I would highly advise you to check out! Phonaphobia follows this idea, once again creating a track which you’re going to have to hear to fully appreciate. Somehow combing an almost blues style riff with a jumpy pace, comical lyrical content and their signature catchiness – it’s a track which once again stands out.
Intermission is just that, a 41 second break (of sorts) on the album, allowing you to rest for a moment and take on board what’s happened so far. Soon enough though we’re back on track and listening to Canklow Wall, a track which harks back to the 60’s and 70’s at some points, once again incorporating that ska style approach to end up with a track which is fun, lively and well put together. Another track which is perfectly crafted for the live scene during the summer, as it plays out you can well imagine being sat on the grass listening to this track playing out from the stage. Retail Song is a strange moment on the album, almost showing off some more punky roots and taking on a track which is heavier than some of the previous ones, ending up with a track which stands out on the album, almost as a demonstration of what they can do when they set their mind to it. Personally, this is one of my favourite tracks from the album, there’s just something about it which works for me!
Greaseborough Tree is the penultimate track on the album, once again lurching us back into that strange mash up of 80’s and modern music yet somehow managing to pull it off. I love the disjointedness of this track, it sounds like it shouldn’t work on first listen yet give it a chance and this is going to be another track which seriously grows on you, it just seems to work its way into your head and make you want to hear more, very clever and well done indeed! Coming up at number 10 on the album, The End Will Be Televised once again treats you to a track which isn’t going to follow conventions but is instead going to make you want to hear a lot more! This track is more conventional than some of the others, yet still holds that strange, out-there approach of the band, making it another moment of sheer genius to keep you engaged and listening to what's going on. Throughout the album there's moments which confuse and confound, but an overall sense that this is something special and different, something which can't be pigeon-holed into a specific genre.
Love Has Gone With All The Rest launches us into a bass fuelled track, full of hooks which are going to pull you in and keep you listening from start to finish. Break this track apart and you've got the makings of a Radiohead style grunge anthem, yet performed here it's almost spooky with the softened guitar and keys in the background. The outcome of these combined elements is an almost 'fair-ground' sound, resulting in something which is upbeat and jumpy, perfect for a sunny afternoon, yet deep and mysterious, continuing to lure you in and keep you questioning things. Reggae Man Sez follows on and once again manages to raise the bar for the band, setting out on a track which doesn't follow the suggestions made by the name and instead, throws you into an upbeat and urgent melee of guitars, vocals and pounding drum rhythms. This track has to be an anthem in the waiting, surely set to become the signature sound of the band purely for the songwriting which has clearly gone into it. What I really liked about this track personally was the different layers going on, there's a hell of a lot going on in the background from layered vocals, roving bass melodies and funky guitar lines through to beats which are surely going to get everyone moving along with the guys.
Closing the album with Blue Lagoon there's one last hint at a heavier past to these guys, launching into a track akin to the likes of Dodgy or other such bands from the mid 90's, creating a sound which focuses on melody and rhythm, Powerful and deep from the off, once again this is a track which holds surprises in store for those who listen to it. From the massive and powerful intro to the track to the softened down break sections, there's everything here which would be a perfect accompaniment to a lazy afternoon or a day on a field in the sun. Closing on a high, there's nothing left to say other than these final moments suggest there are going to be damned good things to follow from Curry Quiche - more of this please!
I really like Curry Quiche, and I don’t quite know why. This album is one which stands out as one of the more strange albums I’ve reviewed, yet it’s also one of the most striking I’ve heard, purely because of the unique stylings of it. Will it be an album to change the world, I don’t think so – but to the people who hear it and like it, it’s going to be one of those albums they come back to time and time again, and rave on to people to check out. I class myself as someone who will come back to it time and time again, so I can’t wait to see what comes next!
To find out more about Curry Quiche, check out their Facebook page HERE, and check out the bands video to Dry Handkerchief below.
Words: Dave Nicholls
Opening with It’s a Social Barrier Thing there’s an immediate smack in the face from the band, opening loud and not seeming to be holding back from the off. Throwing into a track which is both funky and full on, this is a sign from the off that this band is not only going to be good fun to listen to, but potentially a damned fine force on the live scene if they can pull this off! Imagine a combination of the Danger Mouse theme song and an 80’s stadium rock track and you’re getting somewhere close to where these guys are – it’s a daring mix but somehow, they’ve pulled it off! Daze Before The Storm continue this off piste approach to musical creation, once again launching us into a track which doesn’t follow convention yet somehow works well, ending up as a catchy track which is going to get you involved from the off.
