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Psychic TV discography
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The discography of the experimental music group Psychic TV consists of over 100 full-length albums, over 15 compilation albums and over 30 singles and EPs.
Studio albums
[edit]- Force the Hand of Chance (LP, cassette) (1982)
- Themes (LP) (1982)
- Dreams Less Sweet (LP, cassette) (1983)
- Pagan Day (LP, 12" picture disc) (1984)
- Those Who Do Not (2x12") (1984)
- Descending (1984)
- Mouth of the Night (CD, LP, 12" picture disc) (1985)
- Themes 2 (LP) (1985)
- Themes 3 (LP) (1986)
- The Magickal Mystery D Tour EP (1986)
- Allegory and Self (CD, LP, 12" picture disc) (1988)
- Jack the Tab – Acid Tablets Volume One (CD, LP, 12" picture disc) (1988)
- Tekno Acid Beat (CD, LP) (1988)
- Kondole (CD) (1989)
- At Stockholm (CD) (1990)
- Jack the Tab/Tekno Acid Beat (2xCD, 2X12") (1990)
- Towards Thee Infinite Beat (CD, 12", cassette) (1990)
- Beyond Thee Infinite Beat (CD, 2x12", cassette) (1990)
- Direction ov Travel (CD) (1991)
- Ultrahouse The L.A. Connection (CD) (1991)
- Cold Dark Matter (CD) (1992)
- Peak Hour (album) (1993)
- A Hollow Cost (CD) (1994)
- AL – OR – AL (CD) (1994)
- Electric Newspaper Issue One (CD) (1994)
- Cathedral Engine (CD) (1994)
- Sugarmorphoses (CD) (1994)
- Ultradrug (CD) (1994)
- Sirens (Ultradrug – Thee Sequel) (CD) (1995)
- Electric Newspaper Issue Two (CD) (1995)
- Breathe (CD) (1995)
- Electric Newspaper Issue Three (CD) (1995)
- Trip Reset (CD) (1996)
- Cold Blue Torch (1996)
- Column One & Psychic TV – E-Lusive (1997)
- Hell Is Invisible... Heaven Is Her/e (CD) (2007)
- Mr. Alien Brain vs. the Skinwalkers (2008)
- Snakes (2014)
- Alienist (CD) (2016)
EPs
[edit]- Psychic TV/PTV3 – Alien Brain Vs Maggot Brain (12" Vinyl only) (Vanity Case Records 2010)
- Psychic TV/PTV3 – Mother Sky Vs Alien Sky (12" Vinyl only) (2011)
- Psychic TV/PTV3 – Thank you (12" Vinyl only) (2011)
- Psychic TV/PTV3 – Silver Sundown Machine Vs. Alien Lightning Meat Machine (12" Vinyl only) (2012)
- Psychic TV/PTV3 – Greyhounds Of The Future / Alien Lightning Meat Machine (12" Vinyl only) (2013)
Singles
[edit]- "Just Drifting" (1982)
- "The Full Pack" (1983)
- "Unclean" (7", 12") (1984)
- "Roman P" (1984)
- "Godstar" (1985)
- "Good Vibrations"
- "Magick Defends Itself" (1986)
- "Joy" (1988)
- "Tune In (Turn On the Acid House)" (1988)
- "Je T'Aime" (7", 12") (1989)
- "Love War Riot" (1989)
- "High Jack" (1990)
- "I.C. Water" (1990)
- "Ultrahouse the Twelve Inch Mixes" (1991)
- "Re-Mind" (1993)
- "Tribal" (1994)
- Column One & Psychic TV – E-Lusive (1997)
- "Snowflake/Illusive" (2002)
Compilation albums
[edit]- Splinter Test 1 (3 x CD + box set) (1993)
- Splinter Test 2 (3 x CD + box set) (1993)
- Hex Sex: The Singles Part 1 (CD) (1994)
- Beauty From Thee Beast – Thee Best ov Psychic TV and Genesis P-Orridge (CD) (1995)
- Godstar: The Singles – Pt. 2 (CD) (1995)
- Origin of the Species: A Supply of Two Tablets of Acid (2 x CD) (1998)
- Best Ov: Time's Up (CD) (1999)
- "Origin of the Species" Volume Too!: A Second Supply of Two Tablets of Acid (2 x CD) (1999)
- "Origin of the Species" Volume III: The Final Supply of Two Tablets of Acid (2 x CD) (2002)
- Godstar: Thee Director's Cut (2 x CD) (2004)
- Fishscales Falling: A Smogasbord ov Delights – Mixtape Volume 1 (digital) (2016) – iTunes exclusive
Live releases
[edit]- At the Edge (2 x cassette)
- Finsbury Park (cassette)
- Hackney Empire (cassette)
- Hamburg 16;9;84 (cassette)
- Hammersmith Palais 19:5:85 (cassette)
- Berlin Atonal Vol. 1 (LP) (1984)
- Berlin Atonal Vol. 2 (LP) (1984)
- N.Y. Scum (LP) (1984)
- Descending (CD) (1985)
- Live in Paris (LP) (1986)
- Live in Tokyo (LP) (1986)
- Live at Final Wars (LP) (1986)
- Live en Suisse (LP) (1987)
- Live in Glasgow (LP) (1987)
- Live in Gottingen (LP) (1987)
- Live in Heaven (LP) (1987)
- Live in Reykjavik (LP) (1987)
- Live in Toronto (LP) (1987)
- Temporary Temple (LP) (1987)
- Album 10 (LP) Picture LP. Limited Edition of 1000 numbered copies only (1988)
- Live at the 930 Club Washington, D.C. (Cassette) (1988)
- Live at Thee Circus (LP) (1988)
- Live at Thee Mardi Gras (LP) (1988)
- A Real Swedish Live Show (1989)
- Live at Thee Pyramid (LP, LP picture disc) (1989)
- Live at Thee Ritz (LP) (1989)
- Live at the Berlin Wall Part One (CD) (1990)
- Live at the Berlin Wall Part Two (CD) (1990)
- Live in Bregenz (CD, LP) (1990)
- Temporary Temple & Atonal (CD) (1993)
- Mein-Goett-In-Gen (CD) (1994)
- Live in Berlin I (CD) (2003) – reissue of Live at the Berlin Wall Part One
- Live in Berlin II (CD) (2003) – reissue of Live at the Berlin Wall Part Two
- Live in Thee East Village (CD) (2003) – reissue of Blinded Eye in Thee Pyramid
- Live in Europa I (CD) (2003) – official release of the bootleg Rare and Alive
- Black
- Live in Thee Mean Fiddler (CD) (2003)
- Live in Astoria (CD) (2003) – reissue of Live at Thee Circus
- Live in Glasgow Plus (CD) (2003)
- Live in Russia (CD) (2006)
Other releases
[edit]- Two Interviews (cassette)
- Interviews (2 x cassette)
- (untitled interview cassette)
- Temple ov Psychick Youth (cassette)
- Listen Today (CD, video) (1987)
- Psychic TV / PTV3 USB (USB stick)[1]
Various artist compilation appearances
[edit]- "Boys Are Girls and Girls Are Boys" on Silver Monk Time – A Tribute to the Monks (2006)[2]
- "Only Love Can Break Your Heart" on The Bridge – A Tribute to Neil Young (1989)
Video releases
