Chalkhills Digest Volume 5, Issue 80
Date: Friday, 5 February 1999
Chalkhills Digest, Volume 5, Number 80
Friday, 5 February 1999
Today's Topics:
Chalkhills Changes
with all due respect
AV1 snippet from SPIN...
RE: apple venus dreams
Not hungry for dinner, and I found where they are now....
VH1 drops ball
profit
another internet cd sale
Re: LA Radio and XTC
truces & radio stations
re: Apple Venus Artwork...
Where is he now?
Mitchell Froom? the Mitchell Froom? the perfect producer for XTC?
Hats
cost of a CD
Paranoid Barry ?
Tin Soldier
dissing president phil again
Andy "Puffy" Partridge-Peacock Combs
Here They Are: The Subtles!
XTC survey?
HugBear
Chart help required
haikus 4 u
311/Hugh Padgham
Mr. Ditko was right!
My .02
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Radios in motion / Atmosphere to ocean.
---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Fri, 5 Feb 1999 10:44:10 -0800 (PST) Message-Id: <199902051844.KAA86354@mando.engr.sgi.com> From: John Relph <relph@engr.sgi.com> Subject: Chalkhills Changes Calcium Carbonates, Just a quick note to let you know of the most recent changes and updates to Chalkhills. First, I wish to announce that Chalkhills has been granted permission to present an interview with Andy Partridge, by Art Dudley. This interview was published in an edited and shorter form in Listener magazine (check your store shelves today), but Mr. Dudley was kind enough to send Chalkhills the full text of the interview. <http://reality.sgi.com/chalkhills/articles/Listener1999.html> Secondly, Radio KGSR, Austin, DJ Jody Denberg, with the help of Jill Oleson, has graciously granted Chalkhills permission to reproduce another interview with Andy Partridge. <http://reality.sgi.com/chalkhills/articles/KGSR1999.html> Read them both today in the Chalkhills Archives! Also, the folks from Cooking Vinyl were kind enough to send Chalkhills full mail order information for "Apple Venus". If you want to order the Vinyl LP, the cassette, or the UK CD of "Apple Venus", visit this page today: <http://reality.sgi.com/chalkhills/product/AppleVenus.html> Other recent updates: * Lyrics to "Apple Venus Volume 1" * San Diego Union-Tribune review of "Upsy Daisy Assortment" * New reviews of "Apple Venus" * Announcing X-Wires: XTC Unofficial, a new Japanese XTC site from Tetsuya Fukutsuka * FFWD review of "Transistor Blast" Enjoy! -- John P.S. It's getting pretty exciting around here!
------------------------------ Message-Id: <199902032040.UAA09710@mailhost.dircon.co.uk> Date: Tue, 02 Feb 1999 19:17:34 +0100 Subject: with all due respect From: "peter cunliffe" <clock@dircon.co.uk> Thinking back over recent postings, one that stuck in my poorly mind was the guy who created evil, sexually oriented half-brothers of the songs on AV1. And I was thinking.... couldn't Johnny Japes do a version of "Harvest Festival" and call it "Largest Testicles"? I'll get me coat. Pete.
------------------------------ Message-Id: <s6b84f6f.041@tcwgroup.com> Date: Wed, 03 Feb 1999 13:29:29 -0800 From: "Dane Pereslete" <peresd@tcwgroup.com> Subject: AV1 snippet from SPIN... Unless someone has already beaten me to it, I humbly submit this discovery from SPIN, March 1999. On Pg. 141 "The Shredder - Eighteen records. Twenty-two sentences. No mercy" by Joshua Clover XTC, the old guard of idiosyncracy, come back to us with Apple Venus Volume One (Idea/TVT), but they still feel gone.
------------------------------ Message-ID: <A292A05FDF99D211A0760090271E0FF5022BC656@loki.augustana.edu> From: "Allen, Paul" <PAUL-ALLEN@augustana.edu> Subject: RE: apple venus dreams Date: Wed, 3 Feb 1999 15:23:02 -0600 to tyler, who posted about dreams I had a dream that I found AV1 at a used CD store. The cover had a pinkish background with a blended, pastel colored apple. the funny thing was, even in the dream i knew i was just dreaming it and was pissed because i knew i'd wake up soon. I too believe in the precognative nature of dreams. just watching the goings on, paul allen
------------------------------ From: pann@gate.net Message-ID: <36B8CCB5.12F2@gate.net> Date: Wed, 03 Feb 1999 17:24:53 -0500 Subject: Not hungry for dinner, and I found where they are now.... Hello, my chalk-covered brethren, > From: Dominic Lawson <LAWSOND@parliament.uk> > Subject: The Age Of Dinner/Sense > On a more interesting note (but only just) I heard Testimonial Dinner for > the first time recently (again, thanks Don!) and was pleasantly horrified > by the whole thing. With a couple of notable exceptions - i.e. that mad > version of "TMWSAHS" and They Might Be Giants excellent "25 O'Clock" - I > found it all rather gruesome. Sterile, bland and dazzlingly unoriginal > interpretations of established classics, one and all. Score---Direct Hit! I, too have always been completely underwhelmed with this recording (couple of ok tracks), and for the reasons you point out. Why not make a tribute record with some acts that have an idea what XTC are about (style, intelligence, sense of fun/humor, musicianship, loads of creativity to spare, etc...) this record is way too bland and the energy just isn't there for me. Tribute albums are iffy things.....the right people can make or break it. On another topic, saw the VH-1 "Where are they now" last night. Is it just me, or does anyone else cringe when Xtc is on the same show with Kajagoogoo, Spandau Ballet, Wang Chung, etc.....it WAS GREAT, however, to see Andy and Colin being given a quick little 5 minute or so chunk of TV timespace, any exposure can't hurt right now. Its just that the thing that struck me about the show on the whole, was that the rest of those lame bands are reforming, or else one guy is still out on the road, playing the same song (s) that made them famous, over and over for the "nostalgic 80's" thing. How many times can we hear Modern Englishs' "Melt with You"? Xtc has always without fail, progressed, and pushed themselves with each release, and are artists who had the misfortune of being severely underappreciated for most of their career. They weren't some one-hit-wonder, novelty act, like most on the show. It just seems strange to me to see how Xtc may be perceived to the rest of the world (besides our little kingdom here....). Theres a place for nostalgia,( if someone really loves the stuff on that show, more power to them. Tastes being personal things, but to me it is really crap) but Xtc are still vibrant, creative guys who aren't part of that whole thing, and are entering what I hope to be a new rebirth of their career. from lemoncurry: > What would appear as the sound of the 90's if Andy Partridge had made > "The History of Rock'n'Roll" now ? maybe a massive, car-trunk-rattling, Roland 808 bass drum sound, just thick and reverbed out to maximum bassness....or not. from Dan: > To all Chicago Chalkhillians: > > Just heard on XRT that they're expecting an in-studio visit from Andy (and > possibly Colin) "toward the end of the month." > dan hey, Andy and Colin----howabout some NICE, sunny, pleasant, relaxing South Florida weather after the Chicago visit? C'mon, you know you'd like that...poolside r+r.....please? Best, Perry (Everybody Have Fun Tonight...)
------------------------------ Message-Id: <3.0.1.32.19990203190659.006ed9d0@pop.mindspring.com> Date: Wed, 03 Feb 1999 19:06:59 -0500 From: "Todd E. Jones" <toddjones@mindspring.com> Subject: VH1 drops ball Worshippers of the 'C: Was anyone else sorely disappointed at VH-1's handling of XTC on "Where are they now?" This show is usually an opportunity for faded-into-obscurity artists to bleakly attempt a comeback with a Rogaine-begging version of their old 80's hairdos. In XTC's case, you'd at least think they'd put in a plug for the imminent release of Apple Venus. No such luck. XTC came off as a more clever, self-effacing variant of the "I remember when we used to sell out stadiums and have 50 girls in the dressing room" losers like Gary Glitter, Loverboy, Modern English and other has-beens whose 15 minutes of fame were hideously squandered. It was fun to see 'em though. Todd Jones Manager, Producer, Insect Massage Therapist, Janitor HUGE sound generation and capture facility Cape Fear River Basin, NC http://www.mindspring.com/~toddjones
------------------------------ Message-ID: <19990204000704.1207.rocketmail@send102.yahoomail.com> Date: Wed, 3 Feb 1999 16:07:04 -0800 (PST) From: Jeff Langr <jlangr@yahoo.com> Subject: profit > it costs about a $1 to press + origination costs - studios, mastering, > artwork > + artist royalties (or shouldn't they eat) > + marketing and promotion (need to let people it exists) > + distribution > + retail Yes there's cost and profit at all levels. Retail stores have the cost of the goods from the distributor + rent + labor + overhead + profit. Online stores will have a lot less rent (and possibly less labor). I don't begrudge the people their profits at the source and in the distribution channel. BUT when CDs first came out, they were considerably higher priced than vinyl due to the initially high manufacturing costs. When the manufacturing costs actually got cheaper, someone's profit margins increased. I presume prices have slowly crept up over the past 10 years to maintain those margins. The $17 amount at mall retail stores makes me wonder, since the most I'll ever pay is $15 at crap retail outlets (Best Buy, Media Play, Circuit City, etc.), and for new stuff it's more like $12. Online I pay on average $12 plus $2 shipping and handling -- but often save even more money due to volume & promotions. And through the clubs my average price ends up being $8 - $9 which includes S&H (but the selection sucks). Point being is that $17 is outrageous however you look at it. Regardless of the previous whining, I'd pay the $17 for Apple Venus if I had to. -Jeff L.-
------------------------------ Message-ID: <19990204010317.8283.rocketmail@send104.yahoomail.com> Date: Wed, 3 Feb 1999 17:03:17 -0800 (PST) From: Tyler Hewitt <tahewitt@yahoo.com> Subject: another internet cd sale the cd now webpage (www.cdnow.com) is having a $10.00 off sale. The sale ends 2/15, and the item has to be over $19.99 in price. For those of you who don't have TB yet, their regular price is $45.99, so you could buy it for a little over 35 bucks.
------------------------------ From: JomamaFunk@aol.com Message-ID: <b21f849b.36b8feaa@aol.com> Date: Wed, 3 Feb 1999 20:58:02 EST Subject: Re: LA Radio and XTC DCB-MBB; >on a more personal note...in the song, 'Grass', when Andy sings..."the way you slap my face just fills me with desire"...it really does fill ME with desire!!... couldn't you just swoon, ladies?? hhhmmmmmmmm???? ;) That was Colin singing....by the way! Hung up, Hanging out and Hungover waitin' for AV1 here in Austin TX Joe
------------------------------
Message-Id: <3.0.2.32.19990203222208.006c4b4c@mail.interlog.com>
Date: Wed, 03 Feb 1999 22:22:08 -0500
From: David Oh <davidoh@interlog.com>
Subject: truces & radio stations
before any of you page down, dom lawson & i have called a truce, outside of
the usual forum, 2 our verbal armaggedon. he's agreed 2 tone down his rants
against me, & i've agreed 2 type (just a little more) normally. perhaps we
can all be a little more accommodating of different points of view &
differing styles of writing? i hope so, but please bear with me, changing
my style may be more difficult than i imagined... but i will try...
in regards 2 alerting the radio stations 2 the forthcoming "av-1", i have
done my part by emailing 4 local radio stations;
1. new rock edge 102.1 ("alternative" & "modern rock") http://edge102.com
2. mix 99.9 (today's shit, yes'turd'ay's classics) www.mix999.fm
3. 104.5 chum-fm (today's 'best muzak' - sorry about the 'z', but if you
could just hear this snorefest, you would understand!) www.chumfm.com
& finally
4. q107 ("pure rock") www.q107.com.
i've added the url's 2 these stations so that, if anyone is interested, u
can check out the state of radio here in toronto, canada. it's pretty
pathetic, really...
by far, the most positive response was from edge 102.1. i emailed their
program director & a few of the dj's that i've met. the following are a
couple of their responses:
From: "kneale" <kneale@edge102.com>
We've already started to play it. In fact, we also have an interview with
Andy Partridge that we've run some of - and will run more of in the near
future.
Stay tuned!
Cheers,
Kneale Mann, Music Director
New Rock, Edge 102
check out our website! http://edge102.com
From: Alan Cross <alanc@edge102.com>
I've had a chance to hear the first "Venus Apples" album already and it's
quite good. In fact, one song already made it onto the New Rock Preview.
As for an "Ongoing History [of new music - a program tracing the history of
"alternative rock music"]," maybe. They WOULD make a fun profile...
edge 102's latest (99/01/28) top 5 is as follows:
1. Fireworks The Tragically Hip
2. Malibu Hole
3. What's It Like Everlast
4. Pure Morning Placebo
5. Joining You Alanis Morissette
of the 3 other radio stations i have emailed, only one has responded so
far, & as you can read, it's not very encouraging...
From: mixmusic@mix999.com (mixmusic mixmusic)
Thanks for your email to the MIX. Your comments have been forwarded to the
appropriate department and as always will be kept in mind for future
programming decisions.
in other words, thanks, but no thanks...
this is mix 99.9's latest (99/01/30) top 5:
1. Lullabye Shawn Mullins
2. Angel Sarah McLachlan
3. Save Tonight Eagle Eye Cherry
4. Slide Goo Goo Dolls
5. Jumper Third Eye Blind
& what about 104.5 chumfm? (99/01/30):
1. Slide Goo Goo Dolls
2. Angel Sarah McLachlan
3. Believe Cher [???]
4. The Sweetest Thing U2
5. Lullaby Shawn Mullins
& lastly, the "mighty q's" 107 top 5 (of 1998):
1. That Song Big Wreck
2. Iris Goo Goo Dolls
3. Space Lord Monster Magnet
4. Everlong Foo Fighters
5. Fly Away Lenny Kravitz
q107's playlist is top heavy with led zeppelin, rolling stones, aerosmith,
the doors & ac/dc. &, they play the same 5 songs from each of these bands
over & over & over... however, they did reply with:
From: Jeff Woods <jwoods@q107.com>
Thanks for the email.
I'm particularly familiar with XTC. Oddly enough, when "Drums and Wires"
came out, Q107 was there, spinning XTC. Unfortunately, but realistically,
XTC while continuing to enjoy their 'cult' status, aren't likely to break
beyond their limited appeal. New music is a wonderful thing ... we play a
lot of it but don't disregard the importance, that is the demand for, music
from the 60's and 70's which continues to be in high demand among those as
young as their teens to those yours and my age. Your passion for new music
is duly noted. Thanks for the rare listening you do indulge in along with
your feedback,
Jeff Woods
Assistant Program Director & Music Director Q107
as u can see, things are not that healthy here in toronto, radio-wise. it
looks like xtc "might" get a little airplay on "the edge", but it'll have 2
fight hard against a lot of shit, sorry, hits 2 be heard...
peace & xtc,
davidoh
------------------------------ Message-ID: <36B94D6A.7141@schoollink.net> Date: Wed, 03 Feb 1999 23:34:02 -0800 From: Dan Phipps <phipps@schoollink.net> Organization: CIC Subject: re: Apple Venus Artwork... Just wanted to say thanks Mark for being the first one to show me the artwork for the much-anticpated XTC release in just a few more weeks! Can't wait...tension's mounting!!! The Little Lighthouse is a damned cool site for the Swindon Two, dude! Keep up the good work! Peace -- -- /Dan Phipps <phipps@schoollink.net> "I would have made this instrumental, but the words got in the way." (Andy Partridge)
------------------------------ Message-ID: <19990204043044.22530.qmail@hotmail.com> From: "Amanda Owens" <daveizgod@hotmail.com> Subject: Where is he now? Date: Wed, 03 Feb 1999 22:30:43 CST I like Vh-1's WATN shows, but it kinda cheeses me when they seem to focus on one single bandmate and what he/she is up to lately. It's Where Are THEY Now. But enough of that. It was quite nice to get to see some XTC! And it may seem weird, but it's the first time I've ever really seen them, since I got into them only five years ago. I'm not quite sure what to make of the cover of Apple Venus. I can't tell whether it's a peacock feather shrouding something or a certain part of the female anatomy. (May just be my odd senses working overtime, however.) And one final note to DavidOh-"ow-gray up-hay, ozo-bay." Tis all for now, Amanda C. Owens "People will always be tempted to wipe their feet on anything with welcome written on it."-Andy Partridge XTC song of the day-Science Friction non XTC song-I Love Your Goo-Crash Test Dummies
------------------------------ Message-ID: <19990204050625.29650.rocketmail@send102.yahoomail.com> Date: Wed, 3 Feb 1999 21:06:25 -0800 (PST) From: Tyler Hewitt <tahewitt@yahoo.com> Subject: Mitchell Froom? the Mitchell Froom? the perfect producer for XTC? Chris Vreeland wrote: Would he (Mitchell Froom) not be the perfect producer for XTC? I've thought about this before. Froom is THE hot producer right now, and while I'm intrigued at the prospect, I don't really know how Froom's murky, noisy, drum-heavy sound would mix with XTC. Could be really tasty, or a wreck. Give a listen to the Finn Brothers album to hear Froom botch a nice bunch of songs. I actually like Froom's work a lot. Chris mentioned Los Lobos' Kiko (One of the best albums of the DECADE-you MUST give this exquisite masterpiece a listen), Other Froom productions that are excellent are Suzanne Vega's 99.9F (she's married to Froom), Los Lobos' Colossal Head (another EXCELLENT album-Los Lobos are about my second favorite band), and The Latin Playboys. So, XTC and Froom-could it work? Probably, but I'd really like to hear him produce Tom Waits. Another aside about Suzanne Vega-she's a big XTC fan. I read an interview with her around the time 99.9F was released (1992 or so), and she was singing the praises of Oranges & Lemons. She claimed to be hugely influenced by that record when making 99.9F. Xtc have done good work in the past with hot, of the moment producers (Steve Lillywhite), so, you never know.
------------------------------
Message-Id: <36B92E3A.383D320B@bowdoin.edu>
Date: Thu, 04 Feb 1999 00:21:24 -0500
From: Ben Gott/Loquacious Music <bgott@bowdoin.edu>
Organization: http://listen.to/loquacious
Subject: Hats
Chalkies,
The good news was that I watched and taped XTC on VH-1. The bad news
(there's got to be bad news, right?) was that my friend Laurie's VCR was on
the fritz. The segment, unfortunately, now lives on only in my memory.
However, I've got a question: why the hell does Partsy insist on wearing
those dorky baseball caps? I mean, we know that you're losing your
hair...but that's cool! It's alright, man! Be proud of it! Sting doesn't
wear a hat, and neither does Morrissey...and they're both losing their hair!
And, for goodness sake, Mike Stipe got rid of *all* his hair, and his band
has a $40 million contract!
For those who missed the segment: there were some clips of videos, a
"sitting on stools in the studio" interview with Andy (and Colin, who didn't
say much, as usual), and some fairly random clips of Andy walking around
outside. Generic bumper segments, for sure, but it was great to see Our
Boys on TV...
I'm more excited about "AV1" than I have been about any album, ever.
-Ben
P.S. If anyone can name the song from which my .sig quote originated, I'll be
happily surprised. This hint gives it away: "hotel, motel..." Aah. That's
enough...
+-----------------------------------------------------------------+
Benjamin Gott :: Bowdoin College :: Brunswick, Maine 04011
AOL Plan4Nigel :: Telephone (207) 721-5513 :: Mobile (207) 798-1859
Like a boogie to the boogie / Without the boogie bang.
+-----------------------------------------------------------------+
------------------------------ Message-Id: <3.0.5.32.19990203235236.00827960@pop3.demon.co.uk> Date: Wed, 03 Feb 1999 23:52:36 +0000 From: The Larsons <MereBrian@larson4.demon.co.uk> Subject: cost of a CD >Cooking_Vinyl@compuserve.com wrote >fyi >it costs about a $1 to press + origination costs - studios, mastering, >artwork >+ artist royalties (or shouldn't they eat) >+ marketing and promotion (need to let people it exists) >+ distribution >+ retail Sorry that we're veering off-topic here but we *are* all about to buy a new CD! How do the above factors break down in cost per CD? Something doesn't compute here: when they were introduced, CDs were 50% or even 100% more than the cost of vinyl and since that time haven't come down significantly in price vs inflation. All of the above apply equally to CD and vinyl except pressing. So if vinyl were pressed for free (?), CDs should cost $1 more - can you elaborate? * ------------------------------ Larson Family Web Page: http://www.larson4.demon.co.uk * ------------------------------
------------------------------ Message-ID: <FK4CwDAD0Wu2Ewx2@neutronstar.demon.co.uk> Date: Thu, 4 Feb 1999 09:48:51 +0000 From: chris <chris@neutronstar.demon.co.uk> Subject: Paranoid Barry ? Hi Can anyone tell me if XTC's Barry Andrews is the same guy who made the completely marvellous 'Win a Night Out With A Well Known Paranoiac' or not ? Apologies if this has been covered before or is completely obvious to those in the know Also, (OT) never mind Ally McBeal, surely the worst piece of television to be conceived of in the last ten years has to be 'Sex in the City'. -- chris2
------------------------------ Message-ID: <000f01be5029$aa43bdc0$1700000a@andy-pii> From: "Andy Miller" <andymiller@4thestate.co.uk> Subject: Tin Soldier Date: Thu, 4 Feb 1999 10:32:29 -0000 >> ITS CALLED TIN SOLDIER AND I DONT KNOW WHO WROTE IT BUT ITS A >> COVER. AND ITS ON REMOULDS. >Shame on you! Tin Soldier is _the_ Small Faces classic of course What a >song and what a terrific version our Dave recorded. I'm not100% sure but i >think he's the only one who ever dared to cover it.Please correct me if i'm >wrong OK. Dave is not the first to have covered Tin Soldier. That honour may well fall to none other than... Todd Rundgren!!! Check 'The Ever Popular Tortured Artist Effect' for proof. NB. The covers are cool, but the original is one of the greatest singles ever made. No Steve Marriot, no comment. Best Andy
------------------------------ Message-ID: <19990204121131.6706.qmail@hotmail.com> From: "jonathan monnickendam" <monnickj@hotmail.com> Subject: dissing president phil again Date: Thu, 04 Feb 1999 04:11:30 PST The phil collins trail was hot back in early december before i went offline and with the meister's indulgence i offer you a comment from Bonnie Raitt in the Jan/Feb issue of the wonderful Folk Roots mag in which she talks about her work with the R&B Foundation, an organisation dedicated to giving the original songwriters thier rights/royalties. She said 'there are a lot of people like me, Phil Collins and Rod Stewart making a lot of money from the same songs that the original musicians didn't get paid for. I think it the only right thing to do is to give part of your income back'. SSOunds extremely god to me I am not aware that PC has even been noted for his philanthropy and RS's is limited to ex-wives and laywers I hope i never have cause to mention the name of unmentioable again. jon m
------------------------------ Message-Id: <199902041418.JAA03649@hammurabi.nh.ultra.net> Date: Thu, 04 Feb 1999 09:15:28 -0500 Subject: Andy "Puffy" Partridge-Peacock Combs From: "Duncan Watt" <kanuba@nh.ultranet.com> dieling <lemoncurry@geocities.com> wrote(asked): >What would appear as the sound of the 90's if Andy Partridge had made >"The History of Rock'n'Roll" now ? Well, a simple multi-sample of the previous "History Of Rock 'n' Roll" track, looped, with AP mumbling "...come to me..." over it, of course. Your Even More Cynical Pal Duncan Watt
------------------------------ Message-Id: <4.1.19990204083318.00946500@pop-2.iastate.edu> Date: Thu, 04 Feb 1999 08:47:14 -0600 From: John A Lane <jal@iastate.edu> Subject: Here They Are: The Subtles! In #5-78, the gracius Mister Strijbos was kind enough to point the way to the Apple Venus artwork (By the way, Mark, your website rocks!). I gotta say, I was a bit disappointed. Now that Andy's finally (to use the vernacular) "gettin' some" again with his new-found/newly-rediscovered love, he's acting as if he's discovered (to use the vernacular) Nookie. Bravo. Peacock feather = vagina. I've not seen the same caliber of cleverness since I viewed the Stones' "Sticky Fingers" album. PUH-LEEZE! Good thing that the music is always the best around though. --John http://www.public.iastate.edu/~jal
------------------------------ Message-Id: <199902041557.KAA09259@lima.epix.net> From: "Michael Davies" <miser17@epix.net> Date: Wed, 3 Feb 1999 21:43:48 -0400 Subject: XTC survey? > On an even more interesting note, I perused with great interest the results > of AMartin's XTC survey. Guess what? I was appalled by the results! Blimey, Where? I wish I had contributed to this. I like surveys. > Worst of all, despite the undeniable > evidence before you, "My Weapon" wasn't voted the worst XTC tune of all > time. "The Smartest Monkeys"??? Eh??? Are you all on drugs or something? If > not, why not? I mean, yes, "War Dance" is a load of poo and "Super Tuff" > makes "Jah War" by The Ruts sound like King Tubby, but "The Smartest > Monkeys" is a corker. I don't know, you youngsters...... What don't you like about "My Weapon"? It's one of my favorite songs on Go 2, behind only "Battery Brides", "Crowded Room" and "Red". I think the worst XTC song is probably either yeah, "War Dance" (wow, that song has stupid lyrics. Even stupider than "Omnibus".), "Cross Wires" (I know, we can't take these early Colin songs seriously, but what exactly the h$ll is the deal with "Cross Wires"?), or "Living Through Another Cuba" (I'm glad they never did another song remotely like this one). I hope I've picked ones we can all agree are bad. (ha) Michael davies miser17@epix.net
------------------------------ Message-Id: <199902041558.KAA09300@lima.epix.net> From: "Michael Davies" <miser17@epix.net> Date: Wed, 3 Feb 1999 21:34:22 -0400 Subject: HugBear > Don't know about the others, but Huggy Bear actually does exist, they > are(or were)a sexually integrated(i.e. both girls and boys in the > band)punk band from L.A., or somewhere on the west coast. Never heard > them myself, but I remember them mentioned in an article on the Riot > Grrrl movement of a few years ago. I'm pretty sure Huggy Bear were from Britain. I've never heard them either, but they had several early 7"s on Wiiija, which pretty much means that they're from Britain. Their two albums were called "Weaponry Listens to Love" and "Taking the Rough With The Smooch" (compilation of three 7"s) which are both excellent album titles. Michael davies miser17@epix.net
------------------------------ From: David_Goody@mandg.co.uk Message-ID: <0025670E.002F388F.00@smtpmta.mandg.co.uk> Date: Thu, 4 Feb 1999 08:38:59 +0000 Subject: Chart help required I would really like to be able to see just where Apple Venus reaches in all the charts around the world (just like all Chalkhillers would), but I'm not sure of where to find the information. Can any kind person give me details of Web Sites that have the official charts of the US, UK and anywhere else? Dave.
------------------------------ Message-ID: <900822C71730D2118D8C00805F65765C38A1C6@EINSTEIN> From: Jill Oleson <oleson@moneystar.com> Subject: haikus 4 u Date: Thu, 4 Feb 1999 10:19:59 -0600 + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + sublime melodies "Apple Venus" wafts 'tween ears high as sunflower + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + basted wait, AV cathartic ecstasy rise pleasant/twisted grin + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + stage left, sun rises sparkling, glowy dewdrop falls river of orchids + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + harvest festival a maypole on his playground reminds me of his ... + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + digit-impaired, oh? 2 cool 2 B 4gotten lyricz fer u 2 + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + Tex rodeo queen bad Japanse poetry must forbid combo! + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
------------------------------ Message-ID: <19990204151654.2449.rocketmail@send1e.yahoomail.com> Date: Thu, 4 Feb 1999 07:16:54 -0800 (PST) From: Jeff Langr <jlangr@yahoo.com> Subject: 311/Hugh Padgham A somewhat surprising XTC influence... from my music boulevard emailing: "311 has settled on a co-producer to work with their in-house engineer Scott Ralston, and it's none other than Hugh Padgham, who's best known for his work with the Police and Sting, as well as albums by XTC and Melissa Etheridge." "'I listened to XTC quite a bt in junior high and high school,and that was huge for me,' adds [guitarist] Hexum. 'They were very innovative and melodic.'" Apparently 311 is looking to get a bit more of a melodic sound on their next album. -Jeff L.-
------------------------------ From: martin.clinton@dnb.no Message-Id: <199902041004.CAA05421@sgi.com> Subject: Mr. Ditko was right! Date: Thu, 4 Feb 1999 11:03:03 +0100 Chris Vreeland wrote: >XTC song of the day- New Broom. Who is Mr.. Ditko, anyway? Mr. Ditko is Steve Ditko, who drew the first 40 issues or so of Spiderman back in the early sixties, as well as various other Marvel comics, until he fell out with Head Honcho Stan Lee. Later in the 60's & 70's he produced independent comics featuring a character called Mr. A, whose ideals were based on the writings of author Ayn Rand (was it called Libertarianism?? Racking my brains here). Mr. A's catchphrase was "A is A", and that there was only black and white, good and bad, no 'grey' areas in life. So that people who commit a crime, but try to convince themselves that only doing wrong once is OK, are fooling themselves. As soon as they do wrong, they cross the line from good to evil, there is no middle ground. Hope this explains it well enough! All the best Martin
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 4 Feb 1999 13:12:55 -0500
From: Dorothy Spirito <spiritod@techmail.gdc.com>
Subject: My .02
Message-ID: <Pine.SOL.4.00.9901220944030.19158-100000@esun2028>
Greetings, Chalkids!
