Chalkhills Digest, Volume 3, Number 115 Monday, 19 May 1997 Today's Topics: MEXTC, Joshin', cut-outs, KROQ & mo' MIDI mush Re: Chalkhills Children Review DOE! Re: No Cactii of that type Stormy Thursday Salman Hughes? Want to walk into London on my hands one day... WHY? Thanks to Keith... The Demo Elite Retraction: Amanda Still Has a Chance! SO Gregy's not gay???? Real Audio Demos Tribute Tape Ordering Information (again) hands across the seas... RMC, MIDI, SD, BSea, & TLC Lurker comments (tad long) Dolby/XTC Beating of Hearts? Re: Terry Sugarplastic Convention News! Oranges and Lemon _3" diskS_ for trade jumping on the bandwagon.. French Trombones Administrivia: Check out the tablature for "Punch and Judy" in the Chalkhills Archives. To UNSUBSCRIBE from the Chalkhills mailing list, send a message to <chalkhills-request@chalkhills.org> with the following command: unsubscribe chalkhills For all other administrative issues, send a message to: <chalkhills-request@chalkhills.org> Please remember to send your Chalkhills postings to: <chalkhills@chalkhills.org> World Wide Web: <http://chalkhills.org/> The views expressed herein are those of the individual authors. Punch and Judy had a baby who brought them to married bliss.
---------------------------------------------------------------------- Message-ID: <337B5035.2D5@ns1.mindmagic.com> Date: Thu, 15 May 1997 13:04:47 -0500 From: Brian Matthews <btm@ns1.mindmagic.com> Organization: Ringling Multimedia Corporation Subject: MEXTC, Joshin', cut-outs, KROQ & mo' MIDI mush Kings of the Hill, I guess Dummyhead Girl from Mexico likes XTC & CTD. Whew! The Internet and e-mail still lacks what even a good telephone conversation can do for ya. Inflections could keep some of what people decide to comment about what you've said/written at bay. Josh didn't get that I was new to listening to the NO DOUBT album (aren't most anybody at this point?); one of the last things I get out of music is the lyrics... hell, sometimes I never learn all the lyrics - there still are XTC songs that I *mUmBlE* over the lines when I sing them. I get the overall impression of a song, mostly. Lyric issues again on the MORPHINE album comment (SIGH). And about $3.99 O&L's: XTC sells albums cheap - good for XTC - and you and me (except I'll pay full price anyday for a new XTC album!) - but bad for overall impressions. I think 'Oranges & Lemons' is one of the most absolutely interesting albums I have ever heard from anyone, and I just hate to see someone get all that talent for so cheap. CUT-OUT BINS = NOT GOOD ENOUGH TO SELL WELL to me, and in this case, it's an outright load of hogwash. Same shit has happened with Boingo's last (studio) album... dosen't deserve the cheap bin. I, for one, have my postcard in the mail to KROQ. Get on it, everyone! I've gotten some decent feedback on the XTC MIDI files stuff, but more would be good. I need an audience to get me excited about doing this. Well? I do have a MIDI file of "No Thugs In Our House" that would take me a few days to convert over from a previous system... and I started a MIDI of "Melt The Guns", but those freakin' guitar lines are killing me! Lunch break is over and I gotta go like a rocket from a bottle. Looking for the exclamation point... -Brian
------------------------------ Message-ID: <337B3FD6.5ACE@stewmac.com> Date: Thu, 15 May 1997 12:54:46 -0400 From: Keith Hanlon <hanlon@stewmac.com> Organization: Stewart-MacDonald's Guitar Shop Supply Subject: Re: Chalkhills Children Review Thanks to Peter Fitzpatrick for the review from Andy. If only he could do the same for "Skylacking"... hint hint hint Keith ........................................................ The Norton's Orchestraville Homepage http://www.frognet.net/~khanlon/Nortons/index.html Now with downloadable music! ........................................................
