Chalkhills Digest Volume 4, Issue 132
Date: Wednesday, 2 September 1998
Chalkhills Digest, Volume 4, Number 132
Wednesday, 2 September 1998
Today's Topics:
Re: Chalkhills Digest #4-131
ballot stuffing
The Jam
Hopelessly Devoted To XTC
It's Live But Not As We Know It
More of my opinions
Rick Buckler
Ralph
Re: Keneally Speaks!
Skylarking
The Mayor's voice unheeded
Report from IPO
Bruce Foxton
polishing the drum
Andy Interview
Ken's musings on creativity.
Listening Parties Starting
Cut it out?
I've Always Wanted to Meet One of Those Lighthouse Keepers
uk release date finally confirmed
Talk Talk/New Duffy Single
Mayor Live
from Rocktropolis allstar news 9/2/98
Money for "Nero" (and your chicks for free)
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And all the media will fiddle while Rome burns.
---------------------------------------------------------------------- From: R.Crawford@mgn.co.uk Message-ID: <8025666F.0054E479.00@mgnmail4.mgn.co.uk> Date: Sat, 29 Aug 1998 16:23:12 +0100 Subject: Re: Chalkhills Digest #4-131 Hmmm, on reading my hotmail account I noticed that Setve Hogarth was getting interviewed on Live Concerts about his album Ice Cream Genius. Did anybody manage to catch the interview ? Even if I had noticed the interview before it happened, I can't get real audio, cos of the firewall and proxy server in work. >From: Kate_L_Burda.ALDRICH@notesgw.sial.com >Subject: Polish a drum? >I understand the peace/fiddle part, but not the drum >one. Is this some sort of old battle-related phrase? Do people really >polish drums? Or, is Andy just being Andy and writing stuff we'll keep >marvelling over? Well I should know better as there will be a deluge of replys. Andys love of wargames, seemingly Napolonic period will explain it. Ye Olde day soldiers marched to war to the sound of drums, as the sound carried better than any other instrument, and obviously helped marching in time. As for polishing the drum, simply bringing it out of storage. In some places theyre still marching to the fife & drum. >From: Randy Hiatt <rhiatt@gte.net> >Subject: time to kill >Rob said: >>we shouldn't really speculate on past, present & future, (of XTC w/Dave) >>though a reconciliation would be nice. >Rob, I will never give up hope, time heals all (or I'll have to kick >some butt). Hehehe I wish that would work, I think the review (of the book) in Mojo summed up what I thought Daves influences may have been. Except I think that the band (yeah proof that I am ever hopeful), would refuse the offer I could just see the story in Mojo in January (or whenever the album comes out). XTC fans take band out to dinner to celebrate album release Other bands would accept the publicity (and also the dinner), but XTC no way. I think the early 80's finished XTC with publicity, in almost every form except magazine interviews, and from their 'Jungle Fighter' appearence in Smash Hits I can't say as I blame them (though DG with sporting a beard and shorts is plain wierd). >ika fue wrote: >>XTC is mentioned in the movie "Billy's Hollywood Screen Kiss" >Is this a new movie?! Tell me more. XTC are also mentioned in Bad Wisdom by Bill Drummond (as in The KLF & manager of The Teardrop Explodes), however if you don't like kinky sex, violence and swearing, avoid the book. >Jstrole@aol.com said: >>I, too saw The Avengers and found it quite entertaining. I was >>disappointed that the Verve Pipe song was missing from the final cut. >I saw Uma (I mean The Avengers) and wasn't sure which tune was the Andy >tune, was it cut from the US version as stated above? That was the >real reason I went (sorry Molly... oh ya she's not listening). The problem is simply how can it be a soundtrack if none of the music actually appeared in the film ? Forexample the Suggs song dosn't appear at all in the film, but it is being hyped as the one good thing about the film, it wasn't in the film so that meand there was nothing good in the film ! 10 good things about the Avengers film are ; 1: Uma in leather 2: The teddy bears 3: Uma in leather 4: Shawn Ryder looking real dumb 5: Uma in leather 6: The CGI sequence with the weather samples in glass spheres 7: Uma in leather 8: The opening titles (I will buy the video for that part alone) 9: Uma in leather 10: Uma in leather
