Chalkhills Digest Volume 3, Issue 116
Date: Tuesday, 20 May 1997
Chalkhills Digest, Volume 3, Number 116
Tuesday, 20 May 1997
Today's Topics:
In which I immodestly declare my love for Mr Partridge
Jason, McCartney & Lynne / Guitar Stuff
Senzabenza, The Vault, Seven Worthies, etc...
A quick one
Dragon, harmonies
RE: Paula Cole & Paula Yates
Synergy--not just for Hollywood anymore
is your fave album the one with your fave songs?
XTC's DAVE IS GIFFORD'S TIGHT END! PIX, pg. 6
guitar tab
French Trombone?
Dolby/Partridge
re: The Demo Elite
Rykodisc
Down with Fascistainment Megacorporations!, etc.
Geffen is no Virgin
My first post, aw shucks
Bungalow, Unrequited Love?
my two cents re: Dave being Gay
Introduction
paperback writer
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What do you call that noise / That you put on?
---------------------------------------------------------------------- Message-ID: <337EA24E.6014@bellsouth.net> Date: Sat, 17 May 1997 23:31:42 -0700 From: Princess Izora <isora@bellsouth.net> Subject: In which I immodestly declare my love for Mr Partridge Since this is my first post, let me prove myself worthy by demonstrating my knowledge of past newsletters: 1) I dont care who likes CTD. 2) Regardless of Daves sexual preference, I certainly hope hes finding satisfaction in more mundane ways than poor K.G. 3) Melt the Rum Raisin. 4) Heard the demos. 5) Lamenting the loss of Amanda (and her brother the monkey). 6) Despite the recent discovery of their talent capacity, nose hairs remain one of my least favorite body parts. (I hope thats good enough; I wouldnt want to get bashed by Ian.) My message: Andy, if youre listening, I love you! Your melodies infect my being like a strange, exhilarating disease! They seem mysteriously organic to my brain; as if they grew up there, on their own, and not from any outside stimulant. I dont care if you are a cantankerous, self-opinionated guy who likes his own way and leaves producers-not to mention Dave and Colin-tearing their hair out in frustration. You keep being who you are, doing what you do, and Ill wait --- as long as it takes for you to be happy --- for that new deal, which surely MUST be coming! BTW, Natalie; I was horrified to see Humble Daisy characterized as INSIPID on your web page! I nearly gouged mine own eyes out at the horrific sight. I still feel kind a queasy when I think upon it. Have you read the definition of insipid lately? (1. Lacking flavor or zest; unpalatable. 2) Lacking excitement or interest; unstimulating; vapid.) HD? INSIPID? REALLY? Um, not to me. You ought to post some kind of warning; Not for the Andy Infected. Yours Truly, The Princess *We are not amused, Natalie.*
------------------------------ Message-ID: <337F5A6A.2B9A@sprintmail.com> Date: Sun, 18 May 1997 12:37:14 -0700 From: Stormy Monday <stormymonday@sprintmail.com> Subject: Jason, McCartney & Lynne / Guitar Stuff Folxtc, Last week, I had the pleasure of meeting Chalkhills contributor and pop musician, Jason Garcia. He played me the two new McCartney singles, "Young Boy" and "The World Tonight". I was pleasantly surprised, given my aversion to anything produced by The Antilennon. This passed weekend, VH1 has been pushing "Flaming Pie" with videos, the Town Hall meeting and various specials. The songs are good, but I still think the sound of the records is marred by the production values of The Antilennon. The snare is awful on "The World Tonight", which is requisite for all of his productions, as is the elo-esque background vocals. Fortunately, Paul is so good this