Live Review: The Buzzcocks

The Buzzcocks (UK)

05/08/2003

Botanique, Brussels (BE)

Entering the small arena-like venue, the first thing I realized was that I was younger than average, and that doesn't happen so often anymore. Of course, the fact that The Buzzcocks released their first EP Spiral Scratch when I was a mere one and a half year old will have something to do with that, but I guess it's also due to the fact that they are one of those bands that attract their hardcore fans, but not eager teenagers who'd rather check out some more 'contemporary' bands – despite their enormous legacy and a new album. Anyway, after a mediocre support act (early '90's guitar rock I'd heard several dozen times before), the geezers entered the stage. Original members Pete Shelley (with blonde dyed hair) and Steve Diggle both added a few pounds since the late '70's, but they looked eager and kicked off with a frill-less version of "Boredom" that set the tone for the rest of the evening. The volume was ridiculously loud, making the sound somewhat muddy, but that's the way it should be. It's not Steely Dan. Next followed loads of classics, like "Fast cars", "I Don’t mind", the opener of the latest album, "Jerk" (already a classic in my book) and a great Diggle-sung version of "Autonomy" that was dedicated to Joe Strummer. Diggle got to sing (or "slur"?) more songs, like "Harmony in My Head", "Sittin' Round at Home" and 'Mad Mad Judy", although Shelley took care of the most, still with that recognizable high-pitched voice while constantly having this little ironical smile on his face. The crowd sang along with a super-charged "Love Battery" and a tight and hard-rocking "Something's Gone Wrong Again", slam-danced during "Noise Annoys" and "Oh Shit," which sounded as funny, energetic and infectious as they must've sounded 25 years ago. In between all the seminal punk pop they also managed to fit in more than half of the songs from the last album, and while they weren't as familiar as the tracks taken from Another Music, Love Bites or A Different Kind of Tension, most of them, like "Wake Up Call," by Diggle and Shelley's "Driving You Insane" and "Keep On" managed to keep the momentum going. Finally, after more than an hour, they launched into a droning version of "I Believe" (the crowd singing along to that lengthy outro was a total blast) and the band left stage. They'd already played about 20-25 songs by then, but the audience yelled for more and they got what they wanted, which was:

"Why She's a Girl from the Chain Store"

and then:

"What Do I Get"
"Orgasm Addict"
"Ever Fallen in Love"

While they were playing that last song (and I realized it was gonna be the end of the show) the thought that came to mind was: exactly how many bands do you know of that wrote three incredible singles like that in a period of one year? I mean, those songs have everything to be classics: energy, humor, great lyrics, and the very essence of all great rock 'n' roll, which I just can't explain. It's that thing, you know, and it sent the shivers down my spine. I'm not a nostalgic (I also do my best to keep up with interesting current bands, and I'm convinced there's lots of great music around if you look hard enough) and I couldn't care less about the various jukebox-tours by The Rolling Stones, but seeing these four musicians play for what they were worth almost rendered me speechless (not that I'm the talkative type in the first place). It was a loud show that made my ears pierce for an entire day, and at times their playing was nearly sloppy, especially by the Townshend-imitating (and slightly drunk?) Diggle (some people sang "Happy Birthday" before the encore started, so that makes up for it), but the band played as a true unit, bass player Tony Barber and drummer Philip Baker also adding more than their two cents to a thrilling concert. They haven’t been innovative in years, basically sticking to their late '70's sound and style, but for a few moments they succeeded in beaming me back to '78, and that felt mighty good. God bless The Buzzcocks.

Reader comments:

Thomas Bell (USA):
Nice review. I couldn't agree with you more about the Buzzcocks. I think they were one of the greatest bands ever, not just greatest punk bands. I rank them right up there with the Beatles. Those first three albums are just so great. Every song. Well crafted, catchy hooks, good lyrics and not dated at all. I saw them live at the Palace in Hollywood in about 93' or so. Amazing show. I had heard through the grapevine that they were going to be playing at The Viper Room afterwards. We were all over that and made a beeline over there after the show. No one would fess up as to whether they were actually playing or not, so I positioned myself strategically in front of the stage. The curtain opened after about a half hour or so, and there they were! It was one of the coolest shows I've ever seen, and I've seen alot of cool shows. They probably did all of Singles Going Steady and after the show stayed true to the old school punk ! ethic of not being "better" than their fans by hopping off the stage and sincerely chatting and mingling with everyone there. It was such a great moment and I'll never forget it. Shelley and Diggle were both unpretentious, humble and kind to all, but not in a patronizing way. Thanks for your cool review, I enjoyed it.