Category Archives: Alternative TV

Alternative TV were an influential British punk rock band, formed in London in 1976. As the founding editor of the pioneering Sniffin’ Glue fanzine, Mark Perry gained attention in the British punk scene. He formed the band whilst producing the fanzine, although eventually diverted his energies solely to this band. Key members of the band were Perry and Alex Fergusson, who described their music as “closest to Can and reggae-type rhythms”. The band’s debut single was “Love Lies Limp”, a free flexi disc issued with the final edition of Perry’s Sniffin’ Glue fanzine. Shortly afterwards they released the “How Much Longer” / “You Bastard” 7″ in December 1977, the A-side being a critique of youth culture apathy. Soon thereafter at the end of 1977, Perry sacked his chief collaborator Fergusson. The latter went on to form Cash Pussies and, a few years later, Psychic TV along with Genesis P Orridge.With new members John Towe and Dennis Burns, a dub influenced single, “Life after Life,” was released as well as a well-received debut album, The Image Has Cracked. The band’s second album, Vibing Up the Senile Man saw the band take a more explicitly experimental direction however, which alienated many of their followers as well as the music press. Excellent experimental album with Genesis P Orridge doing percussion on a few tracks. Vibing Up The Senile Man (Part One) was released on vinyl by Deptford Fun City (DLP 03) in 1978. In 1996 released on cd under the name “Vibing Up The Senile Man – The Second Alternative TV Collection” with extra live bonus tracks by Anagram Records (CDM GRAM 102). This is the 1978 vinyl version.

Tracks:

1. Release The Natives
2. Serpentine Gallery
3. Poor Association
4. The Radio Story
5. Facing Up To The Facts
6. The Good Missionary
7. Graves Of Deluxe Green
8. Smile In The Day

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