Strange Kicks [CD]

A highly worthwhile reissue

Reissue of ATV’s 1981 pop album for IRS with six bonus tracks. Features rare photos and sleeve notes from Mark Perry and Alex Fergusson.

Mark Perry started the first UK punk fanzine, Sniffin' Glue, in July 1976 after hearing and seeing US punk band, The Ramones. He was working as a bank clerk at the time. Within a few months Mark had left his job and Sniffin' Glue had become an essential part of the growing UK punk scene which included bands like the Sex Pistols, the Clash and the Damned. As the main punk writer, Mark became one of the most important personalities in the scene, making numerous media appearances to explain punk to the masses. In early 1977, Mark started the Step Forward Records label with Miles Copeland. Releases included early records by the likes of The Fall, Sham 69, Chelsea and The Cortinas. Mark was also involved with Miles' other labels, Deptford Fun City Records and Illegal Records. <P>In early 1977 Mark formed Alternative TV. Despite the success of ATV’s singles and the critical acclaim of their debut album ‘The Image Has Cracked’ Mark soon grew tired of the punk scene and took the band into experimental areas before splitting up the band in early 1979 to play with a number of bands such The Lemon Kittens and Door And The Window and releasing his debut solo album ‘Snappy Turns’. <P>By 1980 Miles Copeland had got fed up with financing Mark’s indulgencies and persuaded him to reform ATV with former punk cohort Alex Fergusson. Copeland who was enjoying considerable success with The Police had put his IRS label through A&M and wanted ATV to be part of this new set up. He pressurised them to pursue a more commercial direction. The result was ‘Strange Kicks’ released in 1981. <P>Gigs were booked to promote the album but both Mark and Alex soon tired of the project and ATV split soon after the release with Mark leaving the music industry for a few years. <P>Although not well received at the time ‘Strange Kicks’ has stood the test of time well and includes some great tracks, including the title track, ‘Fun City’, ‘My Hand Is Still Wet’ and ‘Communicate’.