------------------------------ Message-Id: <199705151808.LAA01842@access.tucson.org> From: "J. D. SMX" <jsmelser@access.tucson.org> Organization: Access Tucson Date: Thu, 15 May 1997 11:26:16 -0700 Subject: DOE! OOPS! Sorry, Chris Van Valen was right about my confusion about Paula Cole and Paula Yates. He's right it is Paula Yates, of whom I was thinking. Thanks Chris, I'll think twice about posting w/out checking my vynal closet next time. Yes, I also remember her from the TUBE, but that version of "Boots," was way cool. L8r, SMX J. D. SMX Video Engineer Access Tucson jsmelser@access.tucson.org
------------------------------ Message-Id: <3.0.32.19970515141156.010a4008@mail.twmaine.com> Date: Thu, 15 May 1997 14:12:35 -0400 From: Will Kreth <wkreth@twmaine.com> Subject: Re: No Cactii of that type Chalksters- The story about the "Thanks for the cactii" liner note reference on _Skylarking_ is that when they were recording the album in San Francisco (where I used to live) in 1987 - I think it was Prarie Prince who took them up to Stinson Beach in Marin County for a break from recording. Being very palid Englishmen, they got sunburned! (Duh!) The way I heard the story is that it was Prarie's kind wife who gave them some _Aloe Vera_ plant stems to soothe their reddened flesh. And there you have it. Will (ps - I used to ride by the studio where XTC recorded _Skylarking_ every day on my bicycle - Cavum Soni [the Tubes studio on Bryant St.]. That block of buildings was seriously damaged in the Loma Prieta earthquake of '89) Will Kreth | Editorial Director Road Runner | Time/Warner Cable of Maine www.maine.rr.com | wkreth@twmaine.com | +1-207-775-2381 x260 118 Johnson Rd. Portland, ME 04102-1911 Bringing high-speed Internet access to people via cable modems
------------------------------ From: h.h.name@mail.utexas.edu Date: Thu, 15 May 97 13:58:09 -0600 Subject: Stormy Thursday Message-ID: <Mailstrom.1.05.50929.-3114.h.h.name@mail.utexas.edu> Hello all. Just had the pleasure of meeting one Stormy Monday as he came into Austin this week on business. Nice chap. We had dinner (Tex-Mex) and listened to music afterwards. I found out many things talking to him personally. He still hates Jeff Lynne; he respects him as a man with talent, he just thinks he has no taste. It was interesting because I realized that a few of the famous (or infamous) Chalkhills debates stemmed from his comments ("so you were the one that said the nose hair thing!") and that I had often responded in disagreement to his posts. He says he likes Ray Davies and R.E.M. But he just thinks that Andy Partridge is "the most clever songwriter ever!" We got along very well and it was a pleasant evening. Is everyone on this list a musician?! Catch you all later (I'm not going to say "y'all" cause that would be TOO Texas) Jason
------------------------------ Message-Id: <199705152032.NAA14097@sgi.sgi.com> From: "JH3" <JH3@alternatech.net> Subject: Salman Hughes? Date: Thu, 15 May 1997 15:24:06 -0500 Mitch "Steal My Rolodex" Friedman sez: >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. I can't get this to stop bothering me. If you ask me, any big fan of the band should be trying to convince them to make *three*, or even three *hundred* or three *thousand* albums (I've never believed any of that crap about "market saturation," obviously). So if this Hughes guy doesn't buzz off REALLY SOON, I say we: 1. Organize a Libyan-style "hit squad" 2. Impose a holy sanction on him, a la Salman Rushdie 3. Subject him to 72+ straight hours of "modern rock" radio and/or MTV to force him to realize that the world needs as many XTC albums as possible Unfortunately, #3 would probably be considered waaaay too cruel by international human rights investigators. And as for joining the hit squad, please don't all e-mail me at once. Preference will be given to anyone who knows the correct street address. -John "You Better Believe I Can Say Reverb" Hedges
------------------------------ Date: Thu, 15 May 1997 16:49:19 -0400 (EDT) Message-Id: <199705152049.QAA23667@cyber1.servtech.com> From: Joshua Hall-Bachner <harlequin@tmbg.org> Subject: Want to walk into London on my hands one day... >Jars of Clay >They seem very religious. Um, quite. Personally, I find Christian rock in general to be quite nauseating, because the songwriting is generally forced (no artist can write songs about nothing but one thing all through their career) and I can think of a number of "secular" artists whose music is a hell of a lot more spiritual. >>To me it is the best Rn'R read since the very wonderful 'paperback writer' >>dismantled the beatles. >Hey, someone else knows that book? Explain, please. >From: "Matt Keeley" <mrme@eskimo.com> >Hello all... Once again, allow me to welcome someone I know to Chalkhills, or at least to "posting status." Enjoy your stay. >In the states, they're still going to be on Geffen, right? Geffen is a Virgin subsidiary. So, no, they need a US deal as well as UK and elsewhere deals. >What was it, a normal XTC album, a more orchestral/toned >down record, and then the debated Bootleg record? The plan, as I understand it (Mitch, please correct me if I'm wrong): There will be two *album* albums. One would be more orchestral/acoustic, containing songs like Easter Theatre, I Can't Own Her, River Of Orchids, etc. The other would be electric and louder, with songs like Prince of Orange and Playground (although, if these are any indication, the electric songs are still fairly laid-back...) These would either be released as a 2-CD set or in rapid succession (I would assume this means within, say, 3 months...) The Bootleg Album was originally planned to be finished quickly, in a reasonably cheap studio, and released before the other albums. However, with Colin's reluctance to rescucitate or resurrect old demos, it's been delayed until the other two come out, if it's made at all. >Age-16 Jeez, I never realized there were this many young XTC fans. I am no longer alone. (I still bet I started younger than anyone else -- I first heard XTC at 11!) >>I'm addicted to smoking pot >Of all the stuff you've told me about yourself, this was never mentioned...... Personally, the tattoo surprised me more. >the entire xtc catalog is fossil fuel indeed.out of print as they say. Hmmmm. This is not good. Evidently Virgin took the breakup harder than anybody thought. :) (No, I'm not gonna make the joke.) Well, I'm hoping that XTC'll buy up the rights to their back catalog with the proceeds from their next disc and perhaps get Rykodisc to do the reissues. *That* would be nice (of course, then I'd have to pawn off my Geffen discs to someone in order to subsidize my purchases of the Ryko releases, but...) Josh Smelling like a pecken rose. /-------------Joshua Hall-Bachner-------------Chaos Harlequin-------------\ | harlequin@tmbg.com http://www.servtech.com/public/particle/ | |"We all have our idiosyncracies -- maybe thinning hair, or gum disease." | \---- Kowanko, "Will You Come To?" ------ Thank You, And Goodnight. ------/
------------------------------ Message-ID: <01BC6169.A650BA20@default> From: Dummyhead Girl <bendamm@infosel.net.mx> Subject: WHY? Date: Thu, 15 May 1997 19:53:22 -0500 Why do XTC fans hate CTD so much?
------------------------------ Message-ID: <337BCADC.7838@earthlink.net> Date: Thu, 15 May 1997 19:47:56 -0700 From: Joshua Crime <joshuacrime@earthlink.net> Subject: Thanks to Keith... Hello, out there...figured that I should write again and thank Mr. Keith Beck for sending me the 1995 demo tape and the Jules Verne cassette. Just goes to show you that even though our favorite band is in hiatus (at least most of us would think so given the amount of "official output" we have seen), they still are the most inventive bunch of musicians out there, bar none. I doubt that anyone out there could have come up with something as brilliant as "You And The Clouds Will Still Be Beautiful". Every time I hear it, I get a bounce in my step. My co-workers all think I am nuts because I am singing something bizarre and something they have never heard of before. But, as I have noticed in other posts, there is a very conscious effort to bring more people into the Chalkhillian fold. Fine by me. I am surely helping <G>. Any word as to when we may get something from the boys? And as far as Mr. Gregory's "proclivities" go, who cares? As a fellow guitarist, I am amazed by the creative abilities, the physical dexterity and the care he takes in his craft. He is definitely one of my favorite guitarists, and I am a bit of a critic when it comes to the abilities of instrumentalists. If he is gay, then tip your wrists and sing along...<G> Song of the day: Travels in Nihilon (been practicing the guitar parts for that...I just love the unconventional melody, putting that F in there over the E Lydian mode). Cheers, Joshua
------------------------------ Message-Id: <199705160556.HAA18566@utrecht.knoware.nl> From: "Mark Strijbos" <mmello@knoware.nl> Organization: The Little Lighthouse Date: Thu, 15 May 1997 23:31:01 +0000 Subject: The Demo Elite Dear Chalkers I seemed to have upset some feelings... > Don't you think that you are exaggerating it a bit? Yes, I just might have...sorry. I was not aware that these were the "old" demos nor that the quality was rather poor ( as I've heard from others...) But you could get yourself in a lot of trouble putting samples on a Website if XTC was "big business" Anyway, I did not want to come down so heavy on you, sorry again. > "There seems to be some elitism from the "haves" though, because > now they aren't the only ones with access to the demos." No, this is not true at all. Quite the contrary... As many Chalkies could tell you, I will dub you a tape if you have _something_ in return and I now many others who are not at all possesive of the tapes in their collection. All you have to do is ask nicely... BTW: How do you think the "haves" become "haves" ??? By trading of course, and this trading would very soon die down if no new blood joined our ranks (to mix a metaphor or two ) dubbing, Mark Strijbos at The Little Lighthouse http://utopia.knoware.nl/~mmello ===> Mark's Random XTC Quote <=== I can take humiliation and hurtful comments from the boss
