Buzzcocks - Sell You Everything (1991-2014) 8CD Boxset (Cherry Red Records)

A hive of activity has kicked off surrounding the influential, and totally indispensable Buzzcocks. Since the passing of vocalist/songwriter Pete Shelley, many believed the band would also fade into the ether. In June 2019, as the Buzzcocks performed with a number of guest artists and indeed singers, the moment could have been viewed as a tribute to the late frontman and a last hurrah in one, epic night. But, the uncompromising spirit of the Buzzcocks is still very much intact, and heading loudly into a new era. Guitarist Steve Diggle has stated he will carry on, and carrying on is exactly what is happening. 

On February 14th, a new song landed with Steve on lead vocals proving all the dynamics still pump within the heart of the Buzzcocks. “Gotta Get Better” nails everything you would expect in this 21st century incarnation. Naturally, the vocals are not that of the late Shelley, and Diggles voice is menacing enough to do it justice, that is the only difference. As the soul, and momentum of the band is exactly the same as it always has been, if not, firing with an extra slice of passion. 

With a new single of course comes the ‘B’ side, a track named “Destination Zero”, a further dive into their modern creativity. It is a furious foot-to-the-floor rocker which ignites with enough pace and angst to leave you wanting more.

The fun however, does not simply stop there. Something essential is coming down the line this May from Cherry Red Records. Also a treat for Buzzcocks fans to salivate over, as a new box set focuses on the re-birth singles, demos and albums by this legendary outfit. After the initial break up of Buzzcocks in 1981, Pete Shelly ventured into solo waters. Other members, such as the aforementioned Steve Diggle and drummer John Maher formed the acclaimed Flag of Convenience outfit. It took however, another eight years for a reconciliation and the first of many reformations by Buzzcocks and it is from this point onwards that the Sell You Everything (1991-2014) rarities box set harvests its musical delights. An eight compact disc set that spanning the second wave years, a revaluation of how creative the Buzzcocks remained as they stood at top of their game. 

The set launches with the 1991 Demo Album in full. The demo tape for a proposed 1991 album. Some songs ended up on the 1993 album Trade Test Transmissions (also included). Some of these recordings from Steve Diggle’s archives have surfaced in the past, now they are fully remastered and collected rightly alongside the post nineties classics. With crackers such as “Tranquilizer” and “Searching For Love” stacked beside unheard demos this is an exceptional start to proceedings. 

From there the set shifts into the the comeback Trade Test Transmissions. A set originally overshadowed by the up coming Brit Pop rage of bands, it has stood the test of time and remains a superb outing. Following is 1996’s All Set containing the now revered “Totally From the Heart,” “Hold Me Close,” “Point of No Return”. Again with some interesting demo formats tagged on. With the end of the century Modern marking the midpoint of the collection. A new wave and at times Magazine sounding affair, it still showcases the importance of Buzzcocks in the modern musical spectrum. 

The self-titled 2003 album makes up Disc Four, perhaps the weakest of the set, it still retains some of the better aspects of the band. On a bad day they could overshadow most modern outfits. Although the following Flat-Pack Philosophy became a more admired release, with further line up changes, the band still managed to make a decent album. Whilst Disc Seven is the overview 2011 A Different Compilation. Containing singles stretching back to “Orgasm Addict”. The final disc is the most recent The Way. A release via the now defunct Pledge Music, the last hurrah for Pete Shelley is still a great sounding album. With extra demos tagged on, the set as a whole becomes a tribute not only to the bands staying power, but their unique persistence in staying the course. 

TRACKLISTING
DISC ONE
THE 1991 DEMO ALBUM
1. DREAMIN’
2. ALIVE TONIGHT
3. NEVER GONNA GIVE IT UP
4. WALLPAPER WORLD
5. SUCCESSFUL STREET
6. WHO’LL HELP ME TO FORGET
7. SERIOUS CRIME
8. WHY COMPROMISE
9. LAST TO KNOW
10. RUN AWAY FROM HOME
11. SEARCHING FOR YOUR LOVE
12. TRANQUILLIZER
13. WHEN LOVE TURNS AROUND YOU
BONUS TRACKS
14. ALL OVER YOU (DEMO)*
15. ISOLATION (DEMO)*
16. TRASH AWAY (DEMO)*
17. INSIDE (DEMO)*
18. ALIVE TONIGHT (EP VERSION)
19. SERIOUS CRIME (EP VERSION)
20. LAST TO KNOW (EP VERSION)
21. SUCCESSFUL STREET (EP VERSION)

• PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED

DISC TWO
TRADE TEST TRANSMISSIONS
1. DO IT
2. INNOCENT
3. TTT
4. ISOLATION
5. SMILE
6. LAST TO KNOW
7. WHEN LOVE TURNS AROUND
8. NEVER GONNA GIVE IT UP
9. ENERGY
10. PALM OF YOUR HAND
11. ALIVE TONIGHT
12. WHO’LL HELP ME FORGET
13. UNTHINKABLE
14. CRYSTAL NIGHT
15. 369
BONUS TRACKS
16. INSIDE
17. LIBERTINE ANGEL
18. ROLL IT OVER
19. EXCERPT FROM ‘PRISON RIOT HOSTAGE’
SOMEWHERE IN THE WORLD*
20. ENERGY (HOME DEMO)*
21. IT’S ALRIGHT (HOME DEMO)*
22. TAKE YOUR LIFE (HOME DEMO)*
23. SOMEWHERE IN THE WORLD
(HOME DEMO)*

• PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED

DISC THREE
ALL SET
1. TOTALLY FROM THE HEART
2. WITHOUT YOU
3. GIVE IT TO ME
4. YOUR LOVE
5. POINT OF NO RETURN
6. HOLD ME CLOSE
7. KISS ‘N’ TELL
8. WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO
9. SOME KINDA WONDERFUL
10. WHAT YOU MEAN TO ME
11. PLAYING FOR TIME
12. PARIAH
13. BACK WITH YOU
BONUS TRACKS
14. WITHOUT YOU (DEMO)*
15. YOUR LOVE (DEMO)*
16. GIVE IT TO ME (DEMO)*
17. KISS ‘N TELL (DEMO)*

• PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED

DISC FOUR
MODERN
1. SOUL ON A ROCK
2. RENDEZVOUS
3. SPEED OF LIFE
4. THUNDER OF HEARTS
5. WHY COMPROMISE?
6. DON’T LET THE CAR CRASH
7. RUNAROUND
8. DOESN’T MEAN ANYTHING
9. PHONE
10. UNDER THE SUN
11. TURN OF THE SCREW
12. SNEAKY
13. STRANGER IN YOUR TOWN
14. CHOICES
BONUS TRACKS
15. HERE COME THE NICE
16. AUTUMN STONE – Stevie’s Buzz

DISC FIVE
BUZZCOCKS
1. JERK
2. KEEP ON
3. WAKE UP CALL
4. FRIENDS
5. DRIVING YOU INSANE
6. MORNING AFTER
7. SICK CITY SOMETIMES
8. STARS
9. CERTAIN MOVE
10. LESTER SANDS
11. UP FOR THE CRACK
12. USELESS
BONUS TRACKS
13. DON’T COME BACK
14. NEVER BELIEVE IT (DEMO)
15. PARADISE (LIVE)
16. OH SHIT! (LIVE)

DISC SIX
FLAT-PACK PHILOSOPHY
1. FLAT-PACK PHILOSOPHY
2. WISH I NEVER LOVED YOU
3. SELL YOU EVERYTHING
4. RECONCILIATION
5. I DON’T EXIST
6. SOUL SURVIVOR
7. GOD, WHAT HAVE I DONE
8. CREDIT
9. BIG BROTHER WHEELS
10. DREAMIN’
11. SOUND OF A GUN
12. LOOK AT YOU NOW
13. I’VE HAD ENOUGH
14. BETWEEN HEAVEN AND HELL
BONUS TRACKS
15. SEE THROUGH YOU
16. HOLDING ME DOWN
17. EVERY DAY AND EVERY NIGHT (DEMO)
18. DON’T MATTER WHAT YOU SAY
19. ORION
20. DARKER BY THE HOUR
21. LOVE BATTERY (LIVE)
22. SIXTEEN (LIVE)

DISC SEVEN
A DIFFERENT COMPILATION
1. BOREDOM
2. FAST CARS
3. I DON’T MIND
4. AUTONOMY
5. GET ON OUR OWN
6. WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO?
7. WHEN LOVE TURNS AROUND YOU
8. WHY SHE’S A GIRL FROM THE CHAINSTORE
9. WHY CAN’T I TOUCH IT?
10. ALIVE TONIGHT
11. I DON’T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH MY LIFE
12. YOU SAY YOU DON’T LOVE ME
13. TURN OF THE SCREW
14. NOISE ANNOYS
15. BREAKDOWN
16. PROMISES
17. LOVE YOU MORE
18. WHAT DO I GET
19. HARMONY IN MY HEAD
20. OH SHIT!
21. EVER FALLEN IN LOVE (WITH SOMEONE YOU SHOULDN’T’VE)?
22. ORGASM ADDICT
23. I BELIEVE
24. LOVE IS LIES

DISC EIGHT
THE WAY
1. KEEP ON BELIEVING
2. PEOPLE ARE STRANGE MACHINES
3. THE WAY
4. IN THE BACK
5. VIRTUALLY REAL
6. THIRD DIMENSION
7. OUT OF THE BLUE
8. CHASING RAINBOWS/MODERN TIMES
9. IT’S NOT YOU
10. SAVING YOURSELF
BONUS TRACKS
11. GENERATION SUICIDE
12. DREAM ON BABY
13. HAPPY
14. DISAPPOINTMENT
15. IN THE BACK (HOME DEMO)*
16. DANCING AT DAWN (HOME DEMO)*
17. CAN YOU DIG ME? (HOME DEMO)*

• PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED

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