time around, even The Antilennon can't stop him. I even liked Steve Miller's guitar playing. Jason also played me his demos, which were very good. He tried to locate the video to "Funk Pop A Roll", but it was not to be. He did treat me to "The Mayor Of Simpleton", which I found satisfying. Favorite XTC guitar solos: "Life Begins At The Hop" (Andy), and "The Garden Of Earthly Delights", (Dave), but truly, all of the guitar work on XTC's records is excellent. Dave's re-working of Barry's parts on the live versions of "Battery Brides" is unparalleled, his Steve Howe tribute on "I Remember The Sun" is inspired, and the "Todd Rundgeren" style solo on "Supergirl" is brilliant, proving that he can do anything he wants. I like Andy's parts on "Jumping In Gomorra", (the solo is a blast), and who plays the "harmonic" solo at the end of "Take This Town"? I love that. I always find myself looking forward to the end of "Books Are Burning", and I get goosebumps when (I think its) Dave plays the twelve string electric on "You're My Drug". Of course, we all know that Colin is easily one of the best bass players in pop / rock music. Certainly in the top ten, if not the top five. He makes my top two. Paul, of course. Stormy Monday
------------------------------ From: ZITTEL@aol.com Date: Sun, 18 May 1997 14:24:54 -0400 (EDT) Message-ID: <970518142453_-1967656758@emout15.mail.aol.com> Subject: Senzabenza, The Vault, Seven Worthies, etc... Hello everyone. It has been a while since I have posted. First off, thanks to Chalkhill member Max Urso for sending me a tape of the Italian band Senzabenza doing their cover of the Dukes tune "Your Gold Dress" from their Peryzoma LP. One of my favorite XTC covers I have heard, kind of "Ramones-ish". For those who collect XTC covers it is worth seeking out. I have not seen it mentioned here yet, but XTC was again featured on the Westwood One syndicated radio show "The Vault". The show features mostly rare and live tracks. On the show broadcast March 10, 1997 they played a live version of "Making Plans For Nigel". I also wish to join those who have congratulated Becki Di Gregorio for her excellent CD "Seven Worthies Of The Bamboo Groove". I have played it several times now and it grows on me with each listening. Well worth picking up! "Christopher R. Coolidge" <ccoolidg@zoo.uvm.edu> wrote: >To Amanda: You don't need to worry about Dave being gay; it's common > knowledge to anybody who paid attention to Aimee Mann's first solo > album Whatever that not only was Dave's guitar all over the album, > but she and Dave were an item for the better part of that year. I could be wrong, but I don't think that Dave plays any guitar on Aimee's "Whatever" album. He did tour with her to promote the album. As far as I know, the only example of Dave playing on an Aimee Mann track is from the "Rare On The Air, Volume 2" CD which features a live radio version of "I've Had It" with Dave on guitar. Does anyone know if Louis Phillipe's "Jackie Girl" CD was ever released? It was supposed to feature Dave Gregory on several tracks and was supposed to be released in Japan last May. Any information on this would be helpful! Jim http://members.aol.com/zittel/xtcmain.html
------------------------------ Message-Id: <199705182143.OAA03678@sgi.sgi.com> Date: Sun, 18 May 1997 17:36:47 EDT From: "Todd Bernhardt" <tbernha@columbiaenergy.e-mail.com> Subject: A quick one Okay, I've only got one question after reading the last Chakhills: Christopher R. Coolidge, HOW DO YOU HEAL WITH MAGNETS?!? I've got to, got to, got to know. ByeBye!
