Spiral Scratch (EP)
Encyclopedia
Spiral Scratch is a four-track EP
by the British punk rock
band Buzzcocks
, recorded in 1976 and released in January 1977. It was the first punk record to be self-released (that is, without the support of a record label
), and only the third record ever by a British punk band (preceded only by The Damned's "New Rose
", and The Sex Pistols'
"Anarchy in the U.K.
") When reissued in 1979, it reached number 31 in the UK Singles Chart
.
, "It took three hours [to record the tracks], with another two for mixing." Produced by Martin Hannett
(credited as "Martin Zero"), the music was roughly recorded, insistently repetitive, and energetic.
The band, having no record label support, had to borrow £500 from their friends and families to pay for the record's production and manufacture. The EP was released 29 January 1977 on the band's own New Hormones label, making Buzzcocks the first English punk group to establish an independent record label
. Despite this, the disc quickly sold out its initial run of 1,000 copies, and went on to sell 16,000 copies, initially by mail order, but also with the help of the Manchester branch of music chain store
Virgin, whose manager took some copies and persuaded other regional branch managers to follow suit.
.) At the same time, the lyrics already showed boredom with punk itself ("You know the scene is very humdrum" and "I'm already a has-been!") Indeed Devoto left the band on the eve of the record's release, saying "I get bored very easily and that boredom can act as a catalyst for me to suddenly conceive and execute a new vocation." He added that punk rock had already become restrictive and stereotyped.
Richard Boon
, the band's manager, asserts that "Boredom" was a satirical
song.
The song was placed at Number 11 in Mojo
magazine's list of "100 Punk Scorchers" in 2001.
in his book Rip It Up and Start Again states that some consider Spiral Scratch to be a more important record than the Sex Pistols' "Anarchy in the U.K." because whereas the Sex Pistols' single showed that anyone could be in a rock band (a novel idea at the time), Spiral Scratch proved that anyone could release a record, without needing an established record label
, of which there were very few in 1977.
Reynolds also contends that the EP was "a regionalist blow" by the Manchester band against the London-based music industry. Jon Savage
states that it was instrumental in helping establish the small labels and scenes in both Manchester and Liverpool
.
It is often said that the many small DIY labels that sprang up across the country in 1977 took Spiral Scratch as their inspiration.
The EP was also an exercise in the demystification of the record-making process (for example, its title was taken from the music's being recorded literally as a spiral scratch on each side of the vinyl; also, the listing of take numbers and overdubs on the record sleeve). This was a landmark event for many, Reynolds adds. "People were buying Spiral Scratch...for the sheer fact of its existence, its existence as a cultural landmark and portent of revolution."
Bob Last founded the Fast Product
record label after Spiral Scratch came out. "I had absolutely no idea there'd been a history of independent labels before that. Spiral Scratch turned my head around.".
Eighties indie band Orange Juice
mentioned "Boredom", used a line from it and adapted the guitar solo on their 1982 single "Rip It Up."
The success of this EP also helped to establish the reputation of Martin Hannett in the music industry.
and reached No 31 in the charts, staying in for six weeks. As a consequence of the Buzzcocks' signing to UA, and later EMI, none of the tracks on Spiral Scratch appeared on subsequent EMI compilation albums Singles Going Steady
, Product or Operator's Manual: Buzzcocks Best
.
The EP was reissued as a CD by Mute Records
in 1999. Time's Up, a former bootleg
LP recorded in 1976, features early, rough versions of the songs. This was also released by Mute. The original EP was priced at £40 by Record Collector
in their 2008 price guide.
Side one
Side two
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
by the British punk rock
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
band Buzzcocks
Buzzcocks
Buzzcocks are an English punk rock band formed in Bolton in 1976, led by singer–songwriter–guitarist Pete Shelley.They are regarded as an important influence on the Manchester music scene, the independent record label movement, punk rock, power pop, pop punk and indie rock. They achieved commercial...
, recorded in 1976 and released in January 1977. It was the first punk record to be self-released (that is, without the support of a record label
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
), and only the third record ever by a British punk band (preceded only by The Damned's "New Rose
New Rose
"New Rose" was the first single by British punk rock group The Damned, released on October 22, 1976. It was the first single by a British punk group, and was released in the Netherlands, Germany, and France in 1977....
", and The Sex Pistols'
Sex Pistols
The Sex Pistols were an English punk rock band that formed in London in 1975. They were responsible for initiating the punk movement in the United Kingdom and inspiring many later punk and alternative rock musicians...
"Anarchy in the U.K.
Anarchy in the U.K.
