I can’t explain Torque. We put together what we were feeling at the time, simple. Yeah we was into Aphex Twin, Locust, U-Ziq, Autechre, Orbital and stuff that you might term ‘dance’ or ‘electronica’ and sure some of that shit is right there in our efforts but that’s about it. We never seriously aimed at record deals or releases. Too much hassle and grief. We managed a couple of compilation appearances and that’s about it. We played a few shows, mainly arty affairs rather than raves or gigs. We made what we wanted to and what we thought sounded good and we’re proud of what we did. I still play this shit regularly and enjoy it. That’s the only reason this is here. If you like it, cool. If not, see you later. There are plenty of more interesting internet sites for you to check out.
I can tell you, however how the ideas, sounds and noise you hear on this site and on the compilation CDs came about. Torque was Steve Hough and Phil Jones. We called it a day long ago. There is quite a body of work considering we only existed as a unit for about 3 years, roughly 95 – 98. We had a mutual fascination for noise-infested electronica, tribal rhythms, infectious breakbeats, dub and early drum and bass. We had a similar fascination with samplers, synthesisers, guitars, bass and what could be achieved by experimenting with all of them at the same time. Yeah we dabbled with techno and drum and bass but when we realised we should leave that to those who specialise in it we got back to making noise and beats. We started off with hardly any kit to speak of. An 8-track, drum machine, couple of old synths, guitars and basses and a bunch of guitar stomp boxes. I had an old Atari, which we managed to hook up to the 8-track with an early version of Cubase. Made life a lot easier. Cables everywhere n shit, I kinda miss that! The first piece we made that we thought was worth passing around (friends not labels) was Perfume River. We made 3 versions of it over the years but the original has something we couldn’t ever capture again. You know, when the demo sounds better than the recorded version? We sent it off to Future Music magazine in a competition to win some more kit and they put it on a front cover CD. Fair enough. Didn't win the fucking kit though! Can't have everything I guess.
It really was fun, no rules. We got together when we could. Stuff happened really fast for a while. We started putting stories into the pieces in the form of vocals. We usually buried them to prevent them from actually being vocals. As long as you could just about hear the story that was enough. We often liked the vocals as just another sound and buried them further so you couldn’t make out what was being said. We left headphone spill in there cos it was another texture and often sounded really nice. Often the stories were dreams or inspired by a film from the night before. Guitars were looped, reversed, sampled, synthesised. Nothing radical or even new, it’d all been done before. We didn’t follow typical dance structure most of the time cos we were into 3-minute pop songs like The Wedding Present and Echo & The Bunnymen. Whatever. What If? got on a Gonzo Circus front cover CD cos I sent them some Cable Regime stuff and tagged it on the end to see what they’d think. Never thought they’d actually put it out. It’s mainly percussion, not a lot else to it really! They didn't put the Regime stuff on the CD either.
The only other release was the one we were happiest with. Frozen was a collage of samples, guitars and noise from one of our recorded jams. Yeah we used to put the recorder on and jam and then pick bits and play with them or sometimes just use a whole jam low in the mix behind the main track for added noise and texture. I presume everyone does this. Dunno. We put some vocals on and gave it to Justin Broadrick, my lifelong friend from Godflesh and Jesu. He had a compilation he was working on for his new label. It’s called the Lo-Fibre Companion. We were gonna do a few techno tunes for his label too but it didn’t quite work out. Oh well. We carried on for a while. Times changed, tastes changed, we changed, you know. Phil went travelling for a year. When he came back it’d gone really. Shame but that’s life!
If you’ve got this far it’s either because you like reading or because you liked a tune or some other reason. Either way, thanks. I’ve put together a couple of compilations. I ain’t interested in making money, not from this shit anyway so give me your address and I’ll send you one. Maybe send something interesting in return. I don’t see Phil so if anyone else does, tell him to give me a call. My number ain’t changed.
Steve Hough, October 06.
I've decided to play around with beats and electronics a little more. Sorry! Hey, fuck 'sorry' I don't even know you! Anyhow (you obviously ain't hit the 'back' button already), it's much easier now with Pro Tools, virtual synthesisers, less cables and Atari/analogue 8-track synchronisation issues (although bizarrely I miss the hassle). A show last night at The Sunflower Lounge with Lee (Iron Fist Of The Sun), Andy (Lash Frenzy/Einstellung) and Rich (Mort The Sonic) was a test to see if the inspirational spark is still there. Unfortunately it is and, although working alone now (Phil, where are you?) new material is underway. Well I'm fucking around with stuff again, whether you'd call it 'material' or not... After the sell-out success of the recent KlusterB CD single "Patton", containing a Torque reinterpretation, last night's show was recorded and I'm kinda hoping will make it onto more very limited, sweet little 3" CD media. Just cos I like odd little CD packages. Let's see huh. If not I'll continue regardless. It's just what I do. Releases and money are nice and maybe for some 'artistes' provide a reason for their 'art'. I like releases yeah, keeps me occupied adding to my Micro-fucking-soft Excel spreadsheet discography (copies available on request, man fuck you I'm joking around!) but really Torque was and always will be totally self-fulfilling. So, if you never see, buy or steal a Torque CD, return to this site or have any further interest in Torque then enjoy your life. I'd like to say 'fuck you' but I'm really not that bothered.