Before I do the obligatory introduction, I'm announcing that as of my
lunch hour today, I now have an advance copy of Apple Venus in my hot
little hands. That sound you hear is my mate, Dave Rutherford, making
like Speedy Gonzalez to retrieve the fervently-desired CD from me -- just
as soon as he reads this post.
(Dave-- Surprise! You're welcome. I love you.)
OHMIGOSH!!! This is SO INCREDIBLY GOOD!!! Easter Theatre is so beautiful,
it has literally brought tears to my eyes. LOL! When they sing "stage
left", you hear it in the right headphone, and when they sing "stage
right", you hear it in the left one. (And, no, I don't have the
headphones on backwards; I checked.)
Now for the autobio: I'm Dave Rutherford's girl. <g> (I'll just leave
it at that.)
My first exposure to XTC was during a road trip to Cape Cod last year, but
I was too engrossed in my driving companion (Dave, again) to pay much
attention -- although "Seagulls" caught me. My second was "English
Roundabout" (love the syncopation, the 5/4 timing), then a hodgepodge CD-R
he made for me with "Extrovert", "Ten Feet Tall", "Great Fire",
"LadyBird", and "Ballet/1000" on it, then "Snowman". Then I borrowed
English Settlement and zipped myself off a cassette, setting that hook
more deeply as I listened to the album while it was recording, and then
my finished cassette while I returned the CD. I played "Snowman"
repeatedly and LOUDLY. Since then, I've heard Big Express, O&L, TB,
Nonsuch, Black Sea, and Skylarking. I want to hear them ALL; EVERY song
they've ever recorded.
I've bought some second-hand stuff, too, including the Nonesuch Sessions
demo CD (with "It's Snowing Angels" on it, which I like a *lot*). And
Dave already mentioned the AV demo CD he'd snapped up in November; I've
been enjoying that, too.
I'm completely engrossed. Dave, a listmember for many years now, is
delighted; he says he's getting to enjoy the discovery of XTC all over
again through me. I think he also likes that I 'grok' the allure that is
XTCness. Here's my take: Listening to XTC is like juicing the pleasure
center of the brain. It's sensory overload -- senses working overtime? --
which pushes many buttons simultaneously, then plays them like a keyboard.
The music is layered *even when the instruments are few*, and the lyrics
have layers to their meaning. XTC is habit-forming. A song may hook you
on the first listen, most will hook you on the second or third, but nearly
all will get you eventually.
I fall asleep with an XTC song running through my mind; I wake with
another; others tumble through my mind throughout the day. I've read
Twomey's book, and Neville's.
My brother Anthony is a keyboardist; I'm going to start buying XTC CDs and
giving them to him. "You WILL be assimilated, heh, heh..." How could he
not? Any musician worth their salt would be unable to resist the appeal.
Here's a misheard lyric for the kissthisguy.com page: Dave had lent me
Nonsuch a few weeks ago, and maybe it's because it's on a home-recorded
cassette that has been riding in his car awhile, but it sounded to me like
they're singing "We're the smiling smokeys" (smartest monkeys) : )
Here's a possible lyric correction to the Chalkhills lyric pages: In
"Then She Appeared" on the Nonsuch album, shouldn't that be "And the sun
which formerly shone", not "formally" (& ditto the line about the moon)?
Anyway, hi to you all; I've been reading all the back issues of Chalkhills
*and* I've been lurking since December. Dave & I enjoyed David Yazbek's
performance at Brownie's, and I bought him Tock for Christmas. I'm
looking forward to hearing The Nigels.
And I would *love* to help organize an XTC bash in NYC/New England where
we rent a room, play Apple Venus and the rest of discography, and just
groove/party/schmooze 'til we drop! Anyone else interested among you
Chalkhills Children in driving range?
--Dorothy.
("Color me happy!")
------------------------------ End of Chalkhills Digest #5-80 ******************************
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