The Buzzcocks late last week launched a PledgeMusic crowdsourcing campaign to help fund the recording and release of their first new studio album in eight years, saying the fundraising effort — which is already halfway to its goal — will allow the legendary punk act to release its new music much faster than the last time around.
According to the band’s PledgeMusic page, it’s previous album, 2006’s Flat Pack Philosophy, took two years to reach fans via conventional record-company release. This time, the band — Pete Shelley, Steve Diggle, Chris Remington and Danny Farrant — plans to preview the songs live this spring and then record them, with a digital release set for May 1 and CD and vinyl shipping this summer.
Depending on the contribution, fans can receive the album on digital, CD or vinyl, plus a variety of autograph packages, test pressings, handwritten lyrics and even Shelley’s own Eastwood Starway guitar (for £750).
To support the project, contribute via PledgeMusic.
Below, check out a live performance of “People are Strange Machines,” a Diggle-written song slated to appear on the new record.
Buzzcocks, “People are Strange Machines” (Live)
PREVIOUSLY ON SLICING UP EYEBALLS
- Video: Howard Devoto rejoins Buzzcocks for first time in 33 years at Manchester gig
- Howard Devoto to rejoin Buzzcocks for 2 ‘Back to Front’ concerts in U.K. next May
- Buzzcocks to play ‘Another Music,’ ‘Love Bites’ on 22-date North American tour
- Expanded reissues of Buzzcocks’ first three albums to be released in U.S.
You know, this type of self funding for bands is pretty cool and not how I expected bands to behave with labels dying and the internet looming. The fact that they’re raising funds to put out an album is great, I thought bands such as the Cocks would just relegated to releasing mp3 tracks through their websites and that’s all. I hope this trend continues.
Hands-down one of the best sets I ever saw at Coachella (out of 5 years).