C/D: Television Personalities

Classic, by my estimation. _Yes, Darling, But Is It Art?_ is a GRATE place to start if you're a novice. "Part Time Punks" is a GRATE song - it'd be even GRATER if I could understand the lyrics outside of the chorus (which takes the piss out of the faux-punk stance all by itself). Earlier stuff = ramshackle to a sick degree, possibly an acquired taste (see: _They Could Have Been Bigger Than the Beatles_). Later stuff = better production, better musicianship, much more morose & morbid (see: _Closer to God_). But, yes, as MC Hammer said, it's all good.

The TVPs are one of few bands I think are self-evidently classic, to the point where I can't really formulate a rational argument for their importance. Something to do, at that particular moment, with pop seeming somehow transgressive, the thrill I think is responsible for much of what gets written off here as "wibbling twee." "Part Time Punks" rivals the Ramones in terms of presenting something so inane that it reads as bratty and hyper-intelligent; but "This Angry Silence" dispels any notions that Treacy was striving for novelty or cheekiness. And rather than dying quickly, as you'd expect of such a band, they did a fine job of moving, with confidence, through the flow of the times -- I doubt anyone hearing "Jackanory Stories" would have guessed the band would ever put together anything as solid and serious as "All My Dreams are Dead."

Classic, classic, classic. Question: has anyone here ever seen a live record of theirs, probably vinyl-only, called Paisley Shirts and Mini Skirts? Trying to figure out quite how common this is. . .

"Walkin' down the kings road, I see so many faces / They come from many places, they come down for the day / They walk around together and try and look trendy / I think it's a shame that they all look the same."

(insert greatest chorus ever)

"Then they go to Rough Trade to buy Siouxsie and the Banshees / They heard John Peel play it just the other night / They'd like to buy the O level single or Read about Seymour / But they're not pressed in red, so they buy The Lurkers instead."

(insert greatest chorus ever)

"They play their records very loud and pogo in the bedroom / In front of the mirror, but only when their mums gone out / They play (!!???) on the buses, and they never use toothpaste / But they got two fifty to go and see The Clash tonight!"

Michael Bracewell has a thing or two to say about this band in ENGLAND IS MINE. Possibly you already knew that.

I just associate TV Personalities with "Salvador Dali's Garden Party" type nonsense. Sort of a sub-Jazz Butcher sort of thing. I'm sure I'm wrong... What would prove me otherwise?

'How I Learned To Love The Bomb' is still harrowing, deeply harrowing 15 years on: and the album that came out around the same time, 'The Painted Word', is the TVPs finest moment, no question. Sure, I love their early stuff, but this is their Chris Bell solo album, their 'Don't Stand Me Down', their 'Plastic Ono Band', the one that mass consumptionists will never understand. the intensity and beauty is almost unbearable; and don't trust anyone who says they like the TVPs for their first three records, because they mean shit next to them.

Later, Dan's music turned even more harrowing, but never quite as beautiful. I watched them fuck up one of their big chances at fame so brilliantly, playing all their songs half speed supporting Nirvana at the Astoria in front a crowd of half-idiot grunge kids and NME readers, totally not understanding. (Apparently, they did something similar supporting Pink Floyd a few years earlier.) It wasn't like it was something they could have helped though.

'Someone To Share My Life With' and 'Something To Believe In' I quote lines from even to the present day, unconsciously now.

Sebadoh too have their moments of wackiness and banality. You need relief somehow. I last heard that Dan Treacy was sleeping on park benches, from a reliable source, but that was a few years ago. McGee, for one, owes him a massive debt - and fair play to Alan, he acknowledges it.

Actually, I believe there was something that they themselves released called 'I Know Where Dan Treacy Lives'. A collection of B-sides, or a live album? This is half remembered from the Record Collector guide, so I'm not entirely sure.

The Mr T Experience _definitely_ recorded a song called 'I Don't Know Where Dan Treacy Lives' though.

I've just looked it up, and yes- live LP recorded in Germany in '84, and you can find the lyrics to the Mr T Experience song here

Try this and maybe it'll work...

