In the late eighties, despite mass indifference, TV Smith (more here) fought on with a bracing electric band he dubbed Cheap, which featured Mik Helsin (guitar), Andy Bennie (bass) and Fuzz Deniz (drums) . TV says, “Summer, 1986. Time to form a new band. After The Adverts and the Explorers had both broken up in disarray I´d thought I wouldn´t fall for it again, but hmmm, there was that familiar itch. This time though, it would be JUST FOR FUN. A bunch of mates traveling around the country in a couple of estate cars, all the equipment piled in the back; mobile, compact, above all CHEAP.” TV's razor-sharp writing remains full of treasonous sing-alongs like the anti-Thatcherite anthem, "Third Term", which burns like white phosphorous.
The other side of this 1990 single (their sole album came out long after they broke-up) may even best the A-side. "Buried by the Machine" is a song that you can imagine being in a room full of sweaty punters roaring along to, only partly realizing how that ringing melody brings you face-to-interface with your own dehumanization.
MRML Readers give us your take on TV's Cheap-ness in the comments! Third Term 7"
The Cheap album appears, like many parts of TV's discography, has fallen out of print but is available at fuck-as-punk blog Hang Over Heart Atack (includes an even better version of this Adverts-ian song:
Three TV Smith cd's are on their way to me via your blog-prodding and, of course, my complete lack of self control. I view this post as the turning point but, really, you got me back when I was linked to "Expensive Being Poor".
MRML posts fine, out-of-print or never-in-print three-chord obscurica (punk, pop-punk, new wave, mod, power-pop, gospel, reggae, hardcore, rockabilly, folk, country...whatever.) - - - - - - - - - "The otherwise unavailable files in this blog are posted for a limited time and are intended for educational, non-commercial use. These files were transcribed from what are believed to be out-of-print sources. If you are aware of any of these items being readily available from commercial sources, or if any of these files infringe upon rights that you hold, please notify us so that we can quickly remove the referenced items immediately." - - - SUPORT THE ARTISTS - BUY MUSIC!
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Re: Re-Ups
MRML does not plan to restore all of the content lost in The Great Mediafire Gutting of 2012. Polite requests may be made in the appropriate section, regular commenters will get priority.
Three TV Smith cd's are on their way to me via your blog-prodding and, of course, my complete lack of self control. I view this post as the turning point but, really, you got me back when I was linked to "Expensive Being Poor".
ReplyDeleteYeah I just ordered Immortal Rich from amazon.CA (yup the only one who has it) and I'm going to buy one of those cheap used Cheap Cd's too.
ReplyDeleteSigh...