------------------------------ Message-ID: <c=US%a=_%p=BTG._Inc.%l=EXCH_SERVER-970516141539Z-15412@exchserver.btg.com> From: "Sherwood, Harrison" <hsherwood@btg.com> Subject: Retraction: Amanda Still Has a Chance! Date: Fri, 16 May 1997 10:15:39 -0400 For the sake of Amanda's vulnerable tum-tum, let me jump in and retract a mild troll I committed two issues ago: I have no way of knowing anything about Dave Gregory's sexual preferences one way or the other, and my confident assertion that he is, er, left of center, was a deliberate and tasteless provocation (which seems to have worked pretty well). I apologize to anyone who may have "run to the loo and vomited," and promise not to upset you again ('less of course you ask me!) Harrison "Now _Colin_...!" Sherwood
------------------------------ Date: Fri, 16 May 1997 09:25:50 -0600 (CST) From: AMANDA LOUISIANA LOLLIPOP OWENS WORHSIPS DAVID GREGORY FOREVER Subject: SO Gregy's not gay???? Message-id: <01IIXKIUSRB690MTKB@jazz.ucc.uno.edu> YYYYYYYYIPPPPPPPPPPPEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Sorry, getting a bit carried away...but now, unless you want me to chunder once again, somebody must say that Dave and Aimee Man did not date. She's just......fugly. Dummyhead Girl-Of course w're not gonna kick you off just because you adore CTD. They'd have kicked me off a LOOONNG time ago if that were the case. But do you really like XTC? It appears to me you're only on this list for the fact that CTD covered a few XTC songs. On the CTD list, you never ever mentioned anything about even liking XTC. You can't think you're gonna like XTC and post about nothing but CTD, because you're gonna get the shit flamed out of you if you do! And now, I must be really and truly going, but before I do, I have to vent my spleen about something....... 106.1, Louisiana's only good alternative station, has changed formats to..... COUNTRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It's not fair! This was the only station that ever played XTC OR CTD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Someone wondered what I did to get flamed so much?????? Well I expressed an intense admiration of the Crash Test Dummies, used the word "fuck" (starting a censorship flamewar), stated my conservative political views and views about Andy's politicsl lyrics (starting a political flamewar in which I was roasted, being in the small minority of Tory XTC fans), stated my views on animal rights activists (starting another small riot), and stated that I don't think we need to stick to XTC 100% of the time. (Guys, did I leave anything out??????) And now I REALLY REALLY must be going. So a great bit sticky thanks to everyone on this list for a wonderful time for the past nine or so months. (Especially all my buddies, Doug, Mark Strijbos, Simon Sleightholm, Parrish, Matt Kaden, Mike Wicks, Joshua, Mark Gottschalk, Ben Gott, and if I left anyone out...then I left you out! ;) And a huge one to John Relph for putting up with me! Ciao, sayonara, adieu, auf weidershen, parting is such sweet sorrow. AMANDA CARYL OWENS XTC song of the year-This World Over non XTC song of the year-Swimming In Your Ocean-Crash Test Dummies XTC quote of the year-"He's not getting any sex in this marriage, so who can blame him for running to the whores?"-Andy on Dave's session work. Non XTC quote of the year-"That's all this country needs. A cock in a frock on a rock."-The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen Of the Desert And finally, I must ask the eternal question that got me my very first flame job............................................................. HOW MANY PEOPLE CAN YOU MIND-FUCK AT ONCE?????????????????? I'll miss you guys! Goodbye!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
------------------------------ Date: Fri, 16 May 97 9:58:29 CDT Message-ID: <vines.pL06+hX4TnA@bangate.compaq.com> From: "james dupuy" <James=Dupuy%SPD=Mainstream%Sys=Hou@bangate.compaq.com> Subject: Real Audio Demos Hello Children of the Chalkhills, THANK YOU SCOTT FOR THE REAL AUDIO DEMOS! YOUR A GOD! The "Surf's Up" sound of "I Can't Own Her" brought me to my knees. I did not realize how thirsty I was. I soaked those demos up like a sun baked sponge. Are there any more and could the quality be any better? I am not very familier with Real Audio, is the quality of the demos due to converting the tapes to Real Audio fromat or were the demos tapes the culprits? Scott wrote: >Besides, how many people are not going to buy the new album because they >heard RA clips of >DEMO versions over the net? I'm definitely buying the album after hearing these demos! As soon as it hits the shelf. Chan wrote: >Let's STUFF the ballot box with XTC on a list of your 3 favorite (KROQ) >bands. What if we e-mailed the record companies that XTC are negotiating with and tell them to get on with it? Paying customers are waiting.