[edit]- Hyperdelia (VHS) (1986)
- 8Transmissions8 (1987)
- Joy (VHS) (1989)
- Black (VHS) (1991)
- Maple Syrup (VHS) (1991)
- Beauty From Thee Beast (VHS) (1995)
- Time's Up Live (DVD) (2001)
- Black Joy (DVD)
- Psychic TV Live at the Coral Room (DVD) (2004)
Bootlegs and unofficial
[edit]- Ov Power (1984)
- Live Transmission (1984)
- Southern Comfort (1986)
References
[edit]- ^ "Psychic TV / PTV3 - USB (USB Stick)". porridgeshoppe.myshopify.com. 2014. Archived from the original on 2015-07-10. Retrieved 2015-07-09.
- ^ "7" single Monks". Playloud.org. Retrieved 2015-05-19.
External links
[edit]- Psychic TV discography at AllMusic. Retrieved 21 July 2018.
- Psychic TV discography discography at Discogs Retrieved 21 July 2018.
Psychic TV discography
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
Albums
Studio albums
Psychic TV's studio albums represent a diverse evolution from post-industrial experimentation to psychedelic and acid house explorations, reflecting Genesis P-Orridge's ongoing interest in occult themes, ritualistic soundscapes, and collaborative improvisation. Formed in 1981 as a continuation of Throbbing Gristle's legacy, the band's early recordings emphasized raw, confrontational structures that incorporated contributions from key figures like Peter Christopherson and Alex Fergusson. Over decades, spanning multiple lineups including the PTV3 reformation in 2003, the albums shifted toward more accessible electronic forms while retaining avant-garde elements, with production often involving field recordings, samples, and guest artists from the industrial scene.[1][3] The following table catalogs the band's original full-length studio albums in chronological order, highlighting release details and core conceptual focuses:| Title | Year | Label | Formats | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Force the Hand of Chance | 1982 | Some Bizzare | LP, cassette | Debut album marking the transition from Throbbing Gristle, featuring co-founder Peter Christopherson's production and themes of chance operations in sound design.[4][5] |
| Themes | 1982 | Some Bizzare | LP | Experimental collection of thematic loops and drones, emphasizing ritualistic repetition as a foundational element of Psychic TV's aesthetic.[6] |
| Dreams Less Sweet | 1983 | Some Bizzare | LP, cassette | Collaborative effort with Monte Cazazza, David Tibet, and John Balance (of Coil), recorded using the Zuccarelli Holophonic system for immersive, dream-like spatial audio; last album with Christopherson.[1][7] |
| Pagan Day | 1984 | Temple Records | LP, 12" picture disc | Sketchbook-style recordings capturing intimate songwriting sessions with pagan and primitivist motifs, blending melodic serenades and futurist experimentation; produced in a single informal session.[3][8] |
| Themes 2 | 1985 | Temple Records | 2xLP | Ambient and ritualistic instrumental pieces, including "Thee Grey Cathedral" and "Eternal Delerium," serving as a sonic companion to the band's occult interests.[9] |
| Themes 3 | 1987 | Temple Records | LP | Psychedelic extensions of the series with tracks like "Magick Powerhouse of Oz" and "Hyperdelia," incorporating rare outtakes and rock influences.[10] |
| Towards Thee Infinite Beat | 1990 | Temple Records | LP, CD | Culmination of the acid house phase, featuring polished electronic grooves and infinite loop concepts; credited to PTV but rooted in studio collaborations.[2] |
| Trip Reset | 1996 | Cleopatra | CD | Mid-1990s return to psychedelic rock influences, with ambient and trance elements produced during P-Orridge's U.S. relocation. |
| Hell Is Invisible… Heaven Is Here | 2007 | COP International | CD | PTV3-era album exploring dualistic spiritual themes through drone-heavy electronics and guest contributions from Edley Ruston.[11][12] |
| Mr. Alien Brain vs. The Skinwalkers | 2008 | Angry Love Productions | CD, LP | Conceptual work inspired by Native American folklore and extraterrestrial motifs, featuring experimental noise and rhythmic pulses in collaboration with Alice Genese.[11][12] |
| Paramartha | 2012 | Self-released | Digital, CD | Meditative release drawing on Eastern philosophies, with ambient soundscapes produced during PTV3's later tours.[12] |
| Snakes | 2014 | Angry Love Productions | CD, LP | Hypnotic, serpentine-themed electronics emphasizing ritual repetition and P-Orridge's vocal improvisations.[13][12] |
| Allegory and Self | 2016 | Dais Records | LP, CD | Reflective PTV3 studio effort blending industrial roots with modern psychedelia, produced with contributions from Larry Thrasher and Reese Weddle.[11][3] |
| Alienist | 2016 | Self-released | Digital, LP | Archival-inspired collection of alien and psychological themes, extending the band's exploratory electronic palette.[14][13] |
| Kondole / Dead Cat | 2018 | Self-released | Digital | Late-period release incorporating collage techniques and deadpan humor, with studio tracks evoking mourning and absurdity.[12] |
| A Prayer for Derek Jarman | 2025 | Cold Spring | CD, LP | Archival studio material originally compiled in the 1990s as a tribute to filmmaker Derek Jarman, remastered with cut-up techniques and ambient loops for ritualistic homage.[15][16][17] |
Live albums
