Panchiko

Panchiko is a Nottingham-based indie rock band whose career is defined by one of the most remarkable 'lost media' stories in internet history. Formed in 1997, they recorded their seminal D>E>A>T>H>M>E>T>A>L EP in 2000 using modest home equipment.

The band dissolved shortly after, unaware that a physical copy of their CD would be discovered in a charity shop in 2016. The resulting 'disc rot' - a physical degradation of the disc - added a layer of unintentional glitch and distortion that captivated 4chan's music board, sparking a global search for the anonymous creators. This search culminated in 2020 when lead singer Owain Davies was located, leading to a full-scale reunion. Sonically, Panchiko bridges the gap between the Bristol trip-hop scene and the shoegaze movement, utilizing drum machines and samplers alongside traditional rock instrumentation. Their modern work, including 'Failed at Math(s)', maintains this lo-fi, nostalgic aesthetic while benefiting from intentional production choices that mimic the decay of their early recordings. They occupy a unique space in the cultural zeitgeist as a band whose legacy was curated by the internet before they even knew they had one.