Chalkhills Digest Volume 1, Issue 145
Date: Tuesday, 2 April 1991

                  Chalkhills, Number 145

                  Tuesday, 2 April 1991
Today's Topics:
                   Cardboard & Mermaids
                   Re:  Chalkhills #144
                   Re: Chalkhills #144
                    [Chalkhills #144]
                       Go 2/Go Too
                           1967
                Live 105 Interview (1989)
[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]

From: Ross MacKay <ross@ray.grdl.noaa.gov>
Subject: Cardboard & Mermaids
Date: Mon, 1 Apr 91 8:26:26 EST

>jon drukman <jsd@gorn.santa-cruz.ca.us> writes:
>And hey, the boxes are made of recycled cardboard, so buying XTC is
>not only proof of good musical taste, but it will SAVE THE PLANET.

Well in the DC area (at least at the Rockville Tower Records) they
still are using the more traditional WIPE-OUT-THE-PLANET Jewel Box style
on the re-issues.  I guess it'll take a little longer for the Nation's
Capital to get around to thinking about tomorrow.  I picked up _D&W_,
love that moldy Moulding!

Does anyone care to recap the redeaming qualities of _WM_ and _Go 2_,
I'm a 'middle' to 'late' type of fan - and to tell you the truth a lot
of what I've heard is rather rude.

>muhlheim@princeton.edu says:
>On topic of _The Little Mermaid_:  It hit me a while back that though the
>lyrics are different, though the music has nothing to do with it, the subject
>matter of the song "Kiss The Girl" from Disney's _The Little Mermaid_ is
>_exactly the same_ as the subject matter of "Seagulls Screaming Kiss Her Kiss
>Her."

And It's the best dang song in the whole movie too (IMHO)!  So it must be true
that the entire Disney staff are thumping away to XTC day in and day out.

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

Date: Mon, 1 Apr 91 08:50:20 EST
From: maser@caen.engin.umich.edu (Steven Michael Maser)
Subject: Re:  Chalkhills #144

I have an old Virgin release of English Settlement (CDV2223) and was wondering
if Geffen would swap it for the "new" release that has all 15 songs on it
(my disk, bought 2 years ago, is missing "Leisure" and "Down in the Cockpit".)

Has anyone ever tried to see if they could get the new disk for their old
one?

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

Date:         Mon, 01 Apr 91 11:00:54 EST
From: "d. yer mum warned you about me brykowski"
Subject:      Re: Chalkhills #144

In response to Chris Donnell's msg in Chalkhills #144

I wholeheartedly agree! Compilations are a real bother. Especially when
there's ONE song on it that you want to hear and the rest are bands
you've never heard of. Nope, scratch that. Bands you've already heard...
AND HATE. I must admit to having been turned on to a couple of significant
or just plain good bands through indie compilations... REM, Josef K,
Prefab Sprout, Magazine...

I have nothing against a good compendium of a record label's output. Ie,
groovy labels like Virgin, Facotry, IRS and the GODLIKE Stiff Records put
out some life-enhancing samplers back in the heyday of post-punk. Lately,
the Sire Just Say... series has had some interesting budget compilations
(although they're awfully remix-heavy (gag!) and some of their signings
sound like they're still listening to Depeche Mode circa '86)
PolyGram here in Canada put out numerous samplers, and a for a long while
put out a monthly/bi-monthly cassette for Retail and those who requested
them with a pretty good mix of alternative music with the occasional shlock.

It seems, however, that everybody and their brother has put out some sort
of "Tribute" compilation. While I LIKE XTC's take on "Ella Guru", I prefer
it as a B-Side, rather than wedged in between a bunch of obscure nobodys
doing piss-takes at $18.99 import prices. The worst part is occasionally
one feels compelled to BUY one of these things, then the track later
turns up on a "b-sides & outtakes" album of the band's own material.

Some of these compilations feature some outstanding material, but they're
far too expensive (especially imports.) Its as if one has to wait until
a friend buys it so you can hear it before you buy.

That said, does anyone here own the Roky Erickson compilation with R.E.M.
& T-Bone Burnett and lots of other people. It never came out in Canada, and
I was wondering if it was worth picking up on my next trip to Buffalo.

"there's nothing at the end of the rainbow/nothing to grow up for anymore"
"there is no youth culture/only masks they let you rent"

d. brykowski

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

Date: Mon, 1 Apr 91 09:26:19 PST
From: james@nrc.com (James McGowan)
Subject: [Chalkhills #144]

>Date:         Wed, 27 Mar 91 12:23:07 EST
>From: dbryk <UOG01365@vm.uoguelph.ca>
>Subject:      Re: Chalkhills #143

>someone asked about barry andrews? not only did he [stuff deleted]

>He also thanks Colin Moulding for his Mighty (Short Scale) Mustang
>[for those of you not attuned to the Queen's English, "Short Scale"
>means Matchbox/Hot-Wheels sized..]

