Alternative TV

Alternative TV is a London punk and post-punk group formed in 1977 around Mark Perry, the writer and founder of the fanzine Sniffin' Glue. The band begins as Perry moves from fanzine culture into music, with a first lineup that includes ex-Generation X drummer John Towe, bassist Mickey Smith and former Nobodies guitarist Alex Fergusson. The group’s early work is linked closely to the first British punk scene, and its rehearsals take place at Throbbing Gristle’s Hackney studio.

Early releases and first lineup

The band makes its live debut in Nottingham in May 1977. Its first single, “Love Lies Limp,” appears as a free flexidisc with the final issue of Sniffin' Glue. After that release, the lineup changes quickly: Smith is replaced by New Beatle Tyrone Thomas, and Towe later leaves, with Chris Bennett taking over on drums. During this period Alternative TV also appears in The Punk Rock Movie, the documentary of punk’s early years.

Further early singles include “How Much Longer,” issued through Perry’s Deptford Fun City imprint on Miles Copeland’s Illegal label arrangement, and “Action Time Vision” and “Life After Life.” The band’s debut album, The Image Has Cracked, combines live and studio material and establishes its place in the punk era.

Shift in sound and later 1970s work

Alternative TV then moves away from its initial punk sound toward a more experimental direction associated with Perry’s growing interest in Throbbing Gristle and related music. By the time of Vibing Up the Senile Man (Part One), only Perry remains from the original lineup, and bassist Dennis Burns is the only other player carried over from the band’s later personnel. The album’s accompanying single is “The Force Is Blind.” The final release from this first period, Scars on Sunday, includes recordings from the group’s last concert in Chelmsford in March 1979, with side two introducing the Good Missionaries, Perry’s next group.

Reunions and membership

Alternative TV later reunites in 1981 with Alex Fergusson returning, and another reunion follows in the second half of the 1980s. The group’s membership across its active years includes Mark Perry, Alex Fergusson, John Towe, Chris Bennett, Karl Blake, Dennis Burns, Steve Carter, Dave George, Mick Linehan, Protag and Kim Turner. The band is active from 1976 to 1998.

Style and context

The group is associated with art punk, experimental music, new wave, post-punk, punk and punk rock. Its history is tied to the early British punk movement, both through Perry’s role as a fanzine editor and through the band’s rapid changes in style and personnel.