Snub TV
Encyclopedia
Snub TV or simply Snub was a alternative culture
television
programme that ran from 1987 to 1989. Originally produced as a part of the Nightflight
in the USA, it went on to success in the UK and other countries. It gave many new musical acts their first major television exposure.
- for the Some Bizzare Show for the English record label
. Joly MacFie arranged with John Loder at Southern Studios
to do the production. Loder delegated the work to Peter Fowler (aka Pinko), who came up with the name. Duffy selected Brenda Kelly, erstwhile editor of The Catalogue, a monthly Rough Trade
-associated publication, to actually present. It was also arranged that the theme tune be produced by On U Sounds Adrian Sherwood
.
Fowler & Kelly produced and directed two series before falling out with Duffy. A third series was produced in New York, with Joly MacFie making the first edition before himself being fired. The series petered out not long after, and Nightflight itself was soon canceled.
The British series, while still focused on providing a showcase for bands, also featured other artists including comedians. It was broadcast on BBC2 at 6.00pm on Monday evenings and repeated in a late night slot on Sunday nights. It also aired on pan-european tv channel Super Channel and in other countries in Europe, such as Russia
, Portugal
, Denmark
and Greece
.
The theme tune for one series was "House Building", which was replaced by "Human Nature", both by Gary Clail
.
and underground music
scene in the UK during the rise of Madchester
. Often it sought out talent that had not yet had an opportunity to perform for a mass audience and put it on screen. The bands were not lined up in front of a well-behaved "live" audience. Instead the camera might be allowed to film a track being recorded: as such much of the programme had a rather rough-edged documentary style, rather than being a polished music show in the mould of Top of the Pops
. If the band didn't have a promo video, then the Snub crew would go out and make one for them. In the case of the Cocteau Twins
for example, the band had refused to appear in any video up until that point, but the Snub crew persuaded them to let them shoot one, resulting in a film made for the track "Cico Buff". The Fall appeared in all three series with Snub making a video for them each time, including 'Dead Beat Descendant' and 'Bill Is Dead'.
Interviews were conducted by members of other bands, in informal settings, such as in parks or pubs. The impression created was almost one of a TV fanzine created by musicians for other musicians and anyone else into music. The best performances were available on VHS. Recently there have been discussions about releasing a DVD of the best of all three series, but as yet there is no distributor.
Fran Duffy died on January 14, 2001. Joly MacFie went on to found Punkcast
.
Alternative culture
Alternative culture is a type of culture that exists outside or on the fringes of mainstream or popular culture, usually under the domain of one or more subcultures...
television
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
programme that ran from 1987 to 1989. Originally produced as a part of the Nightflight
Night Flight (TV series)
Night Flight is a variety show that originated on the USA Network. An eclectic mix of short films, cartoons, B movies, stand up comedy, documentaries, music videos and more, Night Flight was broadcast, in various incarnations, from 1981 to 1996....
in the USA, it went on to success in the UK and other countries. It gave many new musical acts their first major television exposure.
American Series
The program was originated by American producer Fran Duffy who had earlier obtained a similar slot on Nightflight - an overnight variety show running on the USA NetworkUSA Network
USA Network is an American cable television channel launched in 1971. Once a minor player in basic cable, the network has steadily gained popularity because of breakout hits like Monk, Psych, Burn Notice, Royal Pains, Covert Affairs, White Collar, Monday Night RAW, Suits, and reruns of the various...
- for the Some Bizzare Show for the English record label
Some Bizzare Records
Some Bizzare Records is a British independent record label owned by Stevo Pearce. The label was founded in 1981, with the release of Some Bizzare Album, a compilation of unsigned bands including Depeche Mode, Soft Cell, The The, Neu Electrikk and Blancmange.-1981-1989:One of the first bands that...
