In 1975 Pete Shelley (real name Peter Campbell McNeish) and Howard Devoto (real name Howard Trafford) decide to start a band and chance upon a headline: “It’s The Buzz, Cock!” And, Buzzcocks were born. In 1977 Buzzcocks released their first EP, Spiral Scratch, on their independent label, New Hormones. When Devoto left the band in February 1977, Shelley took over as the lead vocalist
Read moreFollowing on from our previous post, by coincidence, David Shields is based in Seattle, the more-often-than-not grey city that gave rise to a musical phenomenon from the late ’80s to early ’90s that musicologists continue to debate over. The debate is most often over who was first to wear the mantle of Grunge and what song will be remembered decades
Read moreAs the Midterm Election Day progressed social media was very much alive and well with almost everyone it seemed rushing to let the rest of us know what they had been doing mere moments before by posting selfies with “I Voted!” stickers, front and center. If you were not already sure how our world has changed in the age of
Read moreThe Heartbreakers, Johnnie Thunders, Jerry Nolan, Richard Hell, Ramones, New York Dolls, Drugs, Mink De Ville, Sex Pistols, Malcolm McLaren, The Clash, The Buzzcocks, The Damned, Heroin, New York in the early 70’s, London in the late 70’s, Drugs, Touring, Keith Richards, Drugs, Sex, Drugs. Name-dropping and overt references to sex and drugs and rock ’n’ roll* would be an
Read moreA favourite guest at Life elsewhere is the always engaging Amy Rigby. The highly-acclaimed singer-songwriter and astute writer kindly sent us a sound file of her new single, Tom Petty Karaoke. “I don’t usually put out singles.” Amy sighs, almost apologetically. She is talking with Norman B about her new recording, “Tom died on October 2nd, a year ago and
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