Straight outta Manchester's buzzing music scene, Taurine – FKA Floor 4 – are tearing it up with their fiery sound and unmistakable queer vibe. They've jazzed things up a bit with some new faces in their 4-piece crew, adding a fresh zing to their already electric live shows. Seriously, their gigs in the Northwest have been even more bonkers since and we have the pleasure of reviewing their latest release "starv".
Their tunes touch on heavy subjects like politics, gender identity, and giving the patriarchy a right kick. They're all about sticking together and shouting out loud without a care. For anyone feeling a bit lost in today's world, Taurine's tracks are like a musical lifebuoy, echoing a hunger for freedom.
Mixing a bit of Badflower, some Rage Against the Machine vibes, and a dash of Slipknot, then layering that with fierce lyrics that'd make legends like Bikini Kill, Destroy Boys, and Casyette nod in approval, Taurine's sound is this wicked blend of punk, rock, and metal.
And boy, have they been on a roll! From smashing it at a packed-out Crawlers gig to jamming with The Oozes and backing big names like Petrol Girls and Glitchers, Taurine's star is only shooting higher. We sit down with the band to find out more about their sound, identity and future.
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INTERVIEW
A: Transitioning from Floor 4 to Taurine and introducing new members must have been a transformative journey. How has this evolution shaped your musical direction and the band's identity?
T: When we changed from Floor 4 to Taurine, we also added Evan to the band who brought a whole new dynamic to the band. Shortly after, Jack came onto the scene and our whole sound changed completely with the addition of a second guitarist. We changed from a traditional punk sound like our first few singles, and slowly went down the metal route whilst still trying to keep hold of all the punk we can. With Jack in the band we also now have the opportunity to allow Mars to put their bass down for a song or 2 and really get into the performance which never fails to get the crowd moving.
A: Your music touches on themes like politics, gender identity, and challenging the patriarchy. Can you share any personal experiences or stories that led to the exploration of these themes in your music?
Mars: I’ve been out as a non-binary person for about 7 years now and I had a long journey of questioning my identity before this, so that brought a lot of inspiration for the lyrics for some of our tunes. I’m in a really happy place with my identity now and that’s explored further in some of our other songs. On top of this I am really passionate at campaigning for a just society, and being surrounded by the energy and passion in marches and protests definitely poses for inspiration. As a band we are always trying to stay educated and up-to-date on issues around the world and hopefully help bring some light to these through our music.
A: Your sound is described as a blend of punk, rock, and metal. How do you manage to integrate these influences while creating something unique and authentic to Taurine?
T: We have been in the hands of Aidan when it comes to instrumental songwriting since the beginning and if it was up to them we would be a deathcore band. With a lot of persuasion we usually end up taking 8 minutes of meaty breakdowns and stripping it back to 3 or 4 minutes of as much noise as possible. When it comes to lyrics, Mars is the one who brings the initial ideas and because of their classic punk influences we end up mixing and matching until everything nicely sits in place. Taurine has always been about mashing all of the weirdest sounds together and somehow turning it into something that is listenable, and our mix we find brings something authentic and original. Starv is actually an outlier in all of this because it was written at 3am the night before a gig so we were all in a room together and decided to see what we come up with and it has stuck ever since then.
A: Having performed on various stages across the Northwest, what has been your most memorable live performance so far, and why?
T: We were lucky enough to join The Oozes on 6 dates of their tour which took us all across the north. The big one that sticks out is the Edinburgh gig because it was rammed from the start and the crowd were loving it. There was also a sub under the stage which felt like we were on a rocketship, I recall it actually interfering with some of our gear there was that much bass. We also played a gig last month at Fuel in Withington where we had our first crowd surfer which was insane, people told us it looked like the floor was going to come through it was bouncing so much
A: What's next on the horizon for Taurine? Any upcoming projects or collaborations fans should be excited about?
T: Starv is our first release for the best part of the year so we are looking to get moving with releases further early in 2024. We spent the last few months finishing Uni, touring and writing loads of new music and we can't wait to release it all! We have plenty of gigs in Manchester over the next few months with some awesome bands and hopefully many more to come!
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REVIEW
Taurine's latest single "Starv", is a political punk anthem that fans of the band have come to expect. Opening with heavy riffs, the song acts as a battle cry, charged with the youthful rage that the band so effortlessly channels.
What truly sets this single apart is the vocal delivery. The lyrics' raw edge, especially the biting refrain "in this world nothing is free", stands as a core principle which feeds into the track's deep, hungry riffs. As the climactic roar of vocals and drums come together in what can only be described as trance-like , listeners are instantly gripped. This isn't just music; it's a statement, a visceral reflection of the tumultuous economic, political, and social issues that cloud our world today.
Taking from their interview above, it's clear that Taurine is a band with a message. Their journey, from the early days of Floor 4 to their current identity as Taurine, reflects a growth not just in musical maturity but also in their understanding of the world around them. Mars, with their personal journey around identity, brings a depth to the lyrics that can't be faked. And with tracks like "Starv," born out of spontaneous late-night jam sessions, it's evident that Taurine's authenticity is their most potent instrument.
In a world filled with generic tracks and predictable beats, this single is a refreshing change. It's a testament to the band's identity – a band that knows exactly who they are and what they want to say. As they stand on the brink of what promises to be a bright future, one thing is certain: the music world should be on the lookout for what Taurine produces next.
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