Steve Diggle


Stephen E Diggle is an English guitarist and vocalist in the punk band Buzzcocks.

Biography

Early years

Diggle was born in Manchester, and grew up in the Bradford and Rusholme areas of the city, where he was a mod. After attending Oldham College, he got a job, but was dismissed for organising a strike.

Buzzcocks

He attended the Sex Pistols gig at Manchester's Lesser Free Trade Hall, in June 1976. Their manager Malcolm McLaren introduced him to guitarist Pete Shelley and vocalist Howard Devoto, who were looking for a bassist for their band, Buzzcocks. John Maher joined as drummer and six weeks later, Buzzcocks played their first concert. Steve played bass at several concerts and on the Spiral Scratch EP. Howard Devoto left Buzzcocks shortly after the EP was released, which prompted the band to reshuffle – Pete Shelley becoming lead vocalist as well as guitarist and Diggle switching from bass to guitar.
, 2011
Steve Diggle wrote several songs for Buzzcocks, including "Autonomy", "Fast Cars", "Love Is Lies", "Sitting Round At Home", "You Know You Can't Help It", "Mad Mad Judy", "Airwaves Dream", and, perhaps his most famous song, "Harmony in My Head", a Top 40 hit in 1979.

Early solo career and Flag of Convenience

After Buzzcocks split in 1981, Diggle was briefly a solo artist, releasing the 50 Years of Comparative Wealth EP the same year. In 1982, he formed a new band, Flag of Convenience with ex-Buzzcock John Maher. Ex-Easterhouse drummer Gary Rostock played on Diggle's 2000 album Some Reality, released on Diggle's own label, 3:30 Records. In 2013, Diggle also appeared in the British punk-pop comedy Vinyl, playing himself.

Discography

Solo Albums