"Anarchy in the U.K." was covered by American thrash metal band Megadeth for their third album So Far, So Good... So What!, released in 1988.Notoriously, the song has incorrect lyrics...
") When reissued in 1979, it reached number 31 in the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
.
Recording and release
Buzzcocks recorded the tracks on 28 December 1976 at Indigo Sound, Manchester on 16-track tape. According to singer Howard DevotoHoward Devoto
Howard Devoto is an English rock and roll singer-songwriter, who began his career as the frontman for the punk band Buzzcocks, but then left to form Magazine, one of the first post-punk bands...
, "It took three hours [to record the tracks], with another two for mixing." Produced by Martin Hannett
Martin Hannett
Martin Hannett , sometimes credited as Martin Zero, was a record producer and an original partner in Factory Records with Tony Wilson...
(credited as "Martin Zero"), the music was roughly recorded, insistently repetitive, and energetic.
The band, having no record label support, had to borrow £500 from their friends and families to pay for the record's production and manufacture. The EP was released 29 January 1977 on the band's own New Hormones label, making Buzzcocks the first English punk group to establish an independent record label
Independent record label
An independent record label is a record label operating without the funding of or outside the organizations of the major record labels. A great number of bands and musical acts begin on independent labels.-Overview:...
. Despite this, the disc quickly sold out its initial run of 1,000 copies, and went on to sell 16,000 copies, initially by mail order, but also with the help of the Manchester branch of music chain store
Chain store
Chain stores are retail outlets that share a brand and central management, and usually have standardized business methods and practices. These characteristics also apply to chain restaurants and some service-oriented chain businesses. In retail, dining and many service categories, chain businesses...
Virgin, whose manager took some copies and persuaded other regional branch managers to follow suit.
"Boredom"
"Boredom", probably the EP's most well-known song, announced punk's rebellion against the status quo while templating a strident musical minimalism (the guitar solo consisting of two notes repeated 66 times, ending with a single modulated seventhSeventh chord
A seventh chord is a chord consisting of a triad plus a note forming an interval of a seventh above the chord's root. When not otherwise specified, a "seventh chord" usually means a major triad with an added minor seventh...
.) At the same time, the lyrics already showed boredom with punk itself ("You know the scene is very humdrum" and "I'm already a has-been!") Indeed Devoto left the band on the eve of the record's release, saying "I get bored very easily and that boredom can act as a catalyst for me to suddenly conceive and execute a new vocation." He added that punk rock had already become restrictive and stereotyped.
Richard Boon
Richard Boon
Richard Boon, former manager of Buzzcocks and boss of the record label, New Hormones.Boon, a school friend of Howard Devoto, became the manager for seminal punk group Buzzcocks by default, after organizing gigs for the band. Seeking to release the band's music, Boon started the New Hormones label...
, the band's manager, asserts that "Boredom" was a satirical
Satire
Satire is primarily a literary genre or form, although in practice it can also be found in the graphic and performing arts. In satire, vices, follies, abuses, and shortcomings are held up to ridicule, ideally with the intent of shaming individuals, and society itself, into improvement...
song.
The song was placed at Number 11 in Mojo
Mojo (magazine)
MOJO is a popular music magazine published initially by Emap, and since January 2008 by Bauer, monthly in the United Kingdom. Following the success of the magazine Q, publishers Emap were looking for a title which would cater for the burgeoning interest in classic rock music...
magazine's list of "100 Punk Scorchers" in 2001.
Influence
Simon ReynoldsSimon Reynolds
Simon Reynolds is an English music critic who is well-known for his writings on electronic dance music and for coining the term "post-rock". Besides electronic dance music, Reynolds has written about a wide range of artists and musical genres, and has written books on post-punk and rock...
in his book Rip It Up and Start Again states that some consider Spiral Scratch to be a more important record than the Sex Pistols' "Anarchy in the U.K." because whereas the Sex Pistols' single showed that anyone could be in a rock band (a novel idea at the time), Spiral Scratch proved that anyone could release a record, without needing an established record label
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
, of which there were very few in 1977.
Reynolds also contends that the EP was "a regionalist blow" by the Manchester band against the London-based music industry. Jon Savage
Jon Savage
Jon Savage , real name Jonathon Sage, is a Cambridge-educated writer, broadcaster and music journalist, best known for his award winning history of the Sex Pistols and punk music, England's Dreaming, published in 1991.-Career:...
states that it was instrumental in helping establish the small labels and scenes in both Manchester and Liverpool
Liverpool
Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...
.
