They are commonly regarded as an important influence on the Manchester music scene, the independent record label movement and the punk rock, power pop, pop punk and indie rock genres in general. They are primarily remembered for their singles, a string of would-be hits that combined a strong grasp of pop song craftsmanship with rapid-fire punk energy. These singles were collected on Singles Going Steady, described by critic Ned Raggett as a "punk masterpiece" The widely covered "Ever Fallen in Love?" remains one of their best-known songs.
The name "Buzzcocks" partially comes from the Manchester slang term cock meaning youngster, and its use in the 1970s ITV drama serial Rock Follies which included the catch phrases "that's the buzz, cocks" and "give me a buzz, cock!"
Buzzcocks were one of the key first generation British punk rock bands to form in the wake of the Sex Pistols in 1976. They were founded by Mancunians Pete Shelley and Howard Devoto, however Devoto left soon after the group released their Spiral Scratch EP (on their own independent label), leaving Shelley to take over vocals.
They are best known for their catchy, poppy punk sound, which has been widely influential, which was adopted as Peter Shelley took over on the vocals, singing about what the whole punk rock scene opted not to sing about: love. Devoto in the meanwhile formed Magazine.
They rehearsed in a friend's kitchen and played at the all-day 100 club punk "festival", in London. At the end of 1977 the band signed to United Artists and released "Orgasm Addict", with Shelley's high-pitched vocal delivery and Ramones-esque fuzz-guitar sound ensuring the controversial single would be played over again. Later came "What Do I Get?" which hit the UK charts and showed Shelley's brilliance in songwriting.
An LP was then released, Another Music in a Different Kitchen which came with its own carrier bag, labelled "Product". In 1978-79 five chart-hitting singles were released including "Ever Fallen in Love?" and had captured a pop-loving audience by this time. Love Bites, their second LP was released later on, which had less excitement than the last album, though it did sell well, with Steve Diggle taking over lyric-writing.
October 1979 saw A Different Kind of Tension which was panned by some critics, quite unfairly, as it contains some excellent songs, the title track being the stand-out. It perhaps suffered from being the second album to be released that year, with the record company keen to capitalise on the band's chart success at the time.
3 more singles followed in 1980, but the spark had clearly gone out for a while. Musical differences and the long slog behind them led to the band splitting in early 1981. Pete Shelley embarked in a solo career..
He released three dance/electronic influenced solo albums: Homosapien, XL1 and Heaven and The Sea - all with the same fine songwriting skills. Meanwhile, Steve Diggle formed Flag of Convenience - a power pop combo - and toured with some success.
A 5 album/CD set was released in 1989 called Product, which contained all the albums to date, plus the greatest hits and B sides album, Singles Going Steady, and the last non-album singles, Why She's A Girl From the Chainstore, Airwaves Dream and Running Free, plus the B sides
In 1992 the Buzzcocks reformed, without original drummer John Maher and bassist Steve Garvey, and releasd Trade Test Transmissions in 1993, quite different from their earlier material, with nods to the power pop scene popular at the time. All Set in 1996 saw a return to form with familiar riffs and pin sharp lyrics pop-punk. Next year Chronology was released, the missing album, including outtakes from the three United Artists albums. In 1999 they released Modern, which saw Shelley in reflective mode and Steve Diggle taking over more of the vocal duties.
Then followed another brief break in 2000, with Shelley teaming up with old band-mate Howard Devoto to release a largely disappointing album, Buzzkunst. Compilations followed, including Inventory in 2003, which contained every single to date, and 30 in 2005 to celebrate 30 years performing
2005 saw the Buzzcocks back touring and in 2007 they released the superb Flat Pack Philosophy, widely agreed to rank up with the best of Buzzcocks output
2008/9 saw a short tour where the band played tracks from Another Music and Love Bites.
In August 2011 they headlined the first night of The Rhythm Festival in Bedfordshire.
In November 2011 it was announced they would be playing two shows in 2012 that would feature the original line-up as well as the classic line-up of the band reunited for the first time in many years; these shows took place on 25 May 2012 in Manchester at the O2 Apollo and on 26 May in Brixton at the O2 Academy. It was announced on 26 May 2012 that, for the first time, they would headline Thursday night in the Empress Ballroom at the Rebellion Festival in Blackpool sharing the stage with the likes of Rancid, Public Image Limited and Social Distortion.
