TV Freaks (band)
TV Freaks are a Canadian punk rock band from Welland, Ontario, but their home base and record company Schizophrenic Records resides in Hamilton, Ontario. Formed in May of 2009 by Nathan Burger (drummer) and T.J. Charlton (guitarist). In October 2010 they released their seven-track demo on tape cassette. Later on TV Freaks released a 14 track LP in December of 2011, fallowed by their four-track EP in June 2012.
History
Nathan Burger and T.J. Charltan, who had already played together in a previous band called the Rocket Reducers formed to create TV Freaks. Additions to the band were bassist Justis Krar and lead vocals David O'Connor. In May of 2012 Justis Krar left the band and Kevin Bell took the role of bassist.
Members
Current members
- Nathan Burger- drummer (2010- present)
- T.J. Charlton- guitarist (2010- present)
- Kevin Bell- bassist (2012-present)
- David O’Connor- lead vocals (2010- present)
Former members
- Justis Krar- bassist (2010- 2012)
Influences
TV Freaks derived their named from an the song “TV freaks” by an Australian punk rock band called The Addicts. Their sound is influenced by a lot of pre punk and 70s Australian punk like The Victims, The Saints, and Radio Birdman. As well as some L.A. punk influenced them such as the Germs, Screamers, also more minimalist bands like Wire and the Urinals, the Wipers. Along with wanting a melodic feel in their sound spurring from bands like Marked Men, Eddy Current Suppression Ring, Predator and Bad Sports.
Discography
Demo
- 1. I can’t win
- 2. Hobby
- 3. FTP
- 4. Brain/Head
- 5. Never finish what you started
- 6. Four wheels
- 7. Coworker blues
LP
- 1. I can’t win
- 2. Causal Encounters
- 3. Coworker blues
- 4. Only child
- 5. Spilt milk
- 6. Never finish what you started
- 7. Bird song
- 8. Four wheels
- 9. Real pain
- 10. Street rat
- 11. Intermission
- 12. Hobby
- 13. You’re cool
EP
- 1. Mall punk
- 2. Freelancer
- 3. Identity crisis
- 4. Upper hand
Compellation song in Destroy Music Start Your Own Band
Publications
Maximum Rock and Roll magazine published a review on their LP and also put them in their Top Ten Albums of April and September of 2012. A UK website called Pink Mist featured their EP. They have also appeared in articles written by Southern Souls, Viewmag.com and London Fuse.
Tours
LP Release
- Hamilton, ON
- London, ON
- Welland, ON
Cited
"TV FREAKS: We've Got Nothing Better To Do Than Watch TV And Have A Couple Of Brews." LONDONFUSE. N.p., 8 Oct. 2011. Web. 01 Oct. 2012. < http://londonfuse.ca/blog/tv-freaks-weve-got-nothing-better-do-watch-tv-and-have-couple-brews>.
Taylor, Ric. "Sailboats Are White / TV Freaks." Rev. of Bands. ViewMag n.d.: n. pag. ViewMag. Hamilton Music Notes, 19-25 July 2012. Web. 1 Oct. 2012. < http://viewmag.com/14331-Hamilton Music Notes.htm>.
Cass, Jonathan Ely. "TV Freaks â EP | Southern Souls." Southern Souls. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Oct. 2012. < http://www.southernsouls.ca/tv-freaks-ep/>.
Web log comment. TV Freaks. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 Oct. 2012. < http://televisionfreaks.blogspot.ca>.
"TV Freaks." Interview by Nathan D. Burger. n.d.: n. pag. Print.
"TV Freaks." Interview by T.J. Charltan. n.d.: n. pag. Print.