------------------------------ Message-ID: <01BDD33B.4082FF60.monkman@coastnet.com> From: Martin & Jamie Monkman <monkman@coastnet.com> Subject: ballot stuffing Date: Sat, 29 Aug 1998 10:52:54 -0700 The music news & reviews website Wall of Sound (http://www.wallofsound.com) is currently compiling a list of the top 100 albums of all time. But rather than having the critics make up the list, they are requesting readers to contribute their top 10 lists for each of the 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s. They have provided a long list for each decade, but the only XTC album to get listed is English Settlement. Thankfully they are permitting write-in nominations. So get over there and start entering XTC albums! (And don't forget The Dukes and "Through The Hill".) Martin Our homepage: http://www.coastnet.com/~monkman
------------------------------
Message-ID: <35E848E4.474B129C@earthlink.net>
Date: Sat, 29 Aug 1998 11:31:00 -0700
From: Steven <slapdash@earthlink.net>
Organization: SLAPDASH
Subject: The Jam
I only heard and got into the Jam over the past twelve months. I've gone
from simply liking the That's Entertainment demo featured on SNAP! to
liking pretty much everything (except some of the ill focused stuff on
The Gift). The Style Council (who suck ass, and are the complete
opposite of the Jam) make me apprehensive about taking on the Weller
solo material, I've heard his first and thought it was totally lame, but
then again, I was the one talking about loving the more frantic Andy
Partridge a few posts back.
I bought the boxed set, and hate the fact that 'Dig the New Breed' is
apparently out of print at the moment. I suggest the Jam to anyone who
liked XTC pre Mummer.I also suggest them to everyone else who likes
powerful, concise songwriting with a point.
As for other stuff:
The unkind post referring to my post about Swindon was harsh and
should have been sent to me directly;however, by retorting to the retort
I'm assuming the rest of you really give a damn anyway about this petty
argument which isn't an argument.
My English girlfriend (mewly acquired) affords me with the
opportunity to check it out for myself eventually, so that'll be cool.
Later, folks
Steven Graff
http://www.geocities.com/sunsetstrip/mezzanine/7965
------------------------------
Message-Id: <199808291846.UAA17488@mail.knoware.nl>
From: "Mark Strijbos" <mmello@knoware.nl>
Date: Sat, 29 Aug 1998 20:48:56 +0000
Subject: Hopelessly Devoted To XTC
Dear Chalkers,
The "Duran Duran thread" (for want of a better description) seems to
stir up quite a lot.
> I love Cliff Richard, ABBA, The Spice Girls and Olivia Newton-John.
> I love this kind of music, and I don't like people bad mouthing this type
> of music.
don't worry, Molly! When I'm slagging off Duran Duran i'm not
attacking you or anybody else or their preferences. I'm just giving
my lousy two cents - nothing more, nothing less. And you probably
know that i'm completely bonkers and listen to nothing but XTC so
what do i know?
BTW: I must admit that ABBA did have it's moments (the 'uh-huh' after
'Voulez-vous' for instance) and I have a secret crush on Posh Spice
but Olivia Newton-John ? ? ? I'm just curious how anybody who's
'into' XTC could even tolerate Ms. Olive Oil, let alone _like_ her.
The astrology (what a misnomer!) thread also refuses to die...
> I am breaking the silence to say that I find it very sad that
> anyone believes, even remotely, in astrology.
Me too. I'm sure they agree (in their medieval state of mind) that the
punishment should fit the crime so i suggest we burn them all at the
stake.
> Just to be non-PC, I will even go so far as to say that they are a
> huge idiot.