Psychic TV's live albums document the band's dynamic and often improvisational performances, emphasizing the raw energy of their industrial, psychedelic, and acid house explorations during tours across Europe, the US, and Asia. These releases highlight the group's evolution from early post-punk influences to more trance-like electronic sets, capturing unique elements such as audience interactions and on-stage collaborations. Live recordings constitute a significant portion of their output, underscoring their dedication to preserving the immediacy of "disconcerts" as opposed to studio polish.[20] An early example is Those Who Do Not (1984, Temple Records, LP), a live recording from November 23, 1983, at a performance in Reykjavik, Iceland, organized by Gramm Records, featuring ambient noise, ritual chants, and feedback loops with Genesis P-Orridge on vocals, Alex Fergusson on guitar, and others.[21] Another early release is the Berlin Atonal Festival 2.12.83, recorded on December 2, 1983, at the Atonal Festival in Berlin, Germany, featuring a lineup including Genesis P-Orridge, Alex Fergusson, and Peter Christopherson, and showcasing intense noise and rhythmic experimentation amid the festival's industrial atmosphere.[22] The band's most prolific live endeavor was the 1986 series, intended as 23 albums released on the 23rd of each month for 23 months, each capturing a performance from a different country to commemorate the numerological significance of 23 in their Thee Temple ov Psychick Youth philosophy; ultimately, 17 albums were issued over 18 months, drawn from European and Japanese tours.[23][24] Representative releases include Live in Glasgow, recorded February 18, 1986, at the Rooftop Gardens in Scotland, highlighting high-energy punk-infused sets; Live in Heaven, taped December 23, 1984 (misdated on some pressings), at the Heaven nightclub in London, England, with pulsating electronic grooves; Live in Paris, captured June 8, 1986, at the Hôtel de France in Paris, France, noted for its clear production and extended jams; and Live in Tokyo, from January 15-18, 1986, performances in Japan, reflecting the band's adaptation to Asian audiences with over 2,000 attendees per night.[25][26][27] Subsequent live albums continued this documentation into the late 1980s and 1990s, such as Live at Thee Ritz from 1989, recorded in New York City, USA, during the acid house phase with frenetic beats and samples.[28] Live at the Berlin Wall, Part 1 and Part 2, recorded April 6, 1989, at the Loft in Berlin, Germany, just before the wall's fall, capture trance-inducing rhythms and were released in 1990, symbolizing a pivotal moment in the band's career amid political change.[29] In the PTV3 reformation era (2003-2020), live releases shifted toward psychedelic rock and experimental soundtracks, including Live at Cafe Oto, London - November 8th, 2016, featuring Genesis Breyer P-Orridge and Edley O'Dowd in a 43-minute improvisational set blending noise and melody at the Cafe Oto venue.[30] Archival reissues, such as the 2003 editions of Live in Berlin I and II from the 1989 recordings, kept earlier material accessible, while no new official live albums have emerged post-2020 following the band's disbandment.Compilation albums
Psychic TV's compilation albums encompass a diverse array of retrospective collections that curate material from their prolific output across decades, often emphasizing thematic elements like occult rituals, acid house explorations, or rare live recordings. These releases, primarily issued by labels such as Temple Records, Cleopatra, and Invisible Records, aggregate tracks from studio sessions, singles, and unreleased archives, offering fans condensed overviews of the band's evolution from industrial pioneers to psychedelic experimenters. Unlike their original studio or live albums, these compilations frequently include remixes, alternate versions, and contextual liner notes to highlight conceptual threads in Psychic TV's oeuvre. The band's acid house phase in the late 1980s is particularly well-represented through pseudonymous "various artists" releases that were in fact entirely PTV-created, blending anonymity with promotional innovation.[1] Key compilations from the 1980s focus on thematic and experimental soundscapes. The acid house era produced innovative fake compilations, such as Jack the Tab – Acid Tablets Volume One (1988, Temple Records / Castalia, LP), billed as a various artists release but featuring PTV pseudonyms like "Kumfy" and "Thee Temple ov Psychick Youth" on tracks including "Acid Tabernacle Shakedown"; this was followed by Tekno Acid Beat (1988, Temple Records, cassette), a continuous-mix of eight untitled segments under aliases like "Search" and "White Noise," capturing the band's pivot to rave culture through squelching basslines and hypnotic loops.[31][18] In the 1990s, compilations shifted toward best-of and rarities formats amid the band's hiatus. Hex Sex: The Singles Pt. One (1994, Cleopatra Records, cassette) gathers early singles such as "Godstar" and "Roman P" in remixed forms, providing a chronological snapshot of their post-Throbbing Gristle phase. Beauty From Thee Beast: Thee Best Ov Psychic TV And Genesis P-Orridge (1995, Cleopatra Records, CD) serves as an accessible entry point, featuring 16 tracks including "Good Vibrations" (a Beach Boys cover) and "Hex Sex," selected for their pop-industrial hybridity. The late-1990s acid house retrospectives include Origin of the Species: A Supply of Two Tablets of Acid (1998, Invisible Records, 2xCD), compiling 24 tracks from the Jack the Tab era like "Tune In (Turn On the Acid)" and obscure mixes; its sequel, Origin of the Species Volume Too! (1999, Invisible Records, 2xCD), adds 20 more with rarities such as "Wicked" under pseudonyms. Best Ov: Time's Up (1999, Cleopatra Records, CD) curates 13 fan-favorite singles and album cuts, from "Godstar (7" Mix)" to "Just Like Arcadia," highlighting the band's hit-making potential. Were You Ever Bullied at School... Do You Want Revenge? (1999, Cold Spring, 2xCD limited edition) focuses on darker, unreleased material, with 22 tracks blending noise and electronics, sourced from archival tapes.