Chalkhills Digest Volume 3, Issue 112
Date: Tuesday, 13 May 1997
Chalkhills Digest, Volume 3, Number 112
Tuesday, 13 May 1997
Today's Topics:
Classic Guitar
The Partridge Report - 5/11/97
ME
X-Balls
_Upsy Daisy_ review
XTC Tribute???
Re: Peyote Buttons and Hookah
Verve Pipe raving about XTC
harmonies
don't hit
Re: Andy Demos Online
I Am Not Worthy But becki is
Everything
Internet Get Together ? <long>
ice ice maybes
Mayo, mo' MIDI & TOP XTC
The Malarians/Here's Another Clue For You All
Terry Chambers?
This IS my day job!
Andy & Stephen Duffy
THE AVERAGE CHALKHILLIAN
Smoke or *uc*?
More on Paula Cole
No Drugs In Our House
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But it's never been as hot as this.
---------------------------------------------------------------------- Message-Id: <2.2.32.19970510223648.006ccdd8@popmail.dircon.co.uk> Date: Sat, 10 May 1997 23:36:48 +0100 From: Simon Sleightholm <nonsuch@dircon.co.uk> Subject: Classic Guitar Hi folks, This might be old news but I don't recall seeing it anywhere:- New 1997 Musical Instrument Books from Balafon CLASSIC GUITARS OF THE SIXTIES How the electric guitar and its players dominated a revolutionary decade of mind-blowing music chronicled by a team of top writers, edited by Tony Bacon Classic Guitars of the Sixties features special essays by the world's top writers on guitar history, enhancing the book's panoramic view. Andre Duchossoir of Gibson Electrics fame writes on Gibson, American Guitars author Tom Wheeler on US electrics, Crosstown Traffic author Charles Shaar Murray on rock and pop guitars, **XTC guitarist Dave Gregory** on the parallel development of playing styles and equipment, Guitar Stories author Michael Wright on radio & TV in the 1960s, Tennessean reporter Thomas Goldsmith on country guitars, Gruhn's Vintage Guitars Guide author Walter Carter on Fender, 'guitar guru' Paul Day on British, German and "world" guitars, well-known guitar author Tony Bacon on The Beatles' guitars, Fender Amp Book author John Morrish on recording trends, Portrait of the Blues author Paul Trynka on blues, soul and blues-rock, BBC broadcaster Charles Alexander on jazz guitars, and Bizarre Guitars author Hiroyuki Noguchi on Japanese instruments of the 1960s. Publication date November 1997 88 pages all 4-colour, including 12pps as four 3-page throwouts 4-colour laminated jacket Individual page size 320mm (H) x 250mm (W) UK cover price #17.95 This was nipped from http://www.srtl.co.uk/srtl/newbooks.html Ta-ta, Simon +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+ http://www.users.dircon.co.uk/~nonsuch/bungalow.htm +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+ XTC? Are they still going? Follow me and find out..
------------------------------
Date: Sun, 11 May 1997 16:42:28 -0700 (PDT)
Message-Id: <v01510100af9b977c110b@[206.15.68.86]>
From: mf@well.com (Mitch Friedman)
Subject: The Partridge Report - 5/11/97
. . . that nose-hairs do not actually possess talent storage capacity. And
now onto the XTC news.
In a brief but informative phone conversation earlier today, Andy revealed
that while he worked with Stephen Duffy on two new songs and potential
singles called "Guiding Star" and "What If I Fell in Love With You?" he
received word that he had won an award for best CD package design for the
Fossil Fuels 3D special version. He did not attend the ceremony to get the
award though. Later he found out that he had also won an award for the "This
World Over" 7" single artwork with all the postcards of bombed out cities
but had never been notified of the news until now.
No deals have been signed with any labels yet but there seem to be three
unnamed frontrunners currently. One is a major label with great distribution
but not a great profit sharing setup, another is an independent label that
would offer lots of money but not great distribution, and a third is a
midsized label with good profit sharing and great distribution everywhere
except for Japan where they don't exist which is a turnoff to XTC since
Japan is one of their strongest markets. He is going NUTS waiting and is
starting to wonder if all these songs will ever get recorded but secretly
knows that most of them will.
Potential producer and big fan Chris Hughes (Adam and the Ants, Tears for
Fears) has been on the phone with Andy for about 3 hours every morning
recently trying to convince him of making only one album instead of the two
that Andy wants to make. He did admit that Nonsuch was too long and the best
length for an album is about 40 minutes so the idea of doing one really long
album doesn't seem to be a possibility.