Just to be a trainspotter, I will go even further and say that the
chance that all the believers in astrology are actually part of just
one huge idiot is even smaller than the chance that both Venus and
Mars descend on your house within the same hour :)
yours in xtc,
Mark Strijbos at The Little Lighthouse
http://www.knoware.nl/users/mmello/
or http://come.to/xtc
------------------------------
Message-Id: <199808291846.UAA17510@mail.knoware.nl>
From: "Mark Strijbos" <mmello@knoware.nl>
Date: Sat, 29 Aug 1998 20:48:56 +0000
Subject: It's Live But Not As We Know It
Dear Chalkers,
Regarding the non-LP tracks performed live.
Our friend and moderator John Relph said :
> XTC used to play the "Fireball XL-5" theme regularly. They
> played "Looking for Footprints", "Heatwave", "Hang on to the
> Night" and "Bushman President" regularly. And of course they
> played "Blue Beret" during their 1989 Acoustic Radio Tour.
Sorry John, but I have one small nit to pick: Bushman President
was used as the intro / walk-on piece for many XTC performances,
but it was played from a tape (loop?) and not performed by the band.
BTW: you can add Science Friction, Instant Tunes, Are You Receiving
Me? and Life Begins At The Hop to the list. And that's from the top
of my head; i'm sure there are more...
BTW2: the 'correct' spelling is X Wires and _not_ Cross Wires.
yours pulling kites and spotting trains,
Mark Strijbos at The Little Lighthouse
http://www.knoware.nl/users/mmello/
or http://come.to/xtc
------------------------------ From: MFa2707621@aol.com Message-ID: <cc66d6e5.35e85e06@aol.com>> Date: Sat, 29 Aug 1998 16:01:10 EDT Subject: More of my opinions Chalkers, Okay, here's more of my comments. Enough already of the astrology stuff. Some people believe in it, and some people don't. It's like the religious subject. It doesn't help to attack a person who believes in astrology. I sort of believe it, but I know it's only for fun. I don't take it seriously though. Another thing, a while ago I did a chat on AOL for White Music, and I got a bunch of people thinking it was something to do with racism. These people were weirdoes. Also, I got a couple of people thinking it was about heavy metal and they called XTC "a band for faggots." I blew my top. Some people just think there's one type of music, and the other types of music suck. I wish more people were open minded. I was brought up to try to be open minded with the music. Yes, I'm not a big fan of gangsta rap, opera and techno, but I try to give them a listen before I criticize them. I'm thinking about starting my #Skylarking chats again. I need your help. I'm having problems thinking about what time I should do it to please people. I would do it sometime on Saturday. Please e-mail me your suggestions. Bye for now. Molly
------------------------------
From: Joel Reamer <reamerj@stu.beloit.edu>
Message-Id: <199808302045.PAA25544@stu.beloit.edu>
Subject: Rick Buckler
Date: Sun, 30 Aug 1998 15:45:10 -0500 (CDT)
Chalkfolk.
Sorry for the non-XTC post, but Buckler is refurnishing and selling
antique furniture these days.
Joel.
