pretty cool! actually, quite better than what I expected...
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Formed in Manchester, England, in 1975, the Buzzcocks were one of the most influential bands to emerge in the initial wave of punk rock. Performing on the ANOTHER...BITES tour, the band will be performing their first two albums - Another Music In A Different Kitchen and Love Bites - in their entirety + other hits. With their crisp melodies, driving guitars, and guitarist Pete Shelley's biting lyrics, the Buzzcocks were one of the best, most influential punk bands. The Buzzcocks were inspired by the Sex Pistols' energy, yet they didn't copy the Pistols' angry political stance. Instead, they brought that intense, brilliant energy to the three-minute pop song. Shelley's alternately funny and anguished lyrics about adolescence and love were some of the best and smartest of his era; similarly, the Buzzcocks' melodies and hooks were concise and memorable. Over the years, their powerful punk-pop has proven enormously influential, with echoes of their music being apparent in everyone from Hüsker Dü to Nirvana.
The Buzzcocks certainly tested the limits of that artistic control with their debut single, "Orgasm Addict." Released in October of 1977, the single didn't become a hit because its subject matter was too explicit for BBC radio, but it generated good word of mouth. Following its release, Garth Smith was kicked out of the group and was replaced by Steve Garvey. The Buzzcocks' second single, "What Do I Get?," became their first charting single, scraping the bottom of the Top 40. In March, the band released its first album, Another Music in a Different Kitchen. In September of 1978 the Buzzcocks released their second full-length record, Love Bites. The rapid pace of the band's recording and performing schedules quickly had its effects on the group. Not only were the concerts and recordings wearing the band down, the members were consuming alcohol and drugs in high numbers. The Buzzcocks broke up in 1981. Immediately after the split, Shelley pursued a solo career that initially produced the hit single "Homosapien" but soon went dry. Steve Diggle formed Flag of Convenience with John Maher, who quit the band shortly after its formation. Steve Garvey moved to New York, where he played with Motivation for a few years. In 1989, the group re-formed and toured the United States. The following year, Maher left the band and former Smiths drummer Mike Joyce joined the band on tour. By 1990, the reunion had become permanent; after Joyce's brief tenure with the band, the final lineup of the reunited Buzzcocks featured Shelley, Diggle, bassist Tony Barber, and drummer Phil Barker. The new version of the band released its first album, Trade Test Transmissions, in 1993. After its release, the band toured frequently. In spring of 1996, the Buzzcocks released their fifth studio album, All Set. Modern followed three years later, and a self-titled record for Merge appeared in 2003. Flat-Pack Philosophy arrived in 2006 on the Cooking Vinyl label. An anniversary set simply called 30 was released in 2008 on Cooking Vinyl.
Rating: 4 out of 5by mak4 on 5/18/10Paradise Rock Club - Boston Rating: 5 out of 5 Buzzcocks were great !
by Grillome on 5/18/10Paradise Rock Club - BostonAwesome Gig ! Good energy on stage ! I recommend !
Rating: 5 out of 5 Buzzcocks killed the 'Dise!
by psychomom2 on 5/18/10Paradise Rock Club - BostonThe Buzzcocks totally rocked the Paradise last night! Non-stop, pounding, pure punk. Steve Diggle was having a blast! It was great seeing all the old punks (including my husband and me!) at the Paradise. I recognized a lot of faces from the old days of Spit and the Underground. If you have a chance to see the Buzzcocks you HAVE to go! Excellent show!
Rating: 5 out of 5 BuzzCocked
by JohnnyRockPark on 5/16/10Crazy Donkey Bar and Grill - FarmingdaleGreat Venue....first time there.....great audience,,,,,,LI KIds are still Alright....and best of all great gig....Steve and Pete and Co ...on the mark....and Dollyrots show poise and true talent....def a band to watch for.....all in all a superb nite out for this aging punk ! How did we get soooo old ! nothin like a good mosh to restore youth !
Rating: 5 out of 5by oldskoolpat on 5/16/10Trocadero - Philadelphia great show.. they played their entire first album in the first half hour.. how could you miss this.
