Television Personalities

Television Personalities formed in London in 1977 around Dan Treacy on vocals and guitar, with Ed Ball on bass and David Conway on drums. Their early years were financially difficult, and the lineup changed frequently. They put out records like 'And Don't the Kids Just Love It' in 1979 and 'Mummy Your Not Watching Me' the following year, working with a shifting cast that sometimes included guitarist John McGeoch from Siouxsie and the Banshees.

Treacy's songs often dealt with depression and vulnerability, delivered with a surreal, melancholic touch. Tracks like 'Goodnight Mr. Spaceman' and 'Sad Mona Lisa' typify that disaffected, introspective mood. Their approach resonated with a cult following and caught the ear of other musicians, including Kurt Cobain and Mark E. Smith of The Fall.

The band released albums through the early 1990s, like 'The Painted Word' in 1989 and 'Privilege' in 1992, before disbanding. Dan Treacy remained the constant through various incarnations, his writing defining their sound.