------------------------------ Message-Id: <v01540b00b20e6f122171@[139.80.101.12]> Date: Mon, 31 Aug 1998 15:17:13 +1200 From: james.dignan@stonebow.otago.ac.nz (James Dignan) Subject: Ralph >Good for you. But as a person named Ralph, I take great exception to Ralph >Feins calling himself R-a-i-f. If you don't like your name - change the >way it is spelled you idiot! erm Ralph is often pronounced Raef - and more often than not that way in Britain. It's the traditional way of doing so, and it's only in the last 30 or 40 years that people have been pronouncing the l. The name was actually spelt Rafe until about 1750! The name means "wise wolf", BTW, and is connected with the names Rolf and the now rare Rauf. Remember that one of the greatest British actors this century was Sir Ralph (pronounced Raef) Richardson. Also look on the bright side - you didn't get lumbered with a first name like Ralph Fiennes' explorer relation (cousin, IIRC) Sir Ranulph Fiennes! James
------------------------------ Message-ID: <35EA3ED2.65CC605D@netcom.com> Date: Mon, 31 Aug 1998 02:12:34 -0400 From: Jefferson Ogata <ogata@netcom.com> Subject: Re: Keneally Speaks! Harrison Sherwood gives us his interesting correspondence with Mike Keneally, and then points us to his web site at: http://www.moosenet.com/keneally.html Thanks, Harrison! I went there and started wandering around and ran across a reference to XTC in the Adrian Belew interview at: http://www.moosenet.com/keneally15.html Y'all might wanna check it out. Also, I was in Boulder, Colorado last week sitting in a bar when I heard some really amazing music on the jukebox and had to go find out who it was: a local Boulder group called The Samples playing a song called Feel Us Shaking. I don't listen to the radio much any more so I have no idea how well-known these guys are... anyway, I immediately went out and bought four CDs, unsure whether they could be had back home in Maryland. They're clearly heavily influenced by the Police, but I get a very Andy feeling out of some of the melodies and the content. So: another thing you might want to check out. More info can be had at: http://www.war.com/ -- Jefferson Ogata <ogata@netcom.com>
------------------------------
Message-ID: <19980831071447.29629.qmail@hotmail.com>
From: "Brent John Palmer" <brent_palmer@hotmail.com>
Subject: Skylarking
Date: Mon, 31 Aug 1998 00:14:47 PDT
Vince Friel is fairly spot-on about _Skylarking_! It's interesting to
note that it came out during the same time-frame as Bon Jovi's _Slippery
When Wet_ mega-unit-shifter; what a stark contrast! Actually, I do
remember seeing the video-clip for "Grass", shortly after the single
came out, and assumed that (the only other song of theirs I'd heard at
that stage was "Senses...") XTC were some sort of '60s-retro band. Many
years later, upon hearing _Skylarking_ in its entirety, I now realize
just how mistaken I'd been! The album is one of those which epitomise
the multi-dimensional nature of our heroes.
However, my all-time favourite XTC LP is _Mummer_. Their first
album after quitting touring (and their first sans Terry), it marked a
dramatic maturing (hinted at to a large degree by _English Settlement_),
testimony to their blossoming into the Swiss-watch- precision pop
craftsmen they are today.
The drumming was vastly superior to that on their previous
long-players, courtesy of the very adept (not to mention versatile)
skills of sessionist Peter Phipps. Plus they started experimenting with
the Mellotron (long live this "mutant organ"!), on such pieces of work
as "Human Alchemy" and "Deliver Us From the Elements". In general, the
album was extremely adventurous, and (for the most part) not easily tied
to 1983 - especially with their determination to hurl a sizable wrench
into the prevalent glam of that period!
The original vinyl edition remains _the_ definitive incarnation of
this remarkable opus. Should you possess a copy in the analogue format,
please make sure that your stylus always mirrors the sharpness and
cleanliness of the contents of _Mummer_.