Torque's first live appearance since 1998 on May 29th 08 was recorded for CD, details can be found in the "Discography" section below.
A new Torque track has just been released. "Torque vs. Patton (remix)" is a remix of "Patton" by KlusterB. Along with "Patton" & "1937" the 3-track 3" CD is available on Bearos Records (Bearos 072). The CD is extremely limited, in fact to 23!
Torque is currently:
Steve Hough - Guitars, bass, vocals, synths, programming, manipulation and other stuff. It's been interesting recreating some of the stuff we did in the 90s (on much older gear) using new technology. It's easier in a way to write stuff now but I do miss the unexpected results some of the old gear used to give when either it just wouldn't play ball or we'd got it wrong and blamed it for not playing ball!
Torque originally existed roughly between 1995 and 1998. During that period we wrote a bunch of material but only released 3 compilation tracks, that's it. Some of the stuff was distorted beats, bass, guitars, samples and stuff, some was 4/4. There are 3 compilation CDs and 2 live CDs currently available, if you ask nicely and email me your address I may send you one. It'd be nice to receive something in return, maybe an interesting CD or something. Torque was never about making money.
Torque was:
Steve Hough - Guitars, bass, vocals, synths, programming, manipulation and other stuff
Phil Jones - Vocals, synths, bass synths, programming, manipulation and other stuff
Torque Discography:
Perfume River (1996)
Perfume River was included on the CD given away free with December 96 copies of Future Music Recording magazine.
Future Music Review Dec 96:
Recorded at their own Birmingham Studio, Rumble Arch and bearing trademarks of hard techno-industrial, Perfume River is a deep, brooding noise-fest based around a spooky loop: a minimalist track in the best sense. Deep cello-type rumbles, creaky atmospheric noises and percussive clicks and bells making up a slightly obtuse motif over a four-bar cycle. Isolated snares and faded-in hi-hats set the pace before the distortion switches in and a dirty fuzzed up drum pattern pulls the rhythm into place. The Chemical Brothers style overdrive gives the snare a distinct note which sits in with the tune and the effect is pleasantly edgy. The syncopated fuzz pattern is joined by a stomping Underworld-esque drum loop which bulks out the rhythm to tribal proportions.
The comically titled Araldite Lite is a hefty hard trance affair with heavily treated drums and a growling harmonic fuzz riff. Trauma, the third track, is as the title suggests an intense piece, thick with essence of The Chemical Brothers and Sabres Of Paradise and dosed with hard-as-nails distortion on pretty much everything! Definitely one for the serious gurners.
The Mix Review May 97:
Torque have come up with something tougher than a rhino's stiffy and that ain't no lie! It's tougher than any I've come across lately and that's the Lord's truth, goodness knows! Anyhow, sweeping the rhino shit aside, this is no bad effort from Birmingham's dark side provocateurs. This is the moodiest stuff I've heard in a long time. Perfume river is dark and odd with dark chords, kicking off with a sample of a man saying "Hardcore man, fucking hardcore". There is an intense grittiness to the track with moody chord progressions and a very heavily distorted breakbeat. The soundtrack of a smack comedown from hell! (Robin Green, 4 out of 5 stars)
Frozen was included on the Lo Fibre Companion compilation CD on Lo Fibre / Invisible Records. (INV 5001)
Lo Fibre Companion Reviews:
...Disc 1 is heavier on non-Broadrick projects. Scalpel, Torque, AKA, Carthage, and The Bug are generally true to Lo Fibre form, often verging on industrial hip-hop. Eardrum's pancultural drum n' bass, Line's mingling of guitarchitecture and melodic trip-hop, and Fruitcake's tricky subversion of song break rank to memorable effect. (author unknown)
...The material comes from as early as 1994 all the way up to this year, and sports powerful attacks from Krackhead, Torque, the Bug, AKA, Eardrum, and quite a few others. It’s like taking some of the best solid beats around and pushing them out speakers that are covered with thick crude oil. It’s breathtaking to listen to the almost universal ambiences that float around in the mix while the sonically synched rhythms crush your head. This is an album for those interested in finding those sounds that follow the less-traveled path. So support a new label and give it a listen. The worst thing that happens is you’re exposed to something new that you can’t put your finger on. (Drew West)
...the Torque, The Bug, AKA, Line and Fruitcake tracks in particular are all very interesting, I'm looking forward to albums from all of them. Once again, kudos to Invisible for putting together a single disc priced, double disc compilation as an introduction to a newly distributed label. (www.brainwashed.com)
Torque vs. KlusterB (2007)
A remix of "Patton" by KlusterB, "Torque vs. Patton" has just been released on a very limited 3-track 3" CD on Bearos Records (Bearos 072).
