Allure was an emo/hardcore band from San Jose, California. For what seemed like the longest time, this band was an emo one hit-wonder, with their song "Little Engine" being a highlight of the legendary Eucalyptus 2x7" comp, punching above their weight with split mates Current, Julia, Indian Summer, Shroomunion etc... In true emo fashion, Allure came and went like a shooting star, being active for less than a year and only recording 4 songs "professionally" with Gravity's Matt Anderson. Unfortunately, in 90s D.I.Y punk style, the band destroyed the master tape from this session and the only surviving copy was a dubbed cassette that found by Numero Group's founder Ken Shipley. The mystery of this band has yet to be truly unraveled as they seem to have at least 2 other demo recordings floating around online. Thankfully Ken Shipley seems to have taken up the role as Allures official archivist and maybe we will see these recordings re-released in an official capacity at some point.
Despite their short stint and what seemed like a strong self-depreciation for their own music, Allure's sound encapsulated everything that made the early 90s emo-hardcore scene so special; feeling and atmosphere over technique, with every song bursting with energy, originality and raw sincerity. Allure is now back together and playing the Your Renaissance festival in California, perhaps now they will go back and re-record some of their material, to reach the promised heights the band never got to reach all those years back. Time will tell.
Demo 1994
Eucalyptus 2x7" Comp 1994 (Tree)
