VIA PRESS RELEASE | As part of their continuing reissue campaign, Domino are very proud to announce details of the release of Buzzcocks albums A Different Kind Of Tension and Singles Going Steady, which are out on Friday June 14th, 2019.
They follow the 40th anniversary re-issues of Another Music In A Different Kitchen and Love Bites in January of this year, and the re-release of the band’s debut EP, “Spiral Scratch,” and a 1976 collection of demos, Time’s Up, in March 2018. As previously, both albums have been lovingly restored and re-mastered from the original ¼” tapes for the first time and come packaged with lavish booklets containing unseen images and extensive liner notes by famed cultural commentators Jon Savage (A Different Kind Of Tension) and Clinton Heylin (Singles Going Steady).
Faithful to their original tracklistings, the re-issues see the albums released on vinyl for the first time in many years, available on deluxe 180g vinyl and CD. Their third studio album, A Different Kind Of Tension, was recorded at Eden Studio in West London in the summer of 1979 with producer Martin Rushent, who had worked on their previous two albums.
Their last studio album to feature the line-up of Pete Shelley (vocals / guitar), Steve Diggle (guitar / vocals), Steve Garvey (bass), and John Maher (drums), it was released in September 1979 and featured a distinctive cover by Malcolm Garrett who had provided the artwork for both Another Music In A Different Kitchen and Love Bites.
Singles Going Steady was initially released in the U.S. on September 25th, 1979 via I.R.S. Records. Originally a U.S.-only release, put together as an introduction to the band for the American public, side one featured their eight United Artists U.K. singles releases to date in chronological order, while side two featured the corresponding B-sides. The compilation perfectly captured the band’s effortless ability to write three-minute-mini-masterpieces that would endure long after the initial spark of punk had faded.
Healthy import sales following its U.S. release eventually led to United Artists issuing the album in the U.K. in November 1981. It has subsequently transcended its status as a mere compilation, going on to become regarded as a seminal, era–defining release.
After recording demos for a fourth album, the band finally disbanded in 1981 with Shelley going on to a successful solo career while Diggle and Maher formed Flag of Convenience and Garvey formed Motivation and would later join The Blue Orchids.
Re-forming to play a series of shows in 1989, the band eventually released their fourth album, Trade Test Transmissions, in 1993 and subsequently continued to tour and record albums featuring original members Pete Shelley and Steve Diggle, until Shelley’s untimely death in December 2018.
Finally, having previously announced a concert at the Royal Albert Hall in London on June 21st 2019, the band recently confirmed they would continue and play the show by way of a celebration of Shelley’s life and musical genius. Joined by The Skids and Penetration, the band will also be accompanied by guest vocalists, details of which will be announced shortly.
