Hi!  I'm Jonny Couch from Jersey City, NJ and I'm influenced by many genres of rock, however my favorite "punk" band has always been Buzzcocks, who in my opinion transcend the genre.

My all time fave LP is A Different Kind of Tension by Buzzcocks.  This album immediately hits you over the head- with vocals, guitars, and drums all starting on beat one of "Paradise"!  The listener is immediately treated to Pete Shelley's quirky lyrics, beautiful melodies and zany delivery in the way that only Pete can deliver it.  No one can emote beauty, frustration, desperation, and pain in a song quite like this late great.

The classic tune "You Say You Don't Love Me" is one of the most beautiful songs ever written.  Like a lot of Buzzcocks' tunes, it is extremely heartfelt but it also takes you into another sonic world with it's flanging guitars.  We also get plenty of gems on SIDE A from the less zany but equally passionate Steve Diggle, who is always on a mission to rock, such as "Sitting 'round At Home" and "Mad, Mad Judy".  It's a brilliant back and forth between the two personalities that keeps the listener engaged.

Side B of the LP is all Shelley on lead vocals, and it's one hell of a Side B.  Here the Buzzers experiment in ways that they never did before, with the fast paced "I Don't Know What To Do With My Life" kicking off the side.  From there, they go into a couple slower, weirder numbers because they are not afraid to try something different, and it pays off.  "Hollow Inside" is downright hypnotic and you will be singing the words along with Shelley by the time you listen to it the first time, let alone on repeated listens.  Finally the album closes with "I Believe" and this is the best and simply the most amazing 7 minute punk song that you will ever listen to in your life, filled with energy, melody, emotion, and lyrical genius!  Producer Martin Rushent ties everything together, perfectly capturing the visions of both songwriters throughout the album. Please take a listen and let me know if you agree!

Jonny Couch Feels the Tension: Jonny Couch's new single "Sweet Charlene" is out now.

 



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