Pray TV (band)
Encyclopedia
Pray TV were an Indie pop
/Indie rock
band from Melbourne
, Australia. They existed from 1987 until their breakup in 1997. They released 4 CD albums, several 7" vinyl singles and a 12" vinyl EP. A compilation CD was released in 2010.
, Australia. They were one of a number of promising Melbourne bands that emerged in the late 1980s and early 1990s that also included, amongst others, The Glory Box
, Ripe, Autohaze, The Fauves
, The Killjoys, The Hollowmen and Sea Stories
.
The bands early sound was described as 'songs that have a lot of energy and rock along with power, yet they project this depressive mood that most bands can only get by playing slow. It's a neat trick.'(1) The band had various members over the years, with the only consistent members being Aidan Halloran (vocals) and Martin Kennedy (guitar/bass). Joseph Kennedy, Martin’s brother, was the drummer for most of the bands existence.
Their debut 7” vinyl only single ‘In My Street/A Foreign Land/Surf Nazis’, along with the 6 track, 12” vinyl only EP ‘Sure’ were released in 1989 on Mr Spaceman. Both of these releases were recorded by Perri and Bo at the Phantom Tollbooth in Carlton, Melbourne. The 7” vinyl only single ‘Spent/She Fell’ was released by Au Go Go Records
in 1990. The 7” vinyl only single ‘Cold Dog Strew/Lone Stiff/Still Searching/Sounds of Silence’ was released in 1991 on Shock Records
and was lifted from their debut CD LP ‘Flux’ of the same year.
Their second LP ‘Paydirt’ was released on Shock Records
in 1992. The album included a bonus track of the band covering the Husker Du
song Sorry Somehow
, which was also regularly performed live. The single/EP ‘Aftermath’ from the album also included the cover track. Around this time Pray TV were signed by US label Radioactive
and released the 'Aftermath' EP in the US, followed by a series of shows in New York and Los Angeles with Radioactive label mates Live
(2).
In 1992 Pray TV featured on a CD called 'Dress Ups' (Shock Records
) with other Melbourne bands The Glory Box
and The Fauves
(2), with each band performing a track from the others repertoire, as well as contributing one original track. Melbourne band Ripe were also intended to take part but didn’t due to other recording commitments.
In January 1994 they supported The Smashing Pumpkins
at the Prince of Wales in St Kilda, Melbourne. Their third LP ‘Swinger’s Paradise’ was released on Shock Records
in 1995. It was produced by Ed Kuepper
, formerly of pioneering 1970’s Australian punk band The Saints
. Their fourth and final album ‘Westona’ was released on The Hypnotized Label in 1996 and apart from Halloran and Kennedy, featured a new guitarist and drummer as well as new bass player Russell Baricevic, formerly of Geelong band Bored!.
Ashley Naylor
of Melbourne band Even
occasionally played guitar with Pray TV on studio recordings and also live. Pray TV disbanded in 1997 with a farewell show at the Public Bar in North Melbourne.
.
The 20 track compilation CD ‘Lost Transmissions 1987-1996’ was released in 2010 and contained various tracks from Pray TV’s entire recording career(4).
Indie pop
Indie pop is a genre of alternative rock music that originated in the United Kingdom in the mid 1980s, with its roots in the Scottish post-punk bands on the Postcard Records label in the early '80s, such as Orange Juice, Josef K and Aztec Camera, and the dominant UK independent band of the mid...
/Indie rock
Indie rock
Indie rock is a genre of alternative rock that originated in the United Kingdom and the United States in the 1980s. Indie rock is extremely diverse, with sub-genres that include lo-fi, post-rock, math rock, indie pop, dream pop, noise rock, space rock, sadcore, riot grrrl and emo, among others...
band from Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
, Australia. They existed from 1987 until their breakup in 1997. They released 4 CD albums, several 7" vinyl singles and a 12" vinyl EP. A compilation CD was released in 2010.
History
Pray TV began in 1987 in MelbourneMelbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
, Australia. They were one of a number of promising Melbourne bands that emerged in the late 1980s and early 1990s that also included, amongst others, The Glory Box
The Glory Box (Australian band)
The Glory Box were an Indie pop / Indie rock band from Melbourne, Australia. They existed from ~1988 until their breakup ~1994. They released several 7" vinyl singles and a 12" vinly EP, as well as a full length CD album and a compilation CD on Shock Records, Australia's largest independent record...
, Ripe, Autohaze, The Fauves
The Fauves
The Fauves are an Australian rock band. Their album Future Spa was nominated for Best Alternative Album in the 1997 ARIA awards but lost to Spiderbait's Ivy and the Big Apples....
, The Killjoys, The Hollowmen and Sea Stories
Sea Stories (Australian band)
Sea Stories were an Indie pop / Folk rock band from Melbourne, Australia. They existed from 1986 until their break up in 1993. They released 2 full length albums and a number of EP’s.-History:...
