(Photo Credit: Drew Weidemann)
Psychic TV has never been an easy act to figure out. It would be incorrect to call them a band, a more accurate label would be something like “experimental audio-visual art group”. In 1986, the group received a Guinness World Record for Most Albums Released in One Year, because they released 17 albums. The tenth album, which has no name, could only be obtained after mailing the grouptokens that were included in the previous nine releases. Despite their bizarre setup and work schedule, their music is pure acid house gold.
Their first album Force the Hand of Chance featured catchy pop singles written by record producer Alex Fergusson. The lead vocals were accompanied by barbershop quartet harmonies, along with experimental noise intermissions. The high production value tied the whole package together turned the record into an alt-punk underground classic. Fortunately for superfans, Force the Hand of Chance is getting a vinyl re-release for the first time in 25 years. The limited edition pressing will produce only 1000 copies, 700 of which can only be obtained through Forced Exposure. The remaining 300 copies can be found through Genesis P-Orridge’s website. The re-release will be available August 18th.
Force the Hand of Chance
01. Just Drifting
02. Terminus
03. Stolen Kisses
04. Caresse
05. Guiltless
06. No Go Go
07. Ov Power
08. Message from the Temple
In addition, Psychic TV’s upcoming new album Alienist provides a beautiful contrast between two very distinct styles. The vulnerable yet haunting track “I’m Looking for You” is a grandiose, layered piece that details a conversation between Genesis P-Orridge and Lucifer, after Lucifer fails to take over the world. The titular “Alienist” combines the acid house music the group is famous for with heavy, droning psychedelic rock. Alienist continues the group trend of taking classic 1960’s psychedelic rock and reinterpreting it under the group’s trademark “acid” aesthetic. Alienist will be available on September 16th.
Alienist
01. Jump Into the Fire
02. Looking For You
03. How Does it Feel
04. Alienist
Psychic TV will also be touring the world to promote the release of both albums.
Psychic TV Tour Dates
6/24: Calgary, AB – Sled Island Festival
6/26: San Francisco, CA – City Hall at Gay Pride
7/15: New York, NY – Rubin Museum
7/22: Chicago, IL – Reggies
7/23: Detroit, MI – El Club
8/12: Los Angeles, CA – Berserktown 3 at Teragram Ballroom
9/16: Brooklyn, NY – Music Hall of Williamsburg
9/17: Hudson, NY – Basilica SoundScape
9/21: Toronto, ON – Lee’s Palace
9/23: Montreal, QB – POP Montreal at Theatre Fairmount
9/29: Portland, OR – Star Theatre
9/30: Vancouver, BC – Venue Nightclub
10/1: Seattle, WA – TBA
10/24: Athens, Greece Modu
10/26: Republic of Georgia – TBA
10/28: Moscow, Russia – TBA
10/30: St. Petersburg, Russia – Zal Ojidaniya
11/1: Tel Aviv, Israel – The Zone
11/3: Kiev, Ukraine – Sentrum
11/5: Wroclaw, Poland – WIF festival
11/7: London, UK – Shepherds Bush Empire
11/9: Leeds, UK – Wardrope