------------------------------ Message-Id: <v01540b07afa588be23f9@[139.80.100.152]> Date: Mon, 19 May 1997 17:34:21 +1300 From: james.dignan@stonebow.otago.ac.nz (James Dignan) Subject: Dragon, harmonies >Terry Chambers was the drummer for Dragon (Aussie band) from around 1984 >to 1986, when the band broke up due to the drugs death of a member. I >worked at an indie radio station when their "Body and the Beat" LP came >out (correct title?). It was decent mainstream pop and "Rain", the single, >was a pretty big worldwide hit for them - except for the US of course! The >only reason I bothered with the album was because I saw Terry's mug and >thought, "Oh, THAT'S where he went after he quit XTC!" Gollygosh but he's right!!! Terry was in Dragon - there's a photo of him in the band in "Stranded in Paradise - New Zealand Rock & Roll 1955/88". I don't know which is scarier - Terry in Dragon or me not knowing the fact. Dragon was/is a New Zealand band, based in Oz for much of their careers. They did split up twice - firstly from 1979 to 82 and again in the late 80s but frequently reform. The biggest singles were probably "April Sun in Cuba", "Are you old enough" ( both from prior to Terry's membership of the band) and "Rain". Arguably their best album, "Body & the Beat", was Chambers era. They changed their name briefly to Hunter during the mid-80s as there was already a US band called Dragon - their lead vocalist's name is Marc Hunter, but thisa caused confusion with Aussie band Hunters and Collectors, and when the US band split up they reverted to Dragon. Dragon still perform (AFAIK sans Chambers) - they played in Dunedin as the warm-up act for an international rugby match just two weeks ago! --- >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 >?< Sad to think that some of you never saw Straitjacket Fits live... James
------------------------------ Message-ID: <01BC644B.73AEEDA0@an052.du.pipex.com> From: Drum <drum@dial.pipex.com> Subject: RE: Paula Cole & Paula Yates Date: Sun, 18 May 1997 11:28:32 +0100 Paula Cole may be more familiar to Peter Gabriel fans as the fabulous backing singer on his Secret World tour/video/album. She is brilliant and has her own album out. I'm not sure I should start a whole discussion on Paula Yates but, for the record stateside who can't read all the latest sleazy gossip tabloids in the UK, having been married to Bob Geldorf for umpteen years she dumped him for Michael Hutchinson of INXS and got a boob job in the process. They are now huge! The latest is that her Dad allegedly may have been Hughie Green (a bit of a British institution in gameshow hosts) which she vigourously denies. Thats quite enough and please don't lets bring up the subject again. ...perhaps I shouldn't have bothered... DRUM x [Attachment omitted, unknown MIME type or encoding (application/ms-tnef)]
------------------------------
Message-ID: <c=US%a=_%p=AETNA%l=HFD-EXCH003-970519152511Z-142231@aetna.aetna.com>
From: "Witter, Karl F" <WitterKF@aetna.com>
Subject: Synergy--not just for Hollywood anymore
Date: Mon, 19 May 1997 11:25:11 -0400
>[Jason] Sorry, I just can't get into "Ladybird".
I haven't quite grasped it either, despite a lyric that reads
fine. Musically, only the bridge wakes me up some. Maybe it's
the much-discussed "too many ears in the kitchen" effect.
>[Jason] hates the fascistainment megacorporations
We need to add a buzzword including "synergy" too. How about
"fascistainment megacorporate synorgy"? ("Orgy" pun intended.)
XTC could practice it by creating a fatuous, unfunny "comic" strip
that takes the place of "Over the Hedge" for the holiday shopping
season. Or how about Mike Eisner signing them for popcorn money and
then paying the lads $90M to leave Disney? Hey, it worked for
Mike Ovitz.
>[Erich in Ottawa] Let's hear your views on the most outrageous guitar solo in
the catalogue.
Hmm. What gets me are those little guitar "skritches" that aren't
always solos, but drop right into place. Just a few to begin: the
bridge on "Leisure", "English Roundabout", and that case of the
bendies on "Merely a Man".
FAIR WARNING DEPT: For those who watch minor-league baseball, PA
music is inevitable, but a new trend is on the horizon.
Yesterday at New Britain Stadium, a well-trained musician on a
straight saxophone played the Star-Spangled Banner in Kenny G's
imitable snake-charmer-meets-bagpipe timbre. Your correspondent
was visibly shaken.
>[Bob Estus] On our big day, no XTC played. :^( The DJ
>also succumbed to the mob's need for Kool & the Gang.
That'd ruin my wedding for sure! My fiancee and I are properly
armed with our list of "you'd better play"s (with XTC of course)
and "not in my lifetime"s, incl. the Devil's Upbeat Troika:
"Celebrate", "Shout", "Old Time Rock & Roll"; and the Devil's
Slow-Dance Troika: "Endless Love", "Wonderful Tonight",
anything by Celine Dion and/or Peabo Bryson.
