Editing Buzzcocks (section)

== Career ==
=== Early years ===
[[Howard Trafford]], a student at [[University of Bolton|Bolton Institute of Technology]] who had been involved in electronic music, placed a notice in the college looking for musicians to play [[The Velvet Underground]]'s song "[[Sister Ray]]".<ref name="urbis" /><ref>{{cite web |url=http://pitchfork.com/features/interviews/7583-buzzcocks/ |title=Pitchfork: Buzzcocks interview |date=29 January 2009 |publisher=Pitchfork Media |access-date=15 April 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090313020230/http://pitchfork.com/features/interviews/7583-buzzcocks/ |archive-date=13 March 2009  }}</ref> Fellow student [[Peter McNeish]], who had played in a rock band called Jets of Air, responded to the notice.<ref name="urbis">{{cite web |author=Aidan O'Rourke |url=http://www.aidan.co.uk/article_urbis_buzzcocks.htm |title=Event Review: An Evening with Buzzcocks |date=12 August 2005 |publisher=Urbis Manchester |access-date=22 August 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051031010125/http://www.aidan.co.uk/article_urbis_buzzcocks.htm |archive-date=31 October 2005 }}</ref><ref name=":13"/>

By late 1975, Trafford and McNeish had recruited a drummer and formed an early version of what would become Buzzcocks. The band formed in February 1976; McNeish assumed the stage name Pete Shelley and Trafford named himself Howard Devoto.<ref>Some sources claim the surname came from a "bus driver in Cambridge" mentioned by a philosophy tutor at Bolton (e.g. Dave Wilson, 2004, ''Rock Formations: Categorical Answers to how Band Names Were Formed'', San Jose:, Cidermill Books, pp. 38–9). Other accounts link it to US novelist [[Bernard DeVoto]]. (See, for example, Adrian Room, 2010, ''Dictionary of Pseudonyms: 13,000 Assumed Names and Their Origins, 5th ed.'', Jefferson, North Carolina/London, McFarland & Company, pp. 38, 144.)</ref>

Devoto and Shelley chose the name "Buzzcocks" after reading the headline "It's the Buzz, Cock!" in a review of the television series ''[[Rock Follies]]'' in ''[[Time Out (company)|Time Out]]'' magazine.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Nicholds |first1=Andrew |title="It's The Buzz, Cock!" |journal=Time Out |date=1976 |issue=310, 20-26 February 1976 |page=11}}</ref> The "buzz" is the excitement of playing on stage and "cock" is northern English slang meaning "friend". They thought the name captured the excitement of the nascent punk scene and had humorous sexual connotations following Pete Shelley's time working in a Bolton adult shop.<ref name="Gimarc">{{cite book |last=Gimarc |first=George |year=2005 |title=Punk Diary: The Ultimate Trainspotter's Guide to Underground Rock 1970–1982 |publisher=Backbeat Books |isbn=0-87930-848-6 |page=27}}</ref>

Buzzcocks performed live for the first time on 1 April 1976 at their college. [[Garth Davies]] played bass guitar and Mick Singleton, who also played in local band Black Cat Bone, played drums.<ref name="buzzcocksdiscography">{{cite web |title=Discography |url=http://www.buzzcocks.com/buzzcocksdiscography.txt |website=Buzzcocks.com |format=TXT |date=24 February 2004 |access-date=22 August 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090905082535/http://www.buzzcocks.com/buzzcocksdiscography.txt |archive-date=5 September 2009 }}</ref>

After reading an ''[[NME]]'' review of [[The Sex Pistols]]' first performance, in February 1976, Shelley and Devoto travelled to [[High Wycombe]] together to see the band.<ref name=":13">{{cite book |last1=Crampton |first1=Luke |title=The Q Book of Punk Legends |last2=Rees |first2=Dafydd |publisher=Guinness Publishing Ltd |year=1996 |location=Enfield, UK |pages=32–37}}</ref> Shelley and Devoto were impressed by the show and arranged for The Sex Pistols to perform at the [[Free Trade Hall|Lesser Free Trade Hall]] in Manchester in June 1976. Buzzcocks intended to play at this concert but the other musicians dropped out, and Shelley and Devoto were unable to recruit replacements in time for the gig. Once they had recruited bass guitarist [[Steve Diggle]] and drummer [[John Maher (Buzzcocks drummer)|John Maher]], Buzzcocks made their debut opening for The Sex Pistols' second Manchester concert on 20 July 1976 at the same venue.<ref name=":13"/> A brief clip of Devoto-era Buzzcocks performing [[the Troggs]]' "[[I Can't Control Myself]]" appears in the documentary ''Punk: Attitude'', which was directed by [[Don Letts]]. Buzzcocks made their London debut at [[The Screen on the Green]] in support of  The Clash and The Sex Pistols, while the next month they played the two-day [[100 Club Punk Festival]], which was organised by [[Malcolm McLaren]], and would later replace [[The Damned (band)|the Damned]] on the Anarchy in the UK Tour.<ref name=":13"/><ref>{{Cite news |last=Welch |first=Jon |date=2016-12-03 |title=Sex Pistols: Anarchy in the UK and the tour they tried to ban |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-norfolk-38165091 |access-date=2023-09-17}}</ref>

