Video
Buzzcocks
2026

Denise Shaw was there at the very beginning of Manchester punk.

In this interview, Denise shares her remarkable story of discovering punk in the mid-1970s and becoming part of a scene that would change British music forever. From the Ranch and Pips to the Electric Circus, she witnessed first-hand the arrival of bands including the Buzzcocks, Sex Pistols, The Clash, Slaughter and the Dogs, Chelsea and many others.

Denise talks about growing up in Rochdale, sneaking into clubs while still underage, discovering Lou Reed and David Bowie, and becoming fascinated by a new movement that most people around her simply didn't understand. She recalls seeing an early Buzzcocks performance at the Ranch, travelling alone to the Electric Circus, and becoming part of the close-knit group of Manchester punks who followed the emerging scene from its earliest days.

She also shares memories of the famous Brass Tacks: Punk Rock 1977 television documentary, explaining how she became involved and the reaction it generated. Denise discusses the media hysteria surrounding punk, the tensions between punks and teddy boys, the hostility many punks faced in everyday life, and how newspaper and television coverage helped fuel public fear of the movement.

Along the way, Denise remembers travelling to London to visit the legendary Roxy Club, seeing the Sex Pistols live, encounters with photographers including Kevin Cummins and Derek Ridgers, appearing on iconic record sleeves and photographs, and the friendships that developed within the Manchester punk community.

One of the highlights of the interview is Denise's diary from the period, which documents gigs, trips and experiences as they happened. Her memories provide a vivid picture of what it was like to be a young punk in Manchester during one of the most exciting periods in British music history.

This is a fascinating first-hand account of Manchester punk from somebody who was there from the beginning.

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Important Notice:
All photographs featured in this video remain the copyright of Denise Shaw and are used with permission. These images must not be copied, reproduced, downloaded, published, shared, redistributed or used elsewhere without Denise Shaw's explicit permission.