Listen to Buzzcocks’ Electrifying New Track ‘It’s Not You’
Nearly four decades after first emerging from the Manchester punk scene, the Buzzcocks are still out on the road and making great music. Their ninth studio album The Way arrived to “pledgers” earlier in the year, but with its wide U.S. release date approaching, the “Orgasm Addict” rockers have dropped their new cut “It’s Not You” on SoundCloud. Even after almost 40 years, the group’s blistering guitar chords are still razor sharp, and Pete Shelley’s trademark anguished vocals show few signs of wear.
When the Buzzcocks first revealed that they had a new album in the works, they teamed with PledgeMusic to offer up a pre-order where “pledgers” would get advance digital copies of The Way, plus receive an exclusive EP boasting four unreleased tracks in demo form as well as other unique items. Some proceeds from the pre-order were also donated to the Teenage Cancer Trust. The Buzzcocks have spent September touring America in support of the 10-song album, including stops at the Riot Fests in Toronto, Chicago, and Denver.
The Way marks the Buzzcocks’ first LP since 2006’s Flat-Pack Philosophy, and the first featuring new bassist Chris Remmington and drummer Danny Farrant. (Remmington’s bass work is especially on display in “It’s Not You.”) The Way arrives digitally on October 6th with a CD/LP release due out November 18th on 1-2-3-4 Go! Records. Shelley and bassist (now guitarist) Steve Diggle, two of the Buzzcocks’ founding members, have served as the band’s backbone from their 1978 debut EP Spiral Scratch to The Way. The album was produced by David M. Allen, who previously worked on every the Cure album from 1984’s The Top to 1992’s The Wish.