Three songs that Andy had given to Nicky Holland over two years ago are
about to be released now that she has secured a record deal. One song called
"New York Inside My Head" turned out so well that he is absolutely kicking
himself for giving it to her. Hopefully it will be a hit single someday so
he'll have reason to kick someone else.
The Lloyd Cole rumours are true in that Lloyd wrote a whole new album but
his record company was unhappy with it so they asked Andy if he would be
willing to work with Lloyd to improve on it. Andy had three days free so
Lloyd flew over from New York and they spent them in the shed hashing out
ideas. To this day Andy has never heard a Lloyd Cole record so he was
unprepared and unitiated with his musical style. Basically he sussed out
what kinds of things Lloyd tends to like (resistance to melody for instance)
and then geared the ideas he offered towards them. After three days Lloyd
went home with parts of 16 new songs and Andy will be speaking with him this
week to see what has become of them.
For those of you wondering how the hell XTC survives financially, Andy told
me that starting about 18 months ago they finally began to receive royalties
from their record sales. In addition both Andy and Colin receive publishing
money as well as performance royalties based on airplay. All three give each
other 10% of whatever money comes in to keep things fair and somewhat
democratic. According to Andy, Dave is quite comfortable at the moment from
all the session work he's been doing and the fact that he is single and has
no pets. Colin is doing alright as well thanks to the money that's been
coming in and he only had to collect rental cars very briefly back in '90
when things were much more in the red. Andy says that his salary is about on
par with a medium well paying job like someone that owns a printing shop or
is the manager of a small computer company would make. He would love to move
out of his house and get a new and bigger one with a proper studio in it but
fears that this could only happen if they have a big hit album someday.
I will be speaking with him again in about a week so stay tuned . . .
p.s. No Fudge in Our House
The Chip Trapped in the Ice Cream
------------------------------ Date: Mon, 12 May 1997 08:12:30 +0800 (SST) Message-Id: <199705120012.IAA14730@eastgate.cyberway.com.sg> From: Kevin M Mathews <mathews@cyberway.com.sg> Subject: ME Fans of XTC may like to check out a 1996 CD from Brit band ME called HARMONISE OR HAUNT - which has been described as Brian Wilson meets the Byrds - but I personally hear alot of XTC nuances esp in the way both bands use the Wilsonesque influence. Just heard the Green Man demo - Beatlesque heaven!!!
------------------------------ Message-Id: <1.5.4.32.19970512010628.006be864@pop.mindspring.com> Date: Sun, 11 May 1997 21:06:28 -0400 From: JES <xtc@mindspring.com> Subject: X-Balls Erich Walther opined: >Critics: > The trouble with them is <snip> Hey, my favorite quote about critics comes from someone I can't name, because I can't remember. But it goes, simply: "Critics are like eunuchs in a harem. They know how it's done, they've seen it done every day. But they can't do it themselves." Then AMANDA tells the world: >I CAN'T BELIEVE DAVID DUCHOVNY GOT MARRIED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Think of how *I* feel. Tea Leone down the aisle with THAT twerp. Sheesh. * ------------------------------------------------------ jes can be found at.... http://www.lexxicon.com/tenbyjes.htm
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 12 May 1997 03:47:34 -0400 (EDT)
Message-Id: <199705120747.DAA06267@tacitus.globecomm.net>
From: Greg Brady <shadow@mad.scientist.com>
Subject: _Upsy Daisy_ review
No, I'm not dead...Just been real busy and I'll try to catch up with my
Chalkhills mail ASAP.
This little item appeared in the Dayton, OH _Go!_ entertainment magazine and
thought you all would be interested. It's a review of _Upsy Daisy
Assortment_ written by Ron Rollins. (P.22, May 9th if you want to buy the
issue)
"In its 20 years of wild pop-rock reinvention, XTC has been churning
out albums which, while occasionally uneven, have been laced with truly
brilliant songs. _Upsy Daisy Assortment_(Virgin) thankfully brings the best
of these together into a disarming 75-minute collection that shimmers and
snaps so brightly it can make your head spin. "Generals and Majors","No
Thugs in Our Houses","Dear God","The Mayor of Simpleton"-this comes across
both as a catalog of Britpop highlights and as a testament to the skill of
singer/songwriter Andy Partridge, who will charm you all the way through
this one."
He gave it 4 stars, BTW.
