RecentMusic - Television New Releases

Television

Television is an American rock band that emerged during the 1970s, fronted by the formidable pair of guitarist and vocalist Tom Verlaine and guitarist Richard Lloyd, with Fred Smith on bass and Billy Ficca on drums rounding out the group. They were one of the early fixtures at New York City's renowned punk scene gathering at CBGB, a venue where they cultivated a sound that stood apart from the raw energy of their punk contemporaries. Television's style was more intricate, blending poetic lyricism with a twin guitar attack that was as precise as it was innovative. Their music spanned genres, combining elements of punk, jazz, and avant-garde.

Their debut album "Marquee Moon," released in 1977, is considered a landmark in the annals of rock music, showcasing the band's powerful dynamics and complex interplay between Verlaine and Lloyd's guitars. Although they never achieved large mainstream success, Television's influence on post-punk and alternative rock is profound, with the album frequently listed as one of the greatest of all time. After an initial break-up following their second album "Adventure" in 1978, Television would sporadically reconvene to record a self-titled album in 1992 and to perform live, as captured in releases like "Live at the Old Waldorf" and "Live At The Academy NYC 12.4.92." Their legacy as a seminal force in shaping the sound of alternative music is undisputed.

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