Song:Homosapien
Album:Just Can't Get Enough: New Wave Hits of the 80's, Vol. 5
Homosapien is probably more fondly remembered today than when it was released back in 1981. That's because at the time, it signaled the end for pioneering punk group The Buzzcocks and fans weren't very happy with Pete Shelley's move to synth-pop. It turned out to be Shelley's only solo hit. He was born Peter McNeish Apr. 17, 1955 in Leigh, Lancashire, England. He thought his name would be Shelley if he had been a girl. It's well known that he is bi-sexual. Shelley had recorded a solo electronic album called Sky Yen in 1974 but it was not released. Then he met Howard Devoto and formed The Buzzcocks in 1975 and they became one of the most popular bands of the punk era. Homosapien was originally intended to be a Buzzcocks record but a dispute with Virgin Publishing forced Shelley to disband the group. He signed a solo deal with Island in England and Arista in the US. Shelley renewed his interest in electronic music while recording the album with producer Martin Rushent. So many Buzzcocks fans were disappointed when Homosapien was not a punk album. The song was banned by the BBC due to sexual content. But Homosapien was still a hit on the dance chart in England and in the US. Shelley's subsequent recordings didn't have the same success and he would reform The Buzzcocks in 1988. You can get Homosapiens on this various artists comp from Rhino. Pete Shelley hasn't recorded solo since the 80s but The Buzzcocks are still touring. Here's the video for Homosapien by Pete Shelley.
A true classic. But I believe 'Telephone Operator' and 'If You Ask Me (I Won't Say No') were club hits, at least in NYC.
ReplyDeleteShelley recorded sort-of solo when he teamed up with Howard Devoto to record the album "Buzzkunst" as ShelleyDevoto. It was released in 2001. I saw Buzzcocks play in NYC around that time and Shelley played a few cuts from the album solo. "Till the Stars in his Eyes (are really dead)," "Can You See Me Shining," and "So There I Was" are particularly good tracks.