"Fantasy world and Disney girls, I'm comin' back" Bruce Johnston/Beach Boys
shadow@mad.scientist. com The Grroovy World of Greg Brady can be found at:
http://www.geocities.com/SunsetStrip/Palms/7106/index.htm
------------------------------ Subject: XTC Tribute??? Message-ID: <19970512.121551.8414.0.Wiggum@juno.com> From: wiggum@juno.com (Kerry P Hinton) Date: Mon, 12 May 1997 12:17:14 EDT I was about to go to be last night when I hppened to turn on MTV. There was an ad for 120 minutes, and the teaser line was "...and a tribute to the British band XTC." I was excited. I recorded the show, and watched it this morning . The "tribute" was Matt Pinfield saying how influential XTC were on the Verve Pipe, and then a partial listing from memory of their albums. Matt then explained how everyone knew "Dear God," so he was going to show a more obscure video -- "Senses." Not too shabby. At least an attempt. Andy and Co. were stared in medias res -- from the start of verse 2. The second chorus of the song was shown during the credits, and the show ended before the bridge! If that's a tribute, I'd hate to see how they treat someone they don't respect. I did record it, so if anyone is interested in this tortuous footage, lemme know. Like a navajo blanket, K.P.
------------------------------ Date: Mon, 12 May 1997 10:17:36 -0700 Message-Id: <199705121717.KAA06519@mando.engr.sgi.com> From: John Relph <relph> Subject: Re: Peyote Buttons and Hookah J_ARTECONA@rcmad.upr.clu.edu, the anonymous one, wrote: > >ABout XTC's use of drugs, again I tell you that at the end of >Skylarking the band thanks this guy STU "for the CACTII" that is very >likely a reference to peyote buttons, the flower of a cactus that >grows in the southwest. I thought it was "Thanks to Re for the Cactii". Re Styles is the girlfriend (wife?) of Prairie Prince, timebomb extraordinaire. There is no doubt in my mind that the "cactii" in question are those little houseplant variety, the cute little things you put in your sunny window, and that the cactii probably made XTC's studio time more enjoyable in sunny San Francisco. > The lyrics for 1000 umbrellas are pretty >trippy with stuff crawling wallpaper and stuff. Actually, the line "crawling the wallpaper" is a reference to the phrase "crawling the walls", which means, how does one say, very frustrated? Stir crazy? More of a psychological reference to the upheaval of a breakup than to a drug induced hallucination. > The there is hookah >with my senses bubbled from then she appeared (hookah is a huge >contraption used to smoke hashish) as well as other references that >don't come to mind. Plenty of others, but then again remember that the caterpillar in _Alice in Wonderland_ was smoking a hookah, and that hookahs were originally used for the smoking of tobacco in the Middle East (and still are). One does not have to be a pothead to appreciate the imagery of Lewis Carroll. And those strange spoken interludes (heh heh heh, he said "ludes") on _Psonic Psunspot_ are directly inspired by _Alice in Wonderland_. > I would bet that the lads use pot every once in a >while with the occasional foray into hallucinogens. No. I would bet that they drank a lot and still drink quite a bit, but I bet that there is very little if any use of illicit drugs. Besides, you don't need drugs to be weird. Think of Frank Zappa... -- John
------------------------------ Message-Id: <1.5.4.32.19970512173104.0067d34c@pop.mindspring.com> Date: Mon, 12 May 1997 12:31:04 -0500 From: Mark Rushton <rushton@mindspring.com> Subject: Verve Pipe raving about XTC I was flipping the remote around last (Sunday) night and saw the Verve Pipe raving about XTC on "Alternative Nation" - or whatever that show is called these days. Anybody else see it? Mark Rushton author of the Bill Nelson/Be Bop Deluxe/Red Noise/Channel Light Vessel web site: http://soli.inav.net/~rushton/nelson.html
------------------------------ From: monnickj@ubk.co.uk Message-Id: <199705121807.TAA09865@sys4.cambridge.uk.psi.net> Date: Mon, 12 May 1997 17:12:09 +0000 Subject: harmonies A modifier to what I wrote last time about the above.... John & Paul were the last guys to front a band where singing together live but not too sweetly was integral and when they stopped in 1969 that was it, the choice was Robert Plant or Simon & Garfunkel with no ground inbetween ; any ideas ? High Fidelity Compulsory and excruciating reading for one and all, best read a little at a time to savour the hilarity. The only let down is the cheerful ending which doesn't suit the book but is probably makes it easier to sell the film rights. Has anyone written a U S equivalent ? To me it is the best Rn'R read since the very wonderful 'paperback writer' dismantled the beatles. Anyone read/know how to get hold of a copy of Al Kooper's 'Backstage Passes'? Yet More Jurassic BritPop Hot on the tails of the Kinks I wondered whether anyone would give the Zombies the time of day ? I think they were second only to the beatles in using mostly original material from early days and had a wonderful light breathless sound. *---------------------------------------------------------------- The views expressed are of the individual, and do not necessarily reflect the views of The United Bank of Kuwait PLC. *----------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------ Date: Mon, 12 May 1997 13:48:51 -0600 (CST) From: y9d62@ttacs1.ttu.edu Subject: don't hit Message-id: <Pine.PMDF.3.91.970512134329.558096537E-100000@ttacs.ttu.edu> I'm not suprised to see that so many other musicians listen to XTC. I've always heard XTC described as a musician's band. Maybe that's what turns 'regular' folks off---too specialized, not passive enough...I don't know. Also, why is Dave Marsh's opinion worthy of upsetting the smooth, free-flowing embodiment of peace that is Chalkhills? Or any professional critic's stuff for that matter? Intellectual deconstruction/evaluation of music is right up there with meter-maiding as vocations go...living off the 'faults' of others is okay if you're a cockroach, but I generally keep the rock-guides near the Raid, lest they multiply. Maybe I'm too judgemental, which puts me in the right place at the right time, I think. Or I could become a rock critic. Loving this more and more, Dominique
