Television

TELEVISION CONFIRMED FOR ONE NZ CONCERT; ED KUEPPER (THE SAINTS) IN SUPPORT

New York legends Television will play a one-off New Zealand show at Auckland’s The Powerstation on Thursday October 24, their first visit Downunder in a career spanning 40 years.

Singer / guitarist Tom Verlaine, bassist Fred Smith, drummer Billy Ficca and guitarist Jimmy Rip will perform works from right across the Television cannon including songs from their 1977 masterpiece Marquee Moon – consistently rated as one of the all time classic releases.

Founded in New York City in 1973, Television played their second ever show in early 1974 at then fledgling country / bluegrass club CBGB’s - inadvertently creating a hub for the pre-alternative culture of the lower Eastside, alongside the like-minded Patti Smith Group, Blondie, Talking Heads, Richard Hell, The Heartbreakers & Ramones.

In 1975 Television released their debut 7" Little Johnny Jewel, a two-sided 7 minute opus of street talk and taut no-frills guitar work featuring Tom Verlaine’s prodigious talent. Released on independent label Ork, it is one of proto-punks rarest and most valuable finds.

In 1977, following increasing major label interest Television finally signed to Elektra (home to The Doors, The Stooges and Love) and released their debut album, the absolute classic, Marquee Moon to massive critical acclaim. It was an instant success cracking the charts in several European countries and going on to become of one rock's most influential albums.

"The influence of ‘Marquee Moon’ cannot be overestimated. The post-punk movement certainly took on board numerous aspects of the record – the clinically precise instrumentation, the clean sound and the introspective, vaguely gloomy feel. That filtered through to the indie movement of the ’80s, for whom the record became one of the sacred texts, while even bands like The Strokes have clearly taken inspiration from it. It would not be an overstatement to say that ‘Marquee Moon’ is to the ’70s what ‘The Velvet Underground & Nico’ was to the ’60s." - NME 60 Most Important Albums of NME's Lifetime