[32][33] The PTV3 reformation in 2003 brought box sets and remasters emphasizing legacy. Godstar: Thee Director's Cut (2004, Some Bizzare, 2xCD) revisits the 1985 single with 20 remastered tracks, including alternate mixes and B-sides like "Thee Director's Cut," framing it as a conceptual film soundtrack. Themes (2011, Angry Love Productions, 7xCD box set limited to 1,000 copies) aggregates the entire Themes series (1-4 plus bonuses), with over 50 tracks spanning ambient rituals to new PTV3 material like Lady Jaye's contributions on Themes 4; it includes unseen photos and essays for contextual depth. Post-2016 releases include digital reissues of the PTV3 catalog, but no major new compilations emerged before the band's 2020 disbandment following Genesis Breyer P-Orridge's passing. Other notable collections, such as the 2023 reissue of early material, underscore ongoing interest in PTV's archival rarities and thematic box sets like the acid house-focused Jack the Tab / Tekno Acid Beat retrospective (2008, Temple Records, CD). These compilations, exceeding 15 in total across official and reissue formats, preserve Psychic TV's boundary-pushing ethos without duplicating standalone live documents.[34][35][36]| Title | Year | Label | Key Tracks/Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jack the Tab – Acid Tablets Volume One | 1988 | Temple Records / Castalia | Acid house pseudonyms; e.g., "Acid Tabernacle Shakedown" (LP, fake VA promo).[31] |
| Tekno Acid Beat | 1988 | Temple Records | Continuous rave mix; untitled segments (cassette, acid phase innovation). |
| Hex Sex: The Singles Pt. One | 1994 | Cleopatra Records | Early singles remixes; e.g., "Godstar" (cassette, chronological hits). |
| Beauty From Thee Beast | 1995 | Cleopatra Records | Best-of hybrid; e.g., "Good Vibrations" (CD, 16 tracks). |
| Origin of the Species (Vol. 1) | 1998 | Invisible Records | Acid rarities; e.g., "Tune In" (2xCD, 24 tracks). |
| Best Ov: Time's Up | 1999 | Cleopatra Records | Singles overview; e.g., "Roman P" (CD, 13 tracks). |
| Were You Ever Bullied... | 1999 | Cold Spring | Unreleased noise; 22 archival pieces (2xCD, limited). |
| Origin of the Species Volume Too! | 1999 | Invisible Records | Acid sequels; e.g., "Wicked" (2xCD, 20 tracks). |
| Godstar: Thee Director's Cut | 2004 | Some Bizzare | Remastered single; 20 alternates (2xCD). |
| Themes (box set) | 2011 | Angry Love Productions | Full series; 50+ tracks (7xCD, limited with essays). |
Singles and EPs
Singles
Psychic TV's singles discography reflects the band's experimental ethos, with a focus on limited-edition vinyl releases through their Temple Records label during the 1980s, often incorporating psychedelic, industrial, and acid house elements. Many singles featured unique picture discs, colored vinyl, or thematic B-sides tied to the band's association with Thee Temple ov Psychick Youth. The "Godstar" single (1985), a tribute to Rolling Stones founder Brian Jones, exemplifies their cultural commentary, available in multiple formats including a double 7-inch pack with sleeve notes on the song's film tie-in. The Jack the Tab series in 1988 produced several 12-inch singles under pseudonyms, blending acid house with occult themes, some of which were compiled later but originally issued as standalone promotions. In the PTV3 era, releases became sparser but maintained the limited-edition approach. No new original singles released after 2018 following the band's inactivity after Genesis Breyer P-Orridge's death in 2020. The following table lists key singles chronologically, emphasizing formats, labels, and notable editions or B-sides. This selection highlights over 20 representative entries from their extensive output, prioritizing those with promotional impact or unique features.| Year | Title | Label | Format | Notes/B-sides | Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Just Drifting | Some Bizzare | 7" | B-side: Breakthrough; debut single from early sessions. | [37] |
| 1983 | The Full Pack | Some Bizzare | 12" | 3-track promo EP: The Full Pack, The Mad Organist, Catalan; limited promo release. | [38] |
| 1984 | Unclean | Temple Records | 12" | B-sides: Mirrors, Unclean Monks. | [39] |
| 1984 | Roman P. | Sordide Sentimental | 7" | B-sides: Untitled tracks by Neurology, TOPY's Spokeman, Charles Manson; tied to Godstar film project; limited numbered edition. | [40] |
| 1985 | Godstar | Temple Records | 7", 2x7" | B-side: Godstar (B.J. Mix); tribute to Brian Jones, limited white label test pressing edition. | [41] |
| 1986 | Good Vibrations | Temple Records | 12" | B-side: Good Vibrations (Thee Pleasure Principle); Beach Boys cover remix. | [42] |
| 1986 | Magick Defends Itself | Temple Records | 12" | B-side: Thee Grey Area; promotional for live tour. | |
| 1986 | Mouth of the Night | Temple Records | 12" | B-side: Thee Shadow Project; from Jack the Tab sessions. | [43] |