------------------------------ Message-ID: <337766A9.3EBD@nlm.nih.gov> Date: Mon, 12 May 1997 13:51:21 -0500 From: Don Lindbergh <dabl2@nlm.nih.gov> Organization: National Library of Medicine Subject: Re: Andy Demos Online > From: "Mark Strijbos" <mmello@knoware.nl> > > I hope so too but Andy makes his money to feed his kids by selling > these songs.... > We all know that Andy does not object to some tapes being > traded between individuals (he said so) but if you are putting songs > on a website you are in fact distributing them to the whole world and > their uncle. The whole world 1. Aware of the Web site. 2. With a PC, a net connection, a soundcard and the necessary software setup and working. Quite a difference. It is merely a more efficient and sensible method of "trading". If Andy wished to make money off these would he not attempt to make these available to fans in some way? > > Someone that talks to him should > > ask...I will remove them if he doesn't like it. From what I have > > read, I don't think he would mind. > IMHO maybe you should try to get permission _before_ you do something > like this... - don't you agree? Nah, I applaud the guy for actually DOING something constructive. So easy to criticize. Then again, MPEG layer 3 would have been so much cooler, heh heh.... --Don dabl2@nlm.nih.gov
------------------------------ From: Bob Thomas <BobT@cait.wustl.edu> Subject: I Am Not Worthy But becki is Date: Mon, 12 May 97 15:31:00 CDT Message-ID: <33777E60@msgw.cait.wustl.edu> Hello Chalkhillbillies! I am compelled to add to the heaping on of praise for ms. diGregorio's Seven Worthies . . . CD. Its wonderful -- even if you can't bear allusions to hippydom. I think becki would agree that the music derives from the Bay area psychedelic, but her work achieves a rightful place in nearing-turn-of-the-century popular tunesmithing with its cross-cultural ingredients, and deep blues roots. I hate sounding like a music reviewer. I was reminded of the Jefferson Airplane. becki's vocals show the influence of Grace Slick at times, but I also heard some Lou Ann Barton, maybe Christine Collister, maybe Syd Straw -- and none of these is quite right. becki sings like becki diGregorio and that is really good, man. The sound also reminded me of the Golden Palominos. Sort of a penetrating sound, not tied to any precepts of popular song, but avoiding none of the licks and tricks and fun that make up rock music. Every arrangement seems to me well suited to the song and the songs are very strong, indeed. I am in wonder of what she will do with this experience behind her. One thing I can assure you, you won't find yourself waiting around for Dave Gregory to pop up with his groovy bits. Someone mentioned the excellent playing by becki, john and the drummer whose name escapes me. They're groovy too. Well, I had to tell you how much I enjoyed (am enjoying) this recording. Sorry if I sound like Mr. Marsh or something worse. Regards Bob
------------------------------ Message-Id: <199705122042.NAA21187@f20.hotmail.com> From: "Ben Gott" <xtcfan@hotmail.com> Subject: Everything Date: Mon, 12 May 1997 13:41:58 PDT Chris Van Valen wrote: >I had an opportunity to see Verve Pipe last night at Irving Plaza >NYC...I felt highly ripped off. The only reason I bought the album (truth be told) is because it was produced by Jerry Harrison, who, in my opinion, does a bang-up job on anything he touches (even though you don't really like that Bogmen CD, Ira.) I don't mind the studio-produced stuff at all. Peter Wright at Virgin admitted: >I really can't get excited about ice cream flavours, Weird Al covers >loving/loathing BFF etc. Me neither, but (in the words of Blur), this is a low: twiddling our thumbs; waitin' for the next XTC album. Chalkhills has certainly undergone a restructuring since I first joined, but (as I'm learning in psych), it's all part of the "group building" process. I'm at the stage right now where I've actually bought the gold discs of "Oranges and Lemons" AND "Skylarking." Sad. "Dummyhead girl": >Crash Test Dummies rule the world, the universe, the infinitive, and >beyond! Four words: "read the back issues." >Be well and I am glad to have read the last few chalkhills where >there was no petty fighting, keep it up. Amen. Now, a question: I was invited to give a graduation speech at my old school (and the school I've co-taught at for the past four years), and I wondered if anyone had any suggestions for an excerpt from an XTC song that I could use in the speech. You know, the usual: going off in the world, new school, etc. Ben * ----------------------------------------------------------- Ben Gott http://www.wp.com/58596 I'm a tumbler. I'm a government man.
