Buzzcocks – “Video Documentary”
I know that folks who follow the types of music we cover have all different preferences, and that’s cool. I do, too, but I might have a more far reaching enjoyment of the different styles we cover as I do enjoy them all.
One type we cover is pop/punk and I’ve heard put downs of this music from some fans of the heavy hardcore, metal or more aggressive punk. For some people it’s just not for them. But for others they tend to lump it in with commercial pop or the very worse of popular punk music like say, Good Charlotte.
And some of that thought is not unwarranted. When a band starts sounding more pop than punk to me, I turn my ears away and set my nostril hairs on fire (just a nervous quirk of mine). So, anyway as I sweep up the soot with my moustache brush- I’d like to turn your attention to the Buzzcocks.
This is probably the band who invented pop/punk unless you want to give it to The Ramones and they invented punk and can’t win all the prizes. The Buzzcocks are one of the very early English punk bands coming just after The Sex Pistols, The Clash and The Damned and they became one of the most popular.
In fact there’s a British TV show that might still be aired called “Never Mind The Buzzcocks.”
But my point is, the Buzzcocks had very melodic, catchy songs and a slew of hits. But they always had the energy, bite, intelligence and snarl of punk music in them. If anyone said to me that all pop/punk was crap, after knocking them out cold, I’d revive them with smelling salts and point them in the direction of the songs by the Buzzcocks.
Oh, Look! I think I see some- right below.
“Times Up” is from their first EP while Howard DeVeto, later of the great band Magazine, was still with them. But I have no time left to comment on this song except to say that if you wonder what it felt like to be in a punk club in the late seventies, feel the energy of the last minute or so of this song.
“Fast Cars” has a two-note police siren lick that The Clash used also in their cover of “Police On My Back.” “I hate fast cars,” but I fuckin’ love this song. “They’re so depressing going ’round and ’round.” Probably my favorite song by them next to this-
“Well you tried it once found it all right for kicks. But now you found out it’s a habit that sticks…Now your mother wants to know what those stains on your jeans…You’re asking in an alley and your voice ain’t steady. Your a certain kind of drunk but you’re more than ready.” “Orgasm Addict” is from ’77, which might’ve been their first single. This tune has the rush and energy of primal lust and of early punk. And it always makes me cum in my pants every time I hear it. This song is a musical orgasm and makes my ears ejaculate!
“What Do I Get” “I just want a lover just like any other what do I get?” You get a perfect pop/punk song with emotion, yearning and guts. “I only want a friend who stays ’til the end what do I get?” How about explosive Who-like drums and energy-boosted guitars and vocals that match The Beatles. What do I get? “No love, no sleep at night, nothing at all.” That’s too bad but what we get is a song that can’t be topped by many.
“I Don’t Mind” including this pop/punk perfection.
“Love You More” “I’m in love again, been like this before. I’m in love again, this time true I’m sure.” I have no faith in that last statement but I have no doubt in proclaiming this a great song even “until the razor cuts.”
“Ever fallen in love with someone you shouldn’t have fallen in love with?” Perhaps the more apt question should be “ever fallen in love with someone you should?” Not as poetic, it seems, but this is a song that’s easy to fall in love with.
“Everybody’s Happy Nowadays” gets picked if only for its slashing rhythm guitar that comes colliding into the song like an runaway tornado. “Life’s an illusion, love is a dream, but it’s okay.” That may be okay but this song is real and great and true.
“Harmony In My Head” has an aggressive vocal that makes me feel like I slipped a Stranglers tune in here by mistake but the melodic chorus arises to quell all disturbances and restore harmony to all.
“I Believe”- “There is no love in this world anymore.” I believe that has as much chance happening as having no more hate in the world, an equal bargain. Anyway, I believe this is a great song and I believe in this tune.
What wasn’t commonly known at the time was the lead singer/songwriter, Pete Shelley, was gay. It wasn’t known until several years after that they were a band. It has been noted that his lyrics never refer to “she” or “he”, or “girl” or “boy”. Seems he had to be vague like that in those times. I’m glad we’ve made some strides since then.
I think these songs are really great and I feel so strongly about this band that if you truly feel an allegiance to punk and don’t like them then I think you’re missing some of the message of punk. I group them in with The Clash, meaning- impossible to over-estimate their influence or worth.
I think they were (and are, they’re still going) one of the best punk bands of all time. I think they are one of the best bands of all time.
But now, even though I have a harmony in my head…my time’s up.
(Slimedog)