Dry Handkerchief (video below) comes up next and begins to suggest there is actually a serious musical backing going on here, launching us into a classic indie anthem from the word go and showing that these guys may well want to have a laugh, but when they want to do music they can do it well! Catchy and powerful throughout, this is the sort of track which is going to work on a festival stage during the summer, it’ll have people singing along and everyone embracing what’s going on from the off. Another Place returns us to the more frantic approach to things, this time launching us straight into the track and combining the hammering backing guitar with a soaring synth line and pounding drums, the whole mix once again forming something which is both heavy and catchy at the same time, almost taking on a ska style beat as it grows. Once again demonstrating that this is a band to see on the live scene, this is a highpoint on the album and a track I would highly advise you to check out! Phonaphobia follows this idea, once again creating a track which you’re going to have to hear to fully appreciate. Somehow combing an almost blues style riff with a jumpy pace, comical lyrical content and their signature catchiness – it’s a track which once again stands out.
Intermission is just that, a 41 second break (of sorts) on the album, allowing you to rest for a moment and take on board what’s happened so far. Soon enough though we’re back on track and listening to Canklow Wall, a track which harks back to the 60’s and 70’s at some points, once again incorporating that ska style approach to end up with a track which is fun, lively and well put together. Another track which is perfectly crafted for the live scene during the summer, as it plays out you can well imagine being sat on the grass listening to this track playing out from the stage. Retail Song is a strange moment on the album, almost showing off some more punky roots and taking on a track which is heavier than some of the previous ones, ending up with a track which stands out on the album, almost as a demonstration of what they can do when they set their mind to it. Personally, this is one of my favourite tracks from the album, there’s just something about it which works for me!
Greaseborough Tree is the penultimate track on the album, once again lurching us back into that strange mash up of 80’s and modern music yet somehow managing to pull it off. I love the disjointedness of this track, it sounds like it shouldn’t work on first listen yet give it a chance and this is going to be another track which seriously grows on you, it just seems to work its way into your head and make you want to hear more, very clever and well done indeed! Coming up at number 10 on the album, The End Will Be Televised once again treats you to a track which isn’t going to follow conventions but is instead going to make you want to hear a lot more! This track is more conventional than some of the others, yet still holds that strange, out-there approach of the band, making it another moment of sheer genius to keep you engaged and listening to what's going on. Throughout the album there's moments which confuse and confound, but an overall sense that this is something special and different, something which can't be pigeon-holed into a specific genre.
Love Has Gone With All The Rest launches us into a bass fuelled track, full of hooks which are going to pull you in and keep you listening from start to finish. Break this track apart and you've got the makings of a Radiohead style grunge anthem, yet performed here it's almost spooky with the softened guitar and keys in the background. The outcome of these combined elements is an almost 'fair-ground' sound, resulting in something which is upbeat and jumpy, perfect for a sunny afternoon, yet deep and mysterious, continuing to lure you in and keep you questioning things. Reggae Man Sez follows on and once again manages to raise the bar for the band, setting out on a track which doesn't follow the suggestions made by the name and instead, throws you into an upbeat and urgent melee of guitars, vocals and pounding drum rhythms. This track has to be an anthem in the waiting, surely set to become the signature sound of the band purely for the songwriting which has clearly gone into it. What I really liked about this track personally was the different layers going on, there's a hell of a lot going on in the background from layered vocals, roving bass melodies and funky guitar lines through to beats which are surely going to get everyone moving along with the guys.
Closing the album with Blue Lagoon there's one last hint at a heavier past to these guys, launching into a track akin to the likes of Dodgy or other such bands from the mid 90's, creating a sound which focuses on melody and rhythm, Powerful and deep from the off, once again this is a track which holds surprises in store for those who listen to it. From the massive and powerful intro to the track to the softened down break sections, there's everything here which would be a perfect accompaniment to a lazy afternoon or a day on a field in the sun. Closing on a high, there's nothing left to say other than these final moments suggest there are going to be damned good things to follow from Curry Quiche - more of this please!
I really like Curry Quiche, and I don’t quite know why. This album is one which stands out as one of the more strange albums I’ve reviewed, yet it’s also one of the most striking I’ve heard, purely because of the unique stylings of it. Will it be an album to change the world, I don’t think so – but to the people who hear it and like it, it’s going to be one of those albums they come back to time and time again, and rave on to people to check out. I class myself as someone who will come back to it time and time again, so I can’t wait to see what comes next!
To find out more about Curry Quiche, check out their Facebook page HERE, and check out the bands video to Dry Handkerchief below.
Words: Dave Nicholls