Television Biography

Television released their second album, Adventure, in 1978 and the band's cult status propelled the album into the UK Top 10. The album contained sporadic moments of genius but lacked the punch of their debut. Ironically, as the New York, new wave scene was at its height, the group fell apart when Richard Lloyd walked out on the during a live tour later that year. Verlaine and Lloyd had been experiencing tensions between them for some time. Tom Verlaine tried to translate his distinctive sound into a more mainstream rock setting with his solo career. His eponymous 1979 album was very much in Television's style. His later records included Dreamtime (1981), Words From The Front (1982), Cover (1984) and Flash Light (1987). While the albums stuck to Television's skeletal, winding, twin guitar, bass and drum blueprint, the songs lacked the tension which had made the group so compelling.

Richard Hell, by contrast, moved towards British influenced punk. He joined Johnny Thunders' Heartbreakers and then formed Richard Hell and The Voidoids in 1976. He recorded punk anthem Blank Generation in 1977 and starred in the punk-exploitation movie of the same name in 1979 effectively playing himself. He also starred in the 1982 film, Smithereens. After the release of a collection of rarities and live material, entitled R.I.P in 1985, Hell effectively quit the music business to concentrate on journalism and poetry. He resumed his musical career in 1991 on an EP recorded with members of Sonic Youth as the Dim Stars. An album followed before Hell issued his own solo EP, Three New Songs in 1992.

While Fred Smith re-joined Blondie, Richard Lloyd also pursued a solo career, playing on John Doe's first album and guesting on acclaimed 1991 album Girlfriend by singer-songwriter Matthew Sweet. Television eventually reformed in 1992 for a critically acclaimed eponymous album, the results suggesting that what Verlaine's solo career was lacking, was the foil of Richard Lloyd's rhythm guitar. They also made a comeback performance at Glastonbury in 1992, prompting a UK and European tour. However the renuion was short-lived - the group disbanded again in early 1993.

In 2003 Television again reunited for a handful of UK shows. Their jerky, paranoia- driven guitar sound seems to fit perfectly today in a musical arena dominated by the retro rock of the Kaisers, Ferdinand, et al, demonstrating the band%u2019s long-lasting influence.

Discography