BUZZCOCKS SPIRAL SCRATCH E.P. 45 rpm Original pressing 1st independent Punk Rock

$

52

Up for auction is an original pressing of the BUZZCOCKS SPIRAL SCRATCH E.P. Stereo, 7" 45 rpm, on the NEW HORMONES LABEL. This disc was the 1st English punk record to come out on an independent label! 4 songs, all composed by the great PETE SHELLEY & HOWARD DEVOTO. STEVE DIGGLE plays bass, and JOHN MAHER on drums.  
*** THIS IS NOT THE 1979 REISSUE! IT IS THE ORIGINAL PRESSING. *** Record is in really excellent shape, no scratches, nicks, marks... sounds great! Outer picture sleeve has marks and price sticker stain, which you can see in the photos. There is an unmarked inner sleeve as well.
Side one: Breakdown (1:54), Time's Up (3:02) --- Side two: Boredom (2:52), Friends of Mine (2:13) Recorded in Manchester, England December 28, 1976 --- Released January 1977. Produced by Martin Hannett. 

Simon Reynolds, in his book Rip It Up and Start Again, states that some consider Spiral Scratch to be a more important record than the Sex Pistols' "Anarchy in the U. K.", because whereas the Sex Pistols' single showed that anyone could be in a rock band (a novel idea at the time), Spiral Scratch proved that anyone could release a record, without needing an established record label, of which there were very few in 1977. Reynolds also contends that the EP was "a regionalist blow" by the Manchester band against the London-based music industry.Reynolds, Simon (2005), Rip it Up and Start Again: Postpunk 1978-1984 (in english), Penguin Group, p. 26, ISBN 0-14-303672-6 Jon Savage states that it was instrumental in helping establish the small labels and scenes in both Manchester and Liverpool.

It is often said that the many small DIY labels that sprang up across the country in 1977 took Spiral Scratch as their inspiration.

The EP was also an exercise in the demystification of the record-making process (for example, its title was taken from the music's being recorded literally as a spiral scratch on each side of the vinyl; also, the listing of take numbers and overdubs on the record sleeve). This was a landmark event for many, Reynolds adds. "People were buying Spiral Scratch [...] for the sheer fact of its existence, its existence as a cultural landmark and portent of revolution."

Bob Last founded the Fast Product record label after Spiral Scratch came out. "I had absolutely no idea there'd been a history of independent labels before that. Spiral Scratch turned my head around."

The success of this EP also helped to establish the reputation of Martin Hannett in the music industry.

Four great tunes from one of the smartest and original punk bands. An essential addition to your vinyl collection, selling for no 

reserve. I accept PayPal or USPS M.O.s, and will ship the next day. Shipping will cost $3.00 in the USA. Contact me for overseas

rates. Good luck bidding, and don't stop the punk rock...

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RICHARD HELL johnny thunders THE RAMONES robert quine TOM VERLAINE patti smith CBGB'S fender precision bass DEE DEE RAMONE blank generation GO NOW blondie DEBBIE HARRY i dreamed i was a very clean tramp THE HEARTBREAKERS sex pistols MALCOLM MCLAREN johnny rotten SID VICIOUS television TALKING HEADS seymour stein TERRY ORK andy warhol PATTY SMYTHE the new york dolls THURSTON MOORE sonic youth DIM STARS the factory THE CLASH joe strummer THE FEELIES max's kansas city PETE SHELLEY howard devoto MAGAZINE the cure THE SMITHS johnny marr MORRISEY mark e. smith ECHO AND THE BUNNYMEN the human league THE FALL joy division NEW ORDER happy mondays THE STONE ROSES oasis LIAM GALLAGHER shaun ryder BERNARD SUMNER peter hook INSPIRAL CARPETS primal scream THE JESUS AND MARY CHAIN iggy pop THE STOOGES talking heads CHARLES EAMES kelly slater MICK JAGGER the rolling stones KEITH RICHARDS the beatles BRIAN JONES