Magazine (band)

Magazine
Magazine performing at the Hop Farm Festival, 2011
Magazine performing at the Hop Farm Festival, 2011
Background information
OriginManchester, England
Genres
Years active1977–1981, 2009–2011
Labels
Past membersHoward Devoto
John McGeoch
Barry Adamson
Martin Jackson
Bob Dickinson
Dave Formula
Paul Spencer
John Doyle
Robin Simon
Ben Mandelson
Noko
Jonathan "Stan" White

Magazine were a British rock band formed in 1977 in Manchester in England by singer Howard Devoto and guitarist John McGeoch. After leaving the punk group Buzzcocks in early 1977, Devoto decided to create a more progressive and less "traditional" rock band. The original lineup of Magazine was composed of Devoto, McGeoch, Barry Adamson on bass, Bob Dickinson on keyboards and Martin Jackson on drums.

Their debut album, Real Life (1978), was critically acclaimed and was one of the first post-punk albums. After releasing two other albums, Secondhand Daylight and The Correct Use of Soap, McGeoch left the band in 1980 to join Siouxsie and the Banshees. Magazine released another studio album and disbanded in 1981. All four of their albums reached the top 40 on the UK Albums Chart.

They reunited in 2009 for a UK tour with Noko on guitar. Magazine released an album of new material, No Thyself, in October 2011, followed by a short UK tour.

Magazine have been cited as an influence by bands and musicians such as Simple Minds, the Smiths, Radiohead, Pulp and John Frusciante.