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Toni Torino

2299 posts

BBC4 Friday 1st June : "Punk Britannia" & "We Who Wait: TV Smith & the Adverts"

May 24, 2012, 13:35

All looks rather good!

Punk Britannia

BBC Four 9:00pm to 10:00pm

Punk Britannia, Episode 1: Pre-Punk 1972-1976

Opener of a three-part documentary series about the history of punk rock. The film explores the road to punk in Britain, which begins in the early 70s with a young generation already conscious that they have 'missed the 60s party' and are stuck in a Britain heading for economic woes and dwindling opportunities. But before the punk generation finally arises to have its say during 1976 come a group of pub rockers, a generation of bands sandwiched between 60s hippies and mid-70s punks who will help pave the way towards the short, sharp shock of punk, only to be elbowed aside by the emergence of the Sex Pistols, the Clash et al. Pub rock set the template - small venues, fast retro rock n roll and bags of attitude typified bands like Dr Feelgood, Ducks Deluxe, Kilburn and the High Roads and Eddie and the Hotrods. Featuring unseen archive footage and interviews with John Lydon, Paul Weller, Mick Jones, Wilko Johnson, Nick Lowe, Adam Ant, Brian James and many more.

We Who Wait: TV Smith & the Adverts

BBC Four 11:00pm to 12:00am

Film which tells the story of punk band the Adverts and the continuing music career of their former frontman TV Smith. He formed the Adverts in late '76 with his girlfriend Gaye and press criticism of the band's alleged musical ineptitude was answered by a defiant debut single, One Chord Wonders. They secured their first chart hit with the macabre punk classic, Gary Gilmore's Eyes, but soon suffered an acrimonious collapse. Pushed to the margins of the music industry, Smith nonetheless continued a dogged struggle to make a living as a singer and songwriter. After years of bad luck, personal loss and failed bands, Smith's persistence paid dividends and he carved out a career as a solo artist and troubadour. The film is a testament to one of UK music's great outsiders, featuring stills, archive footage and contributions from former band members, collaborators, critics and friends including Smith, Gaye Advert, Brian James, Richard Strange, John Robb, Greil Marcus, Henry Rollins and Miles.

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BBC4 Friday 1st June : "Punk Britannia" & "We Who Wait: TV Smith & the Adverts" – Toni Torino, May 24, 2012, 13:35


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