We're dancing with disaster and the first will be the last,
------------------------------ Message-Id: <1.5.4.32.19970519193420.0066ff88@pop.pipeline.com> Date: Mon, 19 May 1997 15:34:20 -0400 From: David Pardue <dpardue@pipeline.com> Subject: is your fave album the one with your fave songs? My random XTC musing of the month... While waiting for bail to be posted yesterday, I was thinking: "Black Sea" is probably my favorite XTC album, but "Oranges & Lemons" has four songs on it that I would gladly put into my xtc top ten list (i.e., Mayor of Simpleton, Poor Skeleton Steps Out, Scarecrow People, and Chalkhills & Children). Contrariwise, there's only one song on "Black Sea" (No Language in Our Lungs) that I would similarly place in my Top 10 pantheon. And yet, I've never considered O&L my favorite album. Anyone else have a similar dilemma? Is there an XTC album for you which has a lot of great songs, but it still isn't your favorite album?
------------------------------
Message-Id: <1.5.4.32.19970519193931.0067949c@pop.pipeline.com>
Date: Mon, 19 May 1997 15:39:31 -0400
From: David Pardue <dpardue@pipeline.com>
Subject: XTC's DAVE IS GIFFORD'S TIGHT END! PIX, pg. 6
AMANDA wroth in C-113, nibbling on a wibble on DG's sexuality:
<Now I'm gonna never look at Gregsy the same way.
Try looking at him as a _guitarist_. This could be rewarding.
Yes, DG was with Aimee Mann for a while, prompting a moment once when AP
joined them on stage for a rendition of "Collideascope". Another "wish I
was there" moment.
Erich Walther wroth in C-114:
<It would be a scary world indeed if all musicians came
<'out of the garage' and tried to stamp their melodic lifestyle on the
<straight (read 4/4) world. We'd be forced to listen to polyrhythms,
<counterpoint, and other 'forbidden' aural assaults.
Well put, indeed! I always figured Dave Brubeck and J.S. Bach were trying
to "convert" me to something! It's the 'forbidden' fruits which are always
most tasty.
Come buy! Come buy!
Give our music a try!
Apples and melons,
Oranges and lemons!
[sic]
Cheers,
David
whose own "melodic lifestyle" is akin to John Cage's 4'33" at the moment...
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
"This is always a loaded question... Yeah, I like Oasis ... They're ...
good musicians, they can drum alright ... Sure, they're derivative, but I'd
rather have them be derivative of something I was associated with than with
something else."
--Sir Paul McCartney on VH1 this weekend, gracefully
sidestepping an ancient British law that says a KBE must give the Queen a
tuppance if he uses the word "crap".
------------------------------ Date: Mon, 19 May 1997 16:48:18 -0500 (CDT) From: Joseph T Kays <kaysjos@mail.auburn.edu> Subject: guitar tab Message-ID: <Pine.SOL.3.95.970519164640.29277A-100000@mallard> hello, i have added complete guitar transcriptions for "towers of london" and "punch and judy". i would like any questions comments or requests. thank you, joe kays
------------------------------ From: althea@hooked.net Message-Id: <v01540b00afa6c0f190f2@[206.80.8.57]> Date: Mon, 19 May 1997 19:51:24 -0700 Subject: French Trombone? Harrison Sherwood said: > 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. pardon me for going wayyy off topic here, but what is a French trombone? I studied trombone for 7 years and never came across a french one. I always thought the saying was 'gay as a French Horn.' and if anyone in the San Francisco area has never seen any XTC videos, i did briefly spy a tape of XTC videos at Le Video on Irving St in San Francisco this weekend. Alas, I was whisked away by my friends before I could consider renting it and never returning it, as I live a good hour and a half away. _______________________________________________ althea * Tasty Russian Center! * www.wenet.net/~althea
------------------------------ Message-Id: <v03102803afa6ba120fb9@[207.77.26.149]> Date: Mon, 19 May 1997 22:57:55 -0400 From: Ira Lieman <ira@myself.com> Subject: Dolby/Partridge This has been hashed and re-hashed, but here are a couple of nuggets. 1) Andy played percussion (!) and produced Dolby's first two singles, Urges/Leipzig. They're good. Get "Retrospectacle," TD's greatest hits compilation. 2) Andy originally thought about asking TD to join XTC after Barry Andrews left, but decided he didn't want a keyboard player. 3) TD has a website, damned if I can remember the name, something about music. But it's also on AOL, keyword: Dolby I think. Maybe it's called "MusicScape" or something like that. So yes, there's a connection. And PS: As Dummycabeza in Mexico wrote: "Why do XTC fans hate CTD so much?" Because we have to put up with people who attempt to force them down our throats. STOP IT ALREADY! -ira "Business is usual in the uptown laundrette..."
