Career
The re-release of their second single, "My House" (from the album Formaldehyde), in December 1993 proved to be Terrorvision's breakthrough to UK singles chart success, and preceded by months the release of their second album How to Make Friends and Influence People in April 1994. The leading single from that album, "Oblivion", was also a chart success. Indeed, all their singles achieved Top 40 entries in the UK until the release of "Tequila", which reached number 2.

A video compilation, Fired Up and Lairy, was released in April 1995, and included spoof documentary segments interspersed with all the band's videos to date. A third album, Regular Urban Survivors, followed in March 1996, and spawned four singles; "Perseverance", "Celebrity Hit List", "Bad Actress" and "Easy". Lead singer Tony Wright, possessed of a quirky and appealing sense of humour, achieved minor celebrity status in the UK during this period. He presented the BBC TV music show "Top of the Pops" on one occasion, and made several appearances on the comedy music quiz "Never Mind the Buzzcocks".

The band's fourth album, Shaving Peaches, appeared in October 1998, and was seen as a departure from their pop-metal roots. It incorporated the work of several different producers, and several tracks of a more subtle tone than the band had previously been known for. The album's first single, "Josephine", had been well-received the previous month, but it was a Mint Royale remix of "Tequila" which was to prove to be their biggest-ever hit, reaching number 2 in the UK charts in January 1999.

The choice was a controversial one among fans. The band originally put a selection of their potential single releases to members of their official fan club, who voted in favour of "Day After Day". However, the remixed version of "Tequila" gained favour with BBC Radio One DJ Zoe Ball, who championed its release as a single. Plans to release "Day After Day" were hastily shelved, and a video quickly shot, for the "Tequila" release.

Thus, despite having their greatest hit in 1999 with the track, they were dropped by their record label, EMI, after the release of the album's third single, "111 Wishes". It was the band's first single to fall outside the UK Top 40 since the release of "My House", six years earlier. During this time the band recruited a fifth member, Josephine Ellul, who played keyboards and sang backing vocals at live concerts and on some subsequent studio recordings.

The band signed to a smaller label, Papillon and put out a fifth studio album, Good to Go, in 2001. The record, like all their others, was also credited to 'Total Vegas', the band's own independent imprint. A number of singles followed, but the band was unable to replicate their previous success. Their final single, "Fists of Fury", gained some notoriety for its video, which aped the cowboy-themed clip accompanying Madonna's single, Don't Tell Me.

EMI issued Whales and Dolphins, a greatest hits collection in 2001, and the band decided to call it a day, after a farewell tour. The 'final' concert took place at Penningtons nightclub in their hometown of Bradford, on Thursday 4 October 2001, and was released with an interview DVD as a live album Take the Money & Run - The Final Concert.

The aftermath
Since splitting up, singer Tony Wright has formed Laika Dog; guitarist Mark Yates formed firstly the short-lived Boston Crabs and then Blunderbuss with biker bass player Sasquatch Bob, releasing one album to date, Relentless; whilst Leigh Marklew formed Malibu Stacey who released one album On Heat before splitting up. Ian Shuttleworth sought employment in Leeds, serving the UK's public education sector.



The re-union
The group has since reformed to play two tours in 2005, and played what was described as their 'last EVER show' at Rock In The Castle in Scarborough, Yorkshire, on 17 September, 2005. A collection of B-sides and rarities was also issued by EMI in September 2005.

Terrorvision's original recording studio in Bradford is currently being revamped by Grant Henderson, and it will be launched as "Ivolv" in the first quarter of 2006.

Old Band History

As the oblivion site no longer exists. I have managed to find a copy of the band history information which was on the Brunel server. So Jamie this page is for you!!!

A youth by the name of `Shutty' (a.k.a David Ian Shuttleworth) was washing cars on Saturday mornings in his home town of Keighley. With the money he'd earned, he bought his first drumkit, which he set up in his brother's bedroom. No doubt hoping to emulate his heroes - AC/DC, Black Sabbath & Motörhead - he tried to rope in other musicians to form a band.

 One day in 1984, he was joined by guitarist Leigh Marklew, a KISS fan who was in the year below Shutty at Greenhead Grammar School. Along with two schoolmates, they formed a band called `Masquerade', and played their first gig in the sixth form common room. When Shutty left school and his family moved to Bradford, Marklew followed. Shutty worked as a printer (and later in telesales), while Leigh enrolled at art college. 

They would get together once a week in Shutty's parents' cellar on the Great Horton Road, playing songs by Joan Jett and the Ramones. The group had a different name every week, with `Strutter' and `Vietnamese Babies' among the most memorable. 

