Chalkhills Digest Volume 5, Issue 4
Date: Friday, 2 October 1998
Chalkhills Digest, Volume 5, Number 4
Friday, 2 October 1998
Today's Topics:
Transistor Blast release date?
ah-ha (uh?)
Re: Flaky CD's
Rude Little Articles and Bungalow
It's all just horse play
Andy is...
New address, for one..
I probably never told this story...
Looking for Kim, and a little Ray Davies anecdote
Videos since Mummer?
The perennial Todd issue
DaDa
All hail the almighty Mitch Friedman!
Re: Todd Rundgren
Wake Up
Q tip
love nut good - nonsuch bad?
sometimes I feel so alone...
and furthermore . . .
An addition to my web site
interviews in the rain
Two-fold merchandising Poll (AKA Building your whimsy)
MTV coverage of XTC
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Is it all dust and denial / As lifeless as some lunar sea?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Message-Id: <3.0.1.32.19980929171759.007e5960@mail.clemson.edu>
Date: Tue, 29 Sep 1998 17:17:59 -0400
From: Adam Tyner <ctyner@CLEMSON.EDU>
Subject: Transistor Blast release date?
SonicNet and Billboard have both posted on their sites that Transistor
Blast will be released on Nov. 3 in the US... Has the release date been
pushed forward, or is it the Nov. 17 date previously mentioned on the list?
Thanks,
-Adam
(who turns 20 on Nov. 17... ;-)
--
/=---------------- http://www.he-man.org/ctyner/ ----------------=\
http://www.awod.com/gallery/rwav/ctyner/
The home of He-Man, "Weird Al", Yoo-hoo, Killer Tomatoes, and more!
Demented music list admin O- MiSTie #67,326
------------------------------ Date: Wed, 30 Sep 1998 02:11:39 -0700 (PDT) Message-Id: <v01510101b237b4098927@[194.128.83.69]> From: fisher@easynet.co.uk (Mark Fisher) Subject: ah-ha (uh?) A minor (and indulgent) correction to Song Stories: I chose "Limelight" as the name for the XTC fanzine not because that was my "favourite song" (though I've nothing against it), but because the role of the fanzine was to put the band in the limelight (ah-ha). My favourite song at that time was Complicated Game. It was also nicely appropriate that Limelight, the song, was available only on a limited edition 7" give-away single - the kind of thing that fandom is all about. Just thought you might want to know. - Mark New improved (but still basically useless) website - http://easyweb.easynet.co.uk/~fisher/
------------------------------ Message-ID: <361226D8.3CCE@bhip.infi.net> Date: Wed, 30 Sep 1998 08:41:05 -0400 From: Brian <mattone@bhip.infi.net> Organization: InfiNet Subject: Re: Flaky CD's Tschalkgerz! >Does anybody have the same problem as me? I have one of the first CD pressings of Skylarking (and probably one of the first CDs made) and it is starting to flake around the edges. When I try to play it, the audio cuts out at least once every three seconds. I've heard that, in these older CDs, some reaction between the ink and the reflective coating has caused this strange degradation. Any other explanations?< Hmmm... sounds like it's time to buy another copy. Do the lads a favor, and all that, ya know... -Brian http://www.angelfire.com/fl/sapringer
------------------------------ Date: Wed, 30 Sep 1998 11:38:27 -0400 (EDT) From: Funk Genie <keathvj9@salem.edu> Subject: Rude Little Articles and Bungalow Message-ID: <Pine.GSO.3.96.980930110939.26350A-100000@sisters.salem.edu> Hey everybody- Just a little note of outrage here about the Gregory Chance article that Benjamin Gott was so kind to send out to us. The whole article is an example of how quick music fans are to pin a band down to one particular album and then get angry when they have the audacity to change directions. People criticize U2 for Pop saying that it's just not the same as Joshua Tree. People get mad because Liz Phair doesn't say as many dirty words on Whitechocolate as as she did on Exile. BLAH BLAH BLAH. I am so sorry that Mr. Chance can't get over the fact that XTC moved on from Dukes of Straspohere-perhaps we should start a support group for him and ask other narrowminded music fans to join him. As a devoted music fan I recognize that just as people change-their music changes also. As for his little slight on Bungalow-WHATEVER. Perhaps the melodic qualities of the song are not what he would prefer but from a historical aspect,Bungalow is a stellar depiction of working class life in Post WWII Britain. I feel like Bungalow is valuble because it does cover an aspect of culture that most outside of the UK wouldn't even know about. I would venture to say that it is rivaled only by Problems by the Sex Pistols in how acurately it describes certain attitudes and traditions held by the working class. If I were going to teach a class on Post WWII Britain Bungalow would be on the top of my list for audio-visual aid. So take that Gregory chance. : ( The good people of Chalkhills need to rise up against this infidel. Stepping down from the soapbox -Valerie