.
The bands early sound was described as 'songs that have a lot of energy and rock along with power, yet they project this depressive mood that most bands can only get by playing slow. It's a neat trick.'(1) The band had various members over the years, with the only consistent members being Aidan Halloran (vocals) and Martin Kennedy (guitar/bass). Joseph Kennedy, Martin’s brother, was the drummer for most of the bands existence.
Their debut 7” vinyl only single ‘In My Street/A Foreign Land/Surf Nazis’, along with the 6 track, 12” vinyl only EP ‘Sure’ were released in 1989 on Mr Spaceman. Both of these releases were recorded by Perri and Bo at the Phantom Tollbooth in Carlton, Melbourne. The 7” vinyl only single ‘Spent/She Fell’ was released by Au Go Go Records
Au Go Go Records
Au Go Go Records is the name of a Melbourne, Australia based independent record label.It was founded by Bruce Milne and Philip Morland from a house in Brunswick Street, Fitzroy in 1979 and is now operated by Greta Moon....
in 1990. The 7” vinyl only single ‘Cold Dog Strew/Lone Stiff/Still Searching/Sounds of Silence’ was released in 1991 on Shock Records
Shock Records
Shock Records is Australia's largest independent record label. It helps distribute records from overseas records labels such as Epitaph Records, and also for small record labels designed specifically for that band such as Cement Records...
and was lifted from their debut CD LP ‘Flux’ of the same year.
Their second LP ‘Paydirt’ was released on Shock Records
Shock Records
Shock Records is Australia's largest independent record label. It helps distribute records from overseas records labels such as Epitaph Records, and also for small record labels designed specifically for that band such as Cement Records...
in 1992. The album included a bonus track of the band covering the Husker Du
Husker Du
Husker Du means "Do you remember" in Danish and Norwegian, and may refer to:*Hüsker Dü, American punk band*Hūsker Dū?, a Danish board game*Husker Du, a Danish documentary series about the 1970s...
song Sorry Somehow
Sorry Somehow
"Sorry Somehow" is a song from Hüsker Dü's major-label debut Candy Apple Grey. It was also released an EP and as the first single from Candy Apple Grey...
, which was also regularly performed live. The single/EP ‘Aftermath’ from the album also included the cover track. Around this time Pray TV were signed by US label Radioactive
Radioactive Records
Radioactive Records was an American record label. It was formed as a joint venture between talent manager Gary Kurfirst and MCA Records, and it is now out of business....
and released the 'Aftermath' EP in the US, followed by a series of shows in New York and Los Angeles with Radioactive label mates Live
Live (band)
Live is an American rock band from York, Pennsylvania, composed of Chad Taylor , Patrick Dahlheimer , and Chad Gracey . Lead singer and principal songwriter Ed Kowalczyk left the band in November 2009....
(2).
In 1992 Pray TV featured on a CD called 'Dress Ups' (Shock Records
Shock Records
Shock Records is Australia's largest independent record label. It helps distribute records from overseas records labels such as Epitaph Records, and also for small record labels designed specifically for that band such as Cement Records...
) with other Melbourne bands The Glory Box
The Glory Box (Australian band)
The Glory Box were an Indie pop / Indie rock band from Melbourne, Australia. They existed from ~1988 until their breakup ~1994. They released several 7" vinyl singles and a 12" vinly EP, as well as a full length CD album and a compilation CD on Shock Records, Australia's largest independent record...
and The Fauves
The Fauves
The Fauves are an Australian rock band. Their album Future Spa was nominated for Best Alternative Album in the 1997 ARIA awards but lost to Spiderbait's Ivy and the Big Apples....
(2), with each band performing a track from the others repertoire, as well as contributing one original track. Melbourne band Ripe were also intended to take part but didn’t due to other recording commitments.
In January 1994 they supported The Smashing Pumpkins
The Smashing Pumpkins
The Smashing Pumpkins are an American alternative rock band that formed in Chicago, Illinois in 1988. Formed by Billy Corgan frontman and James Iha , the band has included Jimmy Chamberlin , D'arcy Wretzky , and currently includes Jeff Schroeder Mike Byrne , and Nicole Fiorentino The Smashing...
at the Prince of Wales in St Kilda, Melbourne. Their third LP ‘Swinger’s Paradise’ was released on Shock Records
Shock Records
Shock Records is Australia's largest independent record label. It helps distribute records from overseas records labels such as Epitaph Records, and also for small record labels designed specifically for that band such as Cement Records...
in 1995. It was produced by Ed Kuepper
Ed Kuepper
Ed Kuepper is an Australian guitarist, vocalist and songwriter. He co-founded the seminal punk band The Saints, the experimental post-punk group Laughing Clowns and later the grunge-like The Aints...
