Mark Perry’s long-running group Alternative TV emerged from the vibrant cultural shift of the late ‘70s and since then have embraced everything from song-based material to impovised music and the avant-garde. The very latest album, Direct Action, released by Fourth Dimension Records in October 2023, witnessed the group utilising electronics, occasional drums and strings to create six instrumentals of an improvisational nature aimed more towards confronting than conforming to expectations. As with the previous two appearances in London at events under the same label banner as this time, the group will doubtlessly blend mostly newer material with a dash of old in order to play a set as dynamic as it is exciting.
During the autumn of 2023, a book called Lost in Room: Mark Perry, Alternative TV and Related, 1977 - 1981 was also published by Fourth Dimension and garnered favourable reviews.
Where to start with Alternative TV? Most know that Mark Perry, founder of Sniffin’ Glue fanzine, formed the group either due to or as a response to punk in 1977. Since the debut ‘How Much Longer’ 7” released that very same year, however, Mark has remained the sole surviving original member and driving force. Not one to stand still, he has taken the group through a succession of lineup changes embarking on a wide spectrum of styles since then; including the blend of igneous rock bludgeon and amalgamation of stripped electronics that informs the ‘Dark Places’ 12” e.p. on Fourth Dimension and released in April 2018.
ATV will be in group mode (featuring Dave Morgan and Clive Goblin besides Mark Perry) on the Cafe OTO night, doubtlessly playing new songs as well as several from their considerable back catalogue.
“ATV’s long-awaited 10th, Opposing Forces, suggests Perry’s back in the game with a fresh sense of purpose. He’s fronting an all-new five-man line-up (including ex-The Loft/Weather Prophets drummer Dave Morgan) and, for the most part, he sounds wholly reinvigorated. Accordingly, Opposing Forces presents a riveting programme for seasoned ATV watchers. The spiky, militant titular song quickly demonstrates that Perry and his latest charges are in the rudest of health; the lusty, swaggering French Girls and ballsy Hello New York are both unashamedly anthemic, and The Visitor’s ghostly minimalism is genuinely eerie.” – Record Collector (2016)