------------------------------ Message-Id: <199809301359.GAA04026@sgi.sgi.com> From: "SwindonWeb" <xyg27@dial.pipex.com> Subject: It's all just horse play Date: Wed, 30 Sep 1998 14:49:25 +0100 Harrison Sherwood wrote regarding the crop circle below Uffington White Horse: > if you can't answer for where you were on the night of > 5 July, 1997, I'm going to start bruiting some serious > allegations. If this isn't the obvious work of an XTC > fan after a few Scrumpy Jacks down at the Barge Inn > with the Circular Croppie Boys, I don't know what is, > tell you what. First manacled Chalkie to be frogmarched > into the Interrogation Chamber: the highly Swindonical > Brian Carter. Not guilty! On the night in question I was in the New Forest and can produce numerous witnesses in my defence. But here is something spooky... Out of curiosity, I checked my wife's diary to find out what I did on 5 July 1997. As I said, I was in the New Forest, camping with several friends. We awoke early in the morning to find that we had an intruder in the form of... a horse! This is a common occurence in the New Forest where horses run wild. OK, the horses are probably more correctly described as ponies, and they are not all white, but... even spookier... on 5 July this year I WAS in the vicinity of Uffington White Horse. I travelled from Swindon to Didcot along the very road featured in the photograph at http://alpha.mic.dundee.ac.uk/ft/crop_circles/1997/uffington97.html Anyway, for more information about white horses, you need to see our website (http://www.swindonweb.com). Click on 'Around and About' in the menu.
------------------------------ Message-ID: <36128E17.3D54@schoollink.net> Date: Wed, 30 Sep 1998 13:01:27 -0700 From: Dan Phipps <phipps@schoollink.net> Organization: Champion International Subject: Andy is... GOD!!!!!! (that's NOT a typo!) As long as he continues to compose, we'll continue to wait, eh? ;-) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ /Dan Phipps <phipps@schoollink.net> "Give love...and keep blood between brothers." (Pete Townshend) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 30 Sep 1998 11:41:13 -0700
From: "Rev. Matt Keeley" <keeleymw@plu.edu>
Subject: New address, for one..
Message-id: <0F0400K4I19G4O@plu.edu>
> From: Benjamin Gott <bgott@bowdoin.edu>
> Hey, all...
> Lovin' the Farmer book. It's a worthwhile read.
Still have to get that.. right now, I'm reading Negativland's "Fair
Use: The Story of the Letter U and the Numeral 2"... good read, and
it makes me wonder about Greg Ginn's sanity... other good muzik books
include the Real Frank Zappa Book and Ian Shirley's Meet the
Residents (the Zappa one is better.... while the Residents one has a
lot of "information", the author's tone kinda rubs me the wrong way
sometimes... sometimes he seems to really imply the Cryptics are the
Residents, and other times he throws in stuff that seems to say "hey,
even though the Cryptics are the Residents, here's something that
proves they're not!"... I for one have my own theory on the
identities of the Rz, but well.. if you really care, e-mail me, but
well, chances are you don't. Which is probably for the better)...
Anyway, have to pick up the XTC one sooner or later (along with C&C,
for that matter).
> I found this nasty review on Music Boulevard. Yikes! This guy needs to
> calm down!
> ***
> by Gregory Chance, Puncture
> October 1992, Issue #25
I dunno, actually I pretty much agreed with him, except for a few
points. Mainly on Paul Fox's incompetence... O&L wasn't the best
album XTC ever did (musically or production), but I did think that
John Henry was one of TMBG's better records. (second to Misc. T,
really)... I think it might have been better maybe if either the
Dukes side was either a) toned down productionally or b) tuned up
musically. The other thing I disagreed with was the Mummer and Big
Express liking, but hey...
I suppose Dave Mattacks was pretty good, but I still say he's no
Terry Chambers... it really sucks that he's given up the whole
drumming business... why do the best drummers always end up stop
drumming:
a) Keith Moon: Dead... kinda hard to continue drumming after that...
b) Terry Chambers: Moved to OZ and what.. prints now? Something.
c) Alan Meyers (of DEVO): Drums for his wife's band, now... Basically
no longer drumming...
d) Bermuda Schwartz: The only kick ass drummer who's still around,
it seems.
e) Drum Machine: 2nd only to Bermuda/Keith/Terry/Alan (and all, but
Keith I think programmed these and knew their way around one...that's
pretty cool).
I agree with the assessment of Omnibus and Then She Appeared as Dukes
songs, but I'd probably say B-sides, since they seem to be more toned
down Dukes style... although if the Dukes did them, they'd probably
go more all out. That Wave.... yeah, I'd shove that on Mummer. Ugly
Underneath though... I really like that one... and the "Hit Songs"
aren't that bad.. I like Peter Pumpkinhead and the Disappointed is
OK... could use more anger or bitterness, but oh well. I just like
the whole "Please Please Me" effect.
(Oh, yeah, Pegasus 3 sucks ass, so I can't do the whole select big
chunks at a time then reply.. I've got to keep copying and pasting...
very DEVO)
>From: Ken Herbst <ken@bamadvertising.com>
>How many of you folks think Todd Rungren is the Kevin Bacon of the
>music business? Try the Six Degrees of Separation game with Todd and
>see if you can prove me wrong :)
(son of a bitch, I had to add the quoting thing manually!) Anyway,
I'd probably go along with that... although it's probably more along
the lines of 2 or 3 degrees, unless you go into bizarre garage type
bands. In which case it's 4. I mean, the man has a compilation of
tracks that he produced...
>From: Michael Stone <nedrise@MNSi.Net>
>Just picked up Testmonial Dinner, soaking it in.........Ruben Blades
>seems to be the only one to take one of their songs and really make
>something new out of it. His last line sounds like, "And I hate that
>XTC." Is that right?
(Ok, I'm getting really pissed at this.. I think afterwards I'm gonna
go back to my old copy of 2.5 or whatever. The only difference is I
don't think I can use my scrolling mouse... which sucks, but for the
ability to use my scrolling mouse (while truely excellent.. I love
that thing) is outweighed by all the crap in this version that sucks
.. never realised it till I tried to reply to a digest) I got
Testimonial Dinner a while ago... half of it (mainly the first half,
but I remember Earn Enough for Us as being pretty good.. that's the
first track, innit?) really was fawkin' awful, but the second half
was pretty good, I thought. Remember liking Ruben Blades' version
quite a bit, which is surprising since I'm not the biggest fan of
"man who sailed"... a lot of the other bands/people/whatnot seemed to
try too hard to "be XTC but put our own quirky spin on it so people
will think it's good and different!" But yeah... I don't think I'd
buy any CDs by the bands on the tribute from just hearing that
alone.. I mean, actually, IIRC I was kinda interested by Spacehog
until I heard their butchering of Senses... and the Verve (Pipe)'s
version of Wake Up pissed me off when they didn't do the cool speaker
switching guitar thing (the main thing that makes the song cool),
instead doing it with the bass... I mean, basses are cool, but the
SSGT is much better.
Ah well, I got the thing for 6 bucks. It's not like I actually blew
a lot of money on that POS.
And I thought of making some sort of joke about Terry and the
Lovemen, but decided against it. If you really want one, just
pretend I put it in... I'm pretty sure you can figure out the
location and wording.
Hmm... well, that's it.. nothing else I wanted to reply to.. damn, I
really hate this version... anyway,
Ah well, that's this version deleted,
Matt
(oh yeah, new e-mail address.. no longer mrme@eskimo.com, but
keeleymw@plu.edu... like you all care)
(although my eskimo web page still works.. figure that one out)
-----
Rev. Matt Keeley - Moogian Clench
http://www.eskimo.com/~mrme/
"If you hate supermarket music, then for
Christsake, start making supermarket music"
-- The Residents
Yeah.
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 30 Sep 1998 14:50:45 -0500 (CDT)
From: Marshall Joseph Armintor <mojo@is.rice.edu>
Subject: I probably never told this story...
Message-ID: <Pine.GSO.3.96.980930143754.15245A-100000@is.rice.edu>
One time when I was living in London (1991), a friend and I went to see
the Dead Milkmen at the Marquee, on a "media" pass. (He had been taught
high-school history in Philly by Mr. Sabatini, father of "Dean Clean"
Sabatini, the Dead Milkmen's drummer's father.) Anyway, the show was
really good, they rocked with unbelievable conviction regardless of their
status as a "comedy" band. So they get to the inevitable closing
number, "Bitchin' Camaro," and because it has a rather lengthy intro,
the singer (Rodney Anonymous) and the guitar player (Joe Jack Talcum)
use it to improvise a little back and forth dialogue. The singer started
out by saying this was their first time in England, and "...we've had a
chance to meet some people here, and we've got a very special guest here
tonight, so I'd like to bring out...Andy Partridge!!" He starts
windmilling his arms and runs backstage: "Oh, he doesn't wanna come out...
okay, then, well, alright, well anyway..."
It was mostly American kids, and I doubt most of them got this kinda
tasteless joke, now that I look back on it.
marshall
np UNKLE, "Psyence Fiction"
------------------------------ Message-Id: <3.0.5.32.19980930160851.0097eac0@smtpgw.ametsoc.org> Date: Wed, 30 Sep 1998 16:08:51 -0400 From: David Gershman <dgershmn@ametsoc.org> Subject: Looking for Kim, and a little Ray Davies anecdote Hi gang, Sorry to have to resort to a general post for this, but I need to get in touch with listmember Kim Martin if she's out there -- I sent her some tapes of '80s non-REM Southern power-pop kind of stuff, but have this feeling that they may not have made it to her. E-mail to the address I had for her is bouncing back as undeliverable. ***Kim Martin? Kim? Are you out there somewhere? Please contact me when you get a chance!*** On a more XTC-ian note, I have the new book, haven't read it yet, and am thrilled beyond words at Mitch's description of the recordings of the new songs -- it's going to seem like a long 4-6 months! (or whatever it's up to these days...) Oh, and one more thing: I never got around to "reporting" this at the time, but about 3 months ago Ray Davies did a free show at Borders Books here in Boston. Actually, it ended up taking place at an old meeting house with great acoustics across the street. It was a continuation of his "Storyteller" tour, which I had seen him on a couple of years ago, and although I unfortunately had to leave this one a little early, after about half an hour or so, it was fantastic to see him in such an excellent setting. The highlight of the Borders show was most definitely when he did "Autumn Almanac" (Andy's favorite, as we know, and a damn fine song in any case) -- nearly brought me to tears, it did. That and "Waterloo Sunset," of course. He hadn't done "Almanac" at the regular tour show that I saw, so this was extra specially great to see and hear. Certainly one of the music highlights of my year. Dave Gershman
------------------------------ Message-ID: <36129BF7.F0C8AD03@ix.netcom.com> Date: Wed, 30 Sep 1998 16:00:40 -0500 From: Greg Mascioli <mascioli@ix.netcom.com> Subject: Videos since Mummer? Greetings, Having followed XTC since 1983, I have always wanted VHS tapes of their videos. Lo and behold, I found a video compilation in a local store that I quickly purchased. Songs include: Nigel, Hop,This is Pop, Are you receiving me?, All of a Sudden.... I know that there many videos of XTC since Mummer, but where do I find them? And how do I get them? Help! Thanks, Greg
------------------------------ Message-Id: <l03130300b2383b4ade27@[207.104.109.130]> Date: Wed, 30 Sep 1998 13:23:48 -0700 From: Dave Blackburn <dblack@access1.net> Subject: The perennial Todd issue Evening all, Just a few ruminations on the Todd as producer vs artist debate. Let me say first that I have been a typical Todd fan since 1978, and by typical I mean one who is frequently disappointed by crummy albums, crummy mixes and stupid songs, but who keeps the candle burning for one of those achingly beautiful and superbly crafted songs that only he can do. When Todd comes to town to play, my fellow fans and I always go religiously and come away with either our faith renewed or completely pissed on by his capriciousness: one time he sounded like the lamest bar band, the next like a true visionary. Anyway, as a producer, it is best to remember Todd's roots in order to understand his sonic signature. The Phil Spector wall of sound and the Brian Wilson of Pet Sounds are really where his idea of a cool pop mix come from. Of course the 70's stuff is especially that way (Wizard, Todd, Faithful) and a lot of his harmonic vibe comes from 70's Philly soul and the more psychedelic Beatles stuff. But it is still audible in the massive drum compression of Skylarking and the harmony vocal parts of "Season Cycle." In other words if you are after a really contemporary hi-fi sound Todd is a bad call. However, he has one of the most recognizable production styles of anyone (which his detractors think is self-aggrandizing) and it is, in a way, a classic pop sound: compressed, midrangey, aggressive. Personally, I think his production of the Tubes' "Remote Control", although obviously dripping with Todditties, is great and suited the band far better than their big hair, arena rock sound that David Foster foisted on them for their next album; (another producer with an indelible production style.) As an artist, Todd still works for me. He can craft a great song as well as the finest songwriters, his voice sounds incredibly moving on about one album every 5 years and his maverick explorations into electronics, a capella projects or album concepts work superbly about half of the time. The same percentage probably holds true for Zappa, Beefheart, Eno, Fripp, Joni Mitchell et al. The pressure from the music industry to stick with one thing that works is enormous, so the artists who risk all and stick their necks out to try things that have an unpredictable outcome deserve our indulgence and forbearance. Xtc are of course classic examples of the tendency to reshape themselves with each album, and in that respect parallel Todd's career. I might also add that the Partridge ego sounds an awful lot like the Todd ego; both are control freaks with eclectic visions. No wonder they found it hard to work together. Todd Rundgren is a master (I prefer to leave "genius" for the Einsteins and Hawkings of the world) and he is a true artist in that he is always reaching for the new tools of expression, often way ahead of his time, and sometimes failing. As a producer, you at least know what you will get when you hire him, and if you are after that late 60's power pop radio mix, I can think of no one more suitable. Thanks Mitch for the exciting report. I have resisted the urge to obtain the demos so the new album will be completely fresh for me, and your descriptions of the sessions has got me even more eagerly awaiting its release. Dave Dave Blackburn Fallbrook, California
------------------------------ From: MPadg@aol.com Message-ID: <646e3b59.3612a8fc@aol.com> Date: Wed, 30 Sep 1998 17:56:12 EDT Subject: DaDa >i think dada is the best band out there these days< I'm suprised no one has mentioned DaDa before. There are only a few non-XTC CDs in my heavy rotation, and 2 of them are DaDa. Catchy melodies, great vocal harmony, interesting arrangements. Also great sound - I use them to show off my car stereo. Can't recommend El Subliminoso though. Glad to hear there is a new one - I just placed my order.
------------------------------ From: LadyCPlum@aol.com Message-ID: <fc542df6.3612d7bc@aol.com> Date: Wed, 30 Sep 1998 21:15:40 EDT Subject: All hail the almighty Mitch Friedman! I know I'm bowing down before him for all eternity. I sent a t-shirt to Dave for his birthday (via Mitch, of course), and he said "Oh she is such a sweet girl. I must get in contact with her soon." (See Amanda's face break out into sappy grin.) Then he saw my picture in the latest LE (not one of my better pictures, what with my huge schnoz covering most of the area) and said I was cute. (See Amanda promptly pass out.....see Amanda's boyfriend roll his eyes at his swooning ladylove.) PS-XTC got a kinda sorta mention on South Park last week, when Mr. Mackey, our favorite counselor, said that little Stanley had to stop his SKYLARKINGS, mmm- kay? Tis all for now, Amanda XTC song of the day-Millions non-XTC song-Crush-Jennifer Paige
------------------------------ Message-ID: <01cf01bdece8$a0c932b0$a3f9a7cf@mroden.vistar.ca> From: "Michael Roden" <mroden@vistar.ca> Subject: Re: Todd Rundgren Date: Wed, 30 Sep 1998 23:07:01 -0400 Hi Chalkers, This may already have been reported here. Todd Rundgren's latest production is the debut album of a group called Splender, who are based in New York City, I believe. They are signed to Columbia Records and their album will be released in early 1999. Cheers, Michael
------------------------------ Message-ID: <3612F3C6.6CA3@ix.netcom.com> Date: Wed, 30 Sep 1998 20:15:18 -0700 From: Rich/MetalMan <cbunnell@ix.netcom.com> Subject: Wake Up I just felt like randomly expressing how much I absolutely LOVE "Wake Up" from The Big Express. I've seen it put down as "mediocre" and "annoying" by a bunch of people, but in my opinion this is XTC at it's absolute best. The way that the conflicting guitars back up Andy's quickly spoken vocals is awesome, and the "WHO CARES? You might be dead, WHO CARES? You stayed in bed!" refrain is a classic! It's a nice song that rolls through, and plus there's that nifty one-person choir after the choruses and at the end. Just felt like writing my praise of a truly awesome song. * ---------------------------------------------- Rich Bunnell or "Metal Man," whichever sounds more insane http://members.xoom.com/taoster/ * ----------------------------------------------
------------------------------ Date: Thu, 1 Oct 1998 01:25:07 -0700 (PDT) Message-Id: <v01510100b238fa68537b@[194.128.83.69]> From: fisher@easynet.co.uk (Mark Fisher) Subject: Q tip The new issue of Q gives Song Stories an enthusiastic write-up and ****.
------------------------------ Message-ID: <36137F31.5C7B@bellatlantic.net> Date: Thu, 01 Oct 1998 09:10:09 -0400 From: John Irvine <jirvine@bellatlantic.net> Subject: love nut good - nonsuch bad? Ken Herbst is right on about Love Nut -one of the best pop bands to come out of Baltimore - just don't pay too much attention to the lyrics as you pound the dashboard. good stuff. I can't be too upset about the review slagging nonsuch, I actually agree with a lot of the reviewer's points. I happen to think that songs ripped out at a blinding pace while touring and having nervous breakdowns are more exciting and less fussy than those which are painstakingly crafted with perhaps too much attention being paid. I _appreciate_ nonsuch, but I don't find myself listening to it much. -John Irvine livingroomfullofscooterparts,wonderfulwifedoesn'tmind
------------------------------ Message-ID: <19981001154923.23818.rocketmail@attach1.rocketmail.com> Date: Thu, 1 Oct 1998 08:49:23 -0700 (PDT) From: nross <phoenixyellowrose@rocketmail.com> Subject: sometimes I feel so alone... I have never much paid attention to producers of records until now... Why do so many bands decide upon Todd R. for producing. Why do so many seem to have a problem with the product immediately afterward? Why, after a few years, do they all seem to tout his horn? Is he really that good, is he really inventive or just smart enough to know what the public likes? What is all the stuff posted about Dada and the Jam? I've never heard of these groups. Does anyone here like Wire or Siouxsie and the Banshees or The Rolling Stones or Fleetwood Mac? It is like another world. You all seem similar, except for Molly, where is Molly? That's not meant as an insult, and I am not sure why I am amazed at that opinion (of similarity), but I am. Why are we all so obsessive about XTC? Why do I want to buy that damned book? I don't want to admit they are human and I don't want to see their faults... and yet I want to buy the book. It seems you all have the book... aren't you upset at their failings? Am I just a naive little person to expect perfection out of those I admire (I know the answer to that is yes, a resounding one, I may be naive but I'm not stupid). It just think its nice, how ya'll have lives and go on with daily things and then write once a week or so some opinion and sort of throw a bit of yourselves out there for all to see. I feel the desire to connect, but sometimes it doesn't seem possible. Its as if I am four years old and ya'll are forty-eight and have extensive knowledge or experience with music, etc, while I've none. Of course, up to this point, I thought I was advanced. I just needed to vent. Not vent in anger, mind you, but confusion. -Nicole
