Buzzcocks: A Different Kind of Tension

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Released in September of 1979, A Different Kind of Tension was the third studio album from English punk band, Buzzcocks. It received mixed reviews, and the singles released from it were not as successful as some of their previous hits such as Ever Fallen in Love and What Do I Get?. After the release of this album, the original members went on to work on different projects, though iterations of the band formed and reformed continually. Buzzcocks are still performing and are touring as of 2024. Cofounder Pete Shelley had a solo career, while Howard Devoto formed the post-punk band Magazine.

Curious about the band’s name? “Cock” was used to mean young person in 1970s Manchester slang and a television show airing at the time, Rock Follies, used it in some of their catchphrases as in: “That’s the buzz, cocks” and “Give me a buzz, cock!”