Features & Interviews
Still buzzing
Mark Pratt talks to
Buzzcocks singer Pete
Shelly as the band play a
typically energetic
gig in Darlington
PROVING there can be no
substitute to the real
thing, the Buzzcocks
stormed on stage in
Darlington's Inside Out
nightclub last week, with
the anthem Boredom, and didn't ease
off while playing all of their classic
punk/pop at blistering pace.
Talking to singer Pete Shelly
afterwards, I mentioned how I had
presumed the poster advertising the
night must have referred to a tribute
band and he quickly corrected me on
that subject. Shelly believes that's
because his band's songs require too
much hard work to play. After seeing
this furiously energetic set it isn't
difficult to agree.
Shelly is one of punk's most amiable
characters. He happily waited
patiently for fans, who were obviously
worse for wear with drink, while they
fumbled to get to grips with the
technology of their camera phones.
The Buzzcocks avoided the political
side of punk. "Our songs are mainly
about everyday life," says Shelly. "But
they're fun too."
Guitarist Steve Diggle says of the set
list: "Yeah, we played what people
refer to as the classics, but they're all
good tracks really, even the new ones.
That last LP, Flat Pack Philosophy, is
as good as anything we've done so we
could easily have added those tracks in
too."
Diggle had the crowd chanting
choruses to extended versions of
singles as he stretched the mic stand
above the heads in the mosh pit.
The band still play with as much
passion and energy as you would
expect from a young up-and-coming
group while maintaining the ability to
hold down their powerful melodies
tightly enough to be enjoyed by those
who just wish to spectate rather than
to participate in the gig.
Inside Out plans to host at least a
couple of big names a year. After this
raging success they might be tempted
to increase that number.
Swapping tales with Shelly after the
gig I described how, aged 12, I had to
shush my younger brother as he
entered the family sitting room
singing "Orgasm Addict". "Why? What
does it mean?" he asked. "I dunno, but
I'm sure it's rude," I told him.
Shelly topped my tale by telling me
his 12-year-old son had asked him to
play the song that was about him.
"Which one is that?" asked a
perplexed Shelly. "Whoa oh Alex,"
enthused his son.
They have released a live album
called 30 celebrating their anniversary
to rave reviews in the music press.
After witnessing this Darlington gig, I
think they have a few more
anniversaries left in them yet.
6:09pm Thursday 26th June 2008
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