I believe this is a reference to Colin playing a Fender Mustang bass,
a cute, cheapo "student model" axe with a short scale neck.
Surprising, considering that he's a serious bassist.  Well, hmmm, I
once saw a picture of him playing what appeared to be a Silvertone bass
(from Sears, fercryinoutloud).  Go figure...

- Jim

James McGowan                           Internet: james@nrc.com
Network Research Corporation            Phone: (805) 485-2700
2380 North Rose Avenue                  FAX:   (805) 485-8204
Oxnard CA 93030

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

Date:         Mon, 01 Apr 91 18:50:31 EST
From: Ben Zimmer <ZIMBENG@yalevm.ycc.yale.edu>
Subject:      Go 2/Go Too

I haven't seen this commented upon, but does the name "Go2" have any
connection to Stomu Yamashta's album "Go Too" released in 1977?

Also, I just recently picked up a copy of Sakamoto's "B-2 Unit."  Very strange
stuff.  Andy's is first in the list of musicians on it, but I really can't
hear much of his influence on it.  The discography says he contributes guitar
and vocals, but damned if I can much of either.

                                                         Ben Zimmer

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

Date: Tue, 2 Apr 91 10:12:24 BST
From: toby <toby@computer-science.manchester.ac.uk>
Subject: 1967

I just got 1967 and If 6 was 9. The Strawberry Fields and (whatever) Moon
tracks are great!

T

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

Date: Tue, 2 Apr 1991 14:11:09 PST
From: Kevin Carhart <6600kevc%ucsbuxa@hub.ucsb.edu>
Subject: Live 105 Interview (1989)
Keywords: long

XTC Interview on San Francisco radio station Live 105, with DJ Big
Rick Stewart.  I only recorded a segment of it, and it starts and
finishes kind of abruptly.  I don't know the date, but it was the week
of Chinese New Year during the Acoustic Radio Station Tour, if that
tells you anything.  The comments in brackets are mine.

Transcribed by Kevin Carhart <6600kevc%ucsbuxa@hub.ucsb.edu>

------------------------------------------------------------

RS: (laughs) I mean, you know

AP: Ah yes, we keep abreast with the technology, sir

RS: Yes, here's an 8-track.  Then, there was Radios in Motion, then
was it Drums and Wires next?

AP: Uh, Go 2.

RS: Go 2 was next, and then there was a weirdo version of Go.

AP: Go +.

RS: Right.

AP: Which they're gonna, inevitable, gonna bring it out on compact
disc, in about a month or so. [?]

RS: Now was that you that like flipped all the tracks around and
dubbed them, and ---

AP: Dubbed the sh...ine out of 'em!

CM: That was when Andy took leave of his senses

RS: Yeah, were you lonely at that time, or you had nothing to do?

AP: Yeah, I used to play with myself a lot,and ---

RS: laughs

AP: No, I just thought it was a good idea to, you know, you get a ---

RS: It was neat

AP: Get music in one form and [who's to say you] can't go back and
carve it up and put out the same stuff and---

RS: It had kind of a 3D cover?  Or something?

AP: Um, no, there's something they've put in your water cooler here

RS: laughs

AP: Oh!  Oh, yes---

RS: There was like a yellow, white

AP: There was a picture of Jayne Mansfield in a swimming pool full of
hot water bottles shaped like Jayne Mansfield

RS: (laughs) that's what I thought

AP: I lie not.

RS: And after that was...?

CM?: Drums and Wires

AP: Drums and Wires, then Black Sea, English Settlement, Mummer, Big
Express

RS: And now

AP: Skylarking,... oh there was a few Dukes of Stratosphear things in
there

RS: oh yeah yeah yeah

AP: And now Oranges and Lemons... and here we are in 1973.

RS: Heck by golly, here we are.  So no more live shows, do you think
ever?  Like maybe a benefit show or, do you think maybe?

AP: Urrr, well if I can't, you know, pay the rent..

RS: laughs

AP: No, I'd hate to have to do it just for money---

RS: Yeah---

AP: Hate to have to do anything just for money---

RS: So basically no---

AP: Basically, no, but you never---

RS: Now, have you ever like appeared at a little club in Jersey with
Springsteen, or ---

AP: I did a live TV rendition of a song called Happy Families on
French television but that was a real shock and I didn't know I was
going to do it, so I just got up and--

RS: laughs

AP in phony French accent: step zis way, we have eh--

RS: says some french word, laughs

AP: I was just walking into the men's room and suddenly I'm live on
French TV!  Cruel swines.

RS: So as it ends up then, you guys must spend endless hours in
studios

AP: Not endless hours, no, I think we spend--

RS: A few?

AP: Endless hours down at pubs, but--

RS: So you guys aren't studioheads then, you don't-- okay--

AP: [static]..long as you need.. [static].. Dukes make records
anything from ten days to three weeks, and we make records anything
>from ten days to seven months!