In between these live performances, Buzzcocks began developing their own material and recorded an 11-track demo at Stockport Studios which was eventually released in 1991.<ref name=":13" /> By the end of the year, Buzzcocks had recorded and released a four-track [[Extended play|EP]] called ''[[Spiral Scratch]]'', which they released on their own label New Hormones, making them one of the first punk groups to establish an [[independent record label]].<ref name=":0" /> The EP was produced by [[Martin Hannett]] at Indigo Sound Studios; the music was roughly recorded, insistently repetitive and energetic.<ref>{{Citation |last=Ogg |first=Alex |title=Buzzcocks - Spiral Scratch Album Review |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/spiral-scratch-mw0000605723 |access-date=2023-09-18 |language=en}}</ref> The EP was re-released in September 1979 and reached number 31 in the charts.<ref name=":13" />

In March 1977, Devoto announced his departure from the band, expressing his dissatisfaction at the direction punk was taking in his statement: "I don't like movements. What was once unhealthily fresh is now a clean old hat".<ref>{{Cite web |date=2008-12-12 |title=Howard Devoto on why it's the right time for a Magazine reunion |url=http://www.theguardian.com/music/2008/dec/12/magazine-howard-devoto |access-date=2022-06-23 |website=the Guardian |language=en}}</ref> He returned to college for a year then formed a band called [[Magazine (band)|Magazine]]. Pete Shelley took on the vocal duties for Buzzcocks and moved away from social commentary to adolescent themes.<ref name=":0" /> Steve Diggle switched from bass to guitar, and Garth Davies—also known as Garth Smith—rejoined Buzzcocks to play bass. The band joined The Clash as support on their White Riot tour.<ref name=":13" />

=== Mainstream success ===
The new line-up signed with [[United Artists Records]] (UA) at [[Electric Circus, Manchester]], on 16 August 1977, the day [[Elvis Presley]] died. The first UA Buzzcocks single "[[Orgasm Addict]]" was released in October 1977;<ref name=":13" /> It was the start of a collaboration with producer [[Martin Rushent]] that would last until the end of the decade.<ref name=":0" /> The band embarked on a headlining tour, during which Smith was found to be unreliable and was replaced with [[Steve Garvey (musician)|Steve Garvey]].<ref name=":13" />

Buzzcocks' next single "[[What Do I Get?]]", which was released in February 1978, reached number 37 in the UK chart.<ref name="officialcharts">{{cite web |url = https://www.officialcharts.com/artists/ |title = The Official Charts Company – Buzzcocks |publisher   = [[Official Charts Company]] |access-date  = 31 July 2009 |df = dmy-all}}</ref> It was followed the next month by their debut album ''[[Another Music in a Different Kitchen]]'', which reached number 15 in the chart.<ref name=":13" /> In May, the band embarked on the Entertaining Friends tour while a third single "I Don't Mind" reached number 55 in the singles chart. In July, a fourth single "Love You More" reached number 34.<ref name=":13" /> The band spent mid 1978 recording their second album ''[[Love Bites (Buzzcocks album)|Love Bites]]'', which reached number 13 in the chart. After a 26-date UK tour, Buzzcocks gained success as their single "[[Ever Fallen in Love (With Someone You Shouldn't've)]]" reached number 12 in the UK chart in October 1978.<ref name=":13" /> In December, the band released the single "Promises", which reached number 20 in the UK chart.<ref name=":13" /> The single's B-side "Lipstick" shared the same ascending progression of notes in its chorus as [[Magazine (band)|Magazine's]] first single "Shot By Both Sides", which was released earlier that year.<ref name=":0" />

