Buzzcocks
Buzzcocks more than anyone else, were responsible for wrenching the frenzied punk impulse into some sort of pop beauty. Making their debut with the infamous Spiral Scratch EP it was soon obvious that they had more to say than ‘ we are very angry’…. They managed to make the concept of boredom a luscious seduction, with the song of the same name, the group at that time included Howard Devoto who went on to poke similar ribs in Magazine.
The first album Another Music In A Different Kitchen wrapped three minute pop perfection around themes of desolation and alienation, a strange dichotomy that focused Pete Shelley’s awesome lyrical abilities. Only Manchester’s other favourite sons Joy Division could ever come as close to articulating the heady intensity of thwarted desire without slumping into complacent indulgence. Melody Maker, October 1987
Ten singles and three albums in 3 years. From I Don’t Mind onwards, Buzzcocks had a formula and they stuck to it knocking out pearls of perfect pop punk that all charted to varying degrees.
Spiral Scratch EP (New Hormones January 1977)
Classic, epic – a watershed moment. A self-produced self-released work of art that was a key influence to many whether to be in a band and/or release their own records.
Orgasm Addict / Whatever happened to (UA October1977 )
Almost ended up on the Spiral Scratch ep but didn’t get enough votes. This Shelley/Devoto composition with its provoking Linder Sterling sleeve and subject matter was never going to get airplay Only appearance on record of Garth on Bass. Fair play to UA for going with it.
What Do I Get / Oh Shit (UA January 1978)
The one with the one one twangy guitar solo
I Don’t Mind/ Autonomy (UA April 1978)
Pulled from the Another Music album 2 perfect slices of Buzzcocks. I Don’t Mind has always been my favourite with its kick off drum rolls, plaintive harmonies and fuzzed up pop.
Again the B Side Autonomy is just as impressive.
Love You More/ Noise Annoys (UA June 1978)
Asong from pre Buzzcocks circa 1975 “… I thought if we stopped it there, on “razor cuts”, it would work even better. It was also to subvert the cliché of the fade-out: DJs always used to talk over the fade-outs of records s… I thought it would be funny if they got caught out and were left with dead air.” Pete Shelley, Record Collector, 21.2019
Ever Fallen In Love / Just Lust (UA September 1978)
For some the Buzzcocks at the peak of their powers. A familiar rush of buzz guitars and drumming, overlaid with another guitar melody and Shelley’s plaintive love stricken vocals.
Promises/Lipstick (UA November 1978)
Originally featured lyric’s by Steve Diggle of a more political nature but were ‘mislaid’ and Shelley did what he did best.
The B Side may sound familiar. The riff and tune was also used by Devoto in Magazine for Shot By Both Sides.
Everybody’s Happy Nowadays (UA March 1979)
At the time this one divide the fans. Not sure if its was the highness of Shelley’s vocals at almost beyond soprano pitch!
Anyway, this use of a phrase from Huxley’s Brave New World book was a song declaiming if you’re sick of being pissed off then change your mindset!
Harmony In My Head/Somethings Gone Wrong Again
(UA July 1979)
Its no surprise that something had to give by the third album and this lead single was a Diggle sung surprise and delight to us all in its dialled up punkiness. In a 2006 interview with Pitchfork Media, Diggle revealed he had smoked 20 cigarettes to achieve the gruff sound of the vocals. Same vocal style for Mad Mad Judy on the album. The B side is criminally wasted – Something’s Gone Wrong Again – points a new direction and is a fantastic song.
You Say You Don’t Love Me / Raison D’Etre
(UA September 1979)
And we’re back to the
Buzzcocks – Another Music In A Different Kitchen
(UA March 1978)
Its an iconic cover but if Diggle and Maher hadn’t put their feet down that band photo on the fron would have seen a Linda Sterling Collage of a bowl of salad with eyes there instead 🙂
Buzzcocks – Love Bites (UA September 1978)
Buzzcocks – A Different Kind Of Tension
(UA August 1979)
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