PSYCHIC TV

This somewhat misrepresented UK avant garde collective have seen their aural experimentalism overshadowed by their connections with the literary underworld, or simply the underworld itself. They were formed by Genesis P-Orridge (Neil Andrew Megson, 22 February 1950, England; ex-Pork Dukes and Throbbing Gristle) and Peter Christopherson (ex-Throbbing Gristle). The line-up also included Geoff Rushton (former editor of Stabmental fanzine). However, Christopherson and Rushton soon left to form Coil. P-Orridge has been portrayed in much of the media as a deranged and dangerous madman. He had first come to the attention of the media and authorities as the organizer of the ‘Prostitution’ exhibition at London’s ICA gallery in the late 70s. His shock tactics continued with his work in Throbbing Gristle and Psychic TV, and much use was made of fascinating/disturbing slide and film back-projection at gigs. Alternatively, Genesis has repeatedly been revealed as a most personable and charming a character as any the music industry has thrown up, albeit a little mischievous. P-Orridge takes his inspiration from the works of the Marquis De Sade, Charles Manson and particularly William Burroughs. Burroughs reciprocated the respect, and stated of Psychic TV that they provided ‘the most important work with communication that I know of in the popular medium’. This is central to the band, and the philosophical congregation that backs them, the Temple Ov Psychick Youth. Their use of guerrilla tactics in the information war follows on from Throbbing Gristle’s work, and makes use of broad readings of situationist and deconstructionist thought. P-Orridge’s respect for 60s stars Brian Wilson and Brian Jones was revealed with two minor UK chart singles in 1986. The surprisingly poppy ‘Godstar’ celebrated the former Rolling Stones guitarist, while the tribute to Wilson was a cover version of ‘Good Vibrations’. In an ambitious project, from 1986 the group aimed to issue 23 live albums on the 23rd of each month (23 being a statistically symbolic number), each recorded in a different country on their world tour. After walking out of their contract with Some Bizzare Records (who released their debut single ‘Just Driftin’’), the group no longer involved themselves with the business concerns of music, such as promotion. Their ranks were swelled by a variety of members, including John Gosling (ex-Zos Kia), Alex Ferguson (ex-Alternative TV), Daniel Black, Matthew Best, Dave Martin and many others, including They also branched out into other media such as film and literature (making recordings of Burroughs’ speeches available for the first time). Although the mainstream music press continually paints a black picture of Psychic TV’s music (and activities), it can at times be surprisingly bright and accessible. Conventional society’s inability to come to terms with Psychic TV’s message was demonstrated early in 1992 when police seized videos, books and magazines from Genesis P-Orridge and his wife Paula’s Brighton home after a performance art video was, it was claimed, shown out of context on a television programme about child abuse. The Orridges fled to California, where they collaborated with Timothy Leary and became heavily involved in the US dance music scene. After separating from Paula, Genesis married Lady Jaye (b. Jacqueline Breyer, 1969, d. 9 October 2007, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA). Psychic TV’s most important collaborator during the 90s and 00s has been multi-instrumentalist Larry Thrasher.