In 1979, Buzzcocks prepared for their first European tour while working on new material. In March, the band released the single "Everybody's Happy Nowadays", which reached number 29 in the chart. The tour that followed culminated at [[Hammersmith Odeon]]; the concert was recorded and released in 1992 as ''Entertaining Friends''.<ref name=":13" /> in mid 1979, the band completed the recording of their third album while a second single "Harmony in my Head" reached number 32 in August. Prior to their first venture to the US, [[I.R.S. Records]] released the band's singles compilation ''[[Singles Going Steady]]'' there.<ref name=":1">{{Cite book |last=Coleman |first=Mark |title=The Rolling Stone album guide: completely new reviews, every essential album, every essential artist |publisher=Virgin |year=1992 |isbn=978-0-86369-643-5 |editor-last=DeCurtis |editor-first=Anthony |edition=3rd |location=London |pages=100–1001 |editor-last2=Henke |editor-first2=James |editor-last3=George-Warren |editor-first3=Holly}}</ref>

The band's third album ''[[A Different Kind of Tension]]'' was released the end of September 1979 and reached number 26 in the chart while the band completed a second UK tour.<ref name=":13" /> The album's single "You Say You Don't Love Me" failed to chart.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Buzzcocks You Say You Don't Love Me. Vintage Advert 1979 (ref AD14086) |url=https://www.thenostalgiashop.co.uk/products/buzzcocks-you-say-you-dont-love-me-vintage-advert-1979-ref-ad14086 |access-date=2023-09-18 |website=The Nostalgia Shop |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last1=Shelley |first1=Pete |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ozD9DwAAQBAJ&dq=Buzzcocks+you+say+you+don't+love+me+1979&pg=PT228 |title=Ever Fallen in Love: The Lost Buzzcocks Tapes |last2=Shelley |first2=Louie |date=2021-06-10 |publisher=Octopus |isbn=978-1-78840-289-7 |pages=225 |language=en}}</ref> A period of inactivity lasted until September 1980 when the [[double-A side]] "Why She's A Girl From The Chainstore/Are Everything" was released. It reached number 61 and was the band's last charting single.<ref name=":13" /> Two further singles "Strange Thing" and "Running Free" failed to chart while the band embarked on a truncated UK tour.<ref name=":13" /><ref>{{Cite book |last=Savage |first=Jon |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xNbgOXwwWhQC&dq=buzzcocks+strange+thing+1980&pg=PT435 |title=England's Dreaming |date=2011-02-17 |publisher=Faber & Faber |isbn=978-0-571-26119-2 |pages=435 |language=en}}</ref>

=== Break-up and reunion ===

After recording demos for a fourth album, Buzzcocks disbanded in 1981; Shelley took up a solo career, and Diggle and Maher formed [[Flag of Convenience (band)|Flag of Convenience]] and released several singles between 1982 and 1989.<ref name=":13" /> Garvey formed [[Motivation (band)|Motivation]] and joined [[Blue Orchids]], moving to New York shortly afterwards to continue with Motivation. Maher had joined [[Wah!]] by the time Buzzcocks broke up; as of 2012, he owned John Maher Racing, a vintage Volkswagen performance-tuning workshop on the [[Isle of Harris]], Scotland.<ref>{{cite web |title=John Maher Racing |url=http://www.johnmaherracing.co.uk/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120430102003/http://www.johnmaherracing.co.uk/ |archive-date=30 April 2012 |access-date=12 November 2023}}</ref>

Between 1988 and 1989, EMI re-released much of Buzzcocks' back catalogue on Compact Disc (CD), as well as a [[Peel Sessions]] album and a box set called ''Product''.<ref name=":13" /> This prompted the band to reform with the original line-up for a world tour. Maher was briefly replaced with [[The Smiths]] drummer [[Mike Joyce (musician)|Mike Joyce]]. In 1991, Buzzcocks released new material on the four-track EP ''Alive Tonight''.<ref name=":13" /> In the US, interest in the band increased after I.R.S. Records released the compilation album ''[[Operator's Manual: Buzzcocks Best]]''.<ref name=":1" /> It was followed two years later by the fourth studio album ''[[Trade Test Transmissions]]''.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Stegall |first=Tim |date=March 1996 |title=Reviews |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5ywEAAAAMBAJ&q=buzzcocks+%22trade+test+transmissions%22+review&pg=RA1-PA34 |journal=[[CMJ|CMJ New Music Monthly]] |page=34 |accessdate=1 January 2015}}</ref>

In 1992, bassist [[Tony Barber (bassist)|Tony Barber]] and drummer Phil Barker joined Buzzcocks; this line-up toured with [[Nirvana (band)|Nirvana]] in 1994, one of Nirvana's last tours.<ref name=":2" /> In 1996, Buzzcocks released the live album ''French'', which was recorded in Paris the previous year.<ref name=":0" /> Also in 1996, the band's fifth studio album ''[[All Set]]'' was released. Buzzcocks continued to tour and in September 1999, they released the album ''Modern''.<ref>{{Citation |last=Erlewine |first=Stephen Thomas |title=Buzzcocks - Modern Album Review |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/modern-mw0000247542 |work=allmusic.com |access-date=2023-09-24 |language=en}}</ref>

