Howard Devoto – in session for John Peel – August 1, 1983 – aired, August 8 – BBC Radio 1 –
Howard Devoto in session for John Peel tonight. To me, one of the pivotal figures in the shaping of Punk into Post-Punk and carving out a unique place somewhere at the front.
I always thought Buzzcocks were a landmark band; one of my favorites. But after getting the band started and cutting one ep, left to forge new vistas with Magazine, another landmark band who have somehow gone overlooked in recent years. I can say with a degree of certainty that I knew exactly where I was when I first heard About The Weather, still one of the great classics of the period, and further evidence music of the 1980s was heading into some interesting directions, and one of the great injustices that it didn’t get the exposure it deserved. Don’t get me started on artists whose work has been needlessly ignored.
This is Howard Devoto’s first and only session for John Peel. Coinciding with the release of his first solo album, Jerky Versions Of The Dream. The album was released in United States on the I.R.S. label, on 26 July 1983.
The first single to be released from the album was “Rainy Season”, which was considered by many to be a stand-out track. The song’s video was heavily rotated on MTV. On the release of the album it peaked at #57, on the UK album chart. It was eagerly anticipated and widely received by amazing reviews. A subsequent tour in Europe, the United States, and Canada was full of sold out crowds. However, the album’s second single, “Cold Imagination”, failed to chart as well, and Devoto’s solo career was put on hold.
As a reminder – and maybe as an introduction – have a listen to this session and do some exploring if Howard Devoto is new to you. It’s worth it.
