Damn.
One of my first favorite songwriters in punk rock. Taught me that love songs, side by side with angry political songs, were a-ok.
I'm happy I got to see The Buzzcocks a few times throughout the years, most notably in 2014, when we all did Riot Fest together and I watched from the stage 7Secs had just played on with chills and tears.
That day, the Buzzcocks - easily one of the oldest bands on the fest - played like they were teenagers.
It was very inspiring.
I wrote about them a week later:
'I would have posted this earlier but I had this shot on my other camera’
Probably more than any other band playing Riot Fest on Saturday, I wanted to see the Buzzcocks, and man, did they not disappoint.
I'm guessing that Pete Shelley and Steve Diggle are pushing 60 but they looked like they were having an absolute blast onstage and it was really refreshing to see.
They kicked ass and played all of my favorite songs.
Afterward, in the artist catering area, Pete Shelley and Paul Weller were hanging out, chatting, and it was everything I could do not to walk up and thank them both for the great music they have made.
I probably should have.
I probably should have.
ADDENDUM:
This is in reference to when 7Seconds played Riot Fest in Chicago on September 13, 2014. We played the 1:40-2:20 slot on the Rise Stage, just after Anti-Flag and just before legendary art-punk NYC band Television played. After we finished, I saw Television’s main man Tom Verlaine looking around the stage as they got ready for their set and I quickly walked up and told him that I was excited to see them for the first time and extended my hand. He appeared startled and annoyed, looked down at my hand, gave me a very weak shake and struggled to muster the weakest “thank you” I’ve ever heard. I quickly walked off and found my spot on side of the stage, securing a spot so that I had an amazing view of the Rebel Stage to watch The Buzzcocks who tore it up.
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