Let's Talk Punk with TV GENERATION
Interview By Lisa-PunkrPrincess
Punk Globe: Hi thanks for chatting with us and you tell us how TVG started?
TVG Jerry: The band has been around in different incarnations as a side project of sorts for a while. I joined in 2013, followed by Jorge and then Alex. The first “official” show was in January 2015. We did some gigs and through various circumstances opted to get involved in different bands. So we had a bit of a hiatus. We got back together in May of 2019 and started working on new stuff. Billy joined up shortly thereafter, and we have been going strong since then.
Punk Globe: How long have you all been performing and what other projects have you been involved with?
TVG Billy: I played in an Oi! Band, Ludovico Thugs, out of San Antonio/Orlando split with members of Blood N Beer and Kings of Nuthin’ for a few years.
TVG Jerry: My first band was Urban Disturbance in 1990 in Naples. I also played in Swift Knuckle Solution from late 2015-2018 before the reformation of TVG.
TVG Alex: I started singing punk in 1998 with Slac Deal in my hometown of Del Ray Beach. I fronted Pop Suicide as well as Society’s Downfall, Free Fall, Delta City , and The Jodones along the way.
Punk Globe: How many releases have you had?
TVG Jerry: Three so far. We did the initial 5 song EP (recorded at Danger Room Studios) which was followed up by the benefit show we did for a local bar, Uncle Lou’s, during COVID. DCxPC label put that out on vinyl (live 7” w/ The Sinema) as well as the streaming platforms. We just released our full length, Cheap Times, this past November on limited edition vinyl and the usual platforms. We recorded that in Gainesville at Goldentone Studios. Rob was awesome to work with and we had a great time. Hoping to get back there and do a 7” later this year.
Punk Globe: If you guys were to describe yourself in simple word choice.. what would you say?
TVG Billy: Punk like we knew.
TVG Alex: Old school street punk.
TVG Jerry: No bullshit-Rock n’ roll.
Punk Globe: What/Who inspires your music?
TVG Billy: Major influences would be Social Distortion, D.I., The Templars & The Business. They really left an impression on me as far as how I wanted my bass to sound. I really dig Grade 2, Lions Law. . . to many to name. I could keep going.
TVG Jerry: I’m still stuck in the 80s. The 1st Thrasher Skate Rock Vol.1 really hit home. I grew up in Jacksonville, FL and would go to Kona Skate Park. There would be punks hanging out there, and they would play DK, Circle Jerks, Bad Brains and so on through the PA system. I thought the Ramones Subterranean Jungle was punk rock. It is, but little did I know.
TVG Alex: It’s pretty much a personal experience. People I’ve loved and lost among them. Sometimes my passions and interests elicit some controversy. As far as that goes, I’ll leave it alone for now.
Punk Globe: What are your fondest musical memories? In your house? In your neighborhood or town?
TVG Alex: As a teenager, I learned to sing punk songs on this old karaoke machine with cassette tapes. I was in a band, Pop Suicide, which after the band won best punk band in Orlando Weekly, we played after the Blue Man Group from Universal Studios in Orlando at the Florida Music Festival. Massive stage and huge crowd!
TVG Billy: Tallahassee early 90’s. The energy at the CO-OP was intense and the bands, Finway Fish Camp, Sarcastic Front, and The Bollweevils, from Chicago, were playing shows there. My sister and I had some great times.
TVG Jerry: I was friends with the late Terry Howe-Zero Boys-Toxic Reasons. We met in 1990 in Naples, FL of all places. I used to go over to his place and listen to his stories about the early days with him and his wife as well as his 4 track recordings.. He was a big influence on my guitar style. Also, my first punk rock show-TSOL – Halloween 1984. Total game changer.
Punk Globe: Tell us your dream show.
TVG Alex: I would say Punk Rock Bowling in Vegas.
TVG Billy: Cocksparrer, The Bruisers, The Trouble, and Sloppy Seconds.
TVG Jerry: Los Olvidados, The Freeze, Social Unrest, and Government Issue. It changes day to day.
Punk Globe: If you could share 1 piece of advice to a fellow musician what would you say?
TVG Alex: Never give up!
TVG Jerry: Just roll with it. The best thing you can do is just go. Don’t worry about perceptions. Don’t let others be your judge.
TVG Billy: Keep at it and don’t get discouraged. We have a great time regardless of the stage size and/or venue. Enjoy every second of it.
Punk Globe: Do you guys have any other hobbies besides, obviously, making music?
TVG Alex: I’m a professional artist. I love all sorts of creative endeavors. I’m passionate about comic books, video games, and vintage toys as well as cycling and working out.
TVG Billy: I’m a total nerd for collecting vintage 80s’ toys and punk rock records. Battle Beasts!!
TVG Jerry: I do art more or less. Actually less now. I got into Olympic style fencing in college. That required hyper focus and was intense. It’s very similar to playing music. I still follow it, but I don’t compete anymore. I also don’t surf as much as I used to despite being 3 blocks from the beach.
Punk Globe: What do you do when you hear your band on the radio?
TVG Billy: It’s pretty surreal that just hanging out with my friends created that scenario. Love
TVG Jerry: It’s cool to hear our music on podcasts and internet radio as well as other platforms. FM radio died a slow and painful death. It only exists in a stale and tired vacuum along with AOR. The carcass is still rotting.
Punk Globe: What’s your outlook on the record industry today?
TVG Alex: What record industry? Lol- Seriously, it’s pretty much D.I.Y. now which is perfectly fine and in line with our expectations anyways, so I am good with it.
TVG Jerry: Bleak. I mean it’s cool that you can find so much stuff out there now super easy. The days of rock stars are gone for better or worse. Maybe Metallica was right. Napster? Lol.
TVG Billy: I’m super glad there was a resurgence in the vinyl record industry. The availability of choices to work with getting a DIY record out is easier and more affordable than in the past.
Punk Globe: Is your family musical?
TVG Billy: My sister played guitar growing up. I ended up stealing her guitars and amp, They are still sitting in my garage to this day.
TVG Alex: Not all at all. No musical or artistic leanings. Don’t know where I got it from.
TVG Jerry: My older brother plays bass. I remember sneaking into his room when I was a kid and plinking around on it. It felt like steel cables on a telephone pole back then (still does). I eventually gravitated to guitar. He bought me a DOD American Metal pedal for Christmas one year, and the rest is history.
Punk Globe: What are your hopes for the band’s near future?
TVG Alex: I’m hoping to play more out of town shows and get back in the studio and pop off a new 7”.
TVG Jerry: Yeah, we’d like to play more out of town for sure. I agree with Alex as far as getting back in the studio. It would be nice to get out west and do some shows, but family and work obligations are a priority, especially family. Always has been with this band.
TVG Billy: Also looking forward to getting out some new material in 2023. We are also being considered for Rebellion Fest in England later this year. We’ll see what happens. Pretty cool to even be considered.
Punk Globe: Any shout-outs you would like to make?
TVG Alex: My girlfriend, Jennifer Lewis. She is also an artist and very supportive of my pursuits.
TVG Billy: Colin Kennedy, SA’s South End Crew, and the Palmeranians. Nothing but support from these guys since Day 1.
TVG Jerry: My wife, Sheri. She has put up with my follies since we met in high school. Long time ago- she has seen the good, the bad, and the ugly and still tolerates my misguided pursuits. God bless her.
Punk Globe: Where can we find band info and music?
TVG Jerry: On all the usual platforms. Spotify, Bandcamp, Apple Music, YouTube, etc.