. Joly MacFie arranged with John Loder at Southern Studios
Southern Studios
Southern Studios is a recording studio in the Wood Green area of London. It was founded in 1974 by John Loder, and came to be the recording studio of choice for Crass and their record label Crass Records. Southern Studios Ltd. continues to grow its label and provide label management and...
to do the production. Loder delegated the work to Peter Fowler (aka Pinko), who came up with the name. Duffy selected Brenda Kelly, erstwhile editor of The Catalogue, a monthly Rough Trade
Rough Trade Records
Rough Trade Records is an independent record label based in London. It was formed in 1978 by Geoff Travis who had opened a record store off Ladbroke Grove...
-associated publication, to actually present. It was also arranged that the theme tune be produced by On U Sounds Adrian Sherwood
Adrian Sherwood
Adrian Sherwood is an English record producer best known for his work with dub music as well as for remixing a number of popular acts such as Coldcut, Depeche Mode, The Woodentops, Primal Scream, Pop Will Eat Itself, Sinéad O'Connor, and Skinny Puppy...
.
Fowler & Kelly produced and directed two series before falling out with Duffy. A third series was produced in New York, with Joly MacFie making the first edition before himself being fired. The series petered out not long after, and Nightflight itself was soon canceled.
British Series
The first season was picked up in the UK by Janet Street Porter at the BBC where it ran for three more seasons.The British series, while still focused on providing a showcase for bands, also featured other artists including comedians. It was broadcast on BBC2 at 6.00pm on Monday evenings and repeated in a late night slot on Sunday nights. It also aired on pan-european tv channel Super Channel and in other countries in Europe, such as Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
, Portugal
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
, Denmark
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
and Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
.
The theme tune for one series was "House Building", which was replaced by "Human Nature", both by Gary Clail
Gary Clail
Gary Clail is an English singer and record producer. He was part of On-U Sound Records and led Gary Clail's Tackhead Sound System.-Biography:...
.
The Show
The show documented the indieIndie (music)
In music, independent music, often shortened to indie music or "indie" is a term used to describe independence from major commercial record labels or their subsidiaries, and an autonomous, Do-It-Yourself approach to recording and publishing....
and underground music
Underground music
Underground music comprises a range of different musical genres that operate outside of mainstream culture. Such music can typically share common values, such as the valuing of sincerity and intimacy; an emphasis on freedom of creative expression; an appreciation of artistic creativity...
scene in the UK during the rise of Madchester
Madchester
Madchester was a music scene that developed in Manchester, England, towards the end of the 1980s and into the early 1990s. The music that emerged from the scene mixed alternative rock, psychedelic rock and dance music...
. Often it sought out talent that had not yet had an opportunity to perform for a mass audience and put it on screen. The bands were not lined up in front of a well-behaved "live" audience. Instead the camera might be allowed to film a track being recorded: as such much of the programme had a rather rough-edged documentary style, rather than being a polished music show in the mould of Top of the Pops
Top of the Pops
Top of the Pops, also known as TOTP, is a British music chart television programme, made by the BBC and originally broadcast weekly from 1 January 1964 to 30 July 2006. After 25 December 2006 it became a radio program, now hosted by Tony Blackburn...
. If the band didn't have a promo video, then the Snub crew would go out and make one for them. In the case of the Cocteau Twins
Cocteau Twins
Cocteau Twins were a Scottish alternative rock band active from 1979 to 1997, known for innovative instrumentation and atmospheric, non-lyrical vocals...
for example, the band had refused to appear in any video up until that point, but the Snub crew persuaded them to let them shoot one, resulting in a film made for the track "Cico Buff". The Fall appeared in all three series with Snub making a video for them each time, including 'Dead Beat Descendant' and 'Bill Is Dead'.
Interviews were conducted by members of other bands, in informal settings, such as in parks or pubs. The impression created was almost one of a TV fanzine created by musicians for other musicians and anyone else into music. The best performances were available on VHS. Recently there have been discussions about releasing a DVD of the best of all three series, but as yet there is no distributor.
Where are they now?
Brenda Kelly went on to work in broadcast TV in the UK and Fowler went on to direct many music videos, notably several for The Stereophonics before relocating to Sydney to direct TV commercials and start PVC Live, a production company specializing in live concert filming.Fran Duffy died on January 14, 2001. Joly MacFie went on to found Punkcast
Punkcast
Punkcast.com is an online video site that covers the NYC underground music scene. The content is mainly complete songs from live performances in the city's clubs and other locations...
