M'Lou Elkins
Buzzcocks hit Dallas like a brick through a window Thursday night, tearing into their set with the ferocity of 1977. They opened with “What Do I Get?” And what we got was a blazing reminder that punk rock still snarls, sweats, and spits with righteous energy.
Buzzcocks blasted outta Manchester in ‘76 with sharp hooks, faster beats, and hearts full of angst. They fused raw punk energy with pop smarts, turning love, lust, and loneliness into anthems for misfits everywhere. With Pete Shelley’s cracked croon and Steve Diggle’s punchy riffs, they cranked out angsty classics before anyone knew punk could break your heart. DIY to the bone, they did it their way: fast, loud, and always catchy as hell.
Since the passing of Shelley in 2018, the band has been anchored by long-time guitarist Diggle, who has also taken over as lead vocalist. Since 2019, the band consists of Diggle, Danny Farrant (drums), Chris Remington (bass) and touring member Mani Perazzoli (guitar, backing vocals). It is with this line-up that the band released the their latest album, Sonics in the Soul, in 2022.
Ferris Wheelers, an outdoor lot tucked behind a BBQ joint, ain’t exactly CBGB’s , but the gravel and wood backdrop felt raw and real, especially once the amps fired up and the air filled with feedback.
Thanks to the city’s noise ordinances, the show kicked off earlier than usual, but no one cared. The faithful showed up in full force: fresh-faced kids in patched-up denim, elder punks still rocking their leather and pins like it was their religion…and one dapperly dressed dude with a penchant for cigars and dancing.
Lots of sweat, spilled beer, shouted lyrics…it was all there. For a brief, beautiful 90 minutes, Ferris Wheelers wasn’t just a BBQ joint’s backyard. It was punk rock church.
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