TV SMITH - Coming In To Land. (A Review)

This album is vital. Musically and lyrically brilliant. TV has surpassed himself with the twelve tracks that make up Coming In To Land. In my opinion TV’s never released a duff record, but…. He’s also never released one that sounds so relevant since The Adverts, Cast Of Thousands. The ugly face of 21st Century Society is confronted…. “The throw away values will hold you then have you.".... This is full on frantic stuff in some places, brooding and mournful in others. Catchy and tuneful all the way through. Uplifting and positive. Respect to TV and the band: Vom Ritchie (Die Toten Hosen), BB Quattro (Suzy & Los Quattro, Bored Teenagers), Tim Cross (Adverts) For releasing possibly my favourite album of the year so far.
Given the right push in the right places, Coming In To Land could turn on and tune in a whole new bunch of listeners to the only TV that doesn’t lie.

Essential Ephemera #12

Over there is an article on The Adverts/TV Smith from January 1989’s Record Collector, Here’s a link to a recording of The Adverts in Manchester at The Electric Circus on 26th June 1977. Quality is a bit rough, but…. it is what it is, as they say. The link’s not mine, it comes from a fella called moodychops over at Bob Juice Forum.

RUNNING RIOT IN 2008 ! 30 YEARS TOO LATE FOR WHAT ?

Right then, it's almost 30 years since either punk rock died or a new generation was born, depending on how old you were and whether you were at art college or a comprehensive school. By 1978 punk rock had hit the mass market and offered a voice to the youth of the day, much to the dismay of the original scenesters this was seen as the end and not the beginning. 30 years latter hearing bands like Green Day, they may well have had a point. But hey capitalism has the capability and capacity to absorb any potential threats, even Punk Rock. Any way here's some live action from three of the class of 77 in 1978.

THE ADVERTS - The Marquee 27/7/78

SHAM 69 - The Vortex 3/1/78

SLAUGHTER AND THE DOGS - Huddersfield 1978

THE ADVERTS - The Wonders Don't Care

Can't believe it's taken me this long to post some Adverts stuff, love this band TV Smith was one of punks best songwriters second only to Strummer and Knox.

This collection of favourites is made up of radio sessions recorded for the BBC by the band between 77-79. These versions are less polished than the original recordings, and in the words of TV, it's a chance to "hear a band get born, grow up, get old and die, all in less than an hour" I cant think of a better way to spend an hour, so if you've time to spare, click here: http://www.sendspace.com/file/1dgkct

If not make time, cos Televisions Over.

TV SMITH - Live @ The Klub Wiv No Name, Stevenage. 1/10/93

Once again the good folk of Stevenage had a chance to see another 'punk legend' play an intimate gig, and once again apathy set in and very few bothered to turn out. Never mind their loss, as I'm sure you'll agree if you download this. From The Adverts to his solo stuff TV SMITH has a way with words, as not only the songs but the banter in between songs on this recording shows. The set starts with his 'punk classic' Gary Gilmours Eyes then takes in subjects such as Britain's 'special' relationship with America, Government cover-ups, train drivers crashing while carrying Nuclear Waste, how everything is getting bigger, and the rich live longer, and the growing gap between the rich and poor. This was recorded 13 years ago and every word is still relevant. Protest never dies it just gets older and you find there's more to protest about, "and I wont pay for their mistakes."

TV SMITH - Live in 93: http://www.sendspace.com/file/2bcda0