The Tuss

The Tuss

The Tuss is an electronic music group supposedly consisting of Cornish musicians Brian and Karen Tregaskin, although there is speculation that these names are aliases for Aphex Twin. So far there has been an EP and an album released under the pseudonym on Rephlex Records.

Aphex Twin speculation

Continuous unconfirmed rumors are circulating that The Tuss is a pseudonym of Aphex Twin (who has been known to release records under many pseudonyms on Rephlex, see Richard D. James discography), or a collaboration featuring him. A newsletter from Warp Records comparing Confederation Trough's sound to that of an Analord release along with an article in The Guardian seemingly support the theory of The Tuss being an Aphex Twin-related project. The usage of a Yamaha GX1, an exceptionally rare and expensive (even at the time of release) analogue synthesizer also seems to suggest that Brian and/or Karen Tregaskin is Aphex Twin, as he is one of the few owners of such a synthesizer in the United Kingdom. The fact James played a track from Rushup Edge during live sets in Mayrhofen, Austria and Torino, Italy in 2005 and in Manchester, England in 2007 lends further credence to the theory, although he has also played tracks by Squarepusher, Cylob, and Luke Vibert live as well. James also played "Fredugolon 6" at Melt! Festival in Ferropolis, Germany.[1]

Rushup Edge press release excerpt

‘Rushup Edge’ is the debut album of new Rephlex artists, “The Tuss”, a dynamic duo discovered via intensive MySpace exploration by the A&R department. Apparently touted by Planet Mu, XL Recordings, Record Makers and Ninjatune all at the same time, they eventually decided to sign with Rephlex for reasons of principle. The label is very excited to find an act with this degree of promise and hope to be releasing even more work soon.

The Tuss’ official line seems inspired by the time FFRR signed Chicago house legend Lil Louis’ smash hit “French Kiss”, even though they had no information about him at all at the time! The Tuss offers little biographical info, preferring to concentrate on the musical merits, which they describe as ‘Braindance’. Rephlex don’t really mind too much but hope to acquire some photographic evidence soon – watch this space!

2 x IC1 White - North European
D.O.B’s: 18/03/1980 & 13/08/1976
Location: Cornwall, UK
Recorded using: castrated dog scrotums
Interests: none

Occupation: Tuss

• source

Update on group members

As of May 2nd 2008, The Tuss MySpace page lists band members as the following: Tomoroh Hidari, Contagious Orgasm, O.S.T., Dalglish, Wisp, Lich, Fluorescent Grey, Kush Arora, Brian English, Kossak, Wobbly, Runzelstirn & Gurgelstock, Farmers Manual, Sote, Anon Day, Nommo Ogo, Laurie A.K., Scuzi, and Gl0tch. This has not yet been officially confirmed. The Brian Tregaskin myspace page in question was created by Robbie Martin from Record Label Records (which is currently the display name of the myspace page in question) and records under the name Fluorescent Grey. The other names mentioned are also acts that have released records on Martin's label. Wisp (Reid Dunn) has an album due to be released in the summer 2008 on Rephlex Records. There is a genuine Tuss myspace page but it is not widely known which page it is, out of a dozen or so hoax pages that were created around the time of the release of Rushup Edge.

Discography

• Confederation Trough EP (CD, 12") (2007)
• Rushup Edge (CD, 3x12" vinyl) (2007)

References

• [2]

External links

• Grant Wilson-Claridge interview about The Tuss[3]
• Full transcript of interview with Grant Wilson-Claridge
• The official Tuss MySpace page?