The Distributors – T.V. Me

"T.V. Me" can be found on the vinyl compilation, 'Hicks From The Sticks', released April, 1980 on, Rockburgh Records, a UK label based in London, founded by Sandy Roberton [real name] Alexander William Roberton, ..Sandy started off as a British musician, producer, and music business owner, based in Los Angeles since 1985. Born Edinburgh 7th of July 1942 - Died 25 July 2022. The Distributors were from Wakefield in West Yorkshire, England. Most folks who know them do so from the song "T.V. Me" which was included on the "Hicks From The Sticks" compilation. They dabbled in dub reggae for the track "Never Never" (probably my fave of the lot) but in general they were just trying to stretch the boundaries the way good post-punk should. The truth is that "T.V. Me", with its drum machine, ominous and unusual synth sound, infectious bass line and subtle guitar (used only for atmosphere), is not going to give you a clear idea of what their other songs sound like. It's a very eerie song that is not at all goth but reminds me - perhaps unsurprisingly - of that strange and delightful film A Clock Work Orange. In this film, the protagonist, Alex DeLarge, undergoes a psychological conditioning treatment known as the "Ludovico Technique". As part of the process, he is forcibly restrained with his eyes held open and made to watch violent imagery on a screen for extended periods to create an aversion to violence. The Distributors were ARTY with a capital A, but not afraid to hook listeners in with a catchy bass line or tune. There was a number of members of the band (Steve Beresford, Jeremy Welsh, Robert Worby) were actually accomplished, well-trained musicians and artists in their own right...Worby now being a presenter on BBC Radio 3 and who also played with the Mekons, Beresford a jazz musician who played with many other artists including the Slits, Jeremy Welsh a professor of visual arts in Norway. Unfortunately there's no information on the singer Keith James. Other members of the band at one point in time or another were David Holmes, Mick Switzerland and Enzo Raphael. The Distributors actually had a third record released after these two singles. It was a 12" on Red Rhino with the tracks "Hold"/"Get Rid Of These Things"/"Wages For Lovers".