"Love Bites" is the second studio album by the English punk rock band Buzzcocks, released on September 22, 1978, through United Artists Records. The album marked a significant moment in the band's career, peaking at number 13 on the UK Albums Chart, making it their highest-charting album.
With its blend of punk energy and pop sensibilities, Love Bites features standout tracks that showcase the band's distinctive sound and lyrical themes. The album is noted for its catchy melodies and sharp songwriting, solidifying Buzzcocks' reputation in the punk rock scene of the late 1970s.
Love Bites was recorded and mixed by Buzzcocks alongside producer Martin Rushent over a two-and-a-half-week period in July and August 1978, shortly after the release of their debut album, Another Music in a Different Kitchen. This quick turnaround came amid an extensive touring schedule that showcased the band's growing popularity.
The album features the instrumental track "Late for the Train," which was first performed and recorded on John Peel's Radio One show, along with another instrumental by bassist Steve Garvey, titled "Walking Distance."
Additionally, the song "Just Lust" includes co-writing credits for Alan Dial, a pseudonym for Buzzcocks' then-manager Richard Boon. The track "Nostalgia" was later covered by the Newcastle band Penetration, who toured with Buzzcocks during the "Entertaining Friends" tour in 1978, further solidifying the album's influence within the punk rock scene.