Polyrhythms I (1999)
frozen
scarred white trash
nihilist
a minor dub
today is yours
bloodcircle
brittle
lament
perfume river (trust)
blistered
Polyrhythms I is a collection of material written and recorded between 96 & 98. Some of the material has vocals, some guitar, most of it has distorted beats and samples. We had a lot of fun creating this shit and feel that it's pretty good. I will endeavour to rotate the material on the 'standalone player' above so that some of this stuff can be listened to. Email and I'll probably send you a CD
Polyrhythms II (1999)
perfume river
what if?
hydrochloric
thongs/shackles
hativ brawn
harmonia
forqued (opaque)
forqued (transparent)
deselekt
Polyrhythms II is a collection of material written and recorded between 95 & 98. Most of this stuff was written before the stuff on Polyrhythms I. I've no idea why this is number 2 in the Polyrhythms series so don't ask. Some of the material has guitar, some real bass, most of it has distorted beats and samples. Forqued was originally intended as one piece and was written for a film project that never came about. I kinda like it separated now. I will really try to rotate the material on the 'standalone player' above so that some of this stuff can be listened to. Like most people I'm busy so maybe not so regularly. Email and I'll probably send you a CD. If you send me something nice first I'll definitely send you a CD.
Minimals I (1999)
on edge
emancipater
mainline
heavy water
deep 4
enmity gauz
medium blue
actinide series
plumb bomb
krique
belief
return to analog square
iced
Minimals is a collection of '4/4' stuff that we feel stands up. We wrote a bunch of stuff that didn't! We never pretended to be in the same league as Jeff Mills or the Chain Reaction guys but enjoyed making it all the same. If I get time I'll try rotating the stuff on the 'standalone player' above so that some of this shit can be listened to as well as the distorted beats stuff. Email and I'll see if I have the time and energy to send you a Minimals CD
Live at The Custard Factory 98 (1998)
plumb bomb
enmity gauz
deep 4
on edge
actinide series
heavy water
Recorded live at The Custard Factory, Birmingham July 98 the material on this CD is a sequenced 4/4 set. An old Atari running Cubase MIDI'd up to our samplers, 8-track analogue and other shit with live synths. Email and it's yours!
Live at The Sunflower Lounge 08 (2009)
frozen
patton
perfume river
Recorded live at The Sunflower Lounge, Birmingham May 08 the material on this CD was performed by Steve alone. Pro Tools on a MacBook Pro with virtual and electronic live synths and real-time effects. Felt good recreating that old shit alongside new track, Patton. Email and who knows!
You’re on this weeks show! Please promote/plug/whore it! Brumcast 94 featuring Windscale LIVE, and featuring the best new music from the midlands is now ready for listening and FREE download. Go to the myspace or click the banner below for download & audio stream links Here's this week’s playlist :- 1. Flesh Eating Foundation - Join Us (4:15) 2. The hungry i - Beginning is the end (6:17) 3. ACK!!! - Mariba!!! (1:55) 4. The Cult Classics Film Club - Cut the Cord (3:01) 5. Windscale – Live, March 2008 (31:00) 6. Baybee Venom - United streets of birmingham (2:03) 7. Distinct Radi0 - nebula rising (5:01) 8. Neotopia - Told 1 (3:53) 9. Resolution 242 - Meet your meat (3:41) 10. Kidzlikedanny - Kumbaya (4:00) 11. Torque - Frozen (7:06) 12. Kinetik - Tranz Mission (5:15) 13. Tabula Rasa - Tabula Rasa - fin de siecle (4:17) 14. Johnny Normal - Hate (3:54) 15. Aaron.C - Lost Planet (4:30) 16. Richard Chappell - Mystery (2:28) 17. 4 star treatments - Wasted Nights (3:11) Enjoy! Little Chris .. Click here to get your own player.
well he was doing stuff..a few years back as Alderan...but i think he has lost intrest in music and got himself a bird!!!...maybe you could pull him back from the darkside of weekends at ikea/Hugh grant bouble bills???
lee
