Spiral Scratch (EP)
| Spiral Scratch | ||||
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| EP by Buzzcocks | ||||
| Released | 29 January 1977 | |||
| Recorded | 28 December 1976 in Manchester, England | |||
| Genre | Punk rock | |||
| Length | 10:01 | |||
| Label | New Hormones | |||
| Producer | Martin Hannett | |||
| Buzzcocks chronology | ||||
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| Professional ratings | |
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| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   |
| Pitchfork Media | (9.5/10) |
Spiral Scratch is an EP and the debut release by English punk rock band Buzzcocks. It was released on 29 January 1977, and was the first punk record to be self-released (that is, without the support of an existing record label). It is the third official record ever released by a British punk band (preceded by The Damned's "New Rose", the Sex Pistols' "Anarchy in the U.K." and two first singles by The Vibrators in november 1976). The EP is the only Buzzcocks studio release to feature original singer Howard Devoto, who left shortly after its release to form one of the first post-punk bands, Magazine.
When reissued in 1979, it reached number 31 in the UK Singles Chart. In 2017, it entered the top spot of the UK Physical Singles Chart after being re-issued on its' 40th anniversary.
Buzzcocks recorded the tracks on 28 December 1976 at Dave Kent-Watson's Indigo Sound Studios, Manchester on 16-track Ampex tape. According to singer Howard Devoto, "It took three hours [to record the tracks], with another two for mixing." Produced by Martin Hannett (credited as "Martin Zero"), the music was roughly recorded, insistently repetitive and energetic.
The band, having no record label support, had to borrow £500 from their friends and families to pay for the record's production and manufacture. The EP was released 29 January 1977 on the band's own New Hormones label, making Buzzcocks the first English punk group to establish an independent record label. Despite this, the disc quickly sold out its initial run of 1,000 copies, and went on to sell 16,000 copies, initially by mail order, but also with the help of the Manchester branch of music chain store Virgin, whose manager took some copies and persuaded other regional branch managers to follow suit.
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