As a Buzzcocks fan, I was excited that Shelley was doing his tuneful, clever thing in a different musical context. As far as queer content, at the time, I saw it as a smart rebuke to those who would have a knee jerk reaction to any word starting with “homo,” among other things. Do your other question, it’s hard to pick a favorite Buzzcocks song, but the perfection of You Say You Don’t Love Me is tough to beat!
I truly only knew of The Buzzcocks in a punk context before listening to this! I hadn’t even heard of “Homosapien.” I don’t quite believe Shelley when he says the innuendo wasn’t intentional. It’s so overt! Great research and storytelling as always, Pé.
"Homosapien" was an early-days-of-MTV favorite of mine Thanks for the informative and entertaining deep dive into the song. All the context was lost on me at the time.
Thanks for this great history of Pete Shelley. I really only knew Homosapien, which I'm glad you turned me on to again! I've heard of Buzzcocks but they were definitely outside of my radar in the late 1970s. I didn't know he was a part of the band. I need to check out more of their music. I'm also looking forward to diving into your 1981 mix! I'm always looking for rare gems from that period which somehow passed me by.
This was so informative on a cultural, commercial, musical, even sociological level. So short-sighted on the BBC's part to ban the song. I can totally see why and how this track must have ruffled some feathers, but the ban was unfair and unjustified Thank you for shedding light on this gem, this fascinating artist, and his clever songwriting.
I know what I'm listening to on my dog walk later!
As a Buzzcocks fan, I was excited that Shelley was doing his tuneful, clever thing in a different musical context. As far as queer content, at the time, I saw it as a smart rebuke to those who would have a knee jerk reaction to any word starting with “homo,” among other things. Do your other question, it’s hard to pick a favorite Buzzcocks song, but the perfection of You Say You Don’t Love Me is tough to beat!
I truly only knew of The Buzzcocks in a punk context before listening to this! I hadn’t even heard of “Homosapien.” I don’t quite believe Shelley when he says the innuendo wasn’t intentional. It’s so overt! Great research and storytelling as always, Pé.
"Homosapien" was an early-days-of-MTV favorite of mine Thanks for the informative and entertaining deep dive into the song. All the context was lost on me at the time.
Thanks for this great history of Pete Shelley. I really only knew Homosapien, which I'm glad you turned me on to again! I've heard of Buzzcocks but they were definitely outside of my radar in the late 1970s. I didn't know he was a part of the band. I need to check out more of their music. I'm also looking forward to diving into your 1981 mix! I'm always looking for rare gems from that period which somehow passed me by.
This was so informative on a cultural, commercial, musical, even sociological level. So short-sighted on the BBC's part to ban the song. I can totally see why and how this track must have ruffled some feathers, but the ban was unfair and unjustified Thank you for shedding light on this gem, this fascinating artist, and his clever songwriting.