Television Personalities

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Biography

The Television Personalities are an English group with a varying line up. The only constant member is singer/songwriter Dan Treacy.

Their first release (January 1978) was the single “14th Floor / Oxford Street W1”. Their second release, the EP Where’s Bill Grundy Now? features one of their best-known songs, “Part Time Punks”.

The Television Personalities’ first album And Don’t the Kids Just Love It was released in 1981. It set the template for their subsequent career: neo-psychedelia, an obsession with youth culture of the 1960s, a fey, slightly camp lyrical attitude, and the occasional classic pop song. Their second album Mummy Your Not Watching Me demonstrated increased psychedelic influences. Their third album, ironically entitled They Could Have Been Bigger Than The Beatles showed Treacy’s sense of irony: the TVPs (as they are affectionately known) were never to have any major commercial success. The first three albums featured Treacy and schoolmate Ed Ball; Ball left the band to found The Times, but rejoined in 2004.

The 1985 album The Painted Word was unexpectedly dark in content, reflecting Treacy’s despair at Thatcherite Britain and his personal circumstances.

Various line up changes prevented their next album (Privilege) from appearing until 1990. Their next album Closer to God was a combination of fey sixties style pop and darker material, similar in tone to The Painted Word.

The album Don’t Cry Baby, It’s Only a Movie was released in 1998. Since then Treacy has battled mental health problems, and his addictions to heroin, amphetamine and alcohol. He has been homeless on various occasions and was briefly arrested and imprisoned in 2003/2004.
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  • eatyrselffitter

    great

    18 May 10:01am Reply

  • IanCurtis13

    He is doing ok according to a mutual friend but long way from full recovery

    15 Apr 4:20pm Reply

  • ellleotribal

    c'mon people, this is their loveliest pic: http://www.last.fm/music/Television+Personalities/+images/72498408

    10 Mar 7:01pm Reply

  • HushSettleDown

    robert pollard must be a fan... surely

    23 Dec 2012 Reply

  • Lobotomy77

    Yeah, haven't heard any news in ages.

    6 Dec 2012 Reply

  • Nimbie

    What's about Dan's condition? How is he?

    2 Dec 2012 Reply

  • griinrifu

    Worst live act ever. I freakin love them!

    8 Nov 2012 Reply

  • popfloor

    Dan, I fu@#ing love you!

    13 Oct 2012 Reply

  • timahall

    @pawcut - Pretty sure you're thinking of the They Could Have Been Bigger Than The Beatles version.

    7 Oct 2012 Reply

  • KHsonicdude23

    Is it just me, or does the singer kind of sound like Rick from The Young Ones?

    3 Sep 2012 Reply

  • Nimbie

    I'm almost sure if And Don't The Kids Just Love It was released in 60's it would be as acclaimed as any of Beach Boys records.

    15 Aug 2012 Reply

  • pawcut

    hi ... maybe someone here can help me ... im looking for a life recording , , theres a super slow long acid version of "david hockneys diary " on it and someone say smth like "lifes a wonderful thing , i love life , very sad n beautiful " ... can sm1 tell me which record that is ? pls hit me up :)))

    28 Jul 2012 Reply

  • fine_sue

    Dan, we all with U until the end of the world. [2]

    13 May 2012 Reply

  • zolpha-thura

    <3

    27 Mar 2012 Reply

  • Fodderstompf_

    Currently obcessed with his rendition of Joe Meek's "I hear a new world". Magnificent. Just magnificent.

    8 Mar 2012 Reply

  • Foundlings

    One of my top 3 Foundlings gigs was supporting the 'MAJESTIC' TVP'S at the Wilmington. We had a really good night, once it got going and the TVP'S Glided. Dan hope you is good. Best wishes to Lee, Mike MR Texas and all involved, past and present. Love to all of yer. Salud, Paul 'N' Kim. X

    2 Mar 2012 Reply

  • GrimAxeman

    :)

    27 Feb 2012 Reply

  • Alex_psychopaul

    Dan, we all with U until the end of the world.

    19 Feb 2012 Reply

  • Anklevic

    Hell yes!

    21 Jan 2012 Reply

  • IanCurtis13

    from TexasBob Saw our dear bro Daniel Treacy in hospital..was an emotional walk upon entering the hosp..wanted him to be better and with us...i neednt have worried..was such an immense joy and was so happy to see him being the good olde cheeky dan again...he was talking,we were laughing..he was smiling...he looked much younger and healthier...we talked Bowie,Sweet,MGMT,Evan,told him how much many people all over the world love him and sending him good,loving,caring vibes his way..he was touched...it will be a long journey for daniel but told him we are with him every step of the way...our dear friend is back and we are so grateful..and heres a vid for Dan knowing how much love Sweet.great times listening to Sweet in hotel rooms and backstage b4 gigs..from Sweden to Japan..heres to you bro much love and hugs.xx

    30 Dec 2011 Reply
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