Psychic TV

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Formed: 1981 in Hackney, London, United Kingdom by Genesis P-Orridge and Peter Christopherson (after Throbbing Gristle ceased to exist) with Alex Fergusson. Soon, PTV became a post industrial supergroup, expanding the core line-up with the talents of frequent collaborators Monte Cazazza, David Tibet, and John Balance, which led to the classic 1983 album Dreams Less Sweet. After Peter and John's departure in late 1984 to concentrate on their Coil project, Psychic TV's style evolved more in the direction of psychedelic or acid rock, then called "hyperdelic" rock by the band, a style they would return to in later years. In 1988, Alex Fergusson departed, and a move back to more electronic based music took place, featuring the talents of Fred Giannelli, Greedy Beat Syndicate, and Richard Schiessl. PTV were found at the forefront of acid house with the fake compilations "Acid Tablets Volume One", "Tekno Acid Beat", and various releases featuring rotating line-ups under different monikers (Mistress Mix, Sickmob, & DJ Doktor Megatrip).

Well documented constant touring and recording took its toll. A relocation to the USA in 1993, the closure of the band's independent label Temple Records in 1994, and perhaps most prominently the separation from Paula P-Orridge left Genesis P. Orridge to be the only permanent member of Psychic TV. The name "Psychic TV & Genesis P-Orridge" was used for a number of Psychic TV re-releases and experimental projects by Genesis P-Orridge and Larry Thrasher, before Genesis formed Thee Majesty with Bryin Dall. A final concert was announced and held at the Royal Festival Hall, London in May 1999.

In 2003, Genesis P. Orridge (now Breyer P. Orridge) toured with a new line up as PTV3, musically leaning towards the "hyperdelic" phase. Silently, he restarted the once dismissed TOPY and re-activated the dormant Temple Records for a batch of new and old releases.Less

Sites:

Facebook, instagram.com, MySpace, genesisporridgearchive.blogspot.de, Wikipedia,Bookogs, genesisporridge.com, Posterogs, Filmogs

Aliases:

Deep Fry, ESsence (5), Griselda, Homeboy Posse, Jack The Tab, Love In Life, Nobody Uninc, Over Thee Brink, Pearl Necklace, The King Cut Groovers, Too See Bee, White Dove, Wolves Of The Sun

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Variations:

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Albums

Force The Hand Of Chance

Some Bizzare, Some Bizzare

1982

Dreams Less Sweet

Some Bizzare, Some Bizzare, CBS, CBS

1983

A Pagan Day (Pages From A Notebook)

Temple Records

1984

Psychic TV / La Loora - Berlin Atonal Vol. 2

1984

1984

1984

Psychic TV / Z,ev* - Berlin Atonal Vol. 1 ‎(LP)

Atonal Records

ST 3001

1984

1984

1985

1984

Amsterdam ‎(Cass, D90)

Temple Records

1985

Helsinki ‎(Cass, C90)

Temple Records

1985

Frankfurt ‎(Cass, C90)

Temple Records

1985

Oslo ‎(Cass, C90)

Temple Records

1985

Copenhagen ‎(Cass, UL9)

Temple Records

1985

Stockholm ‎(Cass, C90)

Temple Records

1985

Gabice, Aleph, Italy 13-10-1985 ‎(Cass, Ltd, C90)

TOPY

none

1985

1986

1986

1987

1984

1986

1987

1986

1987

Reviews Show All 9 Reviews

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Crijevo

February 14, 2019

edited about 1 year ago

A vast discography to choose from - musically speaking, some of it amazing, some of it hugely over-rated. PTV were/are both, a force and a freak of nature. Creepy, in-your-face excursions into the unknown, revealing the dirt from beneath the surface. Anyone with open ears (and minds) will try and accept it either as philosophy or the blackest ever black humour, the rest if easily intimidated are recommended to stay away. Surely you cannot dismiss nor deny PTV's mega-cultural significance, thanks to a number of people that gathered around the idea with Genesis P-Orridge, the collective's top constant, announcing recently s/he is preparing to give up life on this planet, and this certainly means one great big hole in the cultural world after he/r departure, with PTV's legacy remaining scattered forever after.

"Force The Hand Of Chance", "Dreams Less Sweet", "Allegory And Self" and "Towards Thee Infinite Beat" remain the focal ace points from which many other records of theirs take cue, with varying experimental, psychedelic, ritual or plain (dull) rock results - you make your pick. Hard to believe it all comes from the same group (or what's left ov it all these years) but that's what makes it all the more daring.

As for their cult (in literal sense) videos, watch them at your own risk.

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Eden_263

July 22, 2015

A curious melange of styles as GPO tried to settle on something that would make money, I fear. The early material, for those of us who were there, was outstanding in the post-industrial genre. Hyperdelia offered much more in terms of accessibility but didn't deliver at the time commercially. The ritual side projects (Themes) were great if you were a Templar or just a fan of bizarre noise. The Acid House era was energising and fun but also not always the best works of the band. Later material has been harking back to Hyperdelia to a degree, not sure where I stand with it. I loved the Tellies, and I guess I always will, difficult to identify a single stand-out album.

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dsyn2spin

January 7, 2014

PTV3 is currently the official name of the touring group headed as always by
the lovely Ms. P. Orridge. More prolific than the Grateful Dead ever was and
have recently gained control of the helm aboard the legendary "Silver Machine"
sonic spaceship once piloted by space rock mentors "Hawkwind!" and refuse to be
in more than seven dimensions at one time without a trip reset switch at their disposal.

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satchmoog

January 1, 2014

more clearly: he's existentailizing. each new ad-ition adds another segment, like a curvature, around his project(the psychic cross organization,-or whatever have you that defines what seems to be a global, multi-language firm. ....when it is up and running properly.).the styles are to coum degree commesurate with a larger topicality...be it cut-up writing assembly, or ambience-of-rave-statementing.
s/he's a shipbuilder.

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Wolf354

June 6, 2005

edited over 14 years ago

PTV have amazing tracks for each individual to choose and dared to speak about many things that nobody else dared until them (like creating a religious movement devoted mainly to Magick and the Individual).
In truth PTV is GPO and members who play with him on each record with some problems arising btw GPO and many musicians. GPO doesn't seem stable enough... If 2 days ago he was into industrial music, 1 day ago into trance, today into spoken word nobody can really guaratee you that todays true isn't tomorrows lie.
Interesting to observe and study, but not much more (this is warning, lol!). Sometimes he reminds me of a modern Crowley version... but not so amazing.

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Yeshello

November 19, 2002

PTV are this generations "Merry Pranksters". Although I'm not a big fan of their sometimes noisy early output, their influence in the Acid/Techno scene cannot be denied. Anyone who mixes fucked-up politics, electronics and religious spoofing like Genesis P. Orridge deserves proper recognition.

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