The Buzzcocks – 40 years going steady

Punk trailblazers Buzzcocks celebrate 40 years in Dolan’s this Wednesday. Limerick Post Newspaper looks at the band’s enduring legacy with Professor Eoin Devereux, University of Limerick

FORMED in 1976, Manchester’s Buzzcocks were at the forefront of punk delivering pop tunes with raw energy. Their album ‘Singles Going Steady’ was a compilation album released by IRS to introduce Buzzcocks to a US audience. The collection featured the band’s eight singles and B-sides compiled in chronological order. NME reviewed it, stating it was “the best album Buzzcocks never made.”

Buzzcocks play Dolan's Limerick November 2, 2016
Buzzcocks play Dolan’s Limerick November 2, 2016

The songs on this punk masterpiece are as vital today as they were in ’79.

‘Orgasm Addict’, ‘What Do I Get?’, ‘Love You More’, ‘Ever Fallen in Love (With Someone You Shouldn’t’ve)’, ‘Promises’ and ‘Harmony in My Head’ make up just some of the band’s current setlist.

Limerick Post talked to Professor Eoin Devereux of the Popular Music and Popular Culture Research Cluster in University of Limerick to talk about how  Buzzcocks rate among the legion of punk bands that emerged from the late ’70s.

“ With the Pistols and The Clash, Buzzcocks are in the Top Three of the most influential punk bands of all time. Their fast paced melodic punk and intelligent lyrics have lasted the test of time. Their decision to make their own record – the ‘Spiral Scratch’ EP – is heralded by so many other bands like Joy Division and The Fall as being one of the most influential factors in them deciding to make and record music themselves.  The two founding members of Buzzcocks (Howard Devoto and Pete Shelley) invited the Sex Pistols to play in Manchester and the rest, as they say, is punk history.”

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But did Buzzcocks make an impact beyond their own shores and here in Ireland?

“As their touring roster in the last few years demonstrates, the reach of Buzzcocks extends well beyond the UK and Europe.  The band  deservedly continue to have a significant following all over the world.   Their songs have appeared in major movies like Shrek as well as in media campaigns for McDonald’s.   The band’s distinctive artwork – designed by Linder Sterling and others – remains fresh and interesting.   I have seen Buzzcocks play in recent years and their music is as vibrant and as important as ever.  It is great to welcome them back to Limerick. They played upstairs in the old Savoy in a now legendary gig.”

The current lineup features founder and songwriter Pete Shelley on vocals/ guitar with long term guitarist/ songwriter Steve Diggle. They are joined by Chris Remington on bass and Danny Farrant on drums since the 2000s.

In 1981, the band split and reconvened in 1989. Since then Pete Shelley and Steve Diggle have toured, playing on one of Nirvana’s last-ever tours in 1994 and opening for Pearl Jam in 2003, and released six well-received studio albums, most recently 2015’s ‘The Way’.

Buzzcocks played The Savoy in Limerick in 1978 and many of their original fans and new ones will be along to celebrate 40 years of punk.

Dolan’s Warehouse on Wednesday November 2.

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