The Buzzcocks. Garth Smith (bass), John Maher (drums), Pete Shelly (vocals, guitar), Steve Diggle (guitar). Manchester September 1977

This was taken in Manchester when I interviewed The Buzzcocks for Sounds. In July 1976, the band played with the Sex Pistols in the Theatre Upstairs at Manchester’s Free Trade Hall. The gig was sold out proving that punk rock already had a large following outside London. The Buzzcocks ‘satirical’ song ‘Boredom’ from their first EP ‘Spiral Scratch’ - recorded In January 1977 before Howard Devoto left the band - became one of punk’s favourite tracks: Pop melody meets fast punk energy.