Biography
The Leeds outfit Hookworms emerged with a fusion of neo-psychedelia, Krautrock, and space rock elements, forging them into dense, consciousness-altering surges of politically aware noise rock. Anonymity was prioritized by the group, whose participants are identified solely by initials—MJ handling vocals, keyboards, and production duties; JW along with SS managing guitars; MB taking care of bass; and JN on drums—so that individual egos would not overshadow the music itself. Coming together during 2009, they issued their self-titled EP via Gringo Records in 2011, followed by their debut album Pearl Mystic on the same imprint two years afterward.
Weird World, an affiliate of Domino, handled distribution for that LP and put out the subsequent effort The Hum toward the end of 2014. Every release was captured at MJ’s Suburban Home facility situated along the River Aire, which also functioned as the band’s central base. Disaster struck the day following Christmas 2015, however, when floodwaters from the river overwhelmed the studio walls, rendering it unusable despite MJ’s efforts to salvage equipment. A successful crowdfunding campaign enabled reconstruction of Suburban Home, where he resumed work with other artists.
With the facility restored, Hookworms turned their attention to Microshift, adopting an approach steeped in electronic sounds featuring repetitive loops, an array of vintage synthesizers, and reduced prominence for MJ’s voice. This shift aligned with prior side projects, including MB’s formation of the synth-oriented XAM Duo and explorations into techno and electronics by the others. External contributors joined for the first time: Christopher Duffin, MB’s collaborator from XAM Duo, contributed saxophone; Alice Merida Richards from Virginia Wing shared vocals with MJ; and synthesizer work came from veteran producer Richard Formby, known for his role in Spectrum. Domino released Microshift in February 2018.
Weird World, an affiliate of Domino, handled distribution for that LP and put out the subsequent effort The Hum toward the end of 2014. Every release was captured at MJ’s Suburban Home facility situated along the River Aire, which also functioned as the band’s central base. Disaster struck the day following Christmas 2015, however, when floodwaters from the river overwhelmed the studio walls, rendering it unusable despite MJ’s efforts to salvage equipment. A successful crowdfunding campaign enabled reconstruction of Suburban Home, where he resumed work with other artists.
With the facility restored, Hookworms turned their attention to Microshift, adopting an approach steeped in electronic sounds featuring repetitive loops, an array of vintage synthesizers, and reduced prominence for MJ’s voice. This shift aligned with prior side projects, including MB’s formation of the synth-oriented XAM Duo and explorations into techno and electronics by the others. External contributors joined for the first time: Christopher Duffin, MB’s collaborator from XAM Duo, contributed saxophone; Alice Merida Richards from Virginia Wing shared vocals with MJ; and synthesizer work came from veteran producer Richard Formby, known for his role in Spectrum. Domino released Microshift in February 2018.
Albums
Singles