.
Artists featured on Snub TV
- 808 State808 State808 State are a British electronic music outfit, formed in 1987 in Manchester, taking their name from the Roland TR-808 drum machine and their common state of mind...
- AC MariasAC MariasAC Marias was the name under which Wire collaborator Angela Conway released a number of records during the 1980s and early 1990s. She was assisted by Wire's Bruce Gilbert on many releases, and on the single "Time Was" and album One Of Our Girls was also assisted by other Mute Records musicians...
Just Talk - A Certain RatioA Certain RatioA Certain Ratio are a Post-punk band formed in 1977 in Manchester, England. While originally part of the punk rock movement, they soon added funk and dance elements to their sound. They are sometimes referred to as "post punk funk"...
- Barry AdamsonBarry AdamsonBarry Adamson is a British rock musician who has worked with rock bands such as Magazine, Visage, The Birthday Party, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, and the electronic musicians Pan sonic and Depeche Mode. Adamson created the seven-minute opus "Useless " remix for the latter band in 1997...
Moss Side Story - Band of Holy Joy What The Moon Saw
- The BeatnigsThe BeatnigsThe Beatnigs were a San Francisco band, which combined hard-core punk, industrial and hip hop influences, described as "a kind of avant-guard industrial jazz poets collective". The band was the initial collaboration of Michael Franti and Rono Tse, who would later form Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy...
Television - Big Audio DynamiteBig Audio DynamiteBig Audio Dynamite are a British musical group formed in 1984 by the ex-guitarist and singer of the Clash, Mick Jones. The group are noted for their effective mixture of varied musical styles, incorporating elements of punk rock, dance music, hip hop, reggae, and funk...
- BjörkBjörkBjörk Guðmundsdóttir , known as Björk , is an Icelandic singer-songwriter. Her eclectic musical style has achieved popular acknowledgement and popularity within many musical genres, such as rock, jazz, electronic dance music, classical and folk...
- The Boo RadleysThe Boo Radleys-Studio albums:-Compilation albums:-Extended plays:-Singles:-External links:* * * * * * by Laurent Orseau * *...
- William S. BurroughsWilliam S. BurroughsWilliam Seward Burroughs II was an American novelist, poet, essayist and spoken word performer. A primary figure of the Beat Generation and a major postmodernist author, he is considered to be "one of the most politically trenchant, culturally influential, and innovative artists of the 20th...
- Butthole SurfersButthole SurfersButthole Surfers is an American alternative rock band formed by Gibby Haynes and Paul Leary in San Antonio, Texas in 1981. The band has had numerous personnel changes, but its core lineup of Haynes, Leary, and drummer King Coffey has been consistent since 1983. Teresa Nervosa served as second...
Jimi - Catherine WheelCatherine WheelCatherine Wheel were a four-piece alternative rock band from Great Yarmouth, England. The band was active from 1990 to 2000, experiencing fluctuating levels of commercial success, and embarking on many lengthy tours.-Biography:...
- ChapterhouseChapterhouseFor the religious buildings, see Chapter houseChapterhouse are a British shoegazing band originally of the early 1990s, from Reading, Berkshire, England. Formed in 1987 by Andrew Sherriff and Stephen Patman, the band began performing alongside Spacemen 3...
Pearl (Live) - Ciccone YouthCiccone YouthCiccone Youth is an experimental band which was formed in 1986. It is a side project of Sonic Youth members Steve Shelley, Kim Gordon, Lee Ranaldo, and Thurston Moore, with Minutemen/fIREHOSE member Mike Watt....
Addicted To Love - Cocteau TwinsCocteau TwinsCocteau Twins were a Scottish alternative rock band active from 1979 to 1997, known for innovative instrumentation and atmospheric, non-lyrical vocals...
- The CrampsThe CrampsThe Cramps were an American rock band, formed in 1976 and active until 2009. The band split after the death of lead singer Lux Interior. Their line-up rotated much over their existence, with the husband and wife duo of Interior and lead guitarist Poison Ivy the only permanent members...