------------------------------
Message-ID: <3380E359.4BD6@prodigy.net>
Date: Mon, 19 May 1997 23:33:45 +0000
From: dke <dke@prodigy.net>
Organization: Prodigy Internet
Subject: re: The Demo Elite
Hi there!, re: Mark Strijbos' comments re: XTC demos.
I am very new to 'Chalkhills' (a little over a month) and I have
already been amazed several times by the kindness and generousity of
lotsa Chalkies. I am in demo heaven thanks to you all, and I hope I have
made others happy with various trades. If there is a 'demo elite' at
'Chalkhills', I have yet to find one of it's members.
Thanks everybody!
Doug
------------------------------
Message-ID: <3380E71E.4B45@prodigy.net>
Date: Mon, 19 May 1997 23:49:50 +0000
From: dke <dke@prodigy.net>
Organization: Prodigy Internet
Subject: Rykodisc
Hi there!, II (the sequel)
re: Joshua Hall's comment re: Rykodisc
They have a home page, we could all start lobbying them now. They've
done wonderful things with Frank Zappa's and Bill Hick's work. (Hey!,
what if we could convince them that Andy really WAS dead...) (sorry)
Seriously though, if any label were to be responsible for presenting
XTC's catalouge(sp?) with the respect and care that it deserves,
Rykodisc is a wonderful choice, IMHO.
Doug
------------------------------
Message-Id: <199705200354.UAA13672@mail.eskimo.com>
From: "Matt Keeley" <mrme@eskimo.com>
Date: Mon, 19 May 1997 20:53:48 +0000
Subject: Down with Fascistainment Megacorporations!, etc.
Konnichiwa!
(one of the few japanese words I know... yet I still know more than a
certain japanese student named Geoff I know who's been taking the
language for 3 years... sorry... just my daily dig at Geoff's
japanese skills...8)
Well, I'm on my way to actually becoming a regular poster. (er...
not the kind you hang on walls!) Which I suppose is a good thing,
now that I have two imports... not that I'm bragging..8) Of course,
I only have the albums Big Express through Nonsvch... so that's kinda
lame... not that the albums are bad or anything, I just wish I had
the entire catalogue. BTW, Fossil and Explode are the only two real
imports that I have to have to have all the rare UK releases... well,
that and Compact XTC as well... anyway... I'll just be happy when I
get all of the albums and no longer have to suckle at Richard
Branson's proverbial teat...
> From: Brian Matthews <btm@ns1.mindmagic.com>
> 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!
So far, I'm anxiously awaiting the MIDI's... I've been looking for
more XTC Mids... so far I've found a Statue of Liberty one (excluding
the ones in the archive), that was pretty good... it seemed to have
a bit of a jamacian sound to it. It really worked.
> From: Joshua Hall-Bachner <harlequin@tmbg.org>
> >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.
Yay! That means 2 people have actually read my post!
> >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.
Feh. Well, I hope they go with an indie like I said before. If
they have to go with a major, I vote for Ryko. Not only do they seem
to be reasonably cool and re-release Zappa, they have the cool green
cases! But for indie, I'd go with either Bar/None or Oglio. Both
seem to have pretty good distribution, and the Oglio prez is really
nice. And from what I've heard so's the B/N one. And I know not to
start a sentence with a conjunction.
> >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.
Cool... I'd love to get a hold on the Bootleg Album, but anyway, I'd
love 2 new XTC albums... well, I'd love one new XTC album.... I'd
even settle for a new single!
> >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 suprised I didn't run into them earlier... but anyway, I never
heard them on the radio, because:
a) I never listen to the radio, or at least modern music radio and
b) From what I've heard, it wouldn't matter, because XTC never get
any airplay. Which is precisely why I don't listen to the radio.