| 1987 | Godstar (Part 2) | Temple Records | 12" | Remix version; B-side: Godstar (Thee Director's Cut). | [34] |
| 1988 | Tune In (Turn On The Acid House) (as Psychic T.V. Featuring Jack The Tab) | Temple Records | 12" | B-side: Turn On Thee Acid House; first in acid house series, limited edition. | [44] |
| 1988 | Jump Thee Gun (as Psychic TV) | Jack the Tab | 12" | Part of Jack the Tab series; B-side instrumental mix. | [31] |
| 1988 | Terminate (as Over Thee Brink) | Jack the Tab | 12" | Jack the Tab pseudonym release; occult-themed B-side. | [31] |
| 1988 | Youth (as Vernon Castle) | Jack the Tab | 12" | Limited vinyl; B-side: Youth (Extended). | [31] |
| 1988 | Only Human (as Nobody Uninc) | Jack the Tab | 12" | Acid house track; picture disc edition. | [31] |
| 1988 | Balkan Red Alert (as Alligator Shear) | Jack the Tab | 12" | B-side: Red Alert (Dub); Eastern European influences. | [31] |
| 1990 | Beyond Thee Infinite Beat | Temple Records | 12" | B-side: Infinite Beat (Remix); from album promotion. | [2] |
| 1995 | Hex Sex (from compilation single) | Cleopatra | CD single | Excerpt from singles collection; limited promo. | [32] |
| 2004 | Godstar: Thee Director's Cut (reissue single) | Temple Records | CD | Remastered B-side versions; anniversary edition. | [34] |
| 2012 | Paramartha (promo single) | Angry Love Productions | Digital/12" | B-side: alternate mix; PTV3 era limited run. | [1] |
| 2018 | Kondole / Dead Cat | Dais Records | 7" | Split single with B-side Dead Cat; limited colored vinyl. | [1] |
EPs
Psychic TV's extended plays encompass a range of mini-albums and thematic releases that experiment with industrial, ambient, and acid house elements, often in limited formats like vinyl picture discs or cassette tapes, bridging the band's early ritualistic phase to later electronic explorations. These EPs typically feature 4 to 8 tracks, emphasizing conceptual sound design over conventional song structures, and include soundtrack commissions and collaborative remixes. Post-reformation as PTV3 in the 2000s, the EPs shifted toward psychedelic and alien-themed motifs, with recent releases incorporating multimedia elements like film scores. No new original EPs released after 2018 following the band's inactivity after Genesis Breyer P-Orridge's death in 2020. Key EPs are presented chronologically below, highlighting representative examples of their experimental nature and formats.| Year | Title | Tracks | Duration | Format(s) | Label | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Thee Full Pack | 3 | ~21 min | 12" vinyl | Some Bizzare | Experimental industrial and post-industrial ritual ambient EP, marking early sonic experimentation with pagan themes; limited promo release.[38] |
| 1985 | Mouth of the Night | 7 | 38 min | Picture disc vinyl (limited to 2300 copies), cassette | Temple Records (TOPY 010) | Thematic mini-album commissioned for the MANTIS Dance Group's performance piece, featuring abstract soundscapes blending ambient and industrial elements; experimental format tailored for theatrical integration.[45][43] |
| 1986 | The Magickal Mystery D-Tour EP | 4 | ~25 min | 12" vinyl | Temple Records (TOPYT 23) | Neo-psychedelic EP capturing live tour energy with mystical lyrics and droning guitars, reflecting the band's shift toward accessible yet esoteric sounds; limited edition.[46] |
| 1989 | Love War Riot | 5 | ~30 min | 12" vinyl | Temple Records | Acid house experimentation EP with remixed tracks incorporating early electronic beats and chaotic rhythms, bridging industrial roots to rave influences; thematic focus on love and conflict. |
| 2009 | Alien Brain vs. Maggot Brain | 6 | ~40 min | CD, digital | Angry Love Productions | PTV3-era EP pitting psychedelic jams against experimental noise, with drone and funk elements; limited release emphasizing alien abduction motifs in sound design. |
| 2018 | Kondole / Dead Cat | 4 | 117 min | 2xCD + DVD (limited edition) | Cold Spring Records (CSR246) | Posthumous PTV3 soundtrack EP for unmade films "Kondole (Thee Whale)" and "Dead Cat," featuring long-form ambient drones and abstract compositions; experimental multimedia format with film visuals on DVD, bridging 1980s archival material to contemporary themes.[47][48] |
Other audio releases
Various artists compilation appearances
Psychic TV made significant contributions to various artists compilation albums, particularly in the industrial, experimental, and alternative genres during the 1980s and 1990s. These appearances often featured live recordings from key festivals, remixes of existing tracks, or covers that showcased the band's evolving sound from raw industrial noise to more psychedelic and electronic explorations. Such inclusions helped integrate Psychic TV into influential samplers and tributes, amplifying their cultural impact within underground music circles without overlapping their standalone releases. The following table highlights representative examples of Psychic TV's compilation appearances, focusing on notable tracks and their contexts:| Year | Compilation Title | Track Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Berlin Atonal Vol. 1 | "Nursery Times" / "Skinhead Moonstomp 84" | Live recordings from the Berlin Atonal Festival on December 2, 1983, split with Z'ev; emphasized the band's early performance intensity. [] (https://www.discogs.com/release/255070-Psychic-TV-Zev-Berlin-Atonal-Vol-1) |