------------------------------ From: Richard.PedrettiAllen@octel.com Message-Id: <c=US%a=_%p=Octel%l=EX-CAMPUS1-970516200924Z-2110@ex-campus2.corp.octel.com> Subject: Tribute Tape Ordering Information (again) Date: Fri, 16 May 1997 13:09:24 -0700 Less than 100 left (20 of which were the "pre-reserved" copies that were never claimed... it's all first come, first served, now). Cool, albeit sparse review from Andy! (No comment about "Meeting Place"??) I think Peter put it best by saying "He has played it several times in the past week (how many of us have done that recently to any album ?)" Cheers, Richard ============================================== To Order Your Copy Of Chalkhills' Children Follow these rules implicitly! Send your check, payable to Richard Pedretti-Allen, in U.S. FUNDS. Mail your check along with a mailing label to: Chalk 3389 Creighton Place Santa Clara, CA USA 95051-1501 Please address the LETTER to "Chalk" so that it easy to sort from our other mail. The mailing label (it does not have to be adhesive) must include YOUR COMPLETE ADDRESS, so that I can tape it to your package. Please also include your email address on a slip of paper so that I may contact you if the need arises. The remaining tapes will be sold as orders arrive, based on postmark. Once they are gone, they are gone. The tapes earmarked for people who responded with planned purchase quantities are all up for grabs as these people did not respond by April 19. I will ship the tape when your check clears. I have rounded up to the nearest nickel to offset extraneous costs like insufficient postage or having to send a letter back because I've run out of tapes. Any money left over will be used to buy Andy a pint of bitter and get him to say something quotable. Pick the place closest to you to determine your cost. If you know that it costs more, send a bit more (for instance, if it costs 10% more to ship it to Canada instead of the U.S., add a dime or two). I realize that some of the steps in price are non-linear. It is due to postage costs. Quan - United States Quan - England Quan - Japan 1..........$5.55 1..........$7.50 1..........$7.50 2..........$9.80 2..........$13.10 2..........$11.50 3..........$13.85 3..........$18.50 3..........$18.90 4..........$18.50 4..........$24.50 4..........$22.50 5..........$22.30 5..........$30.30 5..........$30.30 6..........$26.40 6..........$34.90 6..........$34.90 Cheers, Richard
------------------------------ Date: Fri, 16 May 1997 14:53:37 -0700 From: becki digregorio <ziglain@cruzio.com> Subject: hands across the seas... Message-ID: <9705161400.aa26272@mail.cruzio.com> hey chalkhills folks, i just read the last post, with the closing words from rob macdonald in victoria british columbia. and rob, i must tell you that though it was a l-e-n-g-t-h-y post, i read every single word. and i'm very glad i did. your words were beautifully written, and express quite well the reason for this list: to feel connected w/ other xtc fans around the world. being a subscriber to chalkhills has brought me a number of friends i wouldn't have met if not for the list. simon sleightholm, eric day, dean martucci and others i've corresponded w/ -- these are people that have come into my life, and i consider good friends, all started because of our mutual love for xtc. some are within an hour's drive, some (like simon) are far across the seas. but so far i've discovered that people who consider themselves fans of this band are a very nice bunch of folks, helpful and courteous and witty and bright. to appreciate xtc's music, i think, requires a "little something extra." and so far, most of the folks i've "met" so far (either in person or via this "electronic medium of the future") have been terrific indeed. so rob, thanks for your keen post, and i think we can all agree that it's grand to be a part of this xtc family. --becki, one of the seven
------------------------------ Message-ID: <337CE7A7.39DA@ns1.mindmagic.com> Date: Fri, 16 May 1997 18:03:08 -0500 From: Brian Matthews <btm@ns1.mindmagic.com> Organization: Ringling Multimedia Corporation Subject: RMC, MIDI, SD, BSea, & TLC Chalkies! Trivia tip: My employer (Ringling Multimedia Corporation) produces a line of children's CD-ROM games under the Mind Magic name, and I do art, animation and music for the titles (we have 5 out so far); check out our website at http://www.mindmagic.com. Anyway, title #3 deals with visiting different countries, and one of the countries you get to visit is England (is anybody starting to get a visual here?). In this particular screen is a rather well-known (or ought to be to you people) geographic