Brent
------------------------------ Message-ID: <19980831073411.24042.qmail@hotmail.com> From: "Brent John Palmer" <brent_palmer@hotmail.com> Subject: The Mayor's voice unheeded Date: Mon, 31 Aug 1998 00:34:11 PDT Re. Randy Hiatt's lament concerning "The Mayor of Simpleton" lacking airplay: perhaps that's because it's a piece of brightly-hued bubblegum soaked in a huge vat of irony! Amazing how even an almost-"commercial" song has a twist, thanks to the guys. And I really love how this song deals a king-hit to the whole class-structure thing, too! After all, you can't just assume that, because someone looks not-too-good on paper, that they're automatically some sort of intellectually-dwarfed roughneck! Brent
------------------------------ Message-Id: <s5ea7b9c.085@phjw.com> Date: Mon, 31 Aug 1998 10:30:48 -0700 From: "MARK G. CUEVAS" <MGCUEVAS@phjw.com> Subject: Report from IPO Chalkers: I'm pleased to report that Jason Falkner was *outstanding* Friday night. He performed solo -- with just a Fender Jaguar, the house amp, and a microphone -- and he rocked the house. His new album will be released in January. He mentioned the title, but for the life of me I can't remember (senility, I suppose). I had a chance to speak with Jason briefly after the show (as did Ian Dahlberg, who I seem to have missed) and he (Jason) was pleased to know that he had a number of fans on Chalkhills. He was very interested in knowing what XTC was up to. On Sunday night, while checking out the Sugarplastic, I found out that Jason has selected a member of the Jellyfish to go on tour with him. That'll be something, eh? Also, Ben (from the Sugarplastic) says hello. I asked him when we could expect another C.D. and he informed me that they're no longer with Geffen (which is something you well informed Chalkies already knew). He's shopping around for an indie label right now, but is also taking some time away. No definite dates yet -- though they did play some new tunes which were well received. As usual, their stuff was *very* tight. This was their first performance in 1998. I also met up with chalkie Steve Graff (of the band Slapdash) who was there to see his friend Adam of Cockeyed Ghost. If you haven't heard C'Ghost, check them out. You might also want to check out Steve's website at: www.geocities.com/sunsetstrip/mezzanine/7965 Lastly, the International Pop Overthrow was really a huge success. It's great to see Pop get an injection of adreneline from new talent. Lovers of pop might also want to check out: Brown Eyed Susans John Faye Jiffipop The Nerk Twins The Sun Sawed in Half
------------------------------ Message-ID: <01BDD52F.BCFA9580@e1c9p21.scotland.net> From: Robert Wood <wobbit@bigfoot.com> Subject: Bruce Foxton Date: Mon, 31 Aug 1998 22:36:02 +0100 On the subject of the Jam... >> > But while we're on the subject, I wonder what Rick > Buckler and Bruce Foxton are up to these days? I think Bruce plays in Stiff Little Fingers now. Rick has a totally un-music-related job, can't remember what exactly... << Bruce used to play in a band called the Rythym Sisters, we supported them at the Boardwalk in Manchester a few years back - he was a really affable bloke. Probably still is! Wonder what happened to them...
------------------------------ Message-Id: <v01540b00b2102d0acdcf@[139.80.100.152]> Date: Tue, 1 Sep 1998 15:01:18 +1200 From: james.dignan@stonebow.otago.ac.nz (James Dignan) Subject: polishing the drum Kate_L_Burda.ALDRICH@notesgw.sial.com asks: >I had Black Sea in last night, and noticed (why now, after all the >listenings I've given it!) the phrase "...war is polishing its drum, peace >plays second fiddle". I understand the peace/fiddle part, but not the drum >one. Is this some sort of old battle-related phrase? Do people really >polish drums? they do if they're used as part of a military band or parade. And it was the drum that used to lead the troops of soldiers off to battle. Presumably that is what Andy is referring to. James
------------------------------ Message-Id: <2.2.32.19980901110955.007151a4@popmail.dircon.co.uk> Date: Tue, 01 Sep 1998 12:09:55 +0100 From: Simon Sleightholm <simon@nonsuch.dircon.co.uk> Subject: Andy Interview Hi gang, A little bit of info from Sean at Helter Skelter, Andy Partridge is interviewed in next week's Sunday Independent. Simon -+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+- http://www.nonsuch.dircon.co.uk/bungalow.htm (http://come.to/bungalow) -+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+- An XTC resource - "Saving it all up for you..."
