I Kissed Howard Devoto (And Lived) by Anne Clark

"All I ask for is the pleasure of seeing something of mine in print" - wrote Anne Clarke of Croydon - enclosing an account of her conversation and lust for Howard Devoto's Magazine. All right then - here it is and more refreshing to read than Jon Savage's student meg gibberish. Over to you. Anne

Like many people I didn't quite realise how boring and 'unmoving' music was becoming until I heard the Sex Pistols (in late '76). I was very excited by "Punk/New Wave" right-from the beginning - but whether I this was EXACTLY what was heeded; I wasn't too sure at the time. I regarded it as a form of entertainment to use up excess energy accumulated from going to concerts such as Tangerine. Dream - Wishbone Ash - etc - you know what I mean. Concerts where the band was there and you were here. However much the music got your feet-tapping there was still not enough contact between band and audience. Of course you could visit the pub circuit - where good bands played to good audiences - and to a degree there was some form of relationship. Still there was something missing. Something to do with the music; it didn't seem to hold much relevance any mere. Then than to such bands as the Pistols and-The Clash this was all changed - then the inevitable happened and everyone was jumping on the bandwagon - as7i'm sure you've read a hundred times before. Very quickly 'New Wave' had nothing to offer. There were no mere really creat-ive bands. Everybody does the same things because it was said that Punk was something everyone can have a go at. If everyone does the same thing there's not going to be much progress is there - there can't be many new ideas to offer. Once everybody does it - it can't be called "New Wave". It had to become a cliche.

Thus I come (gratefully) to my reason for writing this --:

One night several of us sat around the television and watched an edition of "So -It Goes". Some of us were not interested - some too pissed anyway. I was not too interested. Still. I watched. A band called Magazine - led by Howard Devoto - ex-Buzzcocks - came on. "my - my - what a handsome fellow that Howard Devoto has become" I thought - and told everybody I swooned over the carpet (forgetting the punk rules against idols and sexy creatures!)

"Oh - I'd go and see them just to be near that beautiful guy" - I announced to all present.

Then I became aware of the song they were doing - "Motorcade". WOW:

That was it - that's what I'd been waiting for - waiting to hear and see - at last If anyone couldn't understand the music they would understand it by his stage interpretations. The clothes - lighting - everything was just great. I moved as near to the television as possible without it hurting: I sat entranced by what this band were doing. From that moment until now all I have talked about nearly is Magazine. I waited and yearned for their single. Then it arrived - not "Motorcade" as I thought it might be - but the superb

"Shot By Both Sides" - backed with "My Mind Aint So Open". Oh what pure bliss. At last This for me was finally some thing positive from the New Wave.

Then I heard something which nearly made me pee all over the floor (Steady on - Ed) Magazine were playing the 100 club and the Nashville.

I went - I saw - I conquered - (I planted a kiss on Howard's cheek). Live they were just what I expected - wonderful. The music was great - the presentation was great. And - it pleased me no end - - -that Howard didn't have to do any Buzzcocks numbers to get the crowd behind them.

Magazine are here. They are original they are positive - and they are going to be big. And as a friend put it: "Magazine - more than just a colour -supplement". Thank you Virgin for signing them up. Thank you every club that booked them - for letting every one see some real New Wave.- Thank you. Magazine -for all you' have to offer .and thank YOU Howard for giving me so many pleasant dreams at night