The line-up was completed by a lead guitarist and a bassist/vocalist, although neither lasted long. Mark Yates claimed to have been playing guitar since the age of eleven. He recalls being in a "dodgy thrash metal band" named Brute Force, who almost burned down their school hall after setting fire to their stage prop of a wooden crucifix topped off with a plastic skull. The gig was stopped when the headmaster pulled the band offstage by their ears. 

After that, Yates played in a band called the Electric Nosebleeds as well as one other "crap band". He met Leigh Marklew at art college, and joined his band on guitar, with Marklew switching over to bass. All they needed now was a singer - they placed an advert in Kerrang! (no 148):- "Spoilt Bratz require vocalist. Phil Lewis, Alice influenced. Phone Ian, Bradford 572542. Sunday 7-9pm." However, this failed to turn up a suitable candidate. 

Despite fronting a band called `Subject' when he was 15, Tony Wright had never thought about singing as a career. After leaving Carlton Bolling school in 1985, he had been through various jobs, including a stint as a car park attendant, and had resigned himself to the dole queue. Then one night in 1986, he met Mark Yates at the Wheatsheaf (a rock pub in Bradford where Mark was DJing). On hearing that Yates' band needed a singer, Wright offered his services, and after much persuasion earned himself an audition, with Mark reasoning that they were "f**king desperate". During the `audition' Tony watched Leigh Marklew sing `Teenage Kicks' by the Undertones, but wasn't asked to sing himself. A strange test of his ability, but he was in and the line-up was now complete. And the name of the band? The Spoilt Bratz! 

After a few rehearsals, the Spoilt Bratz played their debut gig at a friend's party at the Videotech in Huddersfield. To begin with, the Bratz were in it for a laugh, a joke and the odd free drink. In 1988 they cut their first two demos, Spoilt Bratz and Gasoline and Suicide, though neither made any real impact. The music could best be described as a cross between Poison and Mötley Crüe. 

In June 1989, the Spoilt Bratz booked the Slaughterhouse Studios in Driffield, East Yorkshire, to cut a more polished set of recordings for their third demo, entitled Be my Guest. It attracted the attention of Al Rhodes (then a writer with Kerrang). Al tried to sign the Bratz to his own label, Major Records. Initially he offered them a deal to do five albums, then three. He finally settled on a 12" single, but they rejected his offer anyway. However, Rhodes was so confident in the Spoilt Bratz that he packed in his label to become their manager. It was at this point that things really began to happen. 

The Spoilt Bratz quickly changed their name to the more modern sounding `Terrorvision', after a cult 1960's horror movie of the same name (in which aliens come down through a man's TV set and eat his family). They also took the band more seriously, rehearsing three or four times a week. The debut of the newly christened band took place at the Players Snooker Club in Wakefield, in front of about 18 people. This was a warm-up gig for their London show the next day (supporting U.S. band Slaughter at the Marquee). The Marquee show was organised by Chrysalis, whom in August 1990 Al Rhodes had persuaded to finance another demo tape. The tape, Prime Time TV, (which was again recorded at the Slaughterhouse studios) showed much promise, but the label passed on their option to sign Terrorvision. 

In March 1991, the band recorded another demo, Pump Action Sunshine, at the Woodland Studios in Castleford. The tape featured the first ever version of My House, and was once again distributed to record companies by Al Rhodes. The tape was heard by EMI's A&R man Nick Mander. Mander remembered Terrorvision as the Spoilt Bratz from when they had supported one of EMI's acts, The Beyond, two years before. Despite liking the band personally, he hadn't warmed to their music, but he was sufficiently impressed with their progress over the previous two years to grant them a showcase in London. The man with the power to issue a contract however, EMI A&R head Nick Gatfield, wasn't so impressed. Luckily his girlfriend liked the band, and EMI financed Terrorvision's final demo tape, recorded in the summer of 1991. 

In October 1991 Terrorvision were signed by EMI. Not wishing to concede totally to the demands of the record company, or perhaps just because EMI didn't know quite what to do with them, the band were given their own `Total Vegas Recordings' label, on which they have recorded all their releases to date.

1992 Terrorvision's debut release was the Thrive E.P. in February 1992, backed up by a support slot on the Zodiac Mindwarp U.K. Tour. They then supported (the now defunct) Claytown Troupe on their U.K. trek in March, and also played a one off London gig with L7. Terrorvision recorded their debut album Formaldehyde in Bradford, during June of 1992. The album (whose title derives from a poisonous liquid used to preserve dead animals) was released independently in December, on the Total Vegas label. It was preceded by a single, My House, with the B-side featuring Coming Up, the first of many unlikely covers which the band have attempted. December was also the month that Terrorvision supported The Ramones on their U.K. tour.

