by Kris Handel (@khandel84)
Tune In, Turn On, Drop Out: The Radio Sessions 1980-1993 is a compilation of BBC radio sessions, a WMBR radio set, and a digital exclusive WFMU set by the British UK DIY legends Television Personalities. Springing forth from the dissolution of ‘O’ Level, the intermittent partnership of Dan Treacy and Ed Ball started in the late 70’s with songs filled with whimsical, local references to English punk culture and fashion with a strong sense of quirk and emotional unrest always bubbling under the surface. The TVPs had an abundance of charm and a cutting wit mixed with a musical naivety filled with a rushed jangle and plenty of call backs to “Mod” culture and late 60’s psychedelia. After a handful of classic yet modest singles, the band’s cult started to grow into a notable project as the 80s approached.
The 1980 Peel Session highlights include a version of “Look Back in Anger,” which has a more sprightly pace than its original studio recording, as Treacy’s high-pitched vocals have a bit more disgust in the delivery and Jowe Head’s bass line persistently throbs likes a stressed rubber band. “Le Grande Illusion” shows the darker, more troubled aspects of Treacy’s songwriting as he and Head unravel a tale of broken hearts and inconsolable sadness and confusion with springy guitar and haunting disillusionment. “Paradise is for the Blessed” comes from a 1986 BBC session that shows off the danceable C86-esque version of the mid 80’s TVPs. Treacy’s multi tracked vocals are pleasingly off-kilter as the band jangles and churns at a more impassioned pace than on record. These sessions show off the multi-faceted approach each Personalities record presented as Treacy’s chameleonic changes were constant and awkward yet charmingly unpredictable.
The 1992 WMBR session captures Treacy’s more confessional and troubled mindset, yet the childlike enthusiasm and tongue in cheek humor remained well intact. “Goodnight Mr. Spaceman” kicks off the set with Treacy’s vocals wobbling and sneering vocals intoning playful self-deprecation and lists of of stabilizing medications. A surprising gem is a cover of Crystal Waters’ 1991 dance hit “Gypsy Woman” that is essentially a deconstructed version with a much more disoriented and sinister undertones courtesy of alternately echoing chords and tightly wound guitar punctuation. TVPs are in sprightly form on this occasion as they bounce around their catalogue with stretched out interpretations of obscurities and staples from all periods of their existence up to early ‘92.
This collection of radio performances has a handful of wonderful and deranged nuggets that show the gifts Treacy and the band possessed even through their roughest personal and professional moments. Television Personalities were a band that should have been more recognized for their impact as their colorful songs laid the foundations for many more recognizable successors. The TVPs style and songwriting was always a little out of step to everything around them, and Treacy had a way of playing in his own warped world, yet the songwriting was full of imagination and intelligence that truly stands out. This compilation should provide a lot of wistful reminiscences and joy to those that have always been on board with the adventures of Television Personalities, but intrigue and entertain those less familiar with the musical treasures of their twisted and delightful existence.