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Buzzcocks - The Complete History
BUZZCOCKS | THE COMPLETE HISTORY is the bible for fans of the legendary Manchester band who gave birth to the independent record movement and released some of the greatest punk records of all time.By distinctively combining sardonic wit, romanticism and timeless tunes, they produced such classics as 'Orgasm Addict', 'What Do I Get?' and 'Ever Fallen in Love?' Their split in 1981 only heightened their reputation as one of the brashest and most melodic bands ever, and the widespread acclaim that has greeted their reformation and subsequent new material has solidified their reputation as perhaps the most relevant punk band of today.THE COMPLETE HISTORY draws on years of research and numerous interviews with the band and associates, and contains meticulous detail of every gig, record release, rehearsal, recording session, bootleg and line-up, including an entire history of the band members' many and varied solo projects. In addition, a complete discography of Buzzcocks material, as well as photographs of every line up (including many previously unseen shots) complete the ultimate collectable for any fan.This revised and updated edition picks up where the last left off in 1995 and gives Buzzcocks fans a unique, in-depth and complete piece history of the British punk icons.
427 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 4, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
May 4, 2018
P.S. My edition is not the Kindle edition - Goodreads is missing the softcover edition from the UK.
My copy of “Spiral Scratch” from 1977 remains of my favorite records and the Buzzcocks have always been on my “must see” list when they periodically come through Detroit. Their music stands the test of time and “Singles Going Steady” is one of the most essential albums of any collection. “Buzzcocks: The Complete History” is a labor of love and covers the Buzzcocks throughout their 40-year history.
This narartive obviously tells the story of the Buzzcocks from their early beginnings and this revised version covers their recently concluded 40th year anniversary tour. But the book also serves as an encyclopedia listing every show, every release from all the band members and even providing a diary of their travels. Here I discover the cryptic note that their show in Detroit on September 8, 1979 is cancelled thereby preventing me from seeing them until 1989 in Los Angeles. No other details are provided and it’s left to me to ponder why we were deprived of the Buzzcocks in 1979.
The early punk history is always cool as the birth of the Buzzcocks as well as the previous history of the members all coalesce with considerable impetus from seeing the Sex Pistols. The early Buzzcocks quickly gain momentum and shrug off the departure of Howard Devoto after the Spiral Scratch EP. What follows is an uninterrupted streak of brilliance through multiple singles and three albums. This career comes to a grinding halt and only Pete Shelley manages commercial success as a post-Buzzcock. In most cases, the book would end here and there would be a short addendum that relates the story of a reunion that occurs many years later.
However, the Buzzcocks are not satisfied with just a reunion – they insist of writing and performing new songs and the next two sections of the book present this newer history. As much as the fans want to hear the Buzzcocks – record labels are not particularly interested in releasing new albums by bands that haven’t had a hit in thirty years. But the Buzzcocks persevere and Pete Shelley and Steve Diggle find themselves replacing members as the years go by and life starts taking different turns. The book ends but the story of the Buzzcocks still continues. They have released more music since their reunion than before and their live shows demonstrate that this band still gets it. Another fine addition to my punk rock library!
My copy of “Spiral Scratch” from 1977 remains of my favorite records and the Buzzcocks have always been on my “must see” list when they periodically come through Detroit. Their music stands the test of time and “Singles Going Steady” is one of the most essential albums of any collection. “Buzzcocks: The Complete History” is a labor of love and covers the Buzzcocks throughout their 40-year history.
This narartive obviously tells the story of the Buzzcocks from their early beginnings and this revised version covers their recently concluded 40th year anniversary tour. But the book also serves as an encyclopedia listing every show, every release from all the band members and even providing a diary of their travels. Here I discover the cryptic note that their show in Detroit on September 8, 1979 is cancelled thereby preventing me from seeing them until 1989 in Los Angeles. No other details are provided and it’s left to me to ponder why we were deprived of the Buzzcocks in 1979.
The early punk history is always cool as the birth of the Buzzcocks as well as the previous history of the members all coalesce with considerable impetus from seeing the Sex Pistols. The early Buzzcocks quickly gain momentum and shrug off the departure of Howard Devoto after the Spiral Scratch EP. What follows is an uninterrupted streak of brilliance through multiple singles and three albums. This career comes to a grinding halt and only Pete Shelley manages commercial success as a post-Buzzcock. In most cases, the book would end here and there would be a short addendum that relates the story of a reunion that occurs many years later.
However, the Buzzcocks are not satisfied with just a reunion – they insist of writing and performing new songs and the next two sections of the book present this newer history. As much as the fans want to hear the Buzzcocks – record labels are not particularly interested in releasing new albums by bands that haven’t had a hit in thirty years. But the Buzzcocks persevere and Pete Shelley and Steve Diggle find themselves replacing members as the years go by and life starts taking different turns. The book ends but the story of the Buzzcocks still continues. They have released more music since their reunion than before and their live shows demonstrate that this band still gets it. Another fine addition to my punk rock library!
June 15, 2017
An obsessive's list of everything that's known about that great punk group Buzzcocks, chronologically. Designed to appeal - highly successfully - to other obsessives such as myself. I was able to track, in detail, all 9 times I'd seen the band between 1977 and 2016, and revisit record reviews. Essential geeky history.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews