Chalkhills Digest Volume 7, Issue 41
Date: Tuesday, 10 July 2001

          Chalkhills Digest, Volume 7, Number 41

                  Tuesday, 10 July 2001

Topics:

                       rag and bone
                Re: Strawberry Switchblade
                  The Sound and the fury
           H band live XTC tribute band anyone?
                     remasters on LP
Now we're breaking into our programme for the second time tonight
                  Time for British beat
                  Reign Of Blows Blows?
               Did you see XTC with Slade?
             FREE! Robyn Hitchcock/XTC Music!
                  On second thought....
                      nonsuch demos
                     US Festival '83
                   It's good to be back
            Re: Colin Moulding Needs Your Help
                      Yo, Fishface!

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----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: Tue, 3 Jul 2001 21:27:10 -0700 (PDT)
From: Jeff Eby <jeffaeb@yahoo.com>
Subject: rag and bone
Message-ID: <20010704042710.35234.qmail@web11603.mail.yahoo.com>

In response to the post asking about a rag and bone
remaster.  I don't know if there will be one but I
just recently decided to replace my slightly damaged
Rag bone CD and found that the Geffen copies are being
sold pretty cheaply.  I got my copy from best buy for
$5 (not including shipping).  I was happy.

What I was wondering about the rag and bone stuff has
to do whether any of it will be on the upcoming many
cupboards or fuzzy warbles CD's.  It doesn't seem
likely that this would happen, kind of a waste of
space for songs already on another album, but I guess
it might be possible that Andy and Colin would want to
work more with some of the songs.

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 04 Jul 2001 01:51:55 -0400
From: Douglas Bailey <trystero@ne.mediaone.net>
Subject: Re: Strawberry Switchblade
Message-ID: <5.1.0.14.2.20010704014549.00afbc90@pop3.norton.antivirus>

"vee tube" <veetube@hotmail.com> writes:

>Andy said, "We were just talking with various "Strawberry Switchblades"
>about this".
>
>V wonders, is this one of those 'bubble-gum' bands we never heard of?

Not sure about "bubble-gum", but they were definitely a band: I saw them
open for Howard Jones at the very first concert I ever attended, at the
Hammersmith Odeon back in 1984.

They were a two-woman band, self-described on their web site
(http://www.piskidisk.com/pix5.html) as "...the enigmatic Polka-Dot Pop
group of the early eighties." And I guess I can't argue with that.  :-)

I remember disliking them intensely at the time, but can't actually
remember how the songs sounded: it's quite possible that I'd like them now...

AllMusic (http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=B9dlvad8kt8w8) says
that some of their stuff was indeed bubblegummy, for whatever that's worth.

hth,

doug

--
this week dragged past me so slowly; the days fell on their knees...
                                                   --david bowie

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 4 Jul 2001 04:02:52 EDT
From: WTDK@aol.com
Subject: The Sound and the fury
Message-ID: <37.1766a4b7.287427ac@aol.com>

In a message dated 7/3/01 8:22:33 PM Pacific Daylight Time,
<owner-chalkhills@chalkhills.org> writes:

>From Harrison -
> >For the life of me, I'll never understand people who rate records
> >based on their sonic quality to the exclusion of the actual content.
>    <snip>
> >When I put on a record, I hear notes and words and rhythms and ebb
> >and flow and tension and release and dynamics and tonal coloration...
> >Isn't that what *you* hear?

On the other hand it doesn't allow you to appreciate the production and
detail that goes into making an album. The quality of the songwriting is of
paramount importance but it really comes down to the entire package. If you
didn't know any better it probably wouldn't matter. Then again I've heard
some great songs that were so badly produced that it detracts from the
enjoyment of the song itself.

I hate to use a car analogy but it would be comparable to owning a classic
auto that was in pretty piss poor shape. Yes, you'd get enjoyment out of it
but it would always bother me as to how much more I'd enjoy driving it if it
weren't dented with the seats coming apart and the color flaking off the car.

For those in the US who are purchasing the imports I'd strongly recommend
going to HMV. They've got the best prices I've seen (although no Japanese
reissue for the Dukes album. That's probably because it was only issued on
CD--at least in the US -- as the Chips Anthology. A pity as I loved the
original vinyl packaging on the Psonic  Psunspot vinyl version).
Ed commented--

>So, is it safe to say now that the thing I missed the most from the demo
>versions of the Wasp songs when I heard the final album was that forlorn
>"lonesome cowpoke" whistle at the beginning of "Wounded Horse?"
>
>Ed K.

I prefer the demo to the final version. Andy's lonesome cowpoke whistle makes
the tune. Oh and Ed you can ramble on all you like as far as I'm concerned. I
tend to do the same thing...(witness this post).

Speaking of top flight production touches...I picked up the new ELO album.
It's quite fun to listen to!

What's up with Neil Finn's latest CD? It still doesn't have a release date in
the US. I picked up the import and am happy I didn't wait. It really ticks me
off when US companies delay releasing an album. I suppose they don't care
that their core audience will go out of their way to purchase it as an
import. That explains why some items don't sell when they come out in the US.

Again, while I appreciate the great imports from Japan (and the recreation of
the original artwork), I'd love to find out if the back catalog has been
remastered for release on DVD-audio (in other words now that I've shelled out
for the remasters will I have to repurchase them shortly again).

TBE as always been one of my fav albums. I love the remaster but dislike the
booklet included. The (square) original CD booklet on the first issue is
superior IMHO. Still, there's no arguing about how rich it sounds. I have to
concur that having the bonus tracks in the middle didn't bother me as much as
it did with Mummer. I always felt that the CD version of Mummer sucked when
compared to the vinyl. The bonus tracks undermined the continuity of the
album.

Anybody know of any other bands where the bonus tracks were wedged in  "piggy
in the middle" style?

A random thought...anybody else think that Too Much Joy sounded somewhat like
Drums & Wires/Black Sea era XTC?

Wayne

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 4 Jul 2001 10:32:58 +0100
From: "Percival, Edward" <Edward.Percival@compaq.com>
Subject: H band live XTC tribute band anyone?
Message-ID: <EE21D9F0CA472F4E8CFBA64638A15D54059C74@gblexc01.emea.cpqcorp.net>

UK based chalkies might be interested to know that Dave G will be playing
live with the H Band on 8th & 9th August at Camden Dingwalls- I'm going on
the 8th.

Any of you who live in the Thames Valley might also enjoy seeing my band-
'Flamin' Slade' - the ultimate Slade tribute band- playing July 14th in
Windsor- drop me a mail if you want details or checkout
www.flaminslade.co.uk <http://www.flaminslade.co.uk>  .

Finally- any UK based musos who fancy putting together an XTC tribute band
to do a couple of gigs?

Edward Percival

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 4 Jul 2001 08:37:26 -0300 (BRT)
From: Fernando Pablo Devecchi <devecchi@fisica.ufpr.br>
Subject: remasters on LP
Message-ID: <Pine.LNX.4.21.0107040835420.3002-100000@hoggar.fisica.ufpr.br>

             It would be great to see the remasters in LP format....
with complete art work....
                                                            Fernando.

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 4 Jul 2001 14:52:31 +0100
From: Jason Witcher <JasonW@teletext.co.uk>
Subject: Now we're breaking into our programme for the second time tonight
Message-ID: <32D4AD886C11D511955C00508BAD1C1001983CD6@EXCHBACK>

...
Does anyone know the source of the plummy fella who says "