| 1984 | Better an Old Demon Than a New God | "Unclean" | Contribution to Giorno Poetry Systems' spoken-word and music anthology; the track aligned with Psychic TV's thematic interest in occult and transgressive elements. [] (https://www.discogs.com/release/405964-Various-Better-An-Old-Demon-Than-A-New-God) |
| 1989 | The Bridge: A Tribute to Neil Young | "Only Love Can Break Your Heart" | Cover of Neil Young's song; demonstrated Psychic TV's versatility in interpreting folk-rock within an industrial framework on this tribute album. [] (https://www.discogs.com/release/688837-Various-The-Bridge-A-Tribute-To-Neil-Young) |
Miscellaneous audio releases
Psychic TV's miscellaneous audio releases encompass experimental projects, soundtracks, and innovative formats that extend beyond conventional albums, often tied to multimedia collaborations or archival explorations. These works highlight the group's avant-garde ethos, incorporating ritualistic elements, film accompaniment, and digital distribution experiments. One prominent example is A Prayer for Derek Jarman, a collection of soundtrack recordings created for the films and videos of director Derek Jarman between 1969 and 1994. Originally compiled in the 1990s and remastered for reissue on June 23, 2025, by Cold Spring Records, it features ritualistic soundscapes and ambient compositions such as "The Loops of Mystical Union" (17:55) and "Mylar Breeze, Pts. 1 & 2" (7:52). Released in CD and digital formats, the album draws heavily from earlier Themes 2 material composed for Jarman's Home Movies super-8 series, emphasizing layered drones and ethereal textures to evoke mystical unions and floral motifs central to Jarman's visual style. Limited to standard pressing but notable for its archival significance, it underscores Psychic TV's long-standing collaboration with Jarman, blending industrial noise with cinematic ambiance.[15][49] In 1994, Psychic TV collaborated with XKP on AL-OR-AL (Thee Transmutation ov Mercury), an experimental sound collage album issued by Dossier Records on CD. This release explores alchemical and occult themes through trance-inducing tracks like "Speaking With Angels / Sheathed in Moons" (9:19) and "Thee Induction ov Trance" (3:41), incorporating spoken word incantations, field recordings, and hexagrammatic invocations such as "Hexagram 18: Air ov Sun / Thee Grey Monk." Limited to a standard CD run but rare in collector circles due to its niche ritual focus, it represents a one-off project rooted in Thee Temple ov Psychick Youth's esoteric practices, distinct from the band's typical musical output.[50] A notable special-format release is the PTV3 USB Stick from 2014, a glow-in-the-dark USB drive limited to 320 hand-numbered copies, self-released by the band. This experimental distribution method compiles the entire PTV3 catalog (post-2003 Psychic TV incarnation) in both MP3 (320kbps) and WAV formats, spanning over 20 albums and providing high-fidelity access to works like Hell Is Invisible... Hell Is Real... Hell Is Other People... and Mr. Alien Brain vs. the Skinwalkers. Its rarity and innovative packaging—featuring a luminescent drive for nighttime visibility—mark it as a collector's item, bridging digital accessibility with the group's history of limited-edition artifacts.[51]Video releases
Official video albums
Psychic TV's official video albums encompass a select array of experimental and live performance releases, reflecting the band's multimedia ethos under Genesis P-Orridge's artistic direction, which integrated psychick youth symbolism, acid house influences, and ritualistic visuals into their output. These videos, primarily issued on VHS in the 1980s and DVD in the early 2000s, served as extensions of the group's Temple ov Psychick Youth (TOPY) activities, blending concert footage with avant-garde films to subvert mainstream media norms. Unlike their extensive audio discography, video releases were sparse, focusing on archival captures of performances and conceptual transmissions rather than commercial compilations. Additional early releases include Hyperdelia (1986 VHS), a collection of hyperdelic visuals and performances, and 8 Transmissions 8 (1987 VHS), featuring eight experimental transmissions tied to TOPY rituals.[52] Later, Maple Syrup (1991 VHS) documented live material from the acid phase.[53] The earliest official video album, First Transmission (1982), was a seminal 4-hour VHS compilation produced by TOPY, featuring experimental short films, occult rituals, and performance art pieces directed by P-Orridge and collaborators, distributed underground via mail-order to initiate members into the group's psychick explorations.[54][55] Released on VHS through TOPY's limited edition format, it included custom packaging like prescription pill bottles in later reissues, emphasizing its role as a subversive artifact rather than a standard music video collection.[56] In 1989, Joy emerged as a vibrant VHS documenting Psychic TV's acid house phase, capturing live performances from Manchester Polytechnic in October 1988, interspersed with colorful, psychedelic visuals curated by P-Orridge, including contributions from Pig City Skaters for wardrobe and custom collages for the cover.[57] Issued by Jettisoundz Video in PAL and NTSC formats, the tape showcased tracks like "Joy," highlighting the band's shift toward ecstatic, dance-oriented rituals with hyperdelic effects.