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Pray TV were an indie pop/indie rock band from Melbourne, Australia. They existed from 1987 until their breakup in 1997. They released four studio albums. A compilation CD was released in 2010. The band reformed for a one-off reunion show at the Yarra Hotel in Abbotsford (Melbourne) on 31 January 2015. After 20 years since their last recording, the band released a new album in August 2016, titled Horizontal Life.

History

1987–1991: Formation and Flux

Pray TV began in 1987 in Melbourne. The band's early sound was described as "songs that have a lot of energy and rock along with power, yet they project this depressive mood that most bands can only get by playing slow. It's a neat trick.'" The band had various members over the years, with the only consistent members being Aidan Halloran (vocals) and Martin Kennedy (guitar/bass). Joseph Kennedy, Martin's brother, was the drummer for most of the band's existence.

Their debut 7" vinyl only single "In My Street", along with the 6 track, 12" vinyl only EP Sure were released in 1989 on Mr Spaceman. Both of these releases were recorded by Perri and Bo at the Phantom Tollbooth in Carlton, Melbourne. Shortly after these releases, Kennedy joined Ascot Vale band Mr Floppy as drummer, but left shortly after. The 7" vinyl only single "Spent" was released by Au Go Go Records in 1990. The 7" vinyl only single "Cold Dog Strew" was released in 1991 on Shock Records and was lifted from their debut CD LP Flux of the same year.

1992–1997: Paydirt, Swinger's Paradise & Westona

Pray TV's second album Paydirt was released on Shock Records in 1992. The album included a bonus track of the band covering the Hüsker Dü song "Sorry Somehow", which was also regularly performed live. The released was followed by a series of shows in New York and Los Angeles with Radioactive label mates Live.

In 1992, Pray TV featured on a CD called Dress Ups (Shock Records) with other Melbourne bands, The Glory Box and The Fauves, with each band performing a track from the others repertoire, as well as contributing one original track. Melbourne band Ripe were also intended to take part but did not due to other recording commitments.

In January 1994, they supported The Smashing Pumpkins at the Prince of Wales in St Kilda, Melbourne. Their third album Swinger's Paradise was released on Concubine Records in 1995. It was produced by Ed Kuepper. On 27 July 1995 they performed on the RMITV show Under Melbourne Tonight

Their fourth studio album Westona was released on The Hypnotized Label in 1996 and apart from Halloran and Kennedy, featured a new guitarist and drummer as well as new bass player Russell Baricevic, formerly of Geelong band Bored!. Pray TV disbanded in 1997 with a farewell show at the Public Bar in North Melbourne.

2015–present: Reunion and Horizontal Life

The band reformed for a one-off reunion show at the Yarra Hotel in Abbotsford on 31 January 2015, with the line-up of Martin and Joseph Kennedy, Halloran and Baricevic.

After 20 years since their last recording, the band released a new album in August 2016, titled Horizontal Life. The album was launched at the Grace Darling Hotel in Collingwood, Melbourne on 10 September 2016, with support from The Glory Box.

Discography

Studio albums

Compilation albums

Extended plays

Singles

References

1. ^ "Pray TV". praytvband.com. Archived from the original on 15 February 2016.
2. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 28 March 2006. Retrieved 9 June 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
3. "Pray TV | Listen and Stream Free Music, Albums, New Releases, Photos, Videos". Myspace.com.
4. "The Fauves - the band - bio". Musiciscrap.com. Retrieved 27 May 2023.
5. "UMT list'95". Archived from the original on 13 January 2014. Retrieved 13 January 2014.
6. "Pray TV (reunion show) | The Yarra HotelThe Yarra Hotel". Theyarrahotel.com.au. Archived from the original on 22 January 2015.

• Australian indie pop groups
• Australian indie rock groups