RS: Yeah

AP: So--

RS: Okay--

AP: Whatever it takes

RS: And then what happens in the rest of your life?  You know, do you
have kids?  Married?

AP: Yeah, we do all the straight things cause we're ludicrously
straight.

RS: Travel?  You guys travel?

AP: Hate it!  I just like sittin in front of the news with a sixpack

RS: Thats the way

AP: I drink in bed - that's my hobby.

RS: By golly, you're just about an American

AP in cowboy accent: It's cummin awn reel strawng -- lawdy!

RS: Let's play another track by XTC, there's a new record and we're
gonna heck by golly play something from it and did we just play
Generals and Majors?

CM: Making Plans for Nigel!

AP: ...plans for Nigel...

RS: And now it's Generals and Majors, I had this all worked out...
Generals and Majors at Live 105, anything about this record you wanna
talk about?  This was really really groovy record...

AP: Yes, anti-war song, very pompous, you know, to all you generals
and majors out there who want to start World War III, stop it.

RS: And it always seems to come around every 3 or 4 or 5 years,
somebody else, there's a new general and a new major.

CM?: Yeah, they get their backs out and they want to get started...

AP?: Well, you know, the most violent animal on earth has gotta be
mankind [gap]

RS: This is it.  [Generals and Majors plays.  I wasn't a sufficient
fan to own Black Sea, so at the time I thought it was really valuable
to record the song on the spot, of course wasting interview space..]

RS: Generals and Majors, XTC from Black Sea it was called

CM: Thats right folks

RS: Fabulous fabulous fabulous.  That was also.. a cut from that
record was on a world music compilation record called..  world of
music?  What was it?

AP: Uh, the fabulous world of frog sections! [???]  [static] There was
a track from English Settlement, it was on, WOMAD it was called, and
the track was It's Nearly Africa.

RS: How did you get involved in that?  Did they just ask you and--

AP: Uh, Peter Gabriel rang me up initially and said [Peter Gabriel
impression] um um um hullo, Peter here, um um um have you got a song..
that you could put on this?

RS: laughs

AP: And I said, Yeah, all right Pete, take this!

RS: laughs

AP: And they put it out, it's easy, you know

RS: yeah, it was a good record.  For record collectors, import b-side
fans, 12 inch everything, you guys have been a---

AP: HELL.

RS: Gold mine! [laughter] Well, or a hell!

AP: walking hell.

RS: Yeah, thats true, cause there seems to be so much that's out,
there's even a...a...isn't there a Christmas song somewhere in your
past?

CM: Yes we actually---

AP: In yer what?  Oh, your p---

CM: We actually did a Christmas record called the Three Wise Men, that
pseudonym, and it came out about 1983, and it didn't do anything, but
you know--

RS: yeah

CM: We just like to do those sort of projects

RS: Yeah, you do a Christmas record, you know--

AP: We're doing an Easter record next.  "Nail 'im Up"!  (sings and
claps hands:) Yea-ah, nail im up!  Yea-ah, nail im up!

RS: How bout a Chinese New Year's record?

AP speaks in phony Chinese: hoaaaa, [etc.]

RS: You know, that's Saturday.  Chinese New Year parade in town and
it's a wild thing! [does this information spark anyone's deductive
skills?]

AP: Yes!  We're over here for this very purpose!

RS: The Gavin... oh, that too.

AP: I mean, come on, you come in here dressed in a dragon suit and you
haven't mentioned it..  [gap]

RS:...song about just a regular guy, I'm assuming.  This is a guy
who's a regular guy.

AP: He doesn't have any pieces of paper, any qualifications or
anything, he's just Mr. Joe Regular, and he loves a girl passionately,
and why not?  Just because you don't have any pieces of paper saying
how brainy you are doesn't mean you can't looooove..

RS: I read that Mayor of Simpleton was originally written as a reggae
oriented type song.

CM?: Yeah, it was totally different musically, it was a really
wretched kind of miserable reggae tune, I thought--

RS: laughs

CM?: This is not right, so I dicked about a bit more, totally changed
the music, and made it really happy and positive sounding, and it
clicked and so---

RS: Now, do you ever tell Andy, you know, hey Andy, great lyrics, but
uh, the arrange[ment...]

---------------------------------------------------------

That's the end of the part I taped, but I remember later Big Rick
tells them that he's spent such a long time talking to them that they
have to do some commercial messages.  So he tells Andy about a Dead
Milkmen show at the Cactus Club, and Andy sings like "oo, you got your
Cactus Club and you got your Dead Milkmen, oooh"

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

For all administrative issues, such as change of address,
withdrawal from the list, fan club addresses, discography
requests (last update 1 April), 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.  Thank you and goodnight.

Go back to Volume 1.

2 April 1991 / Feedback