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.
What Ever Happened To?
Buzzcocks Lyrics
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Whatever happened to hi-fi?
Whatever happened to TV sex?
Whatever happened to you and I?
Your passion is a product of highlight and detail
That come-hither look, bonus offer retail
Whatever happened to yellow pages?
Whatever happened to burning books?
Whatever happened to new ages?
Your emotions are cheap, cut-price cash-and-carry
You wear your heart on your sleeve for any Tom, Dick or Harry
Your love is a cashed-in cheque
Oh, oh, that's the way of all flesh
Whatever happened to Chairman Mao?
Whatever happened to God above?
Whatever happened to the cow?
Whatever happened to plug-in love?
Your pasteurized life so fit for consumption
Ooh, those undressing eyes, so strictly commercial
Your love is a cashed-in cheque
Oh, oh, that's the way of all flesh
All flesh
All flesh
In the punk rock classic, "What Ever Happened To?" by Buzzcocks, there is a sense of nostalgia and disillusionment. The song is an outburst of frustration and disappointment about the way things have turned out. The lyrics contemplate a variety of cultural icons and social norms that have disappeared from everyday life. The song seems to ask: whatever happened to the traditions and values that we used to hold dear? Where did we lose our way?
The lyrics capture the spirit of the time when the song was written, a mid-70s post-punk era when many people felt that society was in decline. The song highlights the commercialization and commodification of relationships, as well as the decline of counter-cultural movements. The lyrics convey a sense of loss and confusion, as if the world has changed so much that it's unrecognizable.
The repeating refrain, "Your love is a cashed-in cheque, oh, oh, that's the way of all flesh," is a bitter reminder of the way love and relationships have been reduced to transactional exchanges.
Line by Line Meaning
Whatever happened to twin sets?
What ever happened to the pairing of two similar things or people, particularly in regards to clothing?
Whatever happened to hi-fi?
What ever happened to high-quality sound systems and music equipment?
Whatever happened to TV sex?
What ever happened to sexual content being broadcasted on television shows?
Whatever happened to you and I?
What ever happened to the connection between you and I?
Whatever happened to pick-up trucks?
What ever happened to the popular style of truck that features an open bed for hauling cargo or tools?
Whatever happened to yellow pages?
What ever happened to the telephone directory that was once printed on yellow paper and had the contact information for businesses and individuals?
Whatever happened to burning books?
What ever happened to the act of destroying literature or written material due to it being viewed as subversive or dangerous?
Whatever happened to new ages?
What ever happened to the spiritual movements or beliefs that focus on personal and societal transformation?
Whatever happened to Chairman Mao?
What ever happened to the Communist revolutionary who was the leader of China's Cultural Revolution?
Whatever happened to God above?
What ever happened to the belief in a higher power or deity in a religious sense?
Whatever happened to the cow?
What ever happened to the animal commonly raised for meat, milk, and dairy products?
Whatever happened to plug-in love?
What ever happened to the concept of love being a connection between two people as opposed to a superficial or fleeting physical attraction?
Your passion is a product of highlight and detail
Your intense emotion is a result of emphasizing and focusing on specific features or aspects.
That come-hither look, bonus offer retail
That seductive glance, seen as an added incentive or promotion.
Your emotions are cheap, cut-price cash-and-carry
Your feelings or sentiments are easily obtained and can be purchased at a discounted rate.
You wear your heart on your sleeve for any Tom, Dick or Harry
You readily display your emotions and vulnerability to anybody or everybody, regardless of whether or not they are trustworthy or deserving.
Your love is a cashed-in cheque
Your affection or devotion has been exploited or used for personal gain.
Oh, oh, that's the way of all flesh
Oh, oh, this is the reality for all human beings.
Your pasteurized life so fit for consumption
Your sanitized and standardized existence is easily accepted or approved of by society.
Ooh, those undressing eyes, so strictly commercial
Those suggestive or revealing gazes, seen as being overly focused on superficial physical attraction or monetary gain.
All flesh
All human beings.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ALAN DIAL, PETER SHELLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind