Snuff

Snuff sounds like a chaotic but expertly steered collision between the speed of 90s skate punk and the soulful heart of 60s British mod culture. It is music that moves at a breakneck pace, driven by Duncan Redmonds' relentless drumming and raspy, melodic vocals, yet it frequently makes room for a Hammond organ or a blast of trombone. The result is a sound that feels distinctly English: gritty, humorous, and surprisingly sophisticated beneath the distorted guitars.

What truly sets them apart is their ability to weave disparate influences - like Madness, The Who, and Motown - into a framework of aggressive hardcore. While their contemporaries in the US were perfecting the 'Fat Wreck' sound, Snuff were adding a layer of pub-rock soul and brass-driven energy that made them sound like nobody else. They manage to be both incredibly tight and seemingly on the verge of falling apart, maintaining a high-energy charm that is infectious.

Start with 'Demmamussabebonk' to hear them at their melodic peak. It captures the perfect balance of their speed, their knack for a catchy hook, and their signature use of horns and organ. It is the definitive document of a band that proved punk could be both fast and musically adventurous without losing its edge.