THE BUZZCOCKS, JOHN PEEL SESSION 1977

Buzzcocks are an English punk rock band that singer-songwriter-guitarist Pete Shelley and singer-songwriter Howard Devoto formed in Manchester in 1976.[5] During their career, the band combined elements of punk rock, power pop,[6] and pop punk.[7] They achieved commercial success with singles that fuse pop craftsmanship with rapid-fire punk energy; these singles were later collected on Singles Going Steady, an acclaimed compilation album music journalist and critic Ned Raggett described as a "punk masterpiece".[8]

Buzzcocks

Buzzcocks in 2022
From left: Mani Perazzoli, Steve Diggle, Chris Remington and Danny Farrant (on drums).
Background information
Origin
Bolton, Greater Manchester, England
Genres
Punk rock[1]pop punk[1]new wave[2][3]power pop[4]
Years active
1976–19811989–present
Labels
United ArtistsI.R.S.Cooking VinylROIREMI
Spinoffs
Flag of ConvenienceMagazine
Members
Steve Diggle
Chris Remington
Danny Farrant
Mani Perazzoli (touring)
Past members
Pete Shelley
Howard Devoto
Garth Smith
Mick Singleton
John Maher
Barry Adamson
Steve Garvey
Mike Joyce
Tony Barber
Phil Barker
Website
buzzcocks.com
Devoto left the band in 1977 and formed Magazine, after which Pete Shelley became the principal singer-songwriter.[9] The classic lineup of Shelley, Steve Diggle (guitar), Steve Garvey (bass) and John Maher (drums) recorded Buzzcocks' first three albums, after which the band broke up in 1981 following a dispute with their record label. The band reunited in 1989 and released six more albums before Shelley's death in 2018.[10] Prolific members during that time included Tony Barber (bass) and Phil Barker (drums). The band has remained active, being anchored by long-time guitarist Diggle, who has since also assumed lead vocal duties. As of 2019, the band consists of Diggle, Danny Farrant (drums), Chris Remington (bass) and touring member Mani Perazzoli (guitar, backing vocals). This line-up released the band's tenth album, Sonics in the Soul in 2022.