Alternative TV: Biography

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Formed:

Jan 1, 1976 in London, England

Genres:

Rock Music, Progressive Rock Music, Punk and Hardcore Rock Music

Decades Active:

1970's|1980's|1990's|2000's

Artistic Quality

Low

Ratings Guide

Although a part (albeit a small part) of the early English punk rock scene, Alternative TV is probably best known for the scabrous fanzine (-Sniffin' Glue) published by lead singer Mark Perry (aka Mark P). Perry's 'zine embodied punk's tear-it-down ethos with a wonderfully petulant and sarcastic attitude, a fact that makes his transition to punk musician such a profound disappointment. Ironically, Perry's band turned out to be far less interesting than his mimeographed fanzine. Daringly attempting to add the space rock influences of Can and the satirical art rock damage of Frank Zappa to the, primarily, faster and louder punk zeitgeist, Perry fell from grace with a resounding thud. The music meandered, the lyrics sounded painfully overwritten and narcissistic, and Perry's tuneless "singing" didn't help at all. Oddly enough, Alternative TV did produce some worthwhile music and had a long career for a band so conspicuously lacking in talent (Perry led a version of this band until 1990). From 1979-1980, Perry led an equally mediocre band called the Good Missionaries, who had the good sense to call it a career after one record.

- John Dougan, All Music Guide