landmark that you would consider near and dear to your heart. I don't imagine that everyone is going to jump up and go out and buy a copy of "Let's Pretend" #3 just to see what I'm talking about (especially if you don't have kids), but the website has a fairly decent image of what I'm talking about. Please go look. MIDI madness: Not mad, but I wish more people would get with me on this XTC MIDI file issue. Do most of you out there not know what MIDI is all about? There are ways to take advantage of the existence of these things, at least in some small way, and I'd be happy to let you know how if you want. What I suppose might be an idea would be to have everyone who's interested post their choices for what tunes they'd like to see (hear?), and I can use that as a gauge of what to work on. Karl... I prefer salad dressing instead of mayo. My gastrointestinal fortitude is next to none! I just have preferences, that's all. Bob... DEATH to the 'Macarena' (although it looks like I may have to add it to my live gigs just to make the audience happy - they won't sit through too much of XTC, Oingo Boingo, and nonsuch). Lucky you to get to go to N.Z. Waxing nostalgic... I remember upon my discovery of XTC and "English Settlement" (it was Rolling Stone's thumbs-up - not their butts, surprisingly - review that made me take a chance, thank Dear God) that a friend who was turning me on to all kinds of music tortured me into finally picking up that damned 'Black Sea' album that you couldn't see the cover for because it had that green newsprint wrapper on it with BLACK SEA printed in black (man, I wish I still had that - I kick myself now). When I did, it was definitely unexpected. My second favorite XTC album after "English Settlement" now. Let's all be friends, O.K. everybody? Gotta go... -Brian
------------------------------ From: jillh@mmgco.com Message-Id: <3.0.32.19970516154036.006bdc74@mail.hevanet.com> Date: Fri, 16 May 1997 15:40:37 -0700 Subject: Lurker comments (tad long) Hey All! I've been lurking for a month now and have been enjoying this little group...now that Amanda is gone I think I'll come out of hiding...no really... I want to throw in my two cents on a few issues. I am a lapsed XTC fan. When I was in high school (16 years ago) my brother gave me a tape with XTC Black Sea on one side and Police Zenyatta Mendatta on the other...that's the only tape I had in my car for a long long time. I was an avid fan... my friends thought I was nuts...but man...blasting Respectable Street or later when I expanded Melt the Guns on a summer night's drive through the city can't be beat...but I had a hard time stepping up to CD's and I hated buying cassettes because they don't last so I kind of went through a few years of paralysis in my music buying. Then my lifestyle changed and blah blah blah I lost track of XTC...not to mention the fact that they didn't get any new stuff out forever... anyway now that I'm financially stable (KNOCK ON WOOD~) I'm beginning to buy my old favorites on CD...and how wonderful its been. This list has helped me get up to speed and be reminded that I'm not alone in my awe of the ingenuity and talent of these guys. I've always been more fond of 'wordsmiths' and place a high value on content over style...and XTC comes through on both counts I think we'd all agree. I have been encouraged to play Nonsvch again...I never got into when it came out...and of course... I'm finding that I LOVE IT. (like _no way_) My best XTC moment: sitting in a Japanese coffee shop in Hokkaido...tired, weary, homesick. My Nihongo was still too poor to communicate well and my head hurt from trying...I ordered an iced mocha and sat down...and lo and behold..Black Sea started playing. The whole album...I just about sobbed. I want to throw in my appreciation of the fellow who said that Dear God was sophomoric...although I think for different reasons. I think it was sophomoric for the same reasons I think Bertrand Russell and his essays 'Why I'm Not a Christian" is on par with Rush Limbaugh. There's gotta be room for tension and ambiguity...nothing is that black and white. Nothing. You might think it is and then...one day... all you hold dear is questioned. That holds true for both sides of the coin. (anyway...'nuf said) I'm grateful to the fellow who posted the current demos..thank you thank you thank you! (I agree with the "haves and have nots" theory on the ethics of putting them up) And Phil Corless...the t-shirts will be cool. Thanks to you too. Becki Di whatever..is your cd available at record stores everywhere? I've not been able to find it. Finally, if its not too late...can I get a