------------------------------ Date: Thu, 1 Oct 1998 20:23:16 -0400 (EDT) Message-Id: <v03007808b2399116adc4@[209.86.135.102]> From: Mitch Friedman <mitchf@mindspring.com> Subject: and furthermore . . . Thanks everyone for thanking me so much for the report. It was my pleasure to report it and even more my pleasure to collect the info! I forgot a few little tidbits like the fact that Dave's favorite American tv shows are Married With Children, Friends, and South Park. He does a great Cartman impression too. The first thing he asked me when I arrived was if I wanted any cheesy poofs. He's got the gold records framed on his wall for Drums and Wires and the vinyl version of English Settlement with that beautiful packaging only his have silver discs instead of black vinyl. If only the album was released that way. He always carries a guitar pick in his pocket. Andy, upon trying out my acoustic guitar, remarked that my light guage .12 strings were too "he-man" for him. He uses extra lights! I've sent John Relph a bunch of jpegs from my trip of XTC in the studio and Dave at home. He'll post them sometime soon I'm sure. I've also sent him the caricature that Andy drew on my Song Stories book. You'll notice he did one of those "this book belongs to" panels and listed some names of previous owners. Just in case you were wondering, Heinz was the bass player in The Tornadoes who recorded Joe Meek's "Telstar" in 1961 and he plays a prominent and embarrassing part in the Joe Meek documentary that the band loves and that Dave showed me. Nervous Steve was a bass player in one of Andy's pre-Star Park bands and would face away from the audience when on stage out of sheer fright. And Adolf Hitler was of course the lead guitarist and principal singer/ songwriter for that 1940's band The Nazis. Enjoy! Mitch
------------------------------ From: MFa2707621@aol.com Message-ID: <44ddc48.3614604f@aol.com> Date: Fri, 2 Oct 1998 01:10:39 EDT Subject: An addition to my web site Chalkers, I just wanted to mention that I added a small page about XTC on my web site. It's not much, but it's my tribute to XTC & Andy Partridge. I just needed to do something, because the Paradix web page isn't around anymore. I will be adding more to it, when I get more information. The URL for my site is: http://members.tripod.com/~MollyFa/index.html or you could check the Chalkhills web site and my name is in the Anonymous part. Let me know how you like it and my web page by signing my guestbook. Thanks. Molly
------------------------------ From: Kimberly Martin <kimbriel@arches.uga.edu> Subject: interviews in the rain Message-ID: <SIMEON.9810021002.B@ucns.cssites.uga.edu> Date: Fri, 2 Oct 1998 10:47:02 -0400 (Eastern Daylight Time) Hello everyone... It's been a while since I've posted here...I changed schools, e-mail addresses, you name it. But, I'm finally back here where I belong! First, I don't know if this has been mentioned on the list yet, but last month's edition of 99Xpress (a publication from the folks at Atlanta's mammoth alternative rock station 99x) features a very brief interview with XTC entitled "Interviews in the Rain," and can be found at: http://www.com/99x/99xpress.html There's only about 2 paragraphs about XTC, and it's just the same things we all already know, but it's good to see that the boys are at least making news in all sorts of places! Ben--if you like Australia so much, you should probably check out the Kinks' song "Australia," which is on "Arthur, or, the Decline and Fall of the British Empire." Well, you should just get this album anyway! And here's the part where I just say the same ol' things as everyone else...I got "Songs & Stories" a few days ago (ordered it from Barnes and Noble...thanks for the tip Buffy!), and just can't put it down. I had never thought of XTC as being the origin of "true" "Anarchy in the UK," but ya know, Farmer's got a point...Something else I was wondering: it says that Farmer wrote the book _with_ XTC. Did XTC have anything to do with the actual writing, or just contribute interviews?? I ask, because as much as I love the book so far, I have found a few just god-awful metaphors, such as the comparison of Swindon to a zit, which just burst all over the countryside with the introduction of the rail...Ugggh! I know that writers should avoid cliches like the plague (;D), but this is just too much! Also, I knew that Andy had done the cover art to "25 O'clock," but I did not realize that he was such a wonderful artist. Just another reason I want to marry Mr. Partridge... Farmer also mentions that there used to be a pimp in Swindon named Partridge...any relation?? (or was this supposed to be obvious?) Glad to be back!!! --Kimberly
------------------------------
From: Kate_L_Burda.ALDRICH@notesgw.sial.com
Message-Id: <86256691.00535EAD.00@notesgw.sial.com>
Date: Fri, 2 Oct 1998 10:08:44 -0500
Subject: Two-fold merchandising Poll (AKA Building your whimsy)
Chalkfolks,
I've had what can only be described as horrible when it comes to discussing
the response I've gottenfrom my merchandising poll. A grand total of five
people have sent me their XTC merchandising desires. I'm not sure if my
request got lost in the shuffle & Song Stories excitement, if my request was
too difficult, or if I'm being ignored. Therefore, I am re-posting the
request. I'm also moving the response date out to OCTOBER 30 because
digests are coming only once or twice a week.