They're too busy playing unlistenable crap.
> >>I'm addicted to smoking pot
> >Of all the stuff you've told me about yourself, this was never mentioned...
Just to clear things up, this last bit isn't about me! I've never
smoked pot, or anything for that matter.
> >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...)
Virgin is evil. I've said it before, and I'll say it again. They
are the European equivolent to Time-Warner, as far as I'm
concerned... only more evil. Any label that shafts XTC and Shonen
Knife (I'm pretty sure they messed with them... at any rate, they
dropped SK), can't be any good.
> From: Dummyhead Girl <bendamm@infosel.net.mx>
> Why do XTC fans hate CTD so much?
Well... I don't really hate CTD, but I really don't like them
either. They're listenable... but I wouldn't want an album, either.
> From: AMANDA LOUISIANA LOLLIPOP OWENS WORHSIPS DAVID GREGORY FOREVER
> HOW MANY PEOPLE CAN YOU MIND-FUCK AT ONCE??????????????????
Five.
Anyway, I know that this is an AP quote, but is it just me, or does
it sound like it could have come from a Philip K. Dick novel?
> From: "james dupuy" <James=Dupuy%SPD=Mainstream%Sys=Hou@bangate.compaq.com>
> THANK YOU SCOTT FOR THE REAL AUDIO DEMOS! YOUR A GOD!
I second that... I give you a double-rimmer!
BTW, I forgot to mention this in the last post, but I have a scan of
the inside booklet to Fossil Fuels (the single covers)... what's the
procedure for giving that to the archive, if Mr. Relph wants it...?
Still trying to get used to Explode Together,
Matt
-=>Matt Keeley mrme@eskimo.com<=-
I Have Learnt | Visit my home page
the Value of | http://www.eskimo.com/~mrme
Human Sacrifice| I used to be temporarily insane!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Now I'm just stupid! -- Brak
Yeah.
------------------------------ From: Martin_Monkman@fincc04.fin.gov.bc.ca Date: Tue, 20 May 1997 08:45:12 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Geffen is no Virgin Message-id: <9704208641.AA864143052@FINSMTP1.FIN.GOV.BC.CA> Joshua writes: >Geffen is a Virgin subsidiary. So, no, they need a US deal as well as UK and >elsewhere deals. Just to make a pedantic note: Virgin, once an independent label, is now owned outright by the EMI conglomerate. The ties are now so tight that "period instrument" recordings that were originally on the EMI classical label Angel are now appearing as Virgin re-issues. Geffen was an "independent" label started in the mid 1980s by David Geffen, who had earlier started Asylum. Initially the label was distributed by the Warner-Elektra-Atlantic (WEA) record company, itself part of the Warner (now Time-Warner) info-tainment conglomerate. But now that Mr. Geffen is a head honcho at MCA, his label went with him and got absorbed into the MCA family of labels ... but it looks like MCA Records is about to lose its identity, as it increasingly gets refered to as "A Universal Company" -- i.e. it's become part of the Universal entertainment conglomerate. As for XTC's part in all this -- when XTC originally signed with Virgin the label had no American subsidiary (as they do in Canada, Japan, and elsewhere) or distribution ... so the band reached an arrangement with Geffen to distribute XTC albums in the USA. In the reports on the divorce from Virgin, I've not heard a word on how this affects the relationship with Geffen. But given that posts from Mitch et al. have made mention that American distribution is an important part of any new label deal, I think that the Geffen arrangement extends only as far as the Virgin years ... i.e. unless a new deal with Geffen is struck, Geffen will continue to handle the albums up to and including Nonsuch and any compilations of that material (such as "Uppsy Daisy"). Martin
------------------------------ Date: Tue, 20 May 1997 23:01:00 +0700 Message-Id: <199705201601.XAA19660@server.indo.net.id> From: "Mr. Zilla" <todzilla@indo.net.id> Subject: My first post, aw shucks Hello humans. My name is Todd Steed and I dig the band XTC for a number of reasons. Let me put it straightfowardly in a Forrest Gump-like delivery. 1. They write really really good songs. 2. They sing and play exceptionally well. 3. They haven't run out of ideas. 4. They have more hooks than a busload of fishermen. 5. As derivitive as it all can be, it's very very original. 6. Creativity, they sho' do got it. I am glad this list exists. I am glad I exist, too. This post is coming from Bogor, Indonesia where I now live. (I am originally from Tennessee in the states.) Just got married last week and didn't have a band, but did use a compilation tape. Skylarking, of course, played a big part. Driking fruit shakes in front of a volcano listening the melodius wonderment of the XTC tunes just sounded about perfect. Also on the tape was the Everly Brothers, Superdrag, The Beach Boys, Zappa, Vroys, Smokin' Dave (plug), and Lee Morgan. Needless to say, I can't find anything like XTC other than what I brought. (Skylarking and Nonsvch).. If anybody wants to rack up some good karma and receive something cool in return... Todd Steed C/o EF Jl. Pajajaran No. 8 Bogor, l6151 Java Indonesia Anyway, i am enjoying this list quite a bit. I am very happy to know new stuff is coming out....I am a fan who doesn't know all the bootlegs and stuff, but I dig 90% of what I have heard by them.. That's all I am going to say about that. Todd in Java "Forget you senior prom and go the library if you have any real guts." FZ, circa l966
