#250 of 500
· Rolling Stone
“There's a case that Singles Going Steady deserves to be higher, but #250 is solid company. Buzzcocks's work here (1979) is the kind of thing that makes you play both sides twice. The original pressing is the way in.”
Buzzcocks were a pioneering British punk band formed in Bolton, Lancashire in 1976 by Howard Devoto and Pete Shelley. The group became instrumental in bridging punk's raw energy with pop sensibility, releasing their debut album "Another Music in a Different Kitchen" in 1978 to critical acclaim. After Devoto's departure, Shelley led the band through their most commercially successful period with albums like "Love Bites" (1978) and "Lust" (1979), establishing themselves as one of punk's most enduring acts. The band disbanded in 1981 but reunited in 1989 and continued performing and recording sporadically through subsequent decades, with "Why Can't I Touch It?" (2013) marking a notable later-period release.
Style
Buzzcocks synthesized punk's aggressive ethos with infectious pop melodies and witty, often sexually-charged lyrics. Their sound featured buzzing, trebly guitars, driving rhythms, and catchy hooks that influenced post-punk and new wave movements.
Significance
As pioneers of the punk-to-pop crossover, Buzzcocks remain essential to vinyl collectors for their role in expanding punk's artistic boundaries and commercial viability. Their original 1970s releases are highly sought-after, particularly early pressings of their albums and 7-inch singles that defined the era's independent record aesthetics.
Singles Going Steady, released in December 1979, was Buzzcocks' compilation of their singles and B-sides from their initial run with United Artists Records. The album wasn't a traditional studio recording but rather a carefully curated collection that captured the band's prolific output during their formative years. Recorded across multiple sessions between 1977 and 1979, the tracks showcase Pete Shelley and Steve Diggle's songwriting partnership at its peak, with the band working primarily at producer Martin Hannett's studios. The compilation served as a snapshot of Buzzcocks' evolution from raw punk energy to increasingly sophisticated pop-punk sensibilities, featuring some of their most infectious melodies alongside harder-edged material.
Historical Context
By 1979, Buzzcocks had established themselves as one of Britain's most important post-punk bands, and this compilation arrived as punk was transitioning into new wave and post-punk. The album's release coincided with growing mainstream acceptance of punk's more melodic variants. It proved influential in demonstrating that punk rock could be both intellectually and emotionally engaging without sacrificing energy or attitude. The compilation was well-received by critics and fans alike, helping to solidify Buzzcocks' status as innovators within the punk movement and introducing their catalog to audiences who may have missed individual singles.
Pressing Notes
The original 1979 UK pressing on United Artists featured distinctive artwork and is sought after by collectors. Various reissues exist from different eras and labels, including later Restless and Sanctuary Records editions. The album has appeared in multiple formats over the decades, with CD reissues often including additional bonus tracks. Collectors should note that early vinyl pressings can vary in condition, and original UK pressings typically command premium prices. The album's relative accessibility compared to their studio LPs makes it a good entry point for collectors beginning to explore Buzzcocks' vinyl discography.
Pink Flag
Wire
Angular post-punk energy with sharp, economical songwriting that shares Buzzcocks' ability to craft intelligent hooks within experimental frameworks.
Entertainment!
Gang of Four
Post-punk rigor with angular guitars and rhythmic intensity, sharing Buzzcocks' intellectual approach to punk while maintaining infectious grooves.
Let It Be
The Replacements
Scrappy punk-rock with genuine emotional depth and memorable melodies that captures the same balance of rawness and pop appeal as Buzzcocks' best singles.
Zen Arcade
Husker Dü
Ambitious hardcore-punk that transitions between aggressive energy and surprising melodic sensitivity, demonstrating the same punk-to-pop spectrum Buzzcocks explored.
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