Howard Devoto (born
Howard Trotter) was on the cutting edge of British post-punk rock during the late '70s and '80s. A founding member of new wave/pop band
the Buzzcocks,
Devoto went on to form similar-minded bands
Magazine and
Luxuria. Although he retreated from music during the 1990s, he returned to the studio with former
Buzzcocks bandmate
Pete Shelley in 2002 as the two record together for the first time in a quarter of a century.
A native of Manchester, England,
Devoto first attracted attention in 1976 when he and
Shelley formed
the Buzzcocks. Although he co-wrote such tunes as "Boredom," "Breakdown," and "Orgasm Addict," he only played a few gigs with the group and appeared on their debut EP,
Spiral Scratch, before leaving in early 1977.
Joining with guitarist/songwriter
John McGeoch, bassist
Barry Adamson, keyboard player Bob Dickinson, and drummer
Martin Jackson,
Devoto formed
Magazine in April 1977. Emphasizing the neo-spiritual, existential, and philosophical side of their musical persona, the group recorded five memorable albums --
Real Life,
Secondhand Daylight,
The Correct Use of Soap, Live, and
Magic, Murder and the Weather -- before
Devoto left to pursue a solo career. The group disbanded shortly afterwards.
Devoto's success began to wane after leaving
Magazine. Although he released a solo album,
Jerky Versions of the Dream, in 1983, it failed to sell. He next surfaced five years later when he and guitarist
Noko formed
Luxuria. Although they recorded two albums -- Unanswerable Lust in 1988 and
Beast Box -- neither reached sales expectations and the group disbanded. Frustrated by his inability to interest record-buyers in his recordings,
Devoto left music in 1990 and took a full-time job as a photo librarian for a photography agency. He remained focused on the position until returning to the recording studio 12 years later. ~ Craig Harris