After two years of the T.V.P.'s basically being Parsons' personal brainchild, they are now a proper band with the full-time addition of bassist Joe from Hendon (perhaps Russell
Harty is more flattering), and drummer Empire, who is prepared to devote all his energies to the administrative side. Joe and Parsons were in the same form at school (although
the former looks quite a lot older) and have played together on and off ever since. They see the T.V.P.'s in their present form as carrying to an extreme the idea of the
imaginary school band where people rehearse together occasionally and fancifully call themselves a band. They have as yet played very few gigs but nonetheless lay stress on
their stage show which is put together by one Vic Visual. There are slides which are mostly of beautiful women and themselves, and self-made films which range from an Arthur
Brown-esque surrealistic horror thingy, to the last film record of Joy Divison in concert - filmed in some German beer cellar. Apart from being a rather morbidly fascinating
document, this film also reminds one of how dry the T.V.P.'s stage presentation is. They make little effort to provide visual interest themselves, and let the songs stand on
their own - which luckily they do.
In a recent review of their latest single "King and Country" / "Smashing Time" (which is indeed pretty... smashing) one critic accused them of 'self-conscious naivety'.
Their songs are humourous and slightly cynical rather than this, and they spring to their defence saying "We are the least naive people in the world." Parsons' old songs
tended to be happy, but now he says that they are much sadder than before because he tends to get depressed more easily. He is quietly friendly, wears mirrored sunglasses
on stage (to hide the tears?) and is bored of playing "Part Time Punks." Joe from Hendon who sacrificed a brilliant career in advertising and was a Mod when they looked
even more stupid than they do now, used apparently to be sad and is now happy. The fruits of his joy can be appreciated on his own solo-ish single which goes under the
name of the "Missing Scientists." You too could be happy if you buy it.
Over the next few months, the T.V.P.'s should emerge properly as a band, as they play more together and make a record (hopefully with Joe singing) from their wealth of
material, which is not simply a Parsons solo effort. The amiable Empire, who was in things like "Black Lassie Goes West", will break in his new Gretsch (sue me if I'm wrong)
drum kit and with the success which should rightfully come their way, they will attract the constant attentions of proper rock journalists who will write articles on them
which are less belittling than this one has been. In the meantime, you too can thrill to the fab sound of "King and Country", only 90p from Rough Trades anywhere. |