BTW, hiya Jerry, I understand we have a friend in common up in Seattle, Eric Reynolds. :-) I also have to say this, as I muttered somewhere else on the board weeks back -- though I'm sure much to your disgust I'm a pathetic (in all senses of the word, doubtless) Smashing Pumpkins fan, that demolition you did of them live in Chicago back in 1993 remains a personal highlight in my Pantheon of Bile. Now *that's* entertainment!

A joke is a joke, and a decent insult is a decent insult.

Oh and Biff Bang Pow! did a rather nice version of "Someone to share my life with" in 1990.

If anyone wants to trade some live TVPs recordings, please email me!

I missed the above pronouncement from Jerry the first time around. I must be a mass consumptionist *snort*, because I LUUUV the earlier Television Personalities but find The Painted Word pretty dull going. True, it sounds more in step with what other weighty bands from that period like the Chameleons were doing. That's what's wrong with it. After putting out a series of bizarre, eccentric records that could only have come from the TVPs, they joined the herd. Nice enough herd, but I liked them better as mavericks.

Can't wait for ET to read this one, Chams loather that he is. They're my second all-time fave band, actually.

(HAR HAR HAR. ow.)

oh yeah, tvp's classic classic, etc.

la la la la la la...la la la la la la...

(1) per Andy Bartlebees on the TVPs mailing list, Dan is no longer AWOL:

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Hi everybody,

great surprise indeed! Guess what!
Dan Treacy left a message on my answerphone
yesterday saying:

"Hello Andy!  A ghost from the past! Daniel.

I´m in heaven. It´s very nice up here. I´ll send

you an email or fax later tonite. Hope you´re well.

Six years long time. Seen the CD "Fashion conscious"

very nice, lovely, very happy with it. Speak to you

later. I'm on my way back!

TV Personalities will be back

Speak to you later. God bless. Love to everyone!

Bye bye!"
So we´ll see what will happen.
TVPs headlining next All tomorrows parties?
Dan on the cover of Spin? A new album?
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(2) Nitsuh, I noticed that WNUR had a copy of Paisley Skirts and Mini Skirts as of last weekend. Do you want a dub? (I actually paid for this LP on eBay but some jerk never sent it to me.)

Dan Treacy had (has?) amazing taste in covers, too--especially really unlikely songs that he could make his own. I think at one of their final shows the TVPs did the Goats' "Typical American," of all things.

On every TVPs album there are moments that send me STRAIGHT UP. I have memories of seeing them do an in-booth performance at I think CMJ or the New Music Seminar, with music-biz assholes glancing and strolling by, and watching Dan play the most face-ripping version of "You Don't Know How Lucky You Are" ever.

Very true - over the years I saw them do the Carpenters "Close to you", INXS's "Need you tonight", Psychic TV's "Godstar". Others too but I forget. And then there's their version of Mel and Kim's respectable.

I am very glad to hear that he's on his way back. I've barely been able to listen to them since I found out about the junkie thing. In fact I might just go and play "Magnificent dreams" right now to celebrate.

I paid $10 for Paisley Shirts but, then again, I never got it anyway. (Grrrr.) I've heard it is not the greatest anyhow. What do you think? I have needlessly I must say, about four other TVPs live albums which I rarely listen to.

The first four TVPs studio albums were reissued on CD this year, through Snapper Music distribution. Same exact mastering, liner notes, etc. as the early '90s Fire Records reissues.

Question: Do you all feel as strongly about the post-1987 albums as the 78-86 era? (Privilege LP marking the start of the new, Jowe Head-era TVPs.)

Martin

What I want to know is: what does the song "Le Grand Illusion" have to do with the film Le Grand illusion?

Was the snare drum/cheerleading beginning of "John Peel" by Teenage Filmstars borrowed from any other song? That is:

tap, tap, tap tap tap, tap tap tap tap...JOHN PEEL!
tap, tap, tap tap tap, tap tap tap tap...JOHN PEEL!

