Magazine (band)
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Magazine was an English rock group active from 1977 to 1981.
Contents |
Biography
After leaving Buzzcocks in 1977, vocalist Howard Devoto formed Magazine with guitarist John McGeoch, bassist Barry Adamson, keyboardist Bob Dickinson, and drummer Martin Jackson. One of the first post-punk bands, Magazine kept the edgy, nervous energy of punk, adding elements of art rock, particularly with their theatrical live shows and shards of keyboards. Devoto's lyrics were combinations of social commentary and poetic fragments, while the band alternated between cold, jagged chords and gloomy, atmospheric sonic landscapes.
Magazine performed its first concert in October 1977 and were signed to Virgin Records by the end of the year; by that point, Dickinson had left the group. The band recorded their first single, Shot by Both Sides, as a quartet; Devoto had written the song with his former Buzzcocks partner, Pete Shelley. Appearing in early 1978, the single gathered good reviews on both sides of the Atlantic and charted in the U.K., peaking at number 41. Before they recorded their debut album, keyboardist Dave Formula joined the lineup. Real Life, released later in 1978, continued the confrontational, arty pop-punk of Shot by Both Sides. Following their first tour, Jackson left the group and was replaced by John Doyle. The new lineup released the band's second album, Secondhand Daylight in 1979. The album was somewhat of a departure from the debut, featuring more keyboards, smoother rhythms, and streamlined lyrics from Devoto. Despite its ambitiousness, the record was poorly received by the press. During this time, McGeoch played with Siouxsie & the Banshees and Adamson, Formula, and McGeoch were part of Visage, along with Steve Strange. At the beginning of 1980, the band released their third album, The Correct Use of Soap.
In the summer of 1980, Magazine released Sweetheart Contract, which became their second and last U.K. chart hit, peaking at number 54. After it hit the charts, McGeoch left the band to become a full-time member of Siouxsie & the Banshees; he was replaced by Ultravox guitarist Robin Simon. Magazine toured America and Australia, recording a live album called Play, which was released at the end of 1980. Simon left at the end of the tour, with guitarist Bob Mandelson taking his place. Magic, Murder and the Weather released in the spring of 1981; proved to be Magazine's swan-song. Devoto left the group in May of 1981 to pursue a solo career and the band broke up shortly afterward.
Magazine's music had an incalculable impact on post-punk music of the late 1970's and early 1980's and continues to be an influence in modern music today. (Radiohead in particular draw on the lyrical style of the group)
Ex-Smiths singer Morrissey recently covered "A Song From Under The Floorboards" during his 2006 world tour.
Discography
All records were released on Virgin. All listings are U.K. releases.
Albums
- Real Life (1978)
- Secondhand Daylight (V2121, 1979)
- The Correct Use Of Soap (V2156, 1980)
- Play (V2184, 1980) - live album
- Magic, Murder and the Weather (V2200, 1981)
Singles
- Shot By Both Sides / My Mind Ain't So Open (VS200, 1978)
- Touch and Go" / "Goldfinger (VS207, 1978)
- Give Me Everything / I Love You You Big Dummy (VS237, 1978)
- Rhythm of Cruelty / TV Baby (VS251, 1979)
- A Song From Under The Floorboards / Twenty Years Ago (VS321, 1980)
- Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin) / The Book (VS328, 1980)
- Upside Down / The Light Pours Out Of Me (VS334, 1980)
- Sweetheart Contract / Feed The Enemy (live) / Twenty Years Ago (live) / Shot By Both Sides (live) (VS36812, 1980)
- About The Weather / In The Dark / The Operative (VS412-12, 1981)
Compilations
- Scree (1991) - rarities 1978-1981
- Maybe It's Right to Be Nervous Now (2000) - three disc boxset
- Where the Power Is (2000) - Single disc retrospective