Ep541: TV Smith - 50 Years of The Adverts

Ep541: TV Smith - 50 Years of The Adverts

Author: The Vinyl Guide March 30, 2026 Duration: 42:15

TV Smith joins Nate to discuss the 50th anniversary of The Adverts, an Australian tour backed by The Hard-Ons, and a career full of great songs and terrible label luck.

Topics Include:

  • TV Smith is touring Australia in April with The Hard-Ons.
  • The tour celebrates the 50th anniversary of The Adverts.
  • The Hard-Ons are already learning the surprisingly complex Adverts songs.
  • TV finds it odd but joyful to still be performing.
  • He got back into vinyl to quality-check his own releases.
  • Bowie, Roxy Music, and reggae were key early influences for TV.
  • The Sex Pistols made TV believe he could actually do this.
  • The Roxy Club punk scene started with just 30 people.
  • Brian James of The Damned personally recommended The Adverts to Stiff.
  • They recorded One Chord Wonders in a single afternoon at Pathway.
  • Stiff misspelled the title and controversially centred Gaye Advert on the cover.
  • Gary Gilmore's Eyes was TV's satirical response to exploitative media coverage.
  • The BBC was deeply reluctant to air Gary Gilmore's Eyes on TV.
  • Anchor Records collapsed mid-momentum, leaving The Adverts suddenly without a label.
  • Crossing the Red Sea was recorded at Abbey Road with John Leckie.
  • Gary Gilmore's Eyes was left off the album deliberately — vinyl runtime constraints.
  • RCA signed them against their own A&R team's wishes — chaos followed.
  • Cast of Thousands suffered a botched mix, a terrible cover, label indifference.
  • Channel 5 was finally properly remastered after the producer found a safety tape.
  • TV is bringing vinyl to the merch table — especially the Handwriting LP.

High resolution version of this podcast is available at: www.Patreon.com/VinylGuide


There's a particular kind of conversation that happens when two people who are deeply passionate about music get together, surrounded by shelves of records. The Vinyl Guide-Artist Interviews for Record Collectors and Music Nerds captures that feeling perfectly. Hosted by Nate, a dedicated collector and enthusiast, this podcast feels less like a formal interview and more like you're overhearing a great chat in the back of a record store. The discussions naturally weave through artists' creative processes, the stories behind iconic albums, and the tangible magic of the format itself. You'll hear from musicians, producers, and other insiders who live and breathe vinyl, offering perspectives that go far beyond the liner notes. But it's not just about the artists; it's for the collectors, too. Episodes often delve into the practical, nerdy details that make this hobby so compelling-like distinguishing between a common pressing and a rare, valuable find, or learning how to properly care for your collection so it lasts for decades. It’s that blend of artistic insight and collector-focused knowledge that gives this podcast its unique character. Whether you're a seasoned cratedigger or just appreciate the warmth of an analog recording, these conversations offer a rich, human connection to the music you love, all centered around the grooves of a vinyl record.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

The Vinyl Guide - Artist Interviews for Record Collectors and Music Nerds
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