1993 Terrorvision's year kicked off with a headlining U.K. tour, supported by Die Cheerleader. After releasing another E.P. (Problem Solved) in February, the band headed off around Europe support ing Motörhead. In May, Formaldehyde was finally given an official release, and reached #75 in the U.K. album charts. The album was backed by a 9 date U.K. club tour. In June, Terrorvision released another single (American TV). The day before, they had opened for Def Leppard at Don Valley Stadium, Sheffield, in front of 40 000 people. The bill also included Thunder and Ugly Kid Joe, and Terrorvision's set turned up as the B-sides to New Policy One (released in October). The release of this single co-incided with the band's U.K. tour, supported by Kerosene. The re-release of My House rounded off 1993 in style with its 3D stereogram cover. It became Terrorvision's first Top 40 hit, thus raising expectations for 1994...

1994 Terrorvision started off the new year in America, recording the new album in New York before flying to Los Angeles to shoot the videos for the next two singles. The first of these, Oblivion, came out in March (and provided the band's first Top of the Pops appearance), while their second album, How to Make Friends and Influence People, was released a month later. This was quickly followed up by a U.K. Tour during April / May, with support coming from Mutha's Day Out, The Wishplants and Valve. In June Terrorvision appeared on the newly introduced second stage at the Donington Monsters of Rock festival. Along with other up-and-coming bands such as The Wildhearts and Headswim, they ensured that the new stage would be a rousing success. June also saw Terrorvision picking up a Kerrang award for Best New British Band, beating off tough competition which included the Wildhearts, Skin, Headswim and Senser. The single Middleman was released on the same day. Terrorvision were one of many bands who played at the 'Night of 1000 Guitars', a celebration of 100 years of Gibson guitars. Other artists on the bill included Skin and Thunder. The third single from How to Make Friends... was released in August, namely Pretend Best Friend. A few days later, Terrorvision made another festival appearance, this time at Reading. Despite the less than favourable Saturday afternoon slot, the band triumphed. In October Terrorvision were on the road once more for another U.K. tour, co-inciding with the release of the Alice What's the Matter? single. Support came from Die Toten Hosen and Baby Chaos. After finishing with two nights at the London Forum, TV turned their attention to Europe, supporting Die Toten Hosen and Therapy?.

1995 January saw Terrorvision fare extremely well in the annual readers polls of the rock press, most notably being named `Best Band' by the readers of Kerrang! magazine. They were the first British band to win this award since Iron Maiden in the mid '80s. Terrorvision finished top in the following categories * Best Band (Kerrang) * Best British Band (RAW) * Best Single for Alice What's the Matter? (Kerrang) * Tastiest geezer - Tony Wright (Kerrang) (much to the disgust of the rest of the band) They also finished strongly in many other categories, including 2nd Best Album for 'How to Make Friends...' in both RAW and Kerrang , and 3rd Best Gig / Tour in Kerrang. In March, the band released a new single, a re-recorded version of Some People Say, which earned them their 4th Top of the Pops appearance (having also performed Oblivion, Pretend Best Friend and Alice What's the Matter? on the programme). In April the Terrorvision retail video Fired up and Lairy was released, containing promo videos, live tracks and various linking material. Then in May the band went on a short U.K. tour, with support from EMF and Joyrider. June saw the 'vision receive their second Kerrang! award, this time for Best British Band. Outdoor shows for summer 1995 included the Phoenix festival, a support slot with R.E.M. in Huddersfield, and Glasgow's T in the park. The band then went into the studio to begin the third album. They also managed to record a brand new track, entitled Tom Petty Loves Veruca Salt, for HELP, a charity album recorded and despatched to record shops in 6 days. Other contributors included Oasis, Blur, Manic Street Preachers, Radiohead, the Stone Roses and many, many others. In December, with the album almost finished, TV were cruelly snubbed by Bradford City Council. The band were originally set to switch on the Christmas lights in their home town, but were rejected at the last minute in favour of 'Emmerdale' star Stan Richards.