------------------------------ Message-ID: <31510B652669CF11BA1D00805F38219E022FB66D@DUB-04-MSG> From: Peter Fitzpatrick <peterfit@MICROSOFT.com> Subject: Internet Get Together ? <long> Date: Mon, 12 May 1997 13:51:00 -0700 An Idea : I'll be joining a bunch of other folks at the Basingstoke get together (I'm hesitating to use the word "convention"........) on Saturday May 24th. [I just got off the 'phone with the organiser Mike and he's working hard. Sounds like everyone there will have a good time] Here's the deal : using Microsoft NetMeeting 2.0 I can setup video conferencing and audio conferencing (and also regular typing chat like IRC). Document and image sharing is also possible. So : people in Basingstoke can communicate with people around the world. Sounds like fun eh ? Thanks to Ed Miller who suggested this to me a few weeks ago - hopefully we'll be able to work together on this. Here's what *I* will do : I'll setup a Connectix QuickCam (Colour) and a microphone at the convention. I'll dial up and get an internet connection happening. From there I'll log into a Netmeeting server (to be named at a later date) and allow others to come and view/listen to the Basingstoke people. While this is going on we can chat-by-type or share images......whatever..... You don't need a video camera or even a sound card... Here's what *you'll* need to do : go to http://www.microsoft.com/netmeeting and download the software (it's free). Try out the software, learn how it works (if *I* can use it....anyone can use it). There are some pages where you can get info (http://www.netmeet.net is one). Then : watch Chalkhills over the next couple of weeks. I'll post server information and when it comes to the 24th of May you can log-on and join in. Some disclaimers : yes, I work for Microsoft. yes, this is Microsoft software I'm suggesting that you use. yes, there are no doubt other types of software. no, it probably doesn't work for Mac,Unix,BBC Micro. But : it's all I know how to use. I haven't been able to get CuSeeMe to work. If anyone can suggest to me (by private mail please, not the list) a better way of doing this and is prepared to help set it up then by all means contact me. But please don't give me a hard time because of where I work or that I'm suggesting the use of MS software. We have better things to talk about (like the buzz on the 24th in Basingstoke !) Mail me privately if you think you can be of more help. (like - can anyone setup an ILS server for the day ? can get me direct modem connection to it ?) Peter
------------------------------ Date: Mon, 12 May 1997 13:47:30 -0700 (PDT) Message-Id: <v01510100af9cc9d6532a@[206.15.68.48]> From: mf@well.com (Mitch Friedman) Subject: ice ice maybes Eat a Pumpkinhead Delectable Street Chocodile Making Pecans for Nigel (this one was Andy's idea) Parfait for a Rainy Day That's Really Super, Scoopergirl Pear Trio Vanishing Swirl Seagulls IceCreaming
------------------------------ Message-ID: <33779E27.5B6B@ns1.mindmagic.com> Date: Mon, 12 May 1997 17:48:20 -0500 From: Brian Matthews <btm@ns1.mindmagic.com> Organization: Ringling Multimedia Corporation Subject: Mayo, mo' MIDI & TOP XTC Chalkies! Yuk... mayo-flavored ice cream?!? I did think of a few others (my apologies to all if these have been thought of - I don't remember seeing them): English Settlemint Sgt. Rocky Road Smokeless Cone Flavors Of London Still lookin' for more XTC MIDI feedback (thanks to the two of you who have responded - you know who you are). Favorite XTC album (if you care): 'English Settlement', hands down. But they all rate. Type at ya later. -Brian
------------------------------ Message-ID: <c=US%a=_%p=BTG._Inc.