I'm asking, because you know that Saturday Night Live skit "Dog Show" has a theme song that is exactly the same, and you have to admit, that's a pretty obscure reference for SNL (if they are indeed referencing Teenage Filmstars...but then again, they did use Kraftwerk for Sprockets).

Hear the "Dog Show" theme here:
http://www.wavsource.com/tv/snl/dog_show.wav

It also sounds kinda like "Saturday Night" by the Bay City Rollers (but not exactly).

But didn't. I wonder why not. Coding or somesuch...

Including an address, so I know where he lives, but this particular address is not one I was pleased to see.

Still, it's not all doom and gloom, he sounds hopeful enough. Send the man a card.

I like all of the TVPs records, but 'The Painted Word' is probably my favorite, with 'Closer to God' being sort of under-rated.

Incidentally, residents of Melbourne can find more insanely cheap CD copies of the excellent Privilege in JB Hifi stores, I've been noticing.

incidentally, wasinspired to buy Part Time Punks by hearing the Futureheads cover of "Picture of Dorian Gray".

..i got beaten to a pulp in leicester square last weekend..three
idiots who were sat outside prince cinema,i was waiting to see
movie,they were funny at first,even brought me a drink but then
started out with homophobic abuse to me and pasers by..i answered back
and got attacked..fractured eye socket,broken nose..i still look like
a horror film extra..only one person came forward to help and there
was a long queue outside cinema .spent two days in st.thomases
hospital.they found me collapsed on blackfriars bridge..how i
staggered back there i will never know..,
take care,
dan.

This was circulated on a UK freelancers list I'm on -- don't know how best to send him well wishes directly, but this should give guidance.

THE NEW WORST BAND I'VE EVER SEEN.

And that is an accomplishment.

What went wrong?

Oddly enough I have the O-Level/Teenage Filmstars reissue with me at work today.

I saw them a few years ago and they were the single worst band I've seen in my life- so I can believe you MB.

Can't say I'm surprised to hear this. Not heard anything but bad things about their reformation.

There's some recent footage up on YouTube. It sounds pretty bad.

I saw them quite a lot late 80's, early 90's. Dan always used to improvise, and go off into other songs, and other peoples songs, at random. The guys he was playing with then knew him well enough to follow him without missing a beat, and it was pretty great. The group he was playing with a couple of years back were OK, but they couldn't cope with that at all, and he just didn't seem to notice.

another album coming out in a month or so on rocket girl

the press release has a doomie-esque tone to it

Television Personalities
A Memory Is Better Than Nothing
(Rocket Girl (UK): CD: rgirl66: 5016266106627)
Release Date: 06/01/2010

History:
Oh please! Where to begin? The run-ins with Dave Gilmour, the Syd Barrett connection, Alan McGee's whole life template based on what Dan was doing? The drugs, the crimes, the prison time...yet surprisingly little of this has been documented in the music.

Seen as the quintessential UK cult band for nigh on three decades...never attracting the masses at shows...but in a day and age where indie by numbers rules...TVP’s have always transcended that.

Blighted with missed opportunities, and horrendous drug / health problems, written off, and never fashionable TVPs are one of rock and rolls last great secrets...But for how long? With a new album, new single, and support slot with MGMT on their 2010 UK Tour may be not that long at all. MGMT have even written a song dedicated to Dan’s colourful existence.

TVPS have always meant something more in other countries than their native UK.
The music has been remixed by many; Swedish New Yorker enigma Mabel recorded a fantastic version of 'All The Young Children on Crack'. MGMT are collaborating with Dan soon and they have a song on their new album 'Song for Dan Treacy'. Dan has been asked over and over to write songs for other bands and is working on tracks for The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, The Crystal Stilts and more. TVPs rocked many festivals including Benicassim and All Tomorrows Parties (invited by MBV) , where The Horrors, Sonic Boom, Kramer, J. Mascis and more all waited in TVPs backstage dressing room before and after the show to pay their respects. TVPS have recently played Greece, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Germany, Spain, France and Italy.

Who else has shared a bill / dressing room etc with TVPs? : Nico, Kurt Cobain, Pink Floyd, MGMT, Genesis P.Orridge, Evan Dando, to name but a few...............