In 2000, [[Mute Records]] released the 1976 demos that were recorded while Devoto was in the band as ''Time's Up'', which had long been available as a bootleg. This album includes alternative takes of all the tracks from the EP ''Spiral Scratch'' and early versions of tracks that later appeared on ''Another Music in a Different Kitchen''.<ref>{{Citation |last=Deming |first=Mark |title=Buzzcocks - Time's Up Album Review |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/times-up-mw0000057355 |work=Allmusic.com |access-date=2023-09-18 |language=en}}</ref>

===21st century===
[[File:Buzzcocks in Porto Alegre, Brasil.jpg|thumb|Buzzcocks performing in [[Porto Alegre]], Brazil, 2006]]

in 2002, Shelley and Devoto collaborated for the first time since 1976, producing the album ''[[Buzzkunst]]'', ''Kunst'' being the German word for 'Art'. The album is a mix of electronic music and punk.<ref name=":2">{{Cite book |last=Bryans |first=Chris |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=y2-CMAEACAAJ |title=Rock Chronicles: A Visual History of the Greatest 250 Rock Acts |publisher=Quintessence |year=2012 |isbn=978-1-84566-498-5 |editor-last=Roberts |editor-first=David |edition=1st |location=London |pages=90–91 |language=en |chapter=Buzzcocks}}</ref> Buzzcocks toured as support for [[Pearl Jam]] in 2003 and released their seventh, self-titled studio album.<ref>{{Citation |last=Demming |first=Marc |title=Buzzcocks - Buzzcocks Album Review |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/buzzcocks-mw0000593646 |work=allmusic.com |access-date=2023-09-24 |language=en}}</ref>

In 2005, as a tribute to [[BBC Radio 1]] disc jockey [[John Peel]], Shelley re-recorded "[[Ever Fallen in Love (With Someone You Shouldn't've)]]" with a group including [[Roger Daltrey]], [[David Gilmour]], [[Peter Hook]], [[Elton John]], [[Robert Plant]] and several contemporaneous bands. Proceeds from the single were donated to [[Amnesty International]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/arts/news/story/0,11711,1577076,00.html|title=Music legends unite for Peel tribute single|work=guardian.co.uk|date=23 September 2005|last1=Dickson|first1=Andrew|last2=agencies|location=London|publisher=Guardian News and Media}}</ref> Shelley also performed the song live with Plant, Daltrey, Gilmour, Hook and [[Jeff Beck]] at the 2005 [[UK Music Hall of Fame]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Andrew |first1=Dickson |title=Music legends unite for Peel tribute single |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2005/sep/23/johnpeel.popandrock |access-date=14 March 2021 |work=The Guardian |date=23 September 2005 |language=en}}</ref>

In April 2006, Barker left Buzzcocks and was replaced with [[Danny Farrant]]. In March 2006, the band released their eighth studio album ''[[Flat-Pack Philosophy]]'' on [[Cooking Vinyl Records]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Raposa |first=David |date=14 March 2006 |title=Buzzcocks: Flat-Pack Philosophy |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/1053-flat-pack-philosophy/ |access-date=2023-09-24 |website=Pitchfork |language=en-US}}</ref> On the supporting tour, Buzzcocks played on a leg of the mid-2006 [[Vans Warped Tour]] and made an appearance at [[Maxïmo Park]]'s homecoming gig in [[Newcastle upon Tyne]] on 15 December 2007. In April 2008, Barber left the band and was replaced with Chris Remington.

[[File:W0809-Hellfest2013 Buzzcocks 71306.JPG|thumb|Left to right: [[Steve Diggle]], [[Pete Shelley]], [[Danny Farrant]] and Chris Remington, performing live at [[:fr:Hellfest#Édition 2013|Hellfest 2013]].]]