------------------------------ Message-ID: <19980901183152.17894.rocketmail@web1.rocketmail.com> Date: Tue, 1 Sep 1998 11:31:52 -0700 (PDT) From: nross <phoenixyellowrose@rocketmail.com> Subject: Ken's musings on creativity. That is actually a good point that a lot of creativity comes from those reared in dull places... It is like watching too much T.V. ... having your brain stimulated for you, instead of intellectual masturbation. === "... It takes all sorts of in and outdoor schooling to get accustomed to my kind of fooling" -R.Frost
------------------------------ From: MFa2707621@aol.com Message-ID: <d3011e11.35ec8fa7@aol.com>> Date: Tue, 1 Sep 1998 20:21:59 EDT Subject: Listening Parties Starting Chalkers, Starting next Saturday September 12 at 4pm EST I will be doing a listening party for XTC's album Skylarking. It will be held on mIRC server DALnet. I hope people show up. If you have a problem with the time let me know @ MFa2707621@aol.com. The name of the chat will be #Skylarking (of course) For more details check out my web site at http://members.tripod.com/~MollyFa/index.html. Molly
------------------------------
Date: 2 Sep 98 13:47:20 AST
From: PCulnane@dca.gov.au
Subject: Cut it out?
Message-ID: <0000txljfxnj.0000rpflndlb@dca.gov.au>
G'day
This posting is directed mainly at Australian XtC fans or those who collect
esoterica from other than their own country.
After the disappointment at the botch job visited upon Virgin's CD
re-releases of earlier XtC albums (prime example "Drums & Wires"), I'm
apprehensive that similar horrors may occur with the forthcoming new
album/s, at least in Australia, and would like to warn prospective buyers
to be alert for this possibility.
Local record company TWA ('The World's Address', if you please - named
after a They Might Be Giants tune), have secured the distribution rights
here for the Cooking Vinyl imprint, and therefore, presumably, releases by
our heroes' Idea label.
TWA recently issued Stephen Duffy's new album, "I Love My Friends" (you
know, the one that features Andy on two tracks), and comprehensively
butchered it for local release! They have, for no discernible reason,
rearranged the order of tracks and in doing so have ruined the "cross-fade"
effects that give the original album its cohesive flow. The tracklisting
shown on the cover and booklet differs from what you actually hear, and the
beginnings of some songs contain the dying moments of the songs that
*should* have preceded, but don't. It's a sorry, disgraceful mess! We
should not have to put up with sub-standard product from our local
companies and be treated with their arrogant contempt, when a far superior
product can be obtained from import shops or through the Internet,
sometimes for only a few dollars more than the local rubbish.
This is not the first time TWA have significantly altered tracklisting
and/or artwork of albums, but it's very difficult to fathom, or accept, why
they see fit to do so. Fortunately, in at least two such cases, I have
managed to score overseas copies and thus avoided TWA's cavalier vandalism
of my favourite artistes' work. As a friend remarked in relation to the
Duffy case, it's not as though he would have devised what is obviously a
very carefully thought out track sequence over coffee and croissants in the
record company tea room. We're dealing with serious artists here for
chrissakes!
One can only wonder at the wrath of Andy and Colin should such a similar
fate befall the work that they have laboured meticulously over for so long.
And on previous track record, I'm *quite* afraid something awful might
happen when TWA get their hands on the masters.
So I'm suggesting, seriously consider ordering an import copy. It might
cost a tad more, but you'll be getting what the boys wanted you to get,
rather than a balls-up job put out by two-bit opportunist nincompoops.
You have been warned!
