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Magazine

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

Magazine was a British rock band, founded in Manchester in 1977 by singer Howard Devoto and guitarist John McGeoch. Devoto had left the punk band Buzzcocks earlier that year because he wanted to make something that went beyond punk. With bassist Barry Adamson, keyboardist Bob Dickinson and drummer Martin Jackson the first line-up took shape; keyboardist Dave Formula soon joined. The band signed to Virgin Records and gave its first concert in Manchester in October 1977.

Music and breakthrough

The first single, Shot by Both Sides, was released in 1978, still with a hard punk sound of guitar, bass and drums. The debut album Real Life (1978) was well received and is regarded as one of the first British post-punk albums. On Secondhand Daylight (1979) the synthesizers took a bigger role, and The Correct Use of Soap (1980) was produced by Martin Hannett. After that McGeoch left for Siouxsie and the Banshees. After Magic, Murder and the Weather (1981) Devoto quit and the band broke up. All four albums reached the British top 40. McGeoch, Adamson and Formula also played in Visage, Steve Strange's group. In 2009 Magazine got back together, and in 2011 No Thyself was released.

Influence

Magazine combined the energy of punk with keyboards, unusual chords and Devoto's intelligent, often ironic lyrics. In this way the band was a bridge between punk and the new, more artistic pop music of the 1980s. Simple Minds, The Smiths, Pulp and Radiohead named Magazine as an influence, above all McGeoch's guitar playing.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to Shot by Both Sides and notice John McGeoch's sharp guitar and the fast, straight drums, which are still close to punk. Hear how Howard Devoto sings over it, more mocking than angry.

Discography

Studio albums

In School of Rock

The chapters, maps and magazine stories of School of Rock are currently available in Dutch only.

Categories: Artists