By: Izzie Tobin and Jasmine Nimis

The origin story of Panchiko sounds too good to be true, like the plot of a dramatic movie. A failed band breaks up, and their music is eventually forgotten. Years later, by pure chance, a damaged CD resurfaces in a thrift store and is uploaded online by a 4chan user. That discovery eventually brings the band back together, decades after they split. The idea that they would go from being forgotten to playing in front of us in Madison feels nearly impossible. Their story is a testament to the strength of internet music culture and authenticity. 

Panchiko gained a cult following after one of their old CDs was discovered in July 2016 at a thrift store in Nottingham, UK, decades after the band broke up. The CD had suffered from disc rot, giving the music a distorted and lo-fi sound. A 4chan user purchased the CD and uploaded it online, where listeners fell in love with the band’s sound and began searching for their identity. In 2020, fans successfully tracked down the band members, eventually leading to Panchiko’s reunion. They began practicing again, officially re-released their music, and eventually started performing live, gaining an even larger global following.

During their break, members Andy Wright (guitar, keyboard) and Owain Davies (lead vocals, guitar) worked in the music industry, producing music for other music groups and the gaming industry, respectively. Shaun Ferreday (bassist) sold his music gear and worked as a tree surgeon. John (drummer), whose last name has never been disclosed, enlisted in the military and did not rejoin the band. After reforming in 2020, Panchiko recruited guitarist Rob Harris and a drummer replacement, John Schofield.

I knew Panchiko had a strong enough fan base to pull four men out of their office jobs and regular lives and into the spotlight. I expected to see some real love at this show, I mean, this show was sold out. 

All of the members were so engaged with the audience. Shaun was right in front of us for most of the show. He kept making little finger hearts and waving at the crowd. The whole band was genuinely connected with the entire crowd. Jasmine said, “Imagine one of these guys is your dad,” at the beginning of the show, and I couldn’t see the band members as anything other than that. Humble. genuine guys who wanted to put on an amazing and heartfelt show for Madison. 

Their electronic sound sounded magical live. They were using a synthesizer with a really angelic tone that filled the whole room and sounded so deep and real. I’ve always loved live music, but hearing a synth live like that was a first for me. There was a moment during “Failed at Math(s)” where I kept trying to figure out what was coming from the synth and what was just part of the recording or layering. It blended so well that I couldn’t tell what was pre-recorded and what was being played live. 

I really wanted them to play “Sodium Chloride,” but they didn’t. Still, they played a good mix from across their albums, so it didn’t feel like anything was missing for long. Some highlights for me were “Ginkgo” and, of course, “D>E>A>T>H>M>E>T>A>L,” which still hits live in a really different way.

All starting with a damaged CD in a thrift store, the story of Panchiko is one I don’t think I’ll ever forget. Once nearly forgotten, Panchiko is now on tour performing live for sold-out crowds. It was a great performance, and one of those shows where the backstory and the music feel inseparable.