The new album ‘A Memory Is Better than Nothing’ has been made with great love by Dan, TexasBob and Mike Stone with the help of some new and one or two old faces around him., with the help of some new and one or two old faces around him. But the violence inflicted on himself remains, the self doubt…the lack of medical help, the wrong help...the fucked up relationships...the heroin the heroin always the heroin means that this could well be the last LP or who knows may be the start of something?

Right now TVPs are under the comforting wing of music and friend-wise the Brooklyn bands scene, however in Dan's eyes it is becoming more and more a freak show where he feels everyone is waiting for him to fall off the edge.

Three overdoses - two in art galleries (irony) in the past few weeks give Dan the lead… expect eulogies when the inevitable happens as we don't know what the inevitable will be. We may as well swing along for the journey when Dan's revelations about his time working at 16 years of age at Swan Song for Led Zeppelin come to light in the next few months.

This story will continue no doubt, f*** knows what, where, how and who...

And here's Debbie with the weather…..

Current line-up: Dan Treacy, Texasbob Juarez, Mike Stone, Arnau Obiols.

HE COULD DIE AT ANY MINUTE PEOPLE!!!

Jesus. that's a tasteless press release.

Yeah, I would feel pretty dirty giving that label my money.

I almost have a feeling he wrote it himself, though.

This makes me sad. Both the exploitation of Dan's illnesses and the naive hope that success might be just around the corner. Apparently he's a nightmare to work with now so I don't hold out much hope of these mooted collaborations amounting to anything.

The release really does read like something he may have written himself.

Yeah - People have been saying or implying things like that since TVPs have existed, more or less. Using his possible [likely? whatever...] demise as a marketing tool is truly tacky and the record company may well be screwing him in the first place. I'll feel no guilt if I download this one.

Yikes:

Television Personalities frontman Dan Treacy is critically ill and receiving treatment in hospital, NME has been told.

The cult singer-songwriter – whose first full-length Television Personalities album 'And Don't The Kids Just Love It' was released in 1980 – is currently receiving treatment in intensive care after undergoing major surgery to remove a blood clot to his brain, and has been in an induced coma for the last 48 hours.

At present, it is unclear as how Treacy sustained the injury, but a police investigation is reportedly underway.

A statement released by Television Personalities members TexasBob Juarez, Mike Stone and Arnau Obiols said:

The band is very much concerned for our dear friend and Brother Daniel at this time, and we are all praying for a recovery.

shit!...

Hoping you pull though Dan!

Any further news circulating? :(

These guys were a great band back in the day. Forget about the records, I'm talking about as a live act. I saw them many times and they used to just stroll on stage at 1am and play for ever. No set lists, no sound checks. They'd just keep playing all their songs and an infinite amount of covers until the bar closed and everyone had left. Heavy, heavy bass (this was the Jowe Head years). Sunglasses no matter how dark. Always playing at top volume. And they were real musicians who truly knew what they were doing. One of the best live bands ever.

Love "Part-Time Punks" and the whole And Don't the Kids Just Love It LP.

^second that. I love all the early singles. "Smashing Time" and "King and Country" are both great.

Saw them at the MBV ATP a couple of years ago, they were great. Although security didn't want to let Dan, already late for his own show, into the venue..

Fingers crossed he recovers okay.

Can you get us a copy and I'll pay you back?

― Sasha (sgh), Tuesday, 25 May 2004 12:36 (7 years ago)

Yikes, I still have this requested copy of Privilege, still shrinkwrapped, as I didn't get Sasha's details. I do hope he found one.

he did

Any news about Dan?

Been wondering myself

I though about this earlier too and couldn't find any new information on the net...

...hope he's doing ok..

I hate to keep bumping this thread, but I am hoping to hear good news and expect someone to post it here!

http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/TVPersonalities/

I think this yahoo news group is the best place to keep in touch with the situation, as far as I can tell Dan is still in a coma.

it looks like he's still in rough shape, but getting better.

