The magazine grew with the scene it championed, and for a year, it ruled the British fanzine roost. But the bank clerk, Mark Perry, was sick of writing -- he wanted to step out and be written about himself. His last band, the New Beatles, had done nothing; his next, Alternative TV, could scarcely do any worse.
Featuring Perry on vocals, ex-Generation X drummer John Towe, Mickey Smith (bass), and former Nobodies guitarist Alex Fergusson, the band formed in March 1977, rehearsing at Throbbing Gristle's studios in Hackney -- both "Love Lies Limp" and "Alternative to NATO" were written and recorded there -- and on May 6, 1977, ATV made their live debut in Nottingham.
The first lineup splintered almost immediately. Smith was replaced by New Beatle Tyrone Thomas, and on June 5 ATV opened for Wayne County's Electric Chairs in Brighton. Six gigs later, Towe quit, but not before ATV released their first single, "Love Lies Limp," as a free flexidisc with the final, August 1977 issue of Sniffin' Glue.
Towe was replaced by Chris Bennett, and in this form the band continued to gig, at the same time as preparing the ground for their debut album. They are caught rehearsing in The Punk Rock Movie, the cinéma vérité documentary of punk's first savage summer; more exposure came in December, when the "How Much Longer" single appeared on Perry's own Deptford Fun City wing of Miles Copeland's Illegal setup. The Image Has Cracked, the group's live and studio debut album, appeared the following spring.
Singles "Action Time Vision" and "Life After Life" followed, together with the archive Towe-era "Life," but ATV were changing first, as Perry rocketed on toward the Throbbing Gristle sound which by now captivated him (the official bootleg Live at the Rat '77, incidentally, was recorded by Genesis P-Orridge).
By the time of Vibing Up the Senile Man (Part One), the second ATV album, and its accompanying single, "The Force Is Blind," only Perry remained from the original band; only bassist Dennis Burns remained from any of those who had followed. And, of ATV's original, punk-era press disciples, even Sounds found the album unlistenable.
Unperturbed, Perry took the new album out on the road, but an end of sorts was in sight. In March 1979, on-stage at Chelmsford, ATV called it a day. Side one of the valedictory Scars on Sunday album preserves highlights from this final show; side two introduces the Good Missionaries, the band that would pick up exactly where ATV left off, only without the encumbrance of such an historically resonant name.
But of course it wasn't the end really. The first ATV reunion, with Fergusson back on board, occurred as early as 1981; another kept Perry amused through the second half of the decade and, in 1999, Perry celebrated the release of his 20th album, under the born-yet-again name of Alternative TV.
Graves of Deluxe Green
Alternative TV Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Away from the people, silence
I never have fun in circles
Party time
Will you take the bus? Or will you take the tube?
Send them away
I want to be alone, with you
Us
Two thinkers
We're a mess
[...] at our photos, our images on the screen
I am here with you
We're hunted
We're tasted
But not touched
We're perfect
Will we waste away?
In graves of Dulux green [...] and Dulux green walls
Will we waste away?
In graves of Dulux green halls, Dulux green walls
Will we waste away?
In graves of Dulux green
The lyrics of the song "Graves of Deluxe Green" by Alternative TV can be interpreted as an expression of the desire for privacy and solitude from the crowds and noise of the world. The opening lines indicate a celebration of some kind, but the singer seems to prefer being alone with their companion instead of partying with the people around them. The contrast between the images of noise and silence, fun and isolation creates a sense of conflict between the individual and the society they inhabit. The lyrics suggest that the singer and their partner are "heroes" and "thinkers" but also a "mess," which implies a complex, perhaps flawed personality that the world cannot fully understand or appreciate.
The refrain "Will we waste away? / In graves of Dulux green" echoes the opening lines and suggests a pessimistic view of the future. The image of graves indicates death or decay, which contrasts with the idea of the singer and their partner being "perfect." The use of the brand name Dulux, which produces paint and other home decor items, adds a materialistic element to the lyrics and implies that the singer is trapped in their environment, unable to escape the mundanity of everyday life. Overall, the lyrics of "Graves of Deluxe Green" convey a sense of alienation, longing, and fear of the future.
Line by Line Meaning
Toasting the success, [...] tonight
Celebrating our success tonight with a toast.
Away from the people, silence
Seeking the tranquility of silence away from everyone else.
I never have fun in circles
Not enjoying socializing in groups or circles of people.
Party time
Let's party and have fun!
Will you take the bus? Or will you take the tube?
Choosing between taking the bus or the subway to get to our destination.
Send them away
Asking others to leave and let us be alone.
I want to be alone, with you
Expressing the desire to be alone with someone special.
Us
Referring to the two people being together.
Two heroes
Describing the two people as heroes or strong individuals.
Two thinkers
Describing the two people as thinkers or intelligent individuals.
We're a mess
Admitting that the two people are not perfect and have flaws.
[...] at our photos, our images on the screen
Looking at pictures of the two people on a screen or display.
I am here with you
Expressing the feeling of being present and together with someone special.
We're hunted
Feeling pursued or chased by something or someone.
We're tasted
Being examined or considered by others.
But not touched
Describing a feeling of detachment or distance from others.
We're perfect
Believing that the two people are perfect together.
Will we waste away? In graves of Dulux green [...] and Dulux green walls
Questioning whether the two people will waste away or deteriorate despite their apparent perfection, symbolized by graves of a specific shade of green and green walls.
Will we waste away? In graves of Dulux green halls, Dulux green walls
Repeating the same question, emphasizing the importance of the color green.
Will we waste away? In graves of Dulux green
Ending with a final and ominous question about the fate of the two people and the color green.
Contributed by Taylor V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.