%l=EXCH_SERVER-970512221234Z-5690@exchserver.btg.com> From: "Sherwood, Harrison" <hsherwood@btg.com> Subject: The Malarians/Here's Another Clue For You All Date: Mon, 12 May 1997 18:12:34 -0400 In Chorkhills #3-111, "Christopher R. Coolidge" in his learned article "distinct and good harmonies," made one small yet niggling error of scholarship: >> The Malarians- 80's retro pop group including listmember Harrsion >> Sherwood. Couldn't resist. Harmonies are a little off key sometimes, but >> hey, it's tough work balancing five distinct voices that could each front >> a band themselves. Oh dear oh dear oh dearie me dear dear....Much as I would love to be able to claim membership in Central Massachussetts' finest turtleneck-and-hornrims raver bands from the mid-Eighties (whose lead singer, it is no coincidence to note, bore an astonishing resemblance to Austin Powers), alas it cannot be.The Malarian in the family is my brother Bob, also an occasional Chalkster, and now tearing up San Diego's tiny-yet-unspeakably-crusty nightclub circuit with mandatory-sterilization advocates and phlegm-rockers Fiction Damage. He plays the bass, sings, and hurts himself. We're all so proud.Me, I'm just some guy. And my harmonies are pretty often off-key too--but as you say, "it's tough work balancing five distinct voices that could each front a band themselves."A friend who lives in the country writes: >> ABout XTC's use of drugs, again I tell you that at the end of >> Skylarking the band thanks this guy STU "for the CACTII" that is very >> likely a reference to peyote buttons, the flower of a cactus that >> grows in the southwest. The lyrics for 1000 umbrellas are pretty >> trippy with stuff crawling wallpaper and stuff. The there is hookah >> with my senses bubbled from then she appeared (hookah is a huge >> contraption used to smoke hashish) as well as other references that >> don't come to mind. There are contributors to Chalkhills who have regular, face-to-face dealings with the members of XTC. Would some of you folks step forward and present a full report on your impressions of Mr. Partridge et al.'s daily peyote button intake? Peter Fitzpatrick, in your interview with Andy in his shed, did you notice any signs of runaway dope consumption? Dilated pupils, nervousness, snot on shirt, tendency to shriek at hallucinations? Any hookahs on display? Mitch Friedman, anything to add? Andy ever ask you to pop down to the corner emporium and snag a couple thousand mikes of Windowpane? I don't want to go too far in the howls-of-derision department, but it strikes me that it's not...entirely...impossible to occasionally indulge in druggy humor and surrealistic imagery without a concomitant indulgence in drugs. As an unapologetic former Drug Fiend with fond memories of two-day armchair extravaganzas (a _long_ time ago, folx!) I can personally testify that you don't actually need pharmaceutical aids to giggle insanely at Edward Lear or Spike Jones or the Goons or Frank Zappa--all of whom, it strikes me, are _way_ druggier than anything XTC has ever put out, and all of whom were completely straight (AFAIK, anyway!) XTC isn't a drug band. XTC is to drug culture what aspirin is to a headache. But speaking of woeful overinterpretation of lyrics, I suppose it wouldn't be particularly difficult to make a case based solely on internal lyrical evidence and liner-note ramblings that Andy Partridge died in 1966 and was replaced by William Campbell, a lookalike actor. Come to think of it, I'm warming to the idea--what we really need here on Chalkhills is an Andy Is Dead brouhaha, to lift us out of our petty backbiting and angst-engendered doldrums: Drowning here in Summer's Cauldron Under mats of flower lava Please don't pull me out this is how I would want to go Hop to, let us know what you come up with! We'll be waiting! Way over here! Oh, and Amanda, I _hate_ to be the one to break it to you, dearie, but Dave Gregory is as gay as a French trombone. I'm really surprised nobody's told you this. Harrison "Maybe he's not, come to think of it" Sherwood
------------------------------ Date: Mon, 12 May 1997 22:11:08 -0400 (EDT) From: Andrew Notarian <apn@UDel.Edu> Subject: Terry Chambers? Message-ID: <Pine.SOL.3.95.970512220148.29030A-100000@strauss2.udel.edu> I read on the Sugarplastic Web Site today, I noticed that they have a new drummer -- a certain TERRY CHAMBERS.. I thought, "No, he's surely being a recluse off in Australia, or something like that." I wrote to the author of the web page and wrote back, saying he doesn't know if this Terry Chambers is the one from XTC, but that he does think he was in a band called Dragon (or something similar). Well, at least it's not a joke on the webmaster's part, perhaps the Sugarplastic themselves? I mean, Terry Chambers isn't exactly a common American name...