On 1 May 2014 Buzzcocks released the album The Way via PledgeMusic. On 13 September 2014 Buzzcocks played "a brief but triumphant set" at Riot Fest 2014 in Chicago, Illinois, USA. In October 2014 Buzzcocks toured the U.K. for three weeks with The Dollyrots as main support.
In 2016, the band embarked on their 40th-anniversary tour (dubbed "Buzzcocks 40"). In 2017, "Why Can't I Touch It" was featured in the opening segment of the Telltale game 'Guardians of the Galaxy.
Buzzcocks continue to be a huge influence on many bands and are still enjoyed by a large, and very loyal, fanbase.
Pete Shelley died on 6 December 2018.
Crystal Night
Buzzcocks Lyrics
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I know your secret, do you know mine?
Somebody said they're getting closer
I guess we don't have all that much time
They're lighting bonfires in the distance
You know something's in life will never change
So please don't say there was no warning
This lot won't stop with just your records
This lot won't stop with all your dirty books
This lot won't stop, don't need excuses
Don't like your lifestyle, don't like your looks
They're lighting bonfires in the distance
You know something's in life will never change
But, please don't say there was no warning
Just hold on tight, it's crystal night again, it's crystal night again
I read the news, you're in the headlines
You've sold your secret, will you tell mine?
I hear a shout, they're getting closer
I guess we don't have all that much time
This lot won't stop with just your records
This lot won't stop with all your dirty books
This lot won't stop, don't need excuses
Don't like your lifestyle, don't like your looks
So please don't say there was no warning
Just hold on tight, it's crystal night again, it's crystal night again
The lyrics to Buzzcocks' Crystal Night serve as a warning about the dangers of fascism and the increasing likelihood of history repeating itself. Starting off with the line "I read the news, you saw the headlines," the song suggests a shared experience of witnessing the growing influence of fascist ideals in contemporary society. The lyrics go on to refer to "bonfires in the distance," possibly referring to the book burnings that were a hallmark of the Nazis' rise to power in Germany. The chorus warns the listener to "hold on tight," as it's "crystal night again" - a reference to Kristallnacht, the Night of Broken Glass in 1938, when Jewish synagogues, businesses, and homes were destroyed by Nazis in Germany.
The song also reflects a sense of paranoia and fear felt by those who believe in liberal values and are worried about the rise of authoritarianism. The line "This lot won't stop, don't need excuses, don't like your lifestyle, don't like your looks" suggests that those who hold fascist beliefs will seek out those who don't conform to their idea of what is acceptable and use any excuse to attack them. The sense of urgency and danger is heightened by the lines "I guess we don't have all that much time" and "please don't say there was no warning."
Overall, Buzzcocks' Crystal Night serves as a potent warning about the dangers of fascism and the need to remain vigilant against its rise in contemporary society.
Line by Line Meaning
I read the news, you saw the headlines
I am informed of current events, while you only skim through the surface.
I know your secret, do you know mine?
I have details about you that are not public knowledge. Do you possess any confidential information on me?
Somebody said they're getting closer, I guess we don't have all that much time
Someone indicated that certain people or events are coming near, and indications are time is short.
They're lighting bonfires in the distance, you know something's in life will never change
There are fires being sparked far away. Some things in life are difficult, stay unchanged.
So please don't say there was no warning, just hold on tight, it's crystal night again, it's crystal night again
Don't deny that you were alerted about the issue, embrace it and prepare yourself. It's crystal clear things are about to get dark again.
This lot won't stop with just your records, this lot won't stop with all your dirty books
This group of people has no intentions of halting their activities, they will keep searching through your belongings and private information.
Don't need excuses, don't like your lifestyle, don't like your looks
They don't require an explanation or justification for their actions, as they are targeting your lifestyle and appearance.
I read the news, you're in the headlines, you've sold your secret, will you tell mine?
I have just read that you are in the current news reports. You have revealed one of your secrets, will you also expose mine?
I hear a shout, they're getting closer, I guess we don't have all that much time
I just heard someone yelling, the intruders are near. Time is of the essence.
So please don't say there was no warning, just hold on tight, it's crystal night again, it's crystal night again
Don't question the fact that you were informed beforehand, just stay strong and hold on tight. It's an unmistakable, dark night again.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: PETER SHELLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind