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.
Serpentine Gallery
Alternative TV Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I fell in love
I loved it
Alternative TV's song "Serpentine Gallery" is a short yet powerful track that features a simple yet catchy guitar riff and poignant lyrics. The opening lines of "I, Henry..." suggest that the song may be a personal narrative or a love story with a protagonist named Henry. However, the lyrics take an unexpected turn when the next two lines say "I fell in love/I loved it." These lines could be interpreted in a few ways, but it seems as though the singer fell in love with something unexpected or unconventional, and is enjoying the feeling.
The title of the song, "Serpentine Gallery," may provide some context for the unconventional love that the singer is experiencing. The Serpentine Gallery is a contemporary art museum located in London's Hyde Park, known for exhibiting avant-garde and experimental works. It's possible that the singer is referencing this gallery, and the unconventional love they are experiencing is for a particular piece of art or the artistic community as a whole. The repetition of the guitar riff throughout the song creates a hypnotic effect that mirrors the entrancing experience of falling in love with something unexpected.
Overall, "Serpentine Gallery" is a short but evocative song that explores the thrill of falling in love with something outside of societal norms. The addictive guitar riff pairs perfectly with the singer's enthusiastic declaration of love, creating an irresistible track that leaves the listener wanting more.
Line by Line Meaning
I, Henry...
My name is Henry, and I have a story to tell.
I fell in love
I experienced the overwhelming emotion of love.
I loved it
I thoroughly enjoyed the experience of being in love.
Contributed by Skyler K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.