Dif Juz

Dif Juz
Company type	Group or band
Industry	Music
Founded	1980 in London, England
Defunct	1986
Headquarters	London, England
Products	Studio albums, EPs, compilation albums

Dif Juz was an instrumental post-punk group from England, established in London in 1980 and active until 1986. The lineup featured Dave Curtis on guitar, Alan Curtis also on guitar, Gary Bromley handling bass duties, and Richard Thomas playing percussion and saxophone.

Background

Dif Juz originated from the punk ensemble London Pride, which was formed by the Curtis brothers. In late 1979, Alan Curtis briefly joined the new wave outfit Duran Duran but departed suddenly due to management shifts involving nightclub proprietors. Upon his return to London, he reunited with his brother Dave and Richard Thomas, with Gary Bromley completing the formation. Their sound was shaped by diverse influences: Dave’s classical guitar background, Alan’s inventive self-taught playing, Thomas’s expertise with wind instruments and production, and Bromley’s bass style influenced by West London and Jamaican music traditions—resulting in a richly textured, atmospheric sound characterized by strong basslines and rhythmic drive.

The band’s name reportedly emerged spontaneously without any particular significance.

Under the 4AD label, their demo attracted attention and received airplay from John Peel. Dif Juz played extensively throughout London in 1981, including key performances at the Moonlight Club and Ealing Town Hall. Their first album for 4AD, Extractions (1985), peaked at No. 11 on the UK Indie Chart.

Dif Juz forged close connections with labelmates Cocteau Twins, leading to frequent collaborations. Robin Guthrie of Cocteau Twins produced multiple Dif Juz tracks; vocalist Elizabeth Fraser lent her voice to "Love Insane" on Extractions. In return, Richard Thomas contributed saxophone and tabla parts to Cocteau Twins’ 1986 release Victorialand. The two bands occasionally toured and performed together.

While predominantly instrumental, Dif Juz sometimes featured North London singer Hollis Chambers. They also acted as a backing band for reggae and dub legend Lee Scratch Perry during several live shows. A studio album from this partnership—produced by Robin Guthrie—remains unreleased within the 4AD vaults.

Present

Although Dif Juz never formally disbanded, health challenges limited Dave Curtis’s and Bromley’s ability to continue fully, leading to a gradual winding down of activities. Bassist Scott Rodger contributed to recordings on Out of The Trees and subsequent tours but the band’s momentum declined. The final phase occurred when Richard Thomas took on touring drummer duties for The Jesus and Mary Chain.

Thomas has also worked with Butterfly Child, Moose, Felt, Cocteau Twins, The Wolfgang Press, and April March. In 2017, he joined forces with Simon Raymonde (formerly of Cocteau Twins) in Lost Horizons, releasing music through Bella Union. Bromley now lives in Louisville, Kentucky, where he hosts a weekly radio program titled Outernational with Sir Basil Bromley on ARTxFM and continues issuing solo projects. He remains a prominent figure in Louisville’s dub and reggae community and frequently performs alongside The Children. Dave Curtis collaborated with The Wolfgang Press, This Mortal Coil, and Tranquil Trucking Company.

Discography

Studio albums

Time Clock Turn Back (1983)
Who Says So? (1983)
Extractions (1985)

EPs

Huremics (1981)
Vibrating Air (1981)

Compilation albums

Out of the Trees (1986)
Soundpool (1999)

External links