The Duel: questions and answers
Female-fronted London punk since 2001
Who are The Duel?
The Duel are a female-fronted punk band from London, formed in 2001 by singer and songwriter Tara Rez and Andy Thierum. They have played CBGB in New York, Rebellion Festival every year from 2004 to 2017, and released 7 albums on their own DIY label, FFR UK.
Who is Tara Rez?
Tara Rez is a London punk singer, songwriter and radio presenter. She has fronted The Duel since 2001, runs the DIY label FFR UK (Full Frontal Recordings UK, founded 2001), and hosts the Club FFRUK punk, post-punk and electronic nights at Rooz Studios, London, with Segs Jennings of Ruts DC. Today she performs The Duel's songs solo, over live electronics.
What does The Duel sound like?
The Duel came out of the late-nineties and early-2000s rave and cyber scene colliding with '77 punk: fast, loud, female-fronted punk with electronic beats. A review of their 2023 Concorde 2 show placed Tara Rez in the punk avant-garde "along with artists like the Slits and Patti Smith" (Pól Ó Géibheannaigh).
How did The Duel start?
Tara Rez and Andy Thierum started writing songs together as Twisted Corporation in 1998. Out of Tara's Orion's Gate club nights in Brighton, which began in 2000, came OG1, named after Stargate SG1, which made one EP. They then became Duel, and, because a classical act already had that name, The Duel in 2001.
What albums have The Duel released?
Let's Finish What We Started (2007), Childish Behaviour (2009), All Aboard the Crazy Train (2011), Soundtrack to the End of the World (2012, new version 2022), Waging War (2016) and Let's Finally Finish What We Started (2020), all on FFR UK, plus the 2023 single Rule The World with Segs Jennings of Ruts DC. More unreleased recordings from the archive are still to come.
Where have The Duel played?
CBGB, New York (March 2006), Rebellion Festival in Blackpool every year from 2004 to 2017 and again in 2024, and gigs across the UK, USA, Germany, Holland, Ireland, Vienna, Venice and Amsterdam. Early gigs included supporting Utah Saints and the Dead Kennedys, and John Peel playlisted 'No Fury' on the BBC World Service.
Who have The Duel shared stages with?
UK Subs, Buzzcocks, Ruts DC, Spear of Destiny, Chelsea, Ari Up, Vice Squad, Sham 69, Peter Hook, Angelic Upstarts and The Vibrators, among others.
Are The Duel still playing?
Yes. Tara Rez carries The Duel on, playing live sets over electronics, including at Club FFRUK in London. See the Shows page for the next dates and tickets.
Where can I listen to The Duel?
On Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube, and on vinyl and CD from the Store.
How do I book The Duel or Tara Rez?
For gigs, festivals, radio and press, use the Contact page. The press kit is on the EPK page.
Is this The Duel film, book or game?
No. This is The Duel, the UK punk band fronted by Tara Rez. The films, the Chekhov novella and the video games of the same name are not connected.