Buzzcocks: The Complete History

Formed in Manchester, England, in 1976, Buzzcocks were one of the most influential punk bands of the first wave. Their music was characterized by its fast tempos, catchy melodies, and witty lyrics. They were also one of the first punk bands to sign to a major label, and their debut album, Spiral Scratch, was a critical and commercial success.

Buzzcocks - The Complete History

by Craig Duncan

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	9765 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	427 pages
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Paperback	:	64 pages
Item Weight	:	7.8 ounces
Dimensions	:	8.5 x 0.16 x 11 inches

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Buzzcocks were founded by Howard Devoto (vocals),Pete Shelley (guitar),Steve Diggle (guitar),and John Maher (drums). They were all fans of the New York Dolls and the Velvet Underground, and they wanted to create a similar kind of music that was both catchy and aggressive.

Buzzcocks quickly became one of the most popular bands on the Manchester punk scene. They played their first gig at the Lesser Free Trade Hall in Manchester in July 1976, and they soon began to attract a following. They released their first single, "Orgasm Addict," in 1977, and it was a minor hit. Their second single, "Shelley's Last Stand," was a bigger hit, and it helped to establish Buzzcocks as one of the leading bands of the punk movement.

In 1978, Buzzcocks released their debut album, Spiral Scratch. The album was a critical and commercial success, and it helped to establish Buzzcocks as one of the most important bands of the punk era. The album featured some of the band's most well-known songs, including "Boredom," "What Do I Get?," and "Ever Fallen in Love (With Someone You Shouldn't've)?".

After the release of Spiral Scratch, Buzzcocks began to tour extensively. They played shows throughout the UK and Europe, and they also toured the United States. The band's live shows were known for their energy and excitement, and they helped to build Buzzcocks' reputation as one of the most exciting live bands in the punk scene.

In 1979, Buzzcocks released their second album, A Different Kind of Tension. The album was a more experimental effort than Spiral Scratch, and it featured a wider range of musical styles. The album was not as commercially successful as Spiral Scratch, but it was still a critical success.

In 1980, Howard Devoto left Buzzcocks to form Magazine. Devoto was replaced by Shelley, who took over on vocals. The band also added Garth Smith on keyboards. With this new lineup, Buzzcocks released the album Love Bites in 1980. The album was a commercial success, and it helped to re-establish Buzzcocks as one of the most popular bands in the UK.

Buzzcocks continued to release albums throughout the 1980s, but they never achieved the same level of commercial success as they did with their early albums. The band's popularity waned in the 1990s, but they continued to tour and record.

In 2006, Buzzcocks released their first album in over a decade, Flat-Pack Philosophy. The album was a critical and commercial success, and it helped to revive interest in the band. Buzzcocks have continued to tour and record since then, and they remain one of the most respected bands in the punk rock genre.

Discography

• Spiral Scratch (1978)
• A Different Kind of Tension (1979)
• Love Bites (1980)
• Singles Going Steady (1981)
• Another Music in a Different Kitchen (1982)
• Trade Test Transmissions (1983)
• Product (1984)
• Buzzcocks (1989)
• Everybody's Happy Nowadays (1993)
• Time's Up (1996)
• Truth and Lies (2003)
• Modern (2006)
• Buzzcocks (2008)
• III (2014)
• All Set (2017)
• Flat-Pack Philosophy (2006)
• The Way (2011)
• Buzzcocks (2014)
• Sonics in the Soul (2018)
• The Buzzcocks (2022)

Members

• Pete Shelley (guitar, vocals)
• Steve Diggle (guitar, vocals)
• John Maher (drums)
• Howard Devoto (vocals)
• Garth Smith (keyboards)

Timeline

• 1976: Buzzcocks are formed in Manchester, England.
• 1977: Buzzcocks release their first single, "Orgasm Addict."
• 1978: Buzzcocks release their debut album, Spiral Scratch.
• 1979: Howard Devoto leaves Buzzcocks to form Magazine.
• 1980: Buzzcocks release the album Love Bites.
• 1981: Buzzcocks release the album Singles Going Steady.
• 1982: Buzzcocks release the album Another Music in a Different Kitchen.
• 1983: Buzzcocks release the album Trade Test Transmissions.
• 1984: Buzzcocks release the album Product.
• 1989: Buzzcocks release the album Buzzcocks.
• 1993: Buzzcocks release the album Everybody's Happy Nowadays.
• 1996: Buzzcocks release the album Time's Up.
• 2003: Buzzcocks release the album Truth and Lies.
• 2006: Buzzcocks release the album Modern.
• 2008: Buzzcocks release the album Buzzcocks.
• 2011: Buzzcocks release the album The Way.
• 2014: Buzzcocks release the album III.
• 2017: Buzzcocks release the album All Set.
• 2018: Buzzcocks release the album Sonics in the Soul.
• 2022: Buzzcocks release the album The Buzzcocks.

Legacy

Buzzcocks are one of the most influential punk bands of all time. Their music has been praised for its catchy melodies, witty lyrics, and energetic live performances. The band has been cited as an influence by many other punk bands, including the Sex Pistols, the Clash, and the Ramones.

Buzzcocks continue to tour and record today, and they remain one of the most respected bands in the punk rock genre. Their music has stood the test of time, and it continues to inspire new generations of fans.

Buzzcocks - The Complete History

by Craig Duncan

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	9765 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	427 pages
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Paperback	:	64 pages
Item Weight	:	7.8 ounces
Dimensions	:	8.5 x 0.16 x 11 inches

FREE