hold of one of the tribute tapes floating around? All parties can email me privately of course. And I just, because we're all musical egotists, want to say that the other people I am EXTREMELY fond of are Lou Reed, Van Morrison, The Call, Joan Armatrading and Mark Heard (if anyone out there knows who he is...and LIKES him...please email me privately!!) I went and listened to Ben Folds Five because of the discussion on this list...lyrics are humorous music is..childish...but I think I like them. CTD - nope. And let me also say that the above is fully intended to be _just my opinion_. Jill Heiken "It is something to be able to paint a particular picture, or to carve a statue, and so to make a few objects beautiful; but it is far more glorious to carve and paint the very atmosphere and medium through which we look. To affect the quality of the day--that is the highest of arts. -Henry David Thoreau-
------------------------------ Message-Id: <1.5.4.32.19970517002039.00689e10@pop.mindspring.com> Date: Fri, 16 May 1997 20:20:39 -0400 From: "Jason 'Buffy' NeSmith" <jnesmith@mindspring.com> Subject: Dolby/XTC My roommate Ron and I are sittin' here listening to "She Blinded Me with Science" by one Mr. Thomas Dolby, once considered as Barry Andrews replacement. I also know that Andy played harmonica on a song from TD's debut album. Does anyone know if there is more about the Dolby/ XTC connection? love and hair metal, Buffffy quote of the week: "I forgot to point out the lesbian." -Val visit the Orange Hat Cyberhose Page, or you won't have any fun! http://www.mindspring.com/~jnesmith
------------------------------ Date: Fri, 16 May 1997 16:44:00 +0000 From: cthulhu.engr.sgi.com!sgi.engr.sgi.com!omny.attmail.com!OGILVY!OMANY3!liemanir (Lieman, Ira - O&M NY) Subject: Beating of Hearts? Message-ID: <MS-MAILG-2.00-Note-omny-liemanir-0863829228> If you can't beat them, join 'em! Here's another parody we all might like. -ira --------- Do you know what noise awakes you Every night from your PC? A coming from the text of Chalkhills A coming from both you and me? You have read You have read the words of fans Of this band in every place you can think of Some want to marry Dave Greg'ry Some want to shake Andy's hand Some want to talk shop with Colin In the shed in Swindon Town is the focus of our Obsession, it is XTC! And have you tried to write a par'dy Of a song that Andy wrote? It oftentimes will come out badly You never can match up each note... When will they release an album? When will they go out on tour? When will there be a convention? In the shed in Swindon Town is the focus of our Obsession, it is XTC! For this band is the juice that makes us feel alive Yes this sounds really sad, it's a given But we all must rejoice when we receive a trade In the mail because we can't get women... [Apologies to the non-women wanting members of our group] You have read You have read the words of fans Of this band in every place you can think of It's all we can do to get happy It's all we can do to feel whole We all love intelligent music And meeting the band is our goal Louder than thoughts of AMANDA Louder than musings of mine Louder than eternal flame wars In the shed in Swindon Town is the focus of our Obsession, it is XTC!
------------------------------ From: EtoinShrd@aol.com Date: Sat, 17 May 1997 02:47:27 -0400 (EDT) Message-ID: <970517024726_778254785@emout10.mail.aol.com> Subject: Re: Terry Sugarplastic Christopher Coolidge said: >>>I read on the Sugarplastic Web Site today, I noticed that they have a new >drummer -- a certain TERRY CHAMBERS..<< There is no truth to this rumor. Perhaps it is confused with the fact that Pat Mastalotto (sp?) called the Sugarplastic asking to work with them. Pat was the drummer on Oranges and Lemons. No one in the Sugarplastic has spoken with Terry Chambers. Loo Flirpa
------------------------------ Message-Id: <2.2.32.19970517080027.0068ea6c@popmail.dircon.co.uk> Date: Sat, 17 May 1997 09:00:27 +0100 From: Simon Sleightholm <nonsuch@dircon.co.uk> Subject: Convention News! Hi gang, Fresh from Mike Foster I have the following news about the Basingstoke gathering- although the band aren't likely to be in attendance there he _has_ managed to record a telephone interview with them for the event. There will, however, be a special guest - a certain Mr Martin Newell (yay!) will be popping in to see us all! It sounds better every time I think about it! Simon +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+ http://www.users.dircon.co.uk/~nonsuch/bungalow.htm +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+ XTC? Are they still going? Follow me and find out..