- CranesCranes (band)Cranes are a British music group formed in 1986, whose style has been described as "gothic minimalism".-History:Formed in 1986 in Portsmouth, England by siblings Alison and Jim Shaw, and named after the many mechanical cranes around the city's docks, Cranes are best known for the childlike,...
- The CureThe CureThe Cure are an English rock band formed in Crawley, West Sussex in 1976. The band has experienced several line-up changes, with frontman, vocalist, guitarist and principal songwriter Robert Smith being the only constant member...
- Das DamenDas DamenDas Damen was an alternative rock band from New York City, United States, formed in 1984. The band released several albums before splitting up in 1991. The band name is German for "the ladies", although grammatically correct it would be spelled "Die Damen"...
- Damian
- Diamanda GalasDiamanda GalásDiamanda Galás is an American avant-garde composer, vocalist, pianist, organist, performance artist and painter.Galás has been described as "capable of the most unnerving vocal terror", with her three and a half octave vocal range. She often screams, hisses and growls...
- Dinosaur JrDinosaur JrDinosaur Jr. is an American alternative rock band formed in Amherst, Massachusetts in 1984. Originally called Dinosaur, prior to legal issues that forced the group to change their name, the band disbanded in 1997 until reuniting in 2005...
Freak Scene - DissidentenDissidentenDissidenten are a German rock band known for their collaborations with Middle Eastern, African and Indian musicians and the main protagonists of what the New York Times described in the 1980s as "world beat movement, led by groups like Dissidenten...."...
Telephone Arab - Dog Faced HermansDog Faced HermansThe Dog Faced Hermans were a four-piece band whose style could be described as anarcho-punk incorporating folk and noise influences as well as unorthodox instrumentation.-History:...
- Dub Sex Swerve
- Edsel AuctioneerEdsel AuctioneerThe Edsel Auctioneer was a band formed in Leeds in 1988 by Ashley Horner , Phil Pettler , Aidan Winterburn and Chris Cooper . They were named after the ill-fated Ford automobile whose front grille was supposed to have resembled a woman's pudenda...
- The Fall Dead Beat Descendant, Bill Is Dead
- The Fatima Mansions, Only Losers Take the Bus
- FinitribeFinitribeFinitribe was a dance music band from Edinburgh, Scotland. The group is sometimes also referred to as Fini Tribe. The name was taken from finny tribe, a term used by the Rosicrucians to describe the fishes....
Electrolux - FugaziFugazi (band)Fugazi is an American post-hardcore band that formed in Washington, D.C. in 1987. The band's continual members are guitarists and vocalists Ian MacKaye and Guy Picciotto, bassist Joe Lally and drummer Brendan Canty....
Suggestion - Galaxie 500Galaxie 500Galaxie 500 was an American alternative rock band that formed in 1987 and split up in 1991 after releasing three albums.-History:Guitarist Dean Wareham, drummer Damon Krukowski and bassist Naomi Yang had met at the Dalton School in New York City in 1981, but began playing together during their time...
- Gallon DrunkGallon DrunkGallon Drunk are an English band formed in London in 1988. Their swamp rock sound contains a variety of influences, from punk to jazz and the novels of Derek Raymond , and is noted for its dark subject matter.-Biography:...
- Happy MondaysHappy MondaysHappy Mondays are an English alternative rock band from Salford, Greater Manchester. Formed in 1980, the band's original line-up was Shaun Ryder on lead vocals, his brother Paul Ryder on bass, lead guitarist Mark Day, keyboardist Paul Davis, and drummer Gary Whelan...
Do It Better - The House of LoveThe House of LoveThe House of Love is an English alternative rock band. Formed in 1986, the band rose to prominence in the UK as a leading indie rock band in 1988 and split up in 1993, eventually reforming a decade later in 2003. The band is best known for its detailed psychedelic guitar sound and for the...
Man to Child - Inspiral Carpets 'Joe'
- Jesus JonesJesus JonesJesus Jones are a British rock band. The Wiltshire-based group, formed in late 1988, recorded and performed in the late 1980s, throughout the 1990s, and into the 2000s. They are best remembered for their track, "Right Here, Right Now", an international hit and subsequently globally appropriated for...