1996 Terrorvision got the year off to a great start with a one-off gig at the London Astoria in January. There was strong support from Honeycrack, Cecil and Pusherman. In February they played another one-off gig, this time in Harrogate, and a week later released the long-awaited new single Perseverance. It became their biggest hit to date, reaching no. 5 in the UK charts. The third Terrorvision album, Regular Urban Survivors, was released in March and was backed up by a U.K. tour in March / April which included a slot on the Sound City bill in Leeds, supported by Whipping Boy (support on all other dates came from American band Love Nut). The second single from the album, Celebrity Hit List, was released in April. TV then embarked on a tour of Europe, although this was cut short when singer Tony Wright jumped over a high wall and broke both his ankles. In July, TV were named `Best British Band' at the Kerrang! Awards for the second year in succession. They also released the single Bad Actress. Over the summer they played several festival dates, including Phoenix (where their tour bus accidentally ran over an unsuspecting sleeping punter) and Reading. Terrorvision supported Def Leppard on their October / November European tour. Then in December they embarked on a 7 date headline tour of the UK. The year was rounded off by the release of the single Easy.

1997 The first major news of '97 was that of Tony becoming a father for the first time. Things remained pretty quiet for the early half of the year while TV began writing and demoing tracks for their fourth album, as well as covering the David Bowie track Moonage Daydream for a tribute album released in aid of Tibet. They then played several festival dates in the U.K

1998 The band play a fairly large number of venues in a tour and continue to write and record tracks for the next album. 'Josephine' the bands 16th single release finds itself at number 23 in the charts in September, almost 2 years after the bands last single. On the 5th of October 'Shaving Peaches' is released to good reviews.  A small tour of about 12 towns and cities are played to promote the album.

1999 Radio 1's breakfast DJ Zoë Ball found a remix of the 'Tequila' track done by 'Mint Royale'.  She played so much that EMI insisted it would be released.  Bound by contract Terrorvision agreed.  This release led to the bands biggest hit to date.  'Tequila' went straight into the charts at number 2.  EMI however went further.  They re-released 'Shaving Peaches' to include the 'Mint Royale Shot' remix of 'Tequila'. A month long tour around the country. 'III Wishes' (thats 3 not 111) was the second single to make it off the album.  It was released in April but only managed to make it to number 42.  The rest of the year is busy with an appearance at 'Metalica's' Big Day Out headlining the second stage. Leeds and Reading festivals.  However the biggest shock was the announcement that EMI and Terrorvision were parting company.  To clear the debt EMI planed to release a 'Best Of' & 'B-Sides' album.

2000 A couple of dates in March and a one off gig at the Duchess in Leeds to mark it's closure starts the millenium much like the last one finished.  While writing and recording the band look for a new record lable.  Early summer and the band play some out door festivals including 3 free ones and confirm a deal with Papillon records.  November and December are taken up with touring.  EMI release a compilation pack of Formaldehyde, How To Make Friends and Influence People, and Regular Urban Survivors.

2001 A quick gig in Ilkley and two days later 'D'Ya Wanna Go Faster?' is released with dates all week signing copies.  It makes it to number 28. On the 5th of February 'Good To Go' Terrorvision's fifth studio album is made available to the public.  'Fists Of Fury' is released on the 23rd April.  But then it isn't.  Postponed untill the week later, however it still doesn't appear.  The Bands official comment was that it was in fact Radio 1's fault.  They decided not to play any Terrorvision track resulting in Papillon deleting the single.  

The Story Continues...

1968, the year of Hendrix, Harold Wilson, the year of Martin Luther Kings assassination, the Russian invasion of Prague and somewhere in the north of England the birth of what was going to become Terrorvision.

The early years of growing up were difficult times for these boys, musical instruments were hard to get hold of and they had to do with whatever they could find. Little did they know then what the future held for them. It was always possible to see that crazed look in the eyes, that determination to have a good time, that certain something that would turn them into that living, breathing rock and pop legend that they are today!

From Bradford, Yorkshire (in the north of England), Terrorvision are a heavy rock/indie/pop/metal (not to mention the dance re-mixes!) band who combine heavy rock riffs with infectious pop "choons" to devastating effect. They have a reputation for playing amazing live gigs, drinking copious amounts of alcohol and wearing daft clothes.

Their biggest U.K. hit to date is Tequila, which crashed into the charts in 1999 at number 2. Their second album, How to Make Friends and Influence People, has shifted twice the 100,000 copies needed for a gold disc, and their third LP Regular Urban Survivors - which reached number 8 in the U.K. album charts - has also gone double gold. Recently the band have released Shaving Peaches and this is doing very well in the charts. Still their after 6 months!

The band have played at the Reading, Glastonbury, Donnington and Phoenix festivals, performed on the Smash Hits Poll Winners Party, supported R.E.M. and Def Leopard, and have appeared on Top of the Pops many many times.