Alternative TV

Alternative TV

Company type	Group or band
Industry	Music
Founded	1977 in London, United Kingdom
Founder	Mark Perry, Alex Fergusson
Headquarters	London , United Kingdom
Products	Music albums, singles

Alternative TV (also referred to as ATV) is a British group that originated in London in 1977. Music writer Steve Taylor highlights how Alternative TV was instrumental in introducing reggae elements into punk music, significantly influencing the genre's evolution.

History

The band was established by Mark Perry, who was the editor of Sniffin' Glue, alongside Alex Fergusson. In their early practice sessions, Genesis P-Orridge played drums at the Industrial Records studio. Their first live appearance was as an opening act for The Adverts in Nottingham.

Their debut release, "Love Lies Limp," was distributed as a complimentary flexi disc with the last issue of Perry's Sniffin' Glue. The original ensemble consisted of Perry, Fergusson, drummer John Towe (formerly of Generation X), and bassist Tyrone Thomas; Chris Bennett later took over drumming duties from Towe. This group blended brief punk tracks with longer experimental compositions such as "Alternatives to NATO". Their single from December 1977, "How Much Longer"/"You Bastard", offered a critique of punk fashion.

Towards the end of 1977, Perry parted ways with Fergusson, who went on to co-found Psychic TV. Tyrone Thomas transitioned to guitar while Kim Turner replaced him on bass; Dennis Burns joined as well. They released the dub-inspired single "Life After Life" and their first album, The Image Has Cracked, which included piano contributions from Jools Holland.

By 1978, only Perry and Burns remained from the earlier formation. Their sophomore album, Vibing Up the Senile Man (Part One), marked a move toward more experimental sounds that distanced both critics and fans. Live recordings from this period reveal a departure from punk and new wave into avant-garde territories. The single "The Force Is Blind" featured Anno from Here & Now.

Subsequently, the band transformed into The Good Missionaries, issuing one live album in 1979. Perry also explored other ventures including The Door and the Window and released a solo album before briefly reviving ATV in 1981 with members formerly of Cash Pussies. This incarnation produced Strange Kicks, a more pop-oriented record produced by Richard Mazda, which garnered mixed critical reception.

Between 1981 and 1982, Perry fronted The Reflections, releasing one album before disbandment. He reassembled ATV in 1985 with various musicians including Karl Blake and Steve Cannell, releasing multiple albums over the following decade with Perry as the sole constant member.

After a lengthy hiatus, ATV released Revolution in 2001 followed by the live album Viva La Rock'n' Roll in 2003. In 2004, Perry contributed a Ramones cover for an Argentine tribute compilation.

Their first studio album in fourteen years, Opposing Forces, was launched on 10 July 2015 via Lost Moment/Public Domain.

In 2022, Mark Perry revived Alternative TV for a series of live performances featuring Jimmy Jewell, Mark Tempest, and Alan Burton, culminating in their final show in September.

Legacy

The unreleased ATV track "Urban Kids" was later released as a single by Chelsea in 1977. The Chameleons often ended their performances with a rendition of "Splitting in 2". The band Savage Republic included a cover of "Viva La Rock n' Roll" on their 1988 album Jamahiriya Democratique et Populaire de Sauvage. In 1993, Thee Headcoats recorded the song "Action Time Vision" for a single release. Additionally, Wild Billy Childish and the Musicians of the British Empire offered their version of "Date With Doug" on their debut album from 2007.

Members

Approximate membership information up to 2002 is based on the Mark Perry biography.

• Mark Perry – lead vocals, guitar, various instruments
• Alex Fergusson – guitar, vocals
• Micky Smith – bass
• John Towe – drums
• Tyrone Thomas – bass, guitar
• Chris Bennett – drums
• Dennis Burns – bass, guitar
• Kim Turner – guitar
• Mick Linehan – guitar
• Dave George – guitar, additional instruments
• Anno Graver – vocals
• Henry Badowski – drums, saxophone
• Gillian Hanna – vocals
• Alan Gruner – keyboards
• Ray Weston – drums
• Karl Blake – guitar, drums
• Nag – bass
• Protag – guitar
• Steve Cannell – bass
• Allison Phillips – drums
• Clive Giblin – guitar
• Fish – drums
• James Kyllo – guitar, vocals
• Dave Morgan – drums
• Bob Leith – drums
• Luci Bocchino – guitar
• Rob Ugly – bass
• John Isaac – drums
• Dick Ugly – keyboards
• Lee McFadden – bass
• Tony Barber – bass, guitar
• Kevin Mann – drums
• Grahame Hullett – bass
• Steve Carter – bass
• Cos Chapman – guitar, homemade instruments
• Ruth Tidmarsh – bass, vocals

Studio albums

• The Image Has Cracked (1978)
• Vibing Up the Senile Man (Part One) (1979)
• Strange Kicks (1981)
• Peep Show (1987)
• Dragon Love (1990)
• My Life as a Child Star (1994)
• Punk Life (1998)
• Apollo (1999)
• Revolution (2001)
• Opposing Forces (2015)
• Direct Action (2023)

Split albums

• Scars on Sunday (1980) (collaboration with The Good Missionaries)
• An Ye as Well (1980) (with The Good Missionaries)

Extended plays

• Love/Sex EP (1986)
• The Sol EP (1990)
• Dark Places (2018)

Live albums

• What You See Is What You Are (1978) (joint release with Here and Now)
• Live at the Rat Club '77 (1979)
• Live 1978 (1993)
• The Radio Sessions (1995)
• The Industrial Sessions 1977 (1996)
• 25 Years of ATV - Live at CBGB (2002), later reissued as Love Lies Limp
• Viva la Rock 'n' Roll (2004)
• Black and White: Live (2009)

Compilation albums

• Action Time Vision (1980)
• Splitting in 2 – Selected Viewing (1989)
• The Image Has Cracked – The Alternative TV Collection (1994)
• Vibing Up the Senile Man – The Second Alternative TV Collection (1996)
• Action Time Vision - the Very Best of Mark Perry and ATV (1977-1999) (1999)
• Action Time Vision - The ATV Anthology (2003)
• In Control (2006)
• Viva La Rock 'n' Roll (2015), Cherry Red – comprehensive 4-CD box set containing all Deptford Fun City recordings, including essential albums and bonus material

Singles

• "Love Lies Limp" (1977)
• "How Much Longer" (1977)
• "Life After Life" (1977)
• "Action Time Vision" (1978)
• "Life"/"Love Lies Limp" (1978)
• "The Force Is Blind" (1979)
• "The Ancient Rebels" (1981)
• "Communicate" (1981)
• "Welcome to the End of Fun" (1986)
• "My Baby's Laughing (Empty Summer Dream)" (1987)
• "Best Wishes" (1994)
• "Purpose in My Life" (1993)
• "Unlikely Star" (1999)
• "Now I Wanna Sniff Some Glue" (2004)
• "This Little Girl"/"Art School Project" (2016)
• "Negative, Primitive" (2017)
• "Walls"/"Hollow Stream" (2019)