Chalkhills, Number 134

                 Friday, 22 February 1991
Today's Topics:
                      Re: XTC on MTV
                   Re: Chalkhills #133
                 Asking for explanations
              XTC Video (VHS Format) Sought
                 Rundgren Alias Available
                   Re: Chalkhills #133
                    Various and Sundry

[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]

Subject: Re: XTC on MTV
Date: Wed, 20 Feb 91 12:37:40 -0800
From: kkawado@bonnie.ics.uci.edu

Greetings.

As I recall, XTC was on MTV almost a year and a half ago before they began
their tour of American radio stations.  Of course they were on the late
night, now defunct "Post-Modern" MTV show.  I don't recall if they also
played the tape on "120 Minutes".  The only good music (videos) that MTV
plays are on at 1:00 in the morning on Sundays.

Hope that is of interest.

=K=
(ps. No I don't have a tape of it)

[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]

From: jeff white <tarim@gorn.santa-cruz.ca.us>
Subject: Re: Chalkhills #133
Date: Wed, 20 Feb 91 15:14:03 PST

two seperate subjects here, so...
1) XTC live on MTV

Yeah, I saw this. Had it on video, til a family member taped over it.
(The importance of punching those copy-protect tabs...*SIGH*)
They performed at least twice.  One was an accoustic Scarecrow People,
which I taped on the now-defunct Post Modern MTV the week Andy Partridge
was host.  The other was on the Big _______ Show, also now cancelled
(coincidence? I think not...), and was I beleive King for a Day. This was
the one for which they had an audience, and yes, Andy's nervousness
showed.  If you can find them, tape 'em! They might show up on their
new Bootleg MTV program (live "direct from the MTV Vaults" material).

But, knowing MTV, not for a looooong time.
Oh yes, and for those curious, this is all MTV USA I'm referring to.

2) Towers of London

I think we need a lot more culture-specific references to get
any clear meneangs out of this. My big definition question:

What is meant by "the never-never-navvies?" are navvies natives?
navals? what?

And, this is totally irrelevant, but: for the longest time, the
line "and I've seen it in their faces, clear as/ Children's chalk-lines
on the paving" implied chalk outlines of children on the sidewalk, as
in post-murder police proceedures. Just a little bit of morbidness
I threw in and put some sort of Irish civil war meaning into the song.
First time I saw the lyrics written out, the idea of children using chalk
to draw on the sidewalk snapped into place, tho.
So now that I've muddied the waters a little-- Onward! I think we're
on the right track...

-The Jester off Win Way
tarim@gorn.santa-cruz.ca.us

[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]

Date:         Thu, 21 Feb 91 12:33:09 EDT
From: Emmanuel Marin <MARINP92@frecp12.bitnet>
Subject:      Asking for explanations

Well having 'Calleidoscope' in my ears while going down the street,
I suddenly understood why there was this saw noise in the middle of
the song.

Being very happy to have understood that, I continued to ask myself
about strange noises/lyrics of XTC songs I had not understand.

And here there are : I have no English / American culture :
so : by example, who is Sunny Jim ? (In 1000 Umbrellas)
                 who is Brainiac ? (In Brainiac's Daughter)
(It as something to do with Superman but what ?)
                 what is a Mummer ? (thanks for the answer in Chalk 114)
            and many and many other things I did not understand
      (Andy partridge is one of the most un-understandable artist for a
        non-English-speaker listener )

Now one great news : I do have the possibility at my school to hear
backward messages (with a 4 track mix table). So if you have heard
about backwards messages in XTC songs ask me and I will do it.

And to end : I have read in old Chalkhills that 'You can put in on an *act*'
in Mayor of Simpleton was THE example of over-producing and then that
O & L was over-produced. It is stupid. Who would say that 'English
Settlement' is over produced simply because there is in Senses :
'to kick in *space*'....

Sorrt for grammatical mistakes but I have just woken up. Emmanuel

[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]

Date: Thu, 21 Feb 91 04:56:16 PST
From: "WES WILSON, PKO3-2/T12, 223-4891" <wilson@psylo.enet.dec.com>
Subject: XTC Video (VHS Format) Sought

Hello Chalkhillians,

I am ready (I think?) to explore the world of XTC video (VHS Format).
Please send me mail if you have any video for sale or trade (I have
many XTC CDs). Let me know what you have, how much, and quality
of tape.

Thanks mucho!

Wes

[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]

Date: Thu, 21 Feb 91 11:50:47 PST
From: fast@ebay.sun.com (Ed Grieze - U.S. Logistics)
Subject: Rundgren Alias Available

 Fellow XTC fans,
 I want to let you know that I have a new Todd Rundgren alias
 set up on my system.  Only 13 members thus far with activity
 of about two mails a day.  Send mail to me as follows if you're
 interested in subscribing.

	a.wizard-request@planning.EBay.sun.com

 Thanks for letting me use this space without an XTC topic.

