Magazine

Howard Devoto was one of the earliest devotees of Punk, founding the legendary Buzzcocks in 1976. Days before the launch of their first EP, and on the cusp of stardom, Devoto left Buzzcocks to form Magazine, the more complex, arthouse offspring of the buzzsaw Buzzcocks.

Magazine put out a string of hugely influential track. The band lasted until 1981, when Devoto faded from the scene.

In 2009, Magazine roared back into (Real) life. The lineup is mix of original members and new talent, and is led by a rejuvenated Devoto. I caught them at the Shepherd's Bush Empire.
You fear disappointment when you see your musical heros play late in their career. But Magazine do not disappoint. Devoto may be a little more substantial now, but his energy and commitment are, if anything, even more intense than the early days. He rules the stage, at once a fearsome and yet also a reassuring presence. The band are tight, fast and aggressive. Old favourites like "The Light Pours out of Me" and "Shot by Both Sides" roar as if they were new. A real highlight is "Permafrost", the menace and fear in this deeply disturbing song send shivers down the spine.

New songs stand up against the classic material. Noko the lead guitarist is a strutting preening presence, the self-regarding id to Devoto's hyper-intellectual ego. He leads the band through a rousing rendition of "Holy Dotage" that electrifies the whole audience.
See Magazine live: it is a unique experience and one that every music fan should have.

MAGAZINE LIVE IS KILLER ABSOLUTE STUNNING SAW EM WITH PIL IN 1982...THEY WHERE WAY BETTER THEN PIL howard is as talented as lou reed and bowie and pink floyd together barry is incredible oh way better then the bad seeds to just DONT MISS EM