EP · The Buzzcocks
Spiral Scratch by The Buzzcocks
Spiral Scratch is an EP by The Buzzcocks, released in 1977. 1 song from it has charted on rock radio countdowns, with 4 countdown appearances in total. The biggest is “Boredom”, on 4 lists with a best position of #12.
Spiral Scratch, the debut EP from Bolton's Buzzcocks, came out on New Hormones in January 1977 with Martin Hannett producing, and it sounds like it was bashed out by people with no time to wait for anyone's permission. Howard Devoto sings, sneering and bored stiff, with Pete Shelley's guitar buzzing like a busted fridge, Steve Diggle alongside him and John Maher clattering away on drums. It's one of only two Buzzcocks studio releases with Devoto, who was soon gone to start Magazine.
"Boredom" is the one that stuck, a shrug set to a buzzsaw. The EP has since been credited with helping to kick-start indie rock and Britain's whole independent scene. A 1979 reissue made number 31 on the UK singles chart, and a 40th anniversary edition in 2017 went to the top of the UK Physical Singles Chart. Next came Another Music in a Different Kitchen.
Written with AI assistance from RockLists chart data, MusicBrainz and Wikipedia.
Songs from Spiral Scratch on radio countdowns
| # | Song | Strength | Lists | Best | #1s | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boredom | 4 | #12 | – | 1978–2003 |
Only songs that appear on at least one countdown are listed. Release data from MusicBrainz.