------------------------------ Date: Sat, 17 May 1997 08:57:18 -0700 (PDT) From: Wesley Shaw <weshaw@teleport.com> Subject: Oranges and Lemon _3" diskS_ for trade Message-ID: <Pine.GSO.3.96.970517084549.5579A-100000@linda.teleport.com> I do believe that my last message caused a bit of confusion: I said I had the O&L "mini-disks", which I didn't realize was technically the name for the 2 1/2" format that looks like a computer disk, playable only on special players. What I have are three 3" CDs; minature versions of normal CDs which play on normal players (at least all of them that I've tried). They are still for trade, so if anybody is still interested or has any questions please message me and I'll get back to you. Sorry for the confusion. -Weshaw weshaw@teleport.COM Public Access User -- Not affiliated with Teleport Public Access UNIX and Internet at (503) 220-1016 (2400-28800, N81)
------------------------------ From: Cheryl <McGREGOC@regents.ac.uk> Date: Sat, 17 May 1997 17:02:28 GMT Subject: jumping on the bandwagon.. Message-ID: <20834233C7@asdf011.regents.ac.uk> Hi I was watching television the other night and this program had a story about how Oasis( Oh! She dared to mention THAT name here?!) was cracking down on the internet and unauthorized use of songs and videos. I guess the copyright was being violated. THIS made me wonder if the songs Mr. P has written are under a copy right and is it a violation to be playing them over the internet like that? Just a question. I was browsing around in Tower Records (again) at Picadilly Circus the other day and came across the Japanese import of Beeswax. There were two copies actually. They were going for 22 pounds and 99 pence! Yikes! That's a big drop in the bucket. I had never seen Beeswax before so I stood there eyes glazed over wondering what goodie I had come across. Eyes were glazed, couldn't read the packaging you see. Nifty! And just to add my two cents or pence in on the whole Smoke/Fuck debate, I CLEARLY hear smoke. I have TRIED to hear the other but my ears insist that it is smoke. AND why would Mr. P. bother to put 'smoke' in the lyrics written if it is the other? What is there to hide? And thus ends another ponder session from yours truly, Cheryl
------------------------------ Message-ID: <337E8FDE.71F4@sprintmail.com> Date: Sat, 17 May 1997 22:13:02 -0700 From: Stormy Monday <stormymonday@sprintmail.com> Subject: French Trombones Folxtc, >From a few Chalkhills back ... Amanda posted: >The thought that Dave Gregory was gay has crossed my mind many a time... and one Harrison Sherwood responded: > 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. I needed to think about this one for awhile before I responded. First, and foremost, Dave Gregory is a human being. Many of us hold him in high regard because of the depth of his musical talent, but he is a man, and all indications are that he is a very sensitive man indeed. Regardless of his sexual preference, I can't imagine him feeling too happy about a post like that. Now, the gentleman that posted the above response to Amanda's irrelevant musing probably meant no harm, and may even be gay himself, but I had hoped that the Chalkhills demographic had somehow moved beyond this kind of rubbish. It is certainly fair to criticize an artist's work, even harshly, but their sexual preference is their business, unless they make an issue of it themselves. Being straight is like being white in the west: we're in the majority, so it is hard to identify with the minority. But a gay friend once tried to put things in perspective for me. He said that since most people are straight, admitting that one is a heterosexual is not an issue, so it would be difficult to imagine the invasion of privacy one has to endure when one is gay and others are speculating on your private life. Imagine if someone knew (or speculated upon) the intimate details of your sex life, such as preferred positions, ability to climax or control climax etc., and discussed it with other people? Dave Gregory has brought literally hundreds of hours of happiness to my life through his incalculable contribution to XTC's catalogue of recorded music. Can anyone honestly say that this shy artist deserves comments like the above, even if spoken in jest? Stormy Monday
------------------------------ End of Chalkhills Digest #3-115 *******************************
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