Info Freako - The Jesus and Mary ChainThe Jesus and Mary ChainThe Jesus and Mary Chain are a Scottish alternative rock band formed in East Kilbride, Glasgow in 1983. The band revolves around the songwriting partnership of brothers Jim and William Reid...
- John Moore and Expressway Out of my Mind
- The Keatons
- Kid Congo PowersKid Congo PowersKid Congo Powers is the stage name of Brian Tristan , an American rock guitarist and singer, best known as a member of The Gun Club, The Cramps and Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds.-Biography:...
- King of the SlumsKing of the SlumsKing of the Slums were a British alternative rock band. Formed in Greater Manchester in the mid-1980s, the band specialised in a kind of electric violin and guitar-driven rock music, and released their debut single in 1986...
Fanciable Headcase - The KLFThe KLFThe KLF were one of the seminal bands of the British acid house movement during the late 1980s and early 1990s....
- Robert LloydRobert LloydRobert Lloyd may refer to:* Robert Lloyd MP for Merioneth 1601* Robert Lloyd , British opera singer * Robert Lloyd , lead singer of British post-punk band The Nightingales...
The Part Of The Anchor - LoopLoop (band)Loop was a South London band founded in 1986 by Robert Hampson and his wife, Bex, and active until 1991.-Career:The band was formed in 1986 by Robert Hampson , with wife Bex on drums. Bex was soon replaced by John Wills and Glen Ray, with James Endeacott on guitar...
- LuxuriaLuxuriaLuxuria was a British pop music band made up of vocalist Howard Devoto and instrumentalist Norman Fisher-Jones, aka "Noko." The band was active in the 1980s and early 1990s....
- Manic Street PreachersManic Street PreachersManic Street Preachers are a Welsh alternative rock band, formed in 1986. They are James Dean Bradfield, Nicky Wire, Richey Edwards and Sean Moore. The band are part of the Cardiff music scene, and were at their most prominent during the 1990s...
Motown Junk - MC Buzz B
- MC TunesMC TunesMC Tunes is a British rapper from the suburb of Moss Side in Manchester. His name was legally changed to Lockett in 1981. Tunes was one of the big promoters of the Madchester-era during the 1980s and 1990s.-808 State:Tunes first worked with 808 State on the 1990 album, The North At Its Heights...
- The Mekons Ghosts Of American Astronauts
- MomusMomus (artist)Nick Currie , more popularly known under the artist name Momus , is a songwriter, blogger and former journalist for Wired...
Hairstyle of the Devil - Murphy's Law Quest For Herb
- Mute Drivers Boomtown (live)
- My Bloody Valentine
- New OrderNew OrderNew Order are an English rock band formed in 1980 by Bernard Sumner , Peter Hook and Stephen Morris...
Round and Round - Nitzer EbbNitzer EbbNitzer Ebb is a British EBM group formed in 1982 by Essex school friends Vaughan "Bon" Harris , Douglas McCarthy , and David Gooday .-Band name:...
Hearts & Minds - Pale SaintsPale SaintsPale Saints was formed in 1987 by Ian Masters , Graeme Naysmith , and Chris Cooper in Leeds, England. The group began as a jangly indie pop band, influenced by Primal Scream's early sound.-History:...
- Pere UbuPere UbuPere Ubu is an experimental rock music group from Cleveland, Ohio.Père Ubu may also refer to:* Ubu, the enigmatic central figure of a series of French plays by Alfred Jarry, including Ubu Roi, and subsequent plays Ubu Cocu and Ubu Enchaîné...
- Pixies Vamos, Dead, I Bleed
- Primal ScreamPrimal ScreamPrimal Scream are a Scottish alternative rock band originally formed in 1982 in Glasgow by Bobby Gillespie and Jim Beattie and now based in London. The current lineup consists of Gillespie, Andrew Innes , Martin Duffy , and Darrin Mooney...