~p@ul
------------------------------ From: DBMEIER0@wcc.com Date: Tue, 1 Sep 1998 23:51:54 -0600 Message-Id: <000F703C.1586@wcc.com> Subject: I've Always Wanted to Meet One of Those Lighthouse Keepers Chalkenheimers, Just returned from my most recent European foray, this time to Amsterdam with a quick visit to London. Had a wonderful time - A'dam is an amazing place and I highly recommend it to everyone (It's right up there with Swindon in my book :)). One of the highlights of our trip was meeting Chalkhills' favorite Lighthouse Tender, Mark Strijbos, for some of Amsterdam's best coffee and a bit of swapping of xtcentials. Mark plied us with some faburino cds and tapes (he went waaaayyy beyond the call, considering that I only had one measly piece of vinyl to offer - although I did buy the coffee) and we talked about xtc, life in Holland (which as far as I can tell consists of riding your bike through beautiful cities and countryside - and pedestrians), the general state of the planet (the usual bombs, Tomahawks, economic meltdown, etc.). Our vacation became much more colorful following the meeting with Mark as most of the 5 or 6 hours of music that he gave us was previously unheard by our ears (or those of my week-long-suffering ex-wife and her husband, who hosted us during our stay in A'dam). I would encourage any of you who find yourselves in Mark's neighborhood to look him up. He's a first rate guy (anyone wearing Colin M's personal Black Sea Tour jacket must be cool, right?). We went on to London for a brief stay and saturated our hosts there with xtc too. Did not have time to visit Swindon this time, but I did pick up MOJO during my wait at Heathrow and while flipping through found the XTC book review which made for perfect punctuation to the trip. Thanks again Mark, Dan - more coffee please - Meier
------------------------------ Message-Id: <v04011706b212bd684c4f@[134.32.48.244]> Date: Wed, 2 Sep 1998 10:40:16 +0100 From: Stephen Varga <varga@ferndown.tt.slb.com> Subject: uk release date finally confirmed i phoned helter skelter today. (it took nearly 10 minutes for someone to answer the phone!). they have told me the uk edition of the xtc song stories biography will now be available direct from the publishers from thursday 10th september. the hotline number is 0171 836 1151, so get on that phone on that day after 9.00am, have your visa/mastercard ready, quote chalkhills or bungalow to get that special 10 pounds price (plus postage, of course) and hopefully you'll have it by that weekend. if you're going to pay by cheque, it may be a good idea to make arrangements now to allow for clearance. perhaps one of our american chalkies should now check the current situation with their u.s.publishers if they haven't done so already. Stephen Varga
------------------------------ From: wwilson@star.zko.dec.com Date: Wed, 2 Sep 1998 09:21:36 -0400 Message-Id: <98090209213651@star.zko.dec.com> Subject: Talk Talk/New Duffy Single There was a discussion about the band Talk Talk a few posts ago; are they from Swindon? Anyway, that discussion prompted me to search the Talk Talk CD bin here in the U.S., and I found a lovely English CD "The Very Best of Talk Talk." Although the price was high ($26), it is well worth it - the fidelity is superb, and the band's output is well represented here, with the usual hits "It's My Life" (strong contender for my favorite 1980s pop song!), "Talk Talk," and other songs I had not heard - the "Dum Dum Girl" is great. Great cover artwork, too. Anyone heard Mark Hollis's solo CD? By the way, the second single from the "I Love My Friends" album is out - "You Are" (from the album), also includes two other non-LP tracks. Stephen is such a gifted song crafter; I recommend this CD single! Yrs in XTC, Duffy, Swindon, etc. Wes
------------------------------ Message-ID: <35ED3E2D.91B11D0B@ibm.net> Date: Wed, 02 Sep 1998 08:46:38 -0400 From: Brian Soloway <bsolowa@ibm.net> Subject: Mayor Live I'll apologize upfront for what is probably something I should already know. Regardless I must ask the question: I've been hearing what I believe to be a live version of Mayor of Swindon (I mean Simpleton) being played over one of those cable radio stations in a restaurant I frequent. Where is this from? Is it XTC or a great cover. Please let me know Thank You Brian
------------------------------
Message-ID: <B9B4268C8F87D11195DC0000F840FABE04A4D4CA@DUB-MSG-02>
From: Peter Fitzpatrick <peterfit@MICROSOFT.com>
Subject: from Rocktropolis allstar news 9/2/98
Date: Thu, 3 Sep 1998 00:26:22 +0100
BRIAN VANDER ARK DISCUSSES NEW VERVE PIPE RECORD
The Verve Pipe are currently holed up in New York City's Hit Factory with
producer Michael Beinhorn (Marilyn Manson, Hole), having nearly finished
recording 18 tracks for their as- yet- untitled follow-up to 1996's
Villians.
