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 before.

The Buzzcocks staged the first of two ‘Back to Front’ concerts last night, performing music from three different eras of the group’s history with three different lineups — including a closing set that saw the return of original frontman Howard Devoto, who hadn’t appeared with the band in more than 33 years.

More than 30 years after leaving the band he co-founded, original frontman Howard Devoto will rejoin the Buzzcocks for part of the punk legends’ two ‘Back to Front’ concerts in Manchester and London next May, shows that will feature three different lineups of the band performing music from their respective eras.

Classic punk outfit Buzzcocks today announced a 22-date North American tour later this spring that will find the band tearing through its first two albums — ‘Another Music in a Different Kitchen’ and ‘Love Bites’ — in their entirety each night, plus ‘other hits.’