Today Daniel managed to open one eye for nearly 10mins on and off. He is aware of people around him and is starting to move his right hand fingers when asked, it takes a lot of effort and he cant always manage it but it is a start we never thought we would see. There are however a lot of other health issues on top of everything else and as i have said before we have been told there is no guarantee as to the long term outcome as the damage he suffered from the blood clot was so serious that it was only the fantastic efforts of the Neuro Surgeons that saved "Daniels" life . PLEASE keep praying that as each day passes Daniel gets stronger. I have told him of all the love he is being sent every day. GOD BLESS you all for your kind words. Much Love Patricia XXX'

Fantastic news Daniel is out of ITU and making great progress. Daniel has a way to go yet but at the moment all is going in the right direction. Daniel still has a Trachotomy fitted but i am getting used to lip reading untill he has some speech therapy and a change in the Tracky fitting to allow him to have a voice .This is the miracle we have all prayed for. XXXX

Daniel is just getting over another nasty chest infection, and still has a tracky fitted to help with his breathing and to make it easier for the nurses to clear his lungs. Daniel is allowed to have a speaking valve fitted to the tracky for 2 hours a day to enable him to speak any longer than this, and he cannot breathe very well. He has a gastric nasal tube fitted to feed him through, but he pulls them out every day as many as four times, but he doesn't realise he has done it. He is moving his right arm and leg, but has no real co-ordernation. His left hand moves a little, but he has no feeling in his left side at the moment. There is lots more i could go into, but I think this is enough for now, just to let everyone who has asked after Daniel know that things are not very good, but are much better than we ever we thought, as Daniel was not expected to survive, but has even surprised his Neuro Surgeon getting this far. We are looking at 6 to 12 months in hospital for Daniel - he has no concept of time or days of the week . PLEASE PLEASE KEEP PRAYING . THANK YOU AGAIN FOR ALL YOUR KIND WORDS . MUCH LOVE PATRICIA X

DANIEL UPDATE" Daniel is getting stronger by the day and his health is so much inproved he is now able to eat normal food but does still need help with loading the spoon but each day his co-ordernation hand to mouth is getting better. Daniel cant walk yet but the physo get him in a standing position which he dosent like as his legs cant take his weight yet and they did get him to take a couple of steps but that was with four people around him for support. Daniel has a good appetite and is enjoying his food. His spirits are up most of the time except when his memory goes which is often as he thought we where in 2001 so i let him chatter away with whatever he wants to come out with then i manage to get him round to the here and now and he can be fine for ten minutes at time some of what he comes out with is funny he even laughs himself and normaly says he is talking gobbley goop. I read him all the messages from you all he thinks i am making it all up.Daniel forgets he is in a Hospital thinks he is in a night shelter or Hostel and thinks he will be thrown out every morning . Well everyone thank you again for all your love and prayers for Daniel we wish you all a wonderfull xmas and a fantastic New Year from Daniel and myself and Alan my Husband. I will be with Daniel as normal Xmas Day and will read him what i have put on here today. GOD BLESS YOU ALL MUCH LOVE PATRICIA XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Saw our dear bro Daniel Treacy in hospital..was an emotional walk upon entering the hosp..wanted him to be better and with us...i neednt have worried..was such an immense joy and was so happy to see him being the good olde cheeky dan again...he was talking,we were laughing..he was smiling...he looked much younger and healthier...we talked Bowie,Sweet,MGMT,Evan,told him how much many people all over the world love him and sending him good,loving,caring vibes his way..he was touched...it will be a long journey for daniel but told him we are with him every step of the way...our dear friend is back and we are so grateful.

hope he continues to improve.

and don't the kids just love it

saw Texas Bob and Mike Stone play last night (very entertaining; w/ drummer a generation younger, always funny), opening for Jazz Butcher Conspiracy. They dedicated the set to Dan, no other details.

I only saw them once, in 2009, when the received wisdom I had told me they were absolutely terrible live. I saw Dan outside the venue and he was very drunk but was very excited about supporting Viv Albertine. they smashed it. I was just listening to Look Back In Anger (which they played that night) and thinking about how much I love this band.