 Ed Grieze
 Sun Micro
 Milpitas, CA

[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]

From: William H Stoner III <bilbo@cis.ohio-state.edu>
Subject: Re: Chalkhills #133
Date: Thu, 21 Feb 91 18:41:58 EST

>
> Date: Wed, 20 Feb 91 08:45:42 CST
> From: oconnor!siouxsie!jtl@oddjob.uchicago.edu (Joe Lynn)
> Subject: Look Look, Big Night Music, and a request
>
> XTC and Moody Blues fan Kevin Carhart sez:
>
> > I bought the videotape "Studiosongs 1-11" tonight.  Well worth it!
> > The older ones are quite strange..does Andy ever drum, say on "This
> > is Pop"?  I am confused as to who is who, though I was under the
> > impression that they were easy to figure out.  Dave Gregory looks a bit
> > like A. Whitney Brown.  It was fun to see the stage setup, complete
> > with White Horse, for "Senses Working Overtime."  The visual style of
> > "All of a Sudden" was quite interesting.
>
> ["Studiosongs 1-11" is the US release of "Look Look!" (aka "Best Hits").]
> By the way, the Virgin-Canada NTSC-VHS copy of "Look Look!" is in HiFi Stereo.

Is this video old or new...is it still in print?  help me I'm lost....

Also does anyone out there have demos???  In particular I'm looking for
"My Paint Heroes" and ?"Skeletons"? (the b-sides to the UK King for a day
CD).  I was making a tape for Tom Paluzzi of the ones I have...and man do
I want more!!!  Andy Partridge is a god of a writer!!!  The lyrics, the
music, yes even the cheesy drum machine!!!  Anyone interested in trading
obscurities drop me e-mail saying what you have and I'll send a list of
what I have.  (I'm also ever on the look for Jane Siberry rarities...)

Most anxiously awaiting the next album....

bilbo
--
"Have you got the master race the bigot's son	|  William H. Stoner III
 who like his daddy's full of fear. Not so much |  Systems Operator OSU CIS
 a son more of a stormtrooper to burn the books |  bilbo@cis.ohio-state.edu
 when dad's not here"  XTC - "Happy Families"   |

[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]

Date: Fri, 22 Feb 1991 14:49:16 PST
From: John M. Relph <relph@presto.ig.com>
Subject: Various and Sundry

Andre de Koning <dhgpa!adkoning@hvlpb.att.com> says:

>Thanks John, for typing in all those articles.
>I don't know how much response you get, but it's very much appreciated!!

You're welcome.  Glad it's appreciated.

                                . . .

William H Stoner III <bilbo@cis.ohio-state.edu> asks:

>    "We also did a live acoustic set for MTV in front of an
>    audience which worried Andy a bit but he got through it.
>    We're gradually getting him used to audiences again!"
>
>Does anyone have this/or has anyone seen it!!!????

I have seen only a small segment of the live "Scarecrow People", as it
was included on Andy's "Post Modern MTV".

                                . . .

Kevin Carhart <6600kevc%ucsbuxa@hub.ucsb.edu> says:
>>&Children, Hold Me My Daddy, Pink Thing
>                              ^^^^^^^^^^
>
>phew, I sure am glad to know that's a CHILD-oriented song.  I thought
>they were doing another subtlety-free "My Weapon"!

Think again...  It's child-oriented at one level, but down at the
other level, I'm not so sure.  Neither is Andy.

                                . . .

Joe Lynn <oconnor!siouxsie!jtl@oddjob.uchicago.edu> says:

>A while ago, I remember seeing the UK 45 for "Towers of London" (I think),
>and the back of the sleeve had a legend that cracked me up-- it
>said something like "Terry Chambers Banged it,  Dave Gregory Twanged it,
>Colin Moulding Clanged it, and Andy Partridge Sanged it."  Does anyone
>have the single and could they tell me what it *really* said?

Actually, I believe it's from the _Wait Till Your Boat Goes Down_
single, with "Ten Feet Tall" on the flip, and it says:

  Terry Chambers banged
  Colin Moulding twanged
  Dave Gregory clanged
  Andy Partridge sanged

	-- John

[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]

For all administrative issues, such as change of address,
withdrawal from the list, discography requests (last
update 14 February), back issues, etc., send a message to
the following address:

	<chalkhills-request@chalkhills.org>

All views expressed in Chalkhills are those of the
individual contributors only.

---

Go back to Volume 1.

22 February 1991 / Feedback