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Puressence: Dingwalls, London

Robin Bresnark, Melody Maker, 20 June 1998

STAR DATE 2048. The Devolved People's Republic of Failsworth launches the first charter flights to the moon, a civilian enterprise inspired by local heroes Puressence's endeavours 50 years previously in a stuffy London basement. Video footage of that night flashes down on the assembled masses from 100-foot screens, like God passing down a new 10 Commandments to countless wide-eyed northern Moseses. The sky crackles with electricity, the ground rumbles in passionate surrender and, as the rocket begins to rise, a soaring 'Sharpen Up Your Knives' bears down on the breathless crowd, who all direct their unblinking gaze away from the miracle before them and up towards the miracle playing on the screens.

Total word count of piece: 362

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