The Buzzcocks at Shepherds Bush

The Buzzcocks are on their 'Another Bites' tour at the moment, playing their first two albums ('Another Music In A Different Kitchen' and 'Love Bites'), a gig I couldn't possibly miss. So, on Friday night after the traditional omelette and chips in the Polish restaurant at the top of Shepherds Bush Green, over the road we went to the faded glory of Shepherds Bush Empire, sensibly having tickets for upstairs to avoid the sticky floor and lack of sight lines downstairs.

After getting badges at the merch stand (a necessity) we went in to give The Lurkers the once over and headed for the bar. I've never been taken with The Lurkers and wasn't on Friday either. Once they'd left the stage we found seats and waited. And then there they were - the Buzzcocks! Only Pete Shelley and Steve Diggle from the original band, but the bassist and drummer fit right in creating a tight sound.

They kicked off by playing 'Fast Cars' from 'Another Music' and we were off and running, playing every song in order. Simple things keep me happy and I revelled in songs being introduced solely by, '1, 2, 3...' or Pete simply saying the title before those guitars went into overdrive again or the drums started thumping. That's how it *should* be at a punk gig. Before we knew it we were into 'Love Bites', classic three minute pop songs flying past at a fast pace and all too soon the echoing drumbeats of 'Late For The Train' closed the set and off they went. Only to reappear a minute or two later to give us a greatest hits session before departing again to much adulation and shaking hands with the front rows of the crowd that had pogoed themselves silly to every song.

It was great to see them play all those great songs live, with Pete's distinctive voice and the fast guitar thrash in every song. Pete has written some really great pop songs about teenage love and angst and growing up and I bought all the singles in their picture sleeves back in the day and played both sides endlessly. From the sublime 'Ever Fallen In Love (With Someone You Shouldn't've)' to the simple repetition of 'Noise Annoys', Pete says it all one way or another. A particular highlight for me was 'Promises' and when Pete sang 'Why did you ever let me down?' I couldn't help but think that he hasn't let us down, making all those songs live again. I couldn't help a grin when they played 'Nostalgia' - 'nostalgia for an age yet to come' and here we all were. But the songs aren't dusty old things, they still sparkle 30 years later. It was a delight to see so many young people there - the songs still have the power to speak to teenagers. And to ex-teenagers.

If you get the chance, go and see 'em.