- Public Enemy Don't Believe The Hype
- RideRide (band)Ride were a British alternative rock band that formed in 1988 in Oxford, England, consisting of Andy Bell, Mark Gardener, Laurence "Loz" Colbert, and Steve Queralt. The band were initially part of the "shoegazing" scene. Following the break-up of the band in 1996, members moved on to various other...
Drive Blind - Shamen Jesus Loves Amerika
- Bim ShermanBim ShermanJarret Lloyd Vincent better known by one of his stage aliases Bim Sherman, was a Jamaican musician and singer-songwriter.-Biography:...
Power - Sonic YouthSonic YouthSonic Youth is an American alternative rock band from New York City, formed in 1981. The current lineup consists of Thurston Moore , Kim Gordon , Lee Ranaldo , Steve Shelley , and Mark Ibold .In their early career, Sonic Youth was associated with the No Wave art and music scene in New York City...
Teen Age Riot, Providence - Spacemen 3Spacemen 3Spacemen 3 were an English alternative rock band, formed in 1982 in Rugby, Warwickshire by Peter Kember and Jason Pierce. Their music was "colorfully mind-altering, but not in the sense of the acid rock of the '60s; instead, the band developed its own minimalistic psychedelia"...
Revolution - The Stone RosesThe Stone RosesThe Stone Roses are an English alternative rock band formed in Manchester in 1983. They were one of the pioneering groups of the Madchester movement that was active during the late 1980s and early 1990s...
I Wanna Be Adored, Sugar Spun Sister - The SugarcubesThe SugarcubesThe Sugarcubes were an Icelandic alternative rock band formed in 1986 and disbanded in 1992. They received critical and popular acclaim internationally.-History:...
Birthday (Icelandic version) - SwansSwans (band)Swans are an influential American post-punk band initially active from 1982 to 1997, led by singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Michael Gira. The band was one of the few groups to emerge from the early 1980s New York No Wave scene and stay intact into the next decade. Formed by Gira in...
You're Not Real, Girl - TackheadTackheadTackhead are an industrial hip-hop group that were most active during the 1980s and early 1990s, and briefly reformed in 2004 for a tour. Their music occupies the territory where funk, dub, industrial music and electronica intersect...
- Ted ChippingtonTed ChippingtonTed Chippington is a British stand-up comedian. His act is one in which the conventions of his chosen craft are routinely flouted...
Pull Up - Throwing MusesThrowing MusesThrowing Muses is an alternative rock band formed in 1981 in Newport, Rhode Island, that toured and recorded extensively until 1997, when its members began concentrating more on other projects. The group was originally fronted by two lead singers, Kristin Hersh and Tanya Donelly, who both wrote the...
Downtown, Dizzy, Mania - Ultra Vivid SceneUltra Vivid SceneUltra Vivid Scene was an American alternative rock band, started by Kurt Ralske.Former Nothing But Happiness and Crash guitarist Ralske started Ultra Vivid Scene in 1987, was signed to 4AD Records in 1988, and released his first UVS EP, She Screamed, in 1988...
The Mercy Seat - We Are Going To Eat You Heart In Hand
- The Wedding PresentThe Wedding PresentThe Wedding Present are a British indie rock group based in Leeds, England, formed in 1985 from the ashes of the Lost Pandas. The band's music has evolved from fast-paced indie rock in the vein of their most obvious influences The Fall, Buzzcocks and Gang of Four to more varied forms...
- WireWire (band)Wire are an English rock band, formed in London in October 1976 by Colin Newman , Graham Lewis , Bruce Gilbert , and Robert Gotobed...
Kidney Bingos/Eardrum Buzz - World Domination EnterprisesWorld Domination EnterprisesWorld Domination Enterprises were an English indie rock band, who were active in the 1980s. The band mixed elements of indie rock, post-hardcore , and dub.World Domination Enterprises' sound was defined by their atonal guitar...
Asbestos Lead Asbestos - YelloYelloYello is a Swiss electronica band consisting of Dieter Meier and Boris Blank. They are probably best known for their singles "The Race" and "Oh Yeah", which feature a mix of electronic music and manipulated vocals, as does most of their music....
The Race