It is often said that the many small DIY labels that sprang up across the country in 1977 took Spiral Scratch as their inspiration.
The EP was also an exercise in the demystification of the record-making process (for example, its title was taken from the music's being recorded literally as a spiral scratch on each side of the vinyl; also, the listing of take numbers and overdubs on the record sleeve). This was a landmark event for many, Reynolds adds. "People were buying Spiral Scratch...for the sheer fact of its existence, its existence as a cultural landmark and portent of revolution."
Bob Last founded the Fast Product
Fast Product
Fast Product was an independent record label, established in Edinburgh by Bob Last in December 1977. Its first release was also the first single by the Mekons, released on 20 January 1978....
record label after Spiral Scratch came out. "I had absolutely no idea there'd been a history of independent labels before that. Spiral Scratch turned my head around.".
Eighties indie band Orange Juice
Orange Juice
Orange Juice was a Scottish post-punk band founded in the middle class Glasgow suburb of Bearsden as the Nu-Sonics in 1976. Edwyn Collins formed the Nu-Sonics with his school-mate Alan Duncan and was subsequently joined by James Kirk and Steven Daly, who left a band called The Machetes. The band...
mentioned "Boredom", used a line from it and adapted the guitar solo on their 1982 single "Rip It Up."
The success of this EP also helped to establish the reputation of Martin Hannett in the music industry.
Reissues and alternate versions
The EP was reissued in the United Kingdom in 1979, having been deleted when Buzzcocks signed to United Artists in 1977. Remaining on the New Hormones label, but credited to "Buzzcocks with Howard Devoto" the record was distributed by Virgin recordsVirgin Records
Virgin Records is a British record label founded by English entrepreneur Richard Branson, Simon Draper, and Nik Powell in 1972. The company grew to be a worldwide music phenomenon, with platinum performers such as Roy Orbison, Devo, Genesis, Keith Richards, Janet Jackson, Culture Club, Lenny...
and reached No 31 in the charts, staying in for six weeks. As a consequence of the Buzzcocks' signing to UA, and later EMI, none of the tracks on Spiral Scratch appeared on subsequent EMI compilation albums Singles Going Steady
Singles Going Steady
Singles Going Steady is a compilation album by Buzzcocks, featuring their United Kingdom single releases from 1977–1979, along with their corresponding B-sides...
, Product or Operator's Manual: Buzzcocks Best
Operator's Manual: Buzzcocks Best
Operators Manual: Buzzcocks Best was the Buzzcocks' 1991 compilation album featuring their 'best of' to date.-Track listing:# "Orgasm Addict" – 2:01# "What Do I Get?" – 2:56# "I Don't Mind" – 2:19...
.
The EP was reissued as a CD by Mute Records
Mute Records
Mute is an independent record label based in the UK. It was founded in 1978 by Daniel Miller and featured several prominent musical acts on its roster such as Goldfrapp, Depeche Mode, Yazoo, Erasure and Fad Gadget.-Beginnings:...
in 1999. Time's Up, a former bootleg
Bootleg recording
A bootleg recording is an audio or video recording of a performance that was not officially released by the artist or under other legal authority. The process of making and distributing such recordings is known as bootlegging...
LP recorded in 1976, features early, rough versions of the songs. This was also released by Mute. The original EP was priced at £40 by Record Collector
Record Collector
Record Collector is the United Kingdom's longest-running monthly music magazine. It distributes both within the UK and worldwide. It started in 1979.-The early years:...
in their 2008 price guide.
Track listing
All songs written by Howard Devoto and Pete Shelley.Side one
- "Breakdown" – 1:58
- "Time's Up" – 3:07
Side two
- "Boredom" – 2:51
- "Friends of Mine" – 2:15
Personnel
- Howard DevotoHoward DevotoHoward Devoto is an English rock and roll singer-songwriter, who began his career as the frontman for the punk band Buzzcocks, but then left to form Magazine, one of the first post-punk bands...
– vocals - Pete ShelleyPete ShelleyPete Shelley is an English singer, songwriter and guitarist, best known as the leader of Buzzcocks.-Biography:...
– guitar, backing vocals - Steve DiggleSteve DiggleSteve Diggle is a guitarist and vocalist in the British punk band Buzzcocks.-Early years:He was born in Manchester, and grew up in Bradford and Rusholme, where he was a mod...
– bass - John Maher – drums
- Martin HannettMartin HannettMartin Hannett , sometimes credited as Martin Zero, was a record producer and an original partner in Factory Records with Tony Wilson...
– producerRecord producerA record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music... - Phil Hampson – engineer