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Okay so perhaps the Buzzcocks legacy has been muddied slightly by a couple of disappointing reunion tours in recent years. But consider this if you will. No Buzzcocks = no Ash, no Feeder, no Easyworld, no Supergrass and doubtless countless others. Brrr. Feel that icy cold bunker clamp shut around your soul.
This band, quite simply, deserve to be revered even though they've now been going for over 25 years. In a year where the mainstream music press seems to be falling over itself to say how great the Rolling Stones are in the wake of their new album, the fact that the new Buzzcocks effort has slipped out pretty much unnoticed is nothing short of disgraceful and all those working for mainstream music mags should hang their heads in shame.
Oh, sorry, you want a gig review don't you? Well, tonight the Buzzcocks were bloody FANTASTIC. Well into their forties they may be but this lot have an energy onstage that would put many of their younger counterparts (the Strokes et al) to shame. They play all the favourites - "Fast Cars", "I Don't Mind", "Time's Up", "Boredom", "Harmony In My Head", a truly righteous finale of "Ever Fallen In Love With Someone You Shouldn't've?" and a clutch of excellent newies which prove there's plenty of life left in the old dogs yet.
Really, if you don't have at least one Buzzcocks album in your collection then you're missing out. This band command such a loyal following for one simple reason - they're arguably the most perfect example of how to blend pop and punk this septic isle has ever produced. Go figure.
Reviewed by Andy James