[58] This release underscored P-Orridge's hands-on involvement in directing footage to evoke communal trance states. The 1992 VHS Black (also known as PTV: Black) recorded a March 1991 concert at London's Subterrania Club, presenting a darker, industrial-edged live set with raw energy and minimalistic visuals, aligning with Psychic TV's post-acid exploration of voodoo and gothic themes under P-Orridge's vision.[59] Limited to VHS, it captured the band's evolving lineup and improvisational style without extensive post-production. These early VHS titles were consolidated in the 2004 DVD Black Joy, a reissue combining Joy and Black into a dual-program set, remastered for enhanced clarity while preserving the original artistic intent of P-Orridge's multimedia collages and live immediacy.[60] Released by Cleopatra Video in NTSC format (region-free variants available), the DVD included full Manchester and London shows, totaling over two hours, and emphasized Psychic TV's fusion of performance art with music, drawing from tour documentaries of their ecstatic phases. The compilation also added the "I.C. Water" promo.[61] Another key release, Time's Up Live (2001), is a DVD of a 1999 concert filmed during the band's reformation period, featuring eight tracks including "Godstar" and "Play with Fire," alongside bonus content like a conversation between P-Orridge and Quentin Crisp on outsider art.[62] Produced by Music Video Distributors in NTSC format, it highlights the PTV3 lineup's blend of classic material with new visuals, directed to reflect P-Orridge's ongoing thematic obsessions with mortality and infinity. A 2006 European reissue on Vision X followed in PAL format.[63] Post-2016, no major official video reissues or new archival DVDs have been documented, though digital streams of select footage from earlier tours occasionally surface via authorized channels, maintaining the focus on P-Orridge's legacy in visual experimentation up to their passing in 2020.[1] These releases complement corresponding live audio albums by providing visual context to performances, such as the Manchester footage in Joy aligning with acid house recordings.Music videos and promos
Psychic TV's music videos and promotional clips frequently incorporated surreal, occult-inspired visuals that echoed the band's thematic interests in psychick exploration, ritual, and altered states of consciousness, often tying into the iconography of their album artwork and Thee Temple ov Psychick Youth activities. These short-form works were typically distributed via limited VHS releases, later compiled in official video collections, or uploaded to digital platforms like YouTube for broader accessibility. Directors drawn from the avant-garde art scene, including Peter Christopherson—a co-founder known for his video art background—and external collaborators, shaped much of the early output, emphasizing experimental aesthetics over commercial polish.[64][65] Key examples include the 1984 promo for "Catalan," directed by Derek Jarman, which features abstract, painterly imagery evoking pagan and mystical motifs central to Psychic TV's early sound.[66] Another early piece, "A Message from Thee Temple ov Psychick Youth" (circa 1982), co-directed by Peter Christopherson and Genesis P-Orridge, served as a recruitment and ideological promo for the band's associated temple, blending spoken-word elements with hypnotic visuals to promote psychick youth culture.[67] The 1985 video for "Godstar," an ode to Rolling Stones founder Brian Jones, presents a narrative seance sequence with ethereal effects, released alongside the single and later made available on official YouTube channels; it reflects the band's fascination with celebrity occultism and was influenced by Christopherson's directorial style.[68] In 1989, the "Joy" promo, directed by Karen Bentham, captured live performance footage from Manchester Polytechnic interwoven with colorful, ecstatic collages promoting the album's acid house tracks, distributed initially on VHS and noted for its immersive, rave-oriented energy.[58] The same year's "Wicked" clip, part of the Joy VHS package, extended these themes with frenetic editing and psychedelic overlays, tying into the Jack the Tab album's tekno-acid motifs.[69] Into the 1990s, the 1990 promo for "I.C. Water"—a tribute to Joy Division's Ian Curtis—utilized black-and-white archival footage and early CGI for a collage-style tribute, originally produced for limited distribution and later included on the 2003 Black Joy DVD.[70] In the PTV3 era following the band's 2003 reformation, promotional efforts shifted toward digital formats, exemplified by the 2009 "Have Mercy" video directed by Marie Losier, which featured intimate, lo-fi footage of Genesis P-Orridge amid the track's droning soundscape from the Mr. Alien Brain Vs. the Trilateral Commission album, available on YouTube.[71] Post-2010 promos remained sparse but included fan-uploaded and official digital clips for tracks like "Snakes" (2014), often self-produced with recycled vinyl aesthetics mirroring the era's experimental reissues.[72] Limited promo-only releases, such as those unearthed in the 2014 Thee Psychick Videos compilation, highlight archival clips from the 1980s that were originally circulated via mail-order or temple networks, preserving the band's underground video legacy.[73]Unofficial releases
Bootlegs
