Buzzcocks Plan Tour and New Release

Well, hurrah! Punk's angsty darlings the Buzzcocks have a new album up their sleeve - flanked by a new solo project from the almighty Steve Diggle.

Known for their heartwrenching rants and awkward punk romance (I include 'Oh Shit' in this category - listen to it! It's like therapy...) they haven't ditched the style that made them icons, and the new release sounds full of promise...

Diggle, (who Gigwise is convinced they spotted lurking at London's Boogaloo for the talk promoting Simon Reynolds new tome 'Rip It Up And Start Again',) reveals to Mojo, "We're working on a new LP and getting ready to tour. I'm also putting together a solo album 'Serious Contender', that's musically more eclectic and more personal.

"In a group situation you tend to write with the Buzzcocks in mind - they've got such a distinctive, unique style. This solo project gives me much more freedom."

But despite having swanky houses in Highgate (I know!) and such like, life wasn't always easy for the 'Cocks - vocalist Pete Shelley remembers disillusionment setting in only moments after their legendary (acid-drenched) appearance on Top Of The Pops in 1978. It hit him when he was washing his socks, yer see...

"It was phenomenal. Everything you'd hoped for. And I'm washing my socks going: 'Isn't there supposed to be somebody who does this for you?'

"There was that disillusionment. You understand that it doesn't get any better.

"Once you become famous, certain things may change - people are interested in you. Which is always nice, we all crave attention, but it doesn't get away from who you are and what you are."

Nor does it get you away from those socks, Pete.

There's a moral to this tale - you may be one of the Buzzcocks, but you'll always have to scrub yer socks.

God, that wasn't bad actually...