------------------------------ Message-ID: <c=US%a=_%p=AETNA%l=HFD-EXCH003-970513132258Z-118407@aetna.aetna.com> From: "Witter, Karl F" <WitterKF@aetna.com> Subject: This IS my day job! Date: Tue, 13 May 1997 09:22:58 -0400 >[G Marrs] Any other performers out there who work in XTC tunes? >...I'd like to hear which tunes you've worked up... [I tried e-ing you direct, but my system spit the bit, so I pared down the note and am posting here.] I'm not a performer, but I do play the guitar and sing a bit, and have noticed Chalkhills' high musician-per-capita ratio. Doing XTC songs is more of a gestalt thing than being able to match the band's ability. Take away the virtuoso playing and you have a solid song that holds together under dire circumstances. This is noted by anyone who's heard my imitations of "Love on a Farmboy's Wages" (acoustic) and "Earn Enough for Us" (electric) ;-). Others I've done in pieces but am still "polishing": "Great Fire", "Senses Working Overtime", "Peter Pumpkinhead", "Mayor of Simpleton", and gobs of "Skylarking". Plus, I've got this crazy idea in my head of picking up an accordion for "All You Pretty Girls", "Seagulls Screaming Kiss Her, Kiss Her", and "Bungalow". Is there an accordionist in the house? The stars are laughing at us, Karl
------------------------------ Subject: Andy & Stephen Duffy From: wwilson@mail07.mitre.org (Wesley H. Wilson) Message-Id: <970513100516.13534@mail07.mitre.org.0> Date: Tue, 13 May 97 10:05:18 -0400 I received an issue of "The Ups and Downs" last week. This is the fanzine for Stephen Duffy and The Lilac Time (TLT). In each issue, Stephen writes a short note to his fans; this time around he does mention working with Andy. I can't wait for this collaboration. As many of you know, Stephen and Andy worked together before on TLT's "And Love for All" with excellent results. There is no mention of an album release date, but Stephen should be "due" shortly. (He tends to put out records every two years.) Speaking of Jason Falkner, a few weeks ago I "sold" a Jason Falkner CD to someone browsing in a CD store! He and a friend were buying "Fountains of Wayne" and I said, "I own that!" We talked for a little while about that, and then I told the guy how great I though JF's "Presents Author Unknown" is. He ended up getting Fountains of Wayne and the JF disks. Heard a new song from the soon to be released Michael Penn CD. Do my ears deceive me, or does this stuff actually sound good? Sounded like well crafted Beatle pop to me. Any MP fans here? Oh, and in closing I have to ask about the boot CD, "XTC USA 1980." Good cover artwork for a boot. How's the sound quality? Wes
------------------------------ Date: Tue, 13 May 1997 09:15:04 -0500 (CDT) From: amanda caryl owens <ACOEA@jazz.ucc.uno.edu> Subject: THE AVERAGE CHALKHILLIAN Message-id: <01IITD3MYWK28Y2Q8A@jazz.ucc.uno.edu> But first....responses!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Stormy Monday-I am now bowing down before you, oh mighty one. I'M NOT WORTHY! I'M NOT WORTHY! I'M SCUM! I SUCK! Dummyhead Girl-Greetings and salutations. Just don't get TOO enthusiastic about the Dummies, or else you'll get a torrent of gob hurled at you. Becki-Coolness! It's a shame today's my last day online till August! :( I liked Paula Cole before, but now I REALLY like her! And now, for your very much entertainment, THE AVERAGE CHALKHILLIAN! Age-29 Sex-Male Religion-None Residence-USofA Preference-Heterosexual Marital Status-Single Age first heard XTC-17.8 First song heard-Making Plans For Nigel Friends listen to XTC-Yes Race-Caucasian But of course, there is no real "average" Chalkhillian, as this breakdown will tell you......... Age-The youngest respondent was 16, the oldest was 48. The majority of people who responded were in the range of mid-20's to early 30's. Sex-No suprises here, although seven females responded, myself included. Religion-Again, no suprises at all, but ther were some varied answers: Roman Catholic, ex Catholic, recovering Catholic, lapsed Catholic (why is that only associated with Catholicism? Why don't we ever here about a lapsed Presbyterian or something?), Lutheran, Religious free agent, atheist, Buddhist, Anglican, spiritual, agnostic, Church of Women, liberal semi-agnostic, sarcastic, Parsifalian Pietist, Protestant, Episcopalian, Baptist, Pagan. Residence-I figured most of us lived in the US, but the rest seemed to live in various European countries-England, Germany, Spain, the Netherlands, Italy, as well as New Zealand, Brazil, and Canada. Preference-Mainly straight (but not narrow, as many of you pointed out). Marital Status-Most of us are single, as I thought, but 14 who responded were married, and three are engaged. Age first heard XTC-The youngest was 12, the oldest, 35. Friends-Most of you have friends who listen to XTC, only three or four of you didn't. (Myself included. My friends seem to be stuck in Pearl Jam/Nine Inch Nails hell.) Race-This category was questioned by the Angel On My Shoulder, Mark Strijbos... was it valid? Out of AMANDA curiosity, yes it was! Most of us are lillywhite, but three of us are of Spanish origin, and Celtic was thrown in there too. My brother is standing over my shoulder begging me to go NOW, so I'll have to close it off right here. I just want to say it's been a helluvatime for the past few months, I love each and every one of you and I'm going to miss you all over the summer, good luck with whatever's thrown your way! BYYYYYYYYYYYYYYEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Signing off, AMANDA
