Alternative TV

Alternative TV (sometimes known as ATV) are an English band formed in London in 1977. Author Steve Taylor writes: "Alternative TV pioneered reggae rhythms in punk and then moved on to redefine the musical rules".
In March 1977, Alternative TV were formed by Mark Perry (vocals/guitar), founder of punk fanzine Sniffin' Glue, with guitarist Alex Fergusson. ATV played their first gig at the Nottingham Punk Festival in May 1977. Following various line-up changes, their first album was released in May 1978.
Becoming fed up with the punk scene, Mark took ATV into areas of experimentation in late '78 and, after playing as The Good Missionaries for a few gigs, the band broke up for the first time in late 1979. They reformed in '81 split and started again in 1984 and are still currently active.
== Links To Peel ==
Peel was a supporter of the band and repeated their 2 sessions multiple times on the radio, but struggled to play a good amount of the band's tracks on his show due to BBC's censorship regarding swear words (mentioned 19 September 1978).
== Sessions ==
Their only Peel session was released on The Radio Sessions CD, 2003 (Overground, OVER44CD) & On Viva La Rock 'N' Roll 4xCD, 2015 (Cherry Red ‎– CRCDMBOX20).
1. Recorded: 1977-12-05. Broadcast: 12 December 1977. Repeated: 11 August 1980. 
*Action Time Vision / Still Life / Love Lies Lim / Life After Life
2. Recorded: 1978-07-17. Broadcast: 27 July 1978. Repeated: 22 August 1978, 10 October 1978, 28 December 1978.
*Going Round In Circles / The Good Missionary / Release The Natives / Nasty Little Lonely
==Other Shows Played==
;1977
*24 November 1977: How Much Longer (7" - How Much Longer / You Bastard) Deptford Fun City
*25 November 1977: You Bastard (7" - How Much Longer / You Bastard) Deptford Fun City
*28 November 1977: How Much Longer (7") Deptford Fun City DFC 002
;1978
*23 March 1978: Life After Life (7") Deptford Fun City DFC04
*12 April 1978: Life After Life (7") Deptford Fun City DFC04
*06 June 1978: Splitting In Two
*30 June 1978: Viva La Rock 'N Roll (album - The Image Is Cracked) Deptford Fun City DLP 01
*07 July 1978: Action Time Vision (LP - The Image Has Cracked) Deptford Fun City Records
*19 September 1978: Action Time Vision (single) Depford Fun City
*06 October 1978: (JP: "The UK Subs are on Omnibus on next Thursday evening on BBC-1 television, along with the Mekons, the Slits, Jim Pursey, Alternative TV, the Desperate Bicycles, and the playlist committee among other things, and my good self, seen heading a football with more skill than I bet you imagined I had."
;1979
*27 February 1979: Release The Natives (album - Vibing Up The Senile Man (Part One)) Deptford Fun City DLP03
;1980
*10 April 1980 (BFBS): Action Time Vision
*16 April 1980: Action Time Vision (album - Action Time Vision) Deptford Fun City DLP 05
;1981
*21 July 1981: The Ancient Rebels (7") I.R.S. PFP 1006
; 1986
*Peel February 1986: Welcome To The End Of Fun (12") Noiseville V001 (T)
*10 July 1986 (BFBS): Repulsion (12"-Sex / Love) (Noiseville)
; 1990s
*03 June 1999 (Radio Eins): Action, Time, Vision (album - Splitting In 2 - Selected Viewing) Anagram GRAM 40
== See Also ==
* Reflections
*Sounds
== External Links==
*Wikipedia
*Discogs
Category:Artists