According to Verve Pipe frontman Brian Vander Ark, the atmosphere in the
studio is somewhat militant. "Michael brought in a 50-caliber machine gun
to intimidate his entourage," laughs Vander Ark. "It doesn't do much for me
because I grew up around guns. He'll end up firing it off in the studio
before it's done, I'm sure. I'm looking at it right now and I don't even
think the firing pin is in it. When I come in and the firing pin is in it,
then I'm going to worry."
The Verve Pipe are currently finishing up the guitar parts on the album,
leaving only Vander Ark's vocals before they cut the 18 tracks down to
around 12 and call it a wrap. The album's first single remains undecided.
"We have four or five songs in mind that are very single- oriented,
depending on what the mosaic of radio is going to be by the time the album
comes out," says Vander Ark. "It changes every fucking two days. I can't
even keep up with what's going on."
First single possibilities include the very Beatles-esque "Inbetween,"
the A.J. Dunning- penned "Saccharine" or the uptempo rockers "Hero" and
"Half a Mind." But beyond those few radio- friendly pop tunes, don't expect
the new album to be a Villians part deux.
"It's not verse- chorus- verse- bridge- double- chorus- out, there's not
much of that going on," says Vander Ark. "It's definitely a deviation from
Vilians. Villians dabbled more in misogyny, I guess. Now I'm much more
interested in exploring the better side of a relationship.
"That doesn't mean we're making a Christopher Cross record," he laughs.
"'F-Word' talks about our success, the whole Jesus pose, and all the
mistakes we made on the last tour. And how we all hate moshing and crowd-
surfing. So it explores everything from the last three years, it's just not
so bitter sounding."
The aforementioned "F-Word" features a part Vander Ark wrote for
legendary British singer/ songwriter Kate Bush, who Vander Ark hopes to
lure into the studio and sing on the song.
Other guest possibilities for the album include XTC's Andy Partridge, who
might add guitar to a slight rhythmic retooling of the song he co-wrote
with Vander Ark for the Avengers soundtrack ("Blow You Away"); Shudder to
Think's Craig Wedren; and, of course, "Billy Corgan has an open invitation
to be on everybody's record," laughs Vander Ark. Another song on the album,
"She Has Faces," is the best song anyone in the band has written, according
to Vander Ark. Surprisingly, it was drummer Donny Brown who wrote it.
The new Verve Pipe album will hit shelves in February, with the band
heading out on the road to stir up interest in it the month before. As far
as whether or not they will be able to follow up the success of "The
Freshman," Vander Ark can't be bothered. "Quite honestly, I can't care
anymore," he says. "It's kind of like when you're trying to lose weight and
you jump on the scale everyday -- it's just poisonous for me.
"The state of radio is horrible right now," he continues, "and I think we
are partially to blame. I still like 'The Freshman,' but I think that the
way it was presented -- we went through the rock star car wash and did
everything the label wanted us to do to make it happen -- I felt like, for
a time, that I wasn't an artist anymore. I just felt like another run- of-
the- mill band that was producing the schmaltz for the 12- year- olds, and
we just don't want to do that anymore."
-Kevin Raub
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------------------------------ Message-Id: <v03102801b213a4e5b7b7@[165.227.110.102]> Date: Wed, 2 Sep 1998 19:02:24 -0700 From: Richard Pedretti-Allen <richard@tactics.com> Subject: Money for "Nero" (and your chicks for free) Damn, damn, damn, damn. Please make checks for "MODERN TIME NEROS - CC98" payable to: "Richard Pedretti-Allen" or "Audio Syncrasies" If I receive your order made out to "CC98", "Nero" or something less logical, I will reserve your order but nothing will ship unless the check clears. If the check doesn't clear, I'll be shaking you out for reformatting. I can probably schmooze a fair amount through my bank (doesn't THAT warm your heart?) so it shouldn't be a major snag. I seem to have overlooked two things with each tribute release, so I have exhausted one. The rest is a mystery that may never be solved (yeah, right). Richard p.s. If anyone wants to try and take me up on the "chicks for free" thing, I'm going to send you an egg and a light bulb.
------------------------------ End of Chalkhills Digest #4-132 *******************************
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