Buzzcocks

Buzzcocks were a British punk rock band formed in Bolton, England in 1976 by singer-songwriter-guitarist Pete Shelley and singer-songwriter Howard Devoto. They were one of the first punk or post-punk bands to break out into the mainstream, entering the UK Top 40 in February 1978 with their single What Do I Get?, with debut album Another Music in a Different Kitchen also reaching no.15 a month later.

Buzzcocks scored hits with songs such as Ever Fallen in Love (With Someone You Shouldn't've), Everybody's Happy Nowadays and Promises. Their debut Spiral Scratch EP, released in January 1977, had been an independent chart hit and when re-released due to popular demand after the group's mainstream success, reached no.31 in the UK charts.

The group released two more studio albums before splitting up in 1981. Shelley went on to pursue a solo career, although Buzzcocks reformed several times after 1989. In 2016, the band embarked on their 40th-anniversary tour, Buzzcocks 40.

Devoto left the band shortly before the release of Another Music in a Different Kitchen and went on to form Magazine. Shelley died from a heart attack on 06 December 2018.

Radio
Between 1977 and 1979 Buzzcocks recorded four BBC sessions for John Peel (see JP Wiki page) and two for David Jensen.

Top of the Pops

 * 27 April 1978 - I Don't Mind (new)
 * 06 July 1978 - Love You More (new)
 * 21 September 1978 - Ever Fallen In Love (With Someone You Shouldn’t’ve) (49)
 * 05 October 1978 - Ever Fallen In Love (With Someone You Shouldn’t’ve) (30) (rpt. 19 October)
 * 16 November 1978 - Promises (new), (rpt. 30 November 1978, 14 December 1978 )
 * 09 March 1979 - Everybody’s Happy Nowadays (44)
 * 22 March 1979 - Everybody’s Happy Nowadays (29)
 * 26 July 1979 - Harmony In My Head (35) (TOTP 800th edition, and Buzzcocks' last)

Other TV

 * October 1977 - So It Goes (Granada TV) - What Do I Get? (live, Electric Circus, August 1977)
 * December 1977 - So It Goes (Granada TV) - Orgasm Addict
 * 23 March 1978 - What's On (Granada TV) - unknown
 * 26 July 1978 - What's New (Granada) - Ever Fallen In Love...
 * 27 July 1978 - What's New Special "B'dum B'Dum" - Love You More, What Do I Get, I Can't Explain, I Don't Mind (also featured Magazine - see video here)
 * 29 July 1978 - Revolver (ATV) - Noise Annoys, Love You More (video here)
 * 14 November 1978 - The Old Grey Whistle Test (BBC2) - Sixteen Again, Nothing Left