In January 2009, Buzzcocks embarked on a UK and European tour, the "Another Bites Tour", in which they played their first two albums in full, as well as an encore of their other hits.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.buzzcocks.com/site/livedates.html |title=Live Dates |website=Buzzcocks.com |access-date=1 July 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708110139/http://www.buzzcocks.com/site/livedates.html |archive-date=8 July 2011 }}</ref>

In the same year, Buzzcocks played in Serbia for the second time at the EXIT festival in [[Novi Sad]]. Their song "Why Can't I Touch It" was played in the second episode of the sixth season of the television series ''[[Entourage (U.S. TV series)|Entourage]]''. On 9 November 2009, Buzzcocks gave a performance on a small balcony overlooking Dame Street, Dublin, for the viral music show [[BalconyTV]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.balconytv.com/v/buzzcocks--2 |title=BUZZCOCKS – Video Archive – BALCONYTV – Over 20 million video views – Music with a View |website=Balconytv.com |access-date=1 July 2011 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101028023558/http://www.balconytv.com/v/buzzcocks--2 |archive-date=28 October 2010  }}</ref>

In December 2009, the band played as the main support act for [[The Courteeners]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Stokes |first=Paul |date=2009-09-02 |title=The Courteeners announce massive Manchester homecoming gig |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/the-courteeners-86-1313542 |access-date=2023-09-24 |website=NME |language=en-GB}}</ref> In August 2011, they headlined the first night of The Rhythm Festival in [[Bedfordshire]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Buzzcocks – The Vogue |url=https://thevogue.com/artists/buzzcocks/ |access-date=2025-02-03 |language=en}}</ref> 

On 25 May 2012 in Manchester at the [[O2 Apollo]] and on 26 May in Brixton at the [[O2 Academy]], Buzzcocks performed with the original line-up, including Devoto.<ref name=":2" /> On 26 May 2012, the band announced for the first time they would headline Thursday night at [[Empress Ballroom]] at Rebellion Festival in Blackpool, performing with [[Rancid (band)|Rancid]], [[Public Image Limited]] and [[Social Distortion]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ents24.com/web/news/Buzzcocks_are_back_00178165.html|title=Announcement of Back To Front tour|website=Ents24.com|access-date=29 November 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111203040129/http://www.ents24.com/web/news/Buzzcocks_are_back_00178165.html|archive-date=3 December 2011}}</ref>

On 1 May 2014, Buzzcocks released the album ''[[The Way (Buzzcocks album)|The Way]]'' via [[PledgeMusic]]. On 13 September 2014, they played "a brief but triumphant set" at [[Riot Fest]] in Chicago, Illinois, US.<ref name="McGartland">{{cite book| first=Tony| last= McGartland| title= Buzzcocks: The Complete History| chapter= 1997–2017| chapter-url= https://books.google.com/books?id=LKGpDgAAQBAJ&q=%22Buzzcocks+played+a+brief+but+triumphant+set%22&pg=PT189
| publisher= John Blake Publishing Ltd.| date=25 May 2017| isbn= 978-1-78606-520-9 }}</ref> In October 2014, they toured the UK for three weeks with [[The Dollyrots]] as main support.{{cn|date=November 2023}} 

In 2016, the band embarked on their 40th-anniversary tour "Buzzcocks 40".{{cn|date=November 2023}}  In 2017, "Why Can't I Touch It" was featured in the opening segment of the [[Telltale Games|Telltale]] game '''[[Guardians of the Galaxy: The Telltale Series|Guardians of the Galaxy]]''.{{cn|date=November 2023}}

=== Shelley's death and aftermath ===
Pete Shelley died on 6 December 2018 from a suspected heart attack at his home in [[Tallinn]], Estonia.<ref name=bbc_shelley>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-46476369|title=Buzzcocks singer Pete Shelley dies at 63|date=6 December 2018|access-date=6 December 2018|website=Bbc.com}}</ref>

In June 2019, Buzzcocks performed with several guest vocalists as a tribute to Shelley. The concert had been planned before his death.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/live/buzzcocks-at-royal-albert-hall-a-holy-celebration-of-music-memories-and-pete-shelley|title=Buzzcocks at Royal Albert Hall: a holy celebration of music, memories and Pete Shelley|last=McMahon|first=James|website=NME|date=22 June 2019|language=en-US|access-date=2019-09-21}}</ref> Steve Diggle said that Buzzcocks would continue, with the post-Shelley Buzzcocks being a 'new era'.<ref name=peekaboo>{{Cite web|url=http://www.peek-a-boo-magazine.be/en/interviews/steve-diggle-buzzcocks-2019/|title=STEVE DIGGLE (BUZZCOCKS) - interview by Peek-A-Boo magazine|website=www.peek-a-boo-magazine.be|language=en|access-date=2019-09-21}}</ref> ''[[Sonics in the Soul]]'', the band's first album without Shelley, was released in September 2022.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.clashmusic.com/news/buzzcocks-announce-new-album-sonics-in-the-soul/|title=Buzzcocks Announce New Album 'Sonics In The Soul'|work=Clash|date=31 May 2022|access-date=20 July 2022}}</ref> It featured Diggle on all vocals, and included a tribute to Shelley in the form of the track "You've Changed Everything Now".