Two from the Buzzcocks

Note: This was originally published on May 25, 2000 shortly after the release of two Buzzcocks CDs, "Spiral Scratch" and "Time's Up."

For the past 25 years England’s Buzzcocks have toyed with, rewritten and loyally kept alive the three-minute pop-punk song. In that time, the group’s allegiance to loud guitars and catchy lyrics have earned them a large cult audience. The reissues of the Buzzcocks’ two earliest recordings, the “Sprial Scratch” EP (originally released as a 7-inch single) and the “Time’s Up” LP aren’t likely to win the group any new fans. However, for Buzzcocks devotees and punk rock connoisseurs alike, these CDs are essential nuggets of punk culture.

1976’s "Sprial Scratch,” the group’s very first release, finally gets its premiere official CD release (after appearing in bootlegged form throughout the years.) The record, a short, four-song blast of energy, unbridled enthusiasm and snotty vocals accurately represents the angst and excitement of the mid-‘70s punk scene in England. Taking cues from Johnny Rotten, vocalist Howard Devoto sounds like a tensed up schizo on “Breakdown.” Musically though, the Buzzcocks surpassed the Sex Pistols in sheer velocity and such tracks as “Boredom” blitz through initial sketches of what would become the group’s catchy verse/chorus framework.

MP3: Buzzcocks - "Boredom" (from "Spiral Scratch")

By the time of their first album, “Time’s Up,” the Buzzcocks had already written many of the songs they would become famous for including “Orgasm Addict” and “Love Battery.” However the group had yet to fully mature musically. Drummer John Maher’s clumsy time keeping is preserved on tape as is the group’s failure to gel as a whole. Still the charm of three chords, a distortion pedal and a ferocious singer is evident on “Friends of Mine,” which has all the anti-social trappings of a punk with a foot-high mohawk in the deep South.

MP3: Buzzcocks - "Orgasm Addict" (from "Time's Up")
Link: Buzzcocks discography at cduniverse.com

Singer Howard Devoto left the group after these two records were initially released and guitarist Pete Shelley took over vocal duties. This pivotal moment in the band's career sparked the beginning of a string of readily catchy singles (compiled exquisitely on “Singles Going Steady”) and the band’s explosive live shows.

By no means essential, “Sprial Scratch” and “Time’s Up” are curious punk artifacts worthy of picking up every now and then to reminisce about the birth of punk in England when bands such as The Sex Pistols, The Clash and the Buzzcocks themselves were unstoppable.

Link: Buzzcocks official site