Tsuji-Giri:- the ancient Japanese Samurai or Ronin rite of ambushing an innocent passerby in order to test the quality of a newly purchased knife, blade or sword. Common term for any senseless violence carried out by a Samurai or Ronin, or for any ‘example’ which is left on the street for others to learn from.

Tsuji Giri have been making a reputation for themselves around Manchester and across the country as the premier exponents of a wave of raw, loud talent that is burgeoning out of the city’s underground.

Coming from Manchester’s beleaguered satellites Oldham and Rochdale, Tsuji Giri formed in 1998 with the intention of making the new millennium a noisier and more beautifully sick experience for all. After scaring the hell out of its provinces, the ‘Giri set about their assault on Manchester’s gig circuit, rapidly outgrowing the still Oasis-Verve dominated ‘showcase’ scene and graduating to the more clued-up, noise friendly events such as Chairsmissing and Prolekult.

They have since been repeatedly lauded for their explosive live performances, which fuse delicate, emotionally charged songs with a fiery, aggressive delivery, swathed with feedback and a snarling, psychotic stage presence.

Often compared to My Bloody Valentine and Sonic Youth, Tsuji Giri represent an evolution away from the fireless meanderings of recent Manchester successes. They share a lineage with such luminaries as Joy Division and the Fall; making music that captures everything that is dark, noisy and sublime about the city.

Their two existing CD's have been met with adulation, bafflement, contempt and a strange 'we love it but what are we supposed to do with it?' attitude from the music industry. They've had bites, but everyone's been off signing Elbow. They are, however, working closely with cult Manchester label 'Soviet Union' to produce a single which will be available in Autumn 2002.