, formerly of pioneering 1970’s Australian punk band The Saints
The Saints (band)
The Saints are an Australian rock band, which formed in Brisbane in 1974 as punk rockers. Founders were Chris Bailey , Ivor Hay , and Ed Kuepper . Alongside mainstay Bailey, the group has had numerous line-ups...
. Their fourth and final album ‘Westona’ was released on The Hypnotized Label in 1996 and apart from Halloran and Kennedy, featured a new guitarist and drummer as well as new bass player Russell Baricevic, formerly of Geelong band Bored!.
Ashley Naylor
Ashley Naylor
Ashley Naylor is an Australian musician, best known for his guitar and vocals in Melbourne-based band Even.In 1987 at the age seventeen, Naylor fronted an indie rock band called The Swarm. He occasionally played guitar with Melbourne band Pray TV on studio recordings and also live...
of Melbourne band Even
Even (band)
Even are an Australian indie rock three-piece fronted by singer/songwriter/guitarist Ashley Naylor, with Matthew Cotter on drums and Wally Kempton on bass and backing vocals...
occasionally played guitar with Pray TV on studio recordings and also live. Pray TV disbanded in 1997 with a farewell show at the Public Bar in North Melbourne.
Post Break up
Martin Kennedy resurfaced in the late 1990s with new outfit All India RadioAll India Radio (band)
All India Radio are an Australian electronic band. The music is lo-fi, down tempo and instrumental. Part live band, part studio-based project, All India Radio have released nine albums:* The Inevitable * 002 * All India Radio...
.
The 20 track compilation CD ‘Lost Transmissions 1987-1996’ was released in 2010 and contained various tracks from Pray TV’s entire recording career(4).
Singles
- In My Street / A Foreign Land / Surf Nazis’ (1989) - 7" vinyl, Mr Spaceman (MRSM15)
- Spent / She Fell (1990) - 7" vinyl, Au Go Go RecordsAu Go Go RecordsAu Go Go Records is the name of a Melbourne, Australia based independent record label.It was founded by Bruce Milne and Philip Morland from a house in Brunswick Street, Fitzroy in 1979 and is now operated by Greta Moon....
(ANDA114) - Cold Dog Strew / Lone Stiff / Still Searching / Sounds of Silence (1991) - 7" vinyl, Shock RecordsShock RecordsShock Records is Australia's largest independent record label. It helps distribute records from overseas records labels such as Epitaph Records, and also for small record labels designed specifically for that band such as Cement Records...
(Shock709)
EP's
- SureSure"Sure" was the fifteenth single by the Japanese j-pop group Every Little Thing, released on February 16, 2000. It was used as the drama Virtual Girl's theme song.-Chart positions:-External links:* information at Avex Network.* information at Oricon....
(1989) – 12” vinyl, Mr Spaceman - Dress Ups (1992) with The FauvesThe FauvesThe Fauves are an Australian rock band. Their album Future Spa was nominated for Best Alternative Album in the 1997 ARIA awards but lost to Spiderbait's Ivy and the Big Apples....
and The Glory BoxThe Glory Box (Australian band)The Glory Box were an Indie pop / Indie rock band from Melbourne, Australia. They existed from ~1988 until their breakup ~1994. They released several 7" vinyl singles and a 12" vinly EP, as well as a full length CD album and a compilation CD on Shock Records, Australia's largest independent record...
- Shock RecordsShock RecordsShock Records is Australia's largest independent record label. It helps distribute records from overseas records labels such as Epitaph Records, and also for small record labels designed specifically for that band such as Cement Records...
LP's
- FluxFluxIn the various subfields of physics, there exist two common usages of the term flux, both with rigorous mathematical frameworks.* In the study of transport phenomena , flux is defined as flow per unit area, where flow is the movement of some quantity per time...
(1991) - Shock RecordsShock RecordsShock Records is Australia's largest independent record label. It helps distribute records from overseas records labels such as Epitaph Records, and also for small record labels designed specifically for that band such as Cement Records... - Paydirt (1992) - Shock RecordsShock RecordsShock Records is Australia's largest independent record label. It helps distribute records from overseas records labels such as Epitaph Records, and also for small record labels designed specifically for that band such as Cement Records...
- Swinger’s Paradise (1995) - Shock RecordsShock RecordsShock Records is Australia's largest independent record label. It helps distribute records from overseas records labels such as Epitaph Records, and also for small record labels designed specifically for that band such as Cement Records...
- Westona (1996) - The Hypnotized Label
External links
- http://www.myspace.com/praytv
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7VPNig6vvvY
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIsQuGRS18w&feature=channel_video_title
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2O3q1g0tOA&feature=relmfu
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBaGBbnB5bU&feature=relmfu