------------------------------ Date: Tue, 20 May 97 11:52:46 CDT Message-ID: <vines.pL06+XdQUnA@bangate.compaq.com> From: "james dupuy" <James=Dupuy%SPD=Mainstream%Sys=Hou@bangate.compaq.com> Subject: Bungalow, Unrequited Love? Hello Chalkhill People, I have been overdosing on the Andy demos. I am trying to learn how to play these on guitar (with the exception of I Can't Own Her which will be attempted on keyboards). Hopefuly, if I can learn them properly, so I can play them for my fellow cavemen and cavewomen and it will have a profound influence on them. (dream on sucker!) I have been wanting to ask this question for a long time so I will finally spit it out. I know that this may be a stretch of the imagination but I can't help but feel that Bungalow is a song about unrequited love. I know that the lyrics are obviously about a dream to save up and by a bungalow but could they in a twisted sense be about a romantic desire that has yet been fulfilled? The music and how the lyrics blend with the music is what made me think this. Am I imagining things? Is this another one of those cases where a fan has built more meaning into a song than was originally intended? If so please forgive. Lak-O-XTC (not to be confused with lack of oxygen) may be getting to me. And while I am at it. Are there any XTC fans in the Houston, Texas area? It can be real frustrating trying to discuss music with people who haven't a clue as to what an Andy Partridge is. I know this town is big enough for more than one XTC fan. Maybe we can get together and have a pint of bitter somewhere. I know that Gingerman's used to have Black Sea on the Juke Box. Before they got that, I would offer to give them XTC cd's if they would put it on the juke box. An XTC lyric, why not: "I believe that writen word should be forgiven" Still dreaming, Jim
------------------------------ Message-Id: <3.0.32.19970520115333.00685694@acton.com> Date: Tue, 20 May 1997 11:53:34 -0500 From: Dave Ledbetter <dbetter@acton.com> Subject: my two cents re: Dave being Gay >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. then, Stormy Monday replied: >Can anyone honestly say that this shy artist deserves >comments like the above, even if spoken in jest? Personally, I thought it was hilarious. C'mon - gay as a french trombone. Mr. Sherwood's reply struck me as purely fiction - for the sake of pulling amanda's chain. I couldn't believe she bit, maybe she was pulling back. Whether or not Dave Gregory is actually gay seemed (and is to me) irrelevant. I have several gay friends. A very close relative of mine is gay (I am therefore qualified to speak, right?). I love them very much, but am also comfortable making jokes. My friends and I, a very lacking-social-graces group, joke about being gay ourselves all the time (well not all the time, that would be a little too ODD). In front of our girlfriends, strangers, real gay people, anyone unfortunate enough to be in our company. Its just not that important for me to take it so seriously anymore. Initially, when exposed to homosexuals, I was rather uncomfortable with the whole thing. I needed to LIGHTen UP. Humor is a powerful diffuser. What if I say Dave is straight as an arrow, but had been seen spending time with the chickens out in the coup. Everyone knows by now - haven't you heard? (Not really folks, this is not true. At least it hasn't been proven yet.) (Hey, what was I doing out there to see him? blush.) This is not the Associated Press. As centered as XTC are, they surely have senses of humor. Hey, this somewhat related thought just occurred to me - what if we blackmailed the band. We could threaten to post unsubstantiated rumors about them unless they comply with our demands - "Send us the new demos, or else...", "Release the album!", etc. (This is a joke. Although I would consider it if I thought it might actually work, nobody would get hurt, and I could avoid prosecution, etc. Oh well. This is just a JOKE! Let's try it!) Hope I don't upset everyone. I think we can all appreciate Stormy's defense the band - I do. There is, after all, NO band that can hold a candle to XTC. CTD - please kill me now. Dave (wearing the asbestos suit....waiting) kNuCkLe dOwN! It doesn't matter.