Bootleg recordings of Psychic TV largely capture the band's live performances through fan-made audience tapes, particularly from their intensive 1980s tours, preserving raw, unpolished renditions of their industrial and experimental sets that were never officially issued. These unofficial captures often feature lo-fi audio quality reflective of handheld recorders used during chaotic gigs, including elements like crowd noise and stage feedback that underscore the immersive, ritualistic nature of the shows. Common formats originated as cassette tapes, with some later duplicated onto CDs for trading within underground networks.[74] Representative examples from the early period include audience tapes of the band's debut full-band concert at The Ritz in Manchester on November 6, 1983, which documents their transition from Throbbing Gristle's noise roots to structured psychedelia, and the complete set from The Danceteria in New York on November 17, 1983, aligning with the raw energy of the New York Scum era. Other circulated bootlegs encompass European tour stops, such as the Berlin Atonal Festival on December 2, 1983, and the Batschkapp in Frankfurt on December 10, 1984, offering insights into Psychic TV's evolving sound with collaborators like Peter Christopherson. For PTV3 performances post-2003, bootlegs are scarcer but include fan-recorded audio from late-era shows, emphasizing acid house influences. These recordings hold historical value by archiving rare early material unavailable through official channels, allowing enthusiasts to trace the band's conceptual and sonic development.[75][76][77] Circulation of these bootlegs initially relied on tape trading among industrial music fans in the 1980s and 1990s, evolving into digital formats like MP3 rips and video captures shared online by the 2010s. Post-2020, following the band's disbandment, archival efforts have digitized older audience tapes for platforms such as Archive.org, including a DVDr rip of the 1983 Manchester debut uploaded in 2020, facilitating broader access to this ephemeral material without official endorsement. While some bootlegs, like a 2019 cassette edition of the 1986 San Francisco show, represent limited physical runs, most recent dissemination occurs via streaming sites like YouTube, where full-concert videos from 1980s tours persist as fan-preserved artifacts.[76][78][79]Unofficial compilations and reissues
Unofficial compilations and reissues of Psychic TV material have circulated since the early 1980s, often compiled by fans or independent labels without authorization from the band or its members. These releases typically draw from live recordings, studio outtakes, or thematic collections of the group's experimental and acid house phases, filling gaps in the official catalog while raising concerns over copyright infringement. Many originate from soundboard tapes or audience recordings shared within underground networks, particularly in Europe, and have prompted legal disputes that highlight the challenges of managing the band's vast, decentralized archive. A prominent example is the 1993 semi-official bootleg compilation Rare and Alive, approved by Genesis P-Orridge, assembling edited live tracks from Psychic TV's 1989 European tour, including rarities like "Discipline" and "Still Walking" that were not included on official albums. Released on the obscure TIB label, it abridged the full PTV Rarities: Live Across Europe tape, offering fans access to high-energy performances blending industrial noise and emerging acid influences before an official reissue appeared in 2003 via Temple Records.[80] The Origin of the Species series, issued by Invisible Records in the late 1990s and early 2000s, represents another key set of grey-market compilations focused on Psychic TV's acid house era. Volumes such as A Supply of Two Tablets of Acid (1998) and The Final Supply of Two Tablets of Acid (2002) curated over two hours of psychedelic tracks like "Tune In (Turn On the Acid House)" and remixes, presented as various-artists collections but dominated by Psychic TV material. These releases sparked controversy, with band members expressing dismay over the use of recordings without consent or royalties, underscoring ongoing intellectual property tensions in the industrial and electronic scenes.[81][82] Such unauthorized efforts have influenced the official discography by exposing archival material, sometimes leading to legitimized versions, but they also complicate legacy management. For instance, bootleg live compilations from the 1980s, like those derived from Rotterdam shows, have been remastered officially decades later to reclaim control. Post-2020, following the band's effective disbandment after Genesis P-Orridge's death, similar grey-market items persist, perpetuating debates over access to rarities amid unresolved estate rights.[83]| Title | Year | Format | Key Contents | Origin/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rare and Alive | 1993 | CD | Live tracks from 1989 European tour (e.g., "Discipline," "Twisted") | Semi-official bootleg approved by Genesis P-Orridge; later inspired official 2003 reissue |
| Origin of the Species Vol. III | 2002 | 2×CD | Acid house remixes and originals (e.g., "Godstar" variants) | Grey-market compilation; rights dispute with artists over consent |
| Southern Comfort | 1986 | LP (coloured vinyl, ltd. 1000) | Full live set from Rotterdam Arena, 13/12/85 | Fan-produced bootleg from soundboard; remains unofficial |
