Buzzcocks: I Believe

Inspired by a live Sex Pistols' show, Buzzcocks formed in 1976 and blasted their way into the future. Frontman Pete Shelley reminds me of Ray Davies of the Kinks, with added punk energy. Buzzcocks songs, like those of the Kinks, tend to be thoughtful yet playful, funny yet sad, and sometimes goofy. One of their most memorable anthems, released on the compliation Singles Going Steady back in 1979, is "Ever Fallen in Love?"

The William S. Burroughs'-influenced A Different Kind of Tension (1979) is a remarkably sophisticated album in terms of lyrics. Not many punk or pop artists could ever hope to match "I Believe," a lengthy jeremiad that runs through a series of contrary beliefs held by people down the centuries, with the sad rejoinder: "I can't feel the future and I'm not even certain that there is a past."

Always a fan of their music, I was blown away by these Manchester guys' simple but powerful live show in London in the early 1990s, and would see them again in a heartbeat. They are touring again, too. For everything Buzzcocks, one can check out their comprehensive official website.

Who else but Buzzcocks could proclaim Oh Shit! and then wonder, Whatever happened to the cow? And I just missed their Detroit show on Bastille Day. Oh, shit, indeed!