------------------------------ Message-Id: <s381a485.008@elsevier.com> Date: Tue, 20 May 1997 13:17:43 -0400 From: Ralph DeMarco <r.demarco@elsevier.com> Subject: Introduction Dear One Armed Bandits and Affiliated Members: I realize that I have not formally introduced myself to fellow Chalkhillians. I've posted quite a few messages in the past few months. So, here is my informal intro for those who care. I am 31year young male from New York. I was a literature major in college and a singer/songwriter since the tender age of 15. I first heard about XTC in 1978. I was in a local department store record shop and I just happened to thumb through the X section and read the entire record cover to "GO 2". I was amused but not enough to actually investigate the music inside the clever package. Although I was into so-called New Wave artists, I didn't know anyone in High School who listened to XTC. I don't recall seeing any XTC videos on MTV (to this day I have yet to see an XTC video). Even when "Dear God" was getting tons of air-play in New York I still resisted buying "Skylarking" all though I did like the song very much. Embarrassingly enough, it wasn't until college that I became enlightened. My apartment mate was raving about The Dukes of Stratosphear, so I checked them out. I thought they were the best retro-sixties band I'd ever heard. My friend, however, didn't like XTC. I was intrigued. I figured that if those guys could come up with such wonderful songs as the Dukes of Stratosphear, their songs as XTC can't be so bad. I rushed out and bought "Skylarking" and I've been hooked ever since. Anyway, since falling in love with XTC, it's been very hard to find people to convert. They always resist at first because XTC is so quirky, so off-beat. So I have decided to pull a fast one. I have a friend who has resisted XTC so I played him the Dukes and didn't tell him they were XTC until he said he loved them. So, now I am waiting for the seeds of XTC to grow in his mind. Ralphie
------------------------------ From: monnickj@ubk.co.uk Message-Id: <199705201707.SAA24147@sys4.cambridge.uk.psi.net> Date: Tue, 20 May 1997 14:48:27 +0000 Subject: paperback writer Josh The book is made with the same TLC as Neil Innes' Rutles, a loving but humorous fiction about the beatles which makes a lot of astute points. In the book the author even deals with the boys reforming with John & Paul sitting in a room trying to write songs together again. These sort of books are far better than the 500 page biographical tomes which treat the subject far too seriously to accept the brilliance of 'you know my name (look up the number'). I haven't read it in ages but it is one of the best and I will dig it out if you want the author's name. I doubt if it's david marsh or whoever that rock critic was who upset everyone so much. It was out years ago - I bought whilst on holiday in A2 in the late seventies. More current reading includes the Concert by Ismail Kadere and Dom Casmurro by Machado d'Assis. I can't think of many good recent rock reads ; any thoughts ? The velvet underground Does anybody have any velvets to swap ? I'm after some of those lengthy 'sweet sister ray' and want to add to what I already have. I also trade others including 'you know who' (but not the guess who) i'm looking forward the follow up to XTC's next release already see you latter jon *---------------------------------------------------------------- The views expressed are of the individual, and do not necessarily reflect the views of The United Bank of Kuwait PLC. *----------------------------------------------------------------
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