Rating: 5 out of 5 Unstoppable Geezer Punk!
by Rickenmaxer on 5/15/10Trocadero - PhiladelphiaPutting on a high energy 2-hour-plus show revisiting their first indelible albums, the Buzzcocks ripped apart the Troc in Philly and made us remember why they (and we) were punks in the first place. Pounding, fast-pulsed rhythms fueled the alternatingly melodic and arch dual guitar work of Steve Diggle (love the Rickenbacker!) and Pete Shelley who looks like he should be the pub-loving uncle in a Hugh Grant movie somewhere, but still sounds the singularly distinctive voice that instantly earmarks the Buzzcock sound. After an hour, they were stronger if anything and by the end of the encore (Orgasm Addict, of course), Steve Diggle's act of throwing his Telecaster off-stage and bashing one mic stand with another were more exhaultative exhaustion than punkish posturing. So many highlights and too little space. The albums are desert island classics, and this performance was a memorable reminder of why, next to the Pistols, they architected the British punk scene to its heights.
Rating: 5 out of 5 BUZZCOCKS ROCK BEYOND PUNK
by JUSTJAMES on 5/15/10The Fillmore New York at Irving Plaza - New YorkOne of the best live bands I have had the priviledge to see So amazing that I am seeing them again in another venue....dont miss them or you will be sorry
Rating: 4 out of 5by jjordan370 on 5/15/10Trocadero - Philadelphia Amazing amount of energy for a bunch of old guys who look like they could be chartered accountants voting Conservative in the last UK election.
Rating: 4 out of 5 Legendary concert with Legendary punkers!
by nuwavegurl on 5/14/10The Fillmore New York at Irving Plaza - New YorkNice long set of classics and a few new gems from Pete and the guys. The opening band left a lot to be desired and over stayed their welcome on stage, but all was forgiven once the Buzzcocks came on. The drummer was amazing and so was the bassist. Both much younger than original band members. Overall, I enjoyed myself.
Rating: 5 out of 5 Buzzcocks Rocked!!!
by BrunoX on 5/14/10The Fillmore New York at Irving Plaza - New YorkBest show ever. Fourth time seeing the band. Sounded great.
Rating: 5 out of 5 outstanding
by punkinthecorner on 5/14/10The Fillmore New York at Irving Plaza - New Yorkripped through the first 2 lp's and many singles. ended with orgasm addict. very tight. the band was having as much fun as the fans
Rating: 5 out of 5 What Do I Get?
by Autonomy on 5/14/10The Fillmore New York at Irving Plaza - New YorkA great time! It's been 33 years since I heard the Buzzcocks on an imported 45 rpm vinyl record. This was my first experience seeing them perform live. Well worth the wait.
Rating: 5 out of 5 God Save the Buzzcocks
by haft2bfit on 5/14/10The Fillmore New York at Irving Plaza - New YorkThis was the 4th time I've seen the Buzzcocks and I wasn't sure how I felt about the fact that they were going to play their first two albums in their entirety, but it turned out to be a non-issue. The band was in perfect form from start to finish and they really seemed to be enjoying themselves as was the crowd. The musicianship was excellent from searing lead guitar to crushing drum solos. Diggle was bouncing around like usual, but became more and more energetic as the set wore on. The drummer (not sure of his name) was outstanding and the bass player did a fine job as well. We were just sad that they didn't play longer. Encores included Harmony in My Head, Promises, and Orgasm Addict.
Rating: 1 out of 5 Play something good!
by CiaoNY on 5/14/10The Fillmore New York at Irving Plaza - New YorkThey opened with "Boredom" which everyone loved, then went on to play a a slew of songs that no one seemed to be familiar with and weren't good at all. After the 3rd or 4th song, it became a talk-amongst-yourselves show. They lost the crowd almost immediately and never got us back. I've been listening to Singles Going Steady and A Different Kind of Tension forever and I can tell you I recognized 3 songs in the set. You don't go to see a band like Buzzcocks to hear new or obscure material. They're old. You're their partly for nostalgic purposes. Pete, play the hits and make the crowd happy. That's all you needed to do.