Howard Devoto : Interview 

In The Build Up To The Forthcoming Magazine August Tour

Devoto devotees are coming out in force for Magazine’s three-city tour.

The post-punk band will be visiting Manchester, Edinburgh and London at the end of August. The tour has been dubbed ‘The Soap Show: Episode 2009’.

I spoke with Howard Devoto, Magazine’s inspirational frontman and founder member of the Buzzcocks to find out a bit more about these up-coming shows and his recent university achievements.

In February 2009, original members Howard, Barry Adamson, John Doyle and Dave Formula were joined on guitar by former Luxuria collaborator Noko, to play a handful of concerts across the UK. It was the first time Magazine played live together since 1980. These ‘Real Life + Thereafter’ shows quickly sold out and received widespread critical acclaim. Now the group are back to build their legacy still further.

The Soap Show will cull its content from the evergreen third Magazine album ‘The Correct Use Of Soap’. When asked why the band had chosen to focus on this album for the tour Howard said: “Different people obviously have different favourite albums but over the years I think most people would say that The Correct Use Of Soap is their favourite Magazine album – and it also happens to be my favourite Magazine album. “

“I think it is the most consistent album and it has a light touch about it which I like.”

I asked Howard what he meant by ‘light touch’…

“When you look back at yourself as a young man and all that stuff I think we were a bit over poe-faced and this album has less of that about it. There is humour in some of this work,” said the musician who has inspired the likes of Jarvis Cocker and Radio Head.

The tour kicks off The Bridgewater Hall in Manchester on Saturday August 29, picks up a pace and onto The Picture House in Edinburgh on Sunday August 30 and stops rolling at The Royal Festival Hall on London’s South Bank come September 1. Don’t worry Magazine fans I am assured that the band will have some room for songs from other albums in their set list.

Devoto, along with former Buzzcocks co-founder Pete Shelley, was responsible for bringing the Sex Pistols to play in Manchester to launch the punk scene in the North of England – inspiring Morrissey and Ian Curtis et al.

His achievements were recognised on July 9 2009 when the University of Bolton awarded him an honorary doctorate for his contributions to music.

An attendee at the Uni as a young man, Devoto donned the traditional cap and gown to accept his honour, saying afterwards: “I didn’t have to wear that stuff last time, I wasn’t quite as successful.”

The ‘poe-faced’ punk was honoured alongside Bruce Forsyth wanna-be Vernon Kay and Shelley, and told students how he and ‘Pete’ were inspired by their tutor, the late David Melling.

Devoto has been described by NME as one of the most influential musicians of all time. When I asked him what he thought of this statement and if he now compares himself to the Beatles and U2 Howard said: “Don’t be silly Will.” – I like the cut of his jib.

If you don’t know Magazine check out The Soap Show. Their music translates really well to the electronic new wave sounds of today. If you know them already and don’t have a ticket you should be ashamed of yourself!

Words: Will Astbury

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