From thrift-store myth to real stages
What you might hear and who shows up
The band formed in Nottingham in the late 90s, went silent for years, and returned after a lost CD-R of
D>E>A>T>H>M>E>T>A>L sparked an online hunt. On stage, they favor warm, hazy guitar pop with shoegaze grit and tender, slightly fragile vocals. Expect a set that folds early cult tracks with newer writing, likely including
D>E>A>T>H>M>E>T>A>L,
Kicking Cars, and
Stabilisers For Big Boys. Crowds tend to mix younger fans who found the music online with older indie listeners who chased UK shoegaze the first time around. You will see film cameras, well-worn band tees, and quiet focus during softer bridges rather than constant chatter. Another small fact: many early recordings leaned on drum machine patterns that now sit under a live drummer for more lift. A neat bit of lore: early rips ran a touch fast because the original CD-R used an odd sample rate, and those lo-fi artifacts became part of the myth. Details about the set and staging are inferred from recent dates and may shift night to night.
The Quiet Racket: Panchiko's Crowd in Focus
Soft-spoken, deeply invested
Little rituals in the room
The scene skews DIY and gentle, with thrifted cardigans, wide-leg denim, and handmade shirts nodding to the
D>E>A>T>H>M>E>T>A>L brackets. People tend to sway and nod rather than shove, and a surprising number sing the guitar lines during breaks. You will hear a low chorus on the hook of
Kicking Cars, and then a hush for the quieter mid-set ballads. Merch leans toward tapes, long sleeves, and simple designs referencing
Failed at Math(s) and the old CD-R lore. Fans often bring burned discs or zines to trade, and a few carry point-and-shoot film cameras for grainy snaps after the show. There is usually a short, sincere thank-you from the band, and people line up to share how they first stumbled on the music. It feels like a roomful of archivists and new converts comparing notes, not a scene chasing volume for its own sake.
Grainy Dreams, Clean Edges: Panchiko on Stage
Warm grit, tidy edges
Little choices that change the feel
Vocals sit light and breathy above a dense guitar bed, so the mix usually tucks the voice just enough to float without getting lost. Guitars lean on chorus and delay for shimmer, while the second guitar doubles simple hooks to keep the melodies clear. Live arrangements nudge tempos a shade faster than the records, which gives the dream-pop haze a bit more spine. The rhythm section often plays with a pick and tight kick patterns, letting the bass outline chords while drums keep the pulse steady rather than flashy. Keys and samples fill gaps with tape-warp textures, but they stay low enough that the guitars still carry the weight. A small but telling habit: intros sometimes arrive stripped and clean, then the fuzz blooms on the second verse, which makes the choruses hit harder. Another under-the-radar note: early uploads ran slightly sharp due to the source, so the current live pitch can sound a touch lower and more grounded.
Kindred Echoes for Panchiko Fans
If you like these, you will feel at home
Overlapping moods, different paths
Fans of
DIIV often cross over because both chase dreamy guitar lines with a steady, motorik pulse.
Slowdive fits too, as the live show leans on lush reverb and patient builds rather than fireworks. If you like the hushed, lo-fi edges of
Duster, the hazy textures and unhurried tempos will feel familiar.
Alex G shares the DIY spirit and a knack for odd, sticky melodies that land better live than you expect. For a softer, nocturnal vibe,
Cigarettes After Sex taps a similar grayscale mood, even if the beats sit slower. All of these artists draw crowds that listen closely, value texture, and welcome quiet passages without losing the room. That same patience is the throughline here, even when the guitars kick up grit.