------------------------------ From: DaveKGold@aol.com Date: Tue, 13 May 1997 11:52:06 -0400 (EDT) Message-ID: <970513115131_1256192550@emout09.mail.aol.com> Subject: Smoke or *uc*? Hey, I'm sorry to bring this one back up again....I was kinda not following the newsetter for a while and now I'm baaaack. Recently I was listening to Mummer and Great Fire on my home stereo - it's a relatively new purchase (last december) and heard the infamous alleged uttering of "fuck". So, I played it back several times....and loudly...and I'm almost positive that Colin is saying fuck and not smoke. You seek, fuck starts with a "f" sound and smoke does not. Is that clear enough? Well, what was the general consesous of the group? I don't know about the rest of you tossers, but I'm pretty damn sure it's "fuck" and not "smoke". And BTW, IMHO, I like reading what Amanda contributes. I'm glad to see new blood. At least she isn't making all kinds of jackhole religous references to every lyric ever written by the Fab 3. Thanks and so long for now.... Dave G. Quote of the Day: "Why hate people for their color alone, when once you really get to know them you'll find there is so many other reasons to think they're assholes?" - Dennis Miller
------------------------------ Message-Id: <199705131645.JAA20279@access.tucson.org> From: "J. D. SMX" <jsmelser@access.tucson.org> Organization: Access Tucson Date: Tue, 13 May 1997 10:02:04 -0700 Subject: More on Paula Cole Hello Future Swindonians, This Paula Cole: if it's who I think it is she used to be Bob Geldof's girlfriend back in the 80's and I think I have her singing These Boots Are Made For Walkin' on an old BEF compilation. Anyway, she's of the XTC era and been around that long; no wonder she still enjoys listening to them. Now I'll go home tonight and find I'm thinking of the wrong person altogether. That's the trouble of posting w/out access to your record collection. L8r, SMX
------------------------------ Message-Id: <199705131946.VAA07141@utrecht.knoware.nl> From: "Mark Strijbos" <mmello@knoware.nl> Organization: The Little Lighthouse Date: Tue, 13 May 1997 20:53:08 +0000 Subject: No Drugs In Our House Dear Chalkers, In the last (Amanda?) Digest J. Artecona said: > About XTC's use of drugs, again I tell you that at the end of > Skylarking the band thanks this guy STU "for the CACTII" that is very > likely a reference to peyote buttons, the flower of a cactus that > grows in the southwest. Yes, but what does a possible and rather vague reference to something that might or might not be "drug-related" prove? The Dukes also sing about doing weed and acid but couldn't that be because the songs are meant to "date" from the 60's? I don't want to "spoil the fun" but I really feel we should take their own words on this and not our opinions, no matter how groovey or far out we might think XTC are. Please don't get me wrong: I'm not anti-drugs; I'm addicted to smoking pot and have used almost everything in large amounts - including XTC (MDMA) But the band has always denied doing _any_ illegal substance In the Early Years some of them - Barry(most notably), Colin and Terry (just once!) - did indeed 'experiment' a bit with speed and very probably coke but Andy never took anything but his prescribed Valium because he was scared other drugs could 'clash' with this medication (very wise of him BTW) And Dave is diabetic and always had to take his insulin injections of course; causing the band lots of trouble at Customs Desks all over the globe! He never "did" anything illegal and/or dangerous because he's afraid this might very seriously damage his health. > The lyrics for 1000 umbrellas are pretty trippy > with stuff crawling wallpaper and stuff. I think "Trippy is in the eyes of the beholder" and stuff Sheer bloody poetry, more likely! And DUMMYHEAD GIRL (nomen est omen!!!) informed us: > Crash Test Dummies rule the world, the universe, the infinitive, > and beyond! > C.T.D. are the rulers of the rulers forever and ever! > Brad Roberts rulz! Deal with it, there's no way out! Sigh... John, are you still moderating this list? XTC rules Swindon !!! Mark Strijbos at The Little Lighthouse http://utopia.knoware.nl/~mmello ===> Mark's Random XTC Quote <=== I said it doesn't really matter where you part your hair
------------------------------ End of Chalkhills Digest #3-112 *******************************
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