Chalkhills Digest Volume 3, Issue 115
Date: Monday, 19 May 1997

         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

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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
*******************************

Go back to Volume 3.

19 May 1997 / Feedback