Now that the new album is in progress, we're all hoping that the merchandise
will follow. I thought it would be a good idea to get some info from
everyone concerning what XTC products they'd be most interested in
purchasing. This will give XTC some idea of what we'd like and what (we
think) will sell, and hopefully their money won't go to waste creating
things no one will buy.
SO, what I'd like all interested parties to do, is to e-mail me with two
sets of information:
PART ONE
Send me a list of no more than 10 XTC things you'd most likely buy.
This can be anything from T-shirts to toilet paper, but it has to be
something you'd pay money for. Ideally they would appeal to the masses, but
don't let that thought limit your imagination. Sorry, but "Song Stories"
does not count here. Please state what country you're from as well- this
will help us get a general idea of where you are & what potential demand in
a country/continent might be.
PART TWO
Seeing as merchandising=advertising, I'd also like to get everyone's
ideas on CHEAP and EASY ways to get the word out about the new album. This
could include doing the obvious- like requesting that your fave music store
stock it- or the not-so-obvious. Send me as many ideas as you'd like.
Please do not send generic messages saying "I'd buy anything with their name
on it!" or "I'll do whatever needs to be done to spread the word!". Most
of us probably feel the same way. This will also work out the best if a
large number of people respond, as you tend to get better data. But, no
stuffing of the ballot box- only one response per person is allowed!!
Send your responses to me at kburda@sial.com. Please put something like
"Merchandise" or "XTC Products" in the subject. DO NOT MAIL THE LIST!!
I am putting a deadline on this of 3 weeks. Please have all responses
e-mailed to me by OCTOBER 30TH, 1998. I will post comprehensive results on
the list by mid- November.
Kate Burda
kburda@sial.com
****This information will be forwarded to Andy and Colin (thanks, Mitch!!),
so I'd like to
get everything as accurate as possible. Send in your responses today!***
------------------------------ Date: Fri, 2 Oct 1998 17:33:02 -0400 (EDT) From: Adam Tyner <ctyner@hubcap.clemson.edu> Subject: MTV coverage of XTC Message-ID: <Pine.SOL.3.96.981002173207.4740A-100000@hubcap.clemson.edu> Psychedelic Brit popsters XTC will emerge from its six-year, self-imposed recording silence when a four-disc box set of live material, entitled "Transistor Blast," arrives in stores on November 3. In January the group plans to release the first of two new studio albums slated for 1999. Material for the "Transistor Blast" set collects over 50 tracks dating back to BBC Radio sessions held in 1977, and include concert recordings from a 1980 show at London's Hammersmith Palais as well as several songs taken from a mid-'80s appearance on BBC's In-Concert program. As for their new studio efforts, XTC has described the sound of its first new release to be that of an acoustic-based orchestral record, while the Swindon, England group says the second new album, which is tentatively due out in Fall 1999, will possess XTC's more-familiar vintage pop sound. As we previously reported (see "XTC Hooks Up With TVT, Plans New Studio Album"), XTC recently inked a U.S. deal with a new label and reconvened to start work on its first album since 1992's "Nonsuch." A 19-song retrospective, "Upsy Daisy Assortment" was released in 1997, and XTC frontman Andy Partridge helped co-write a song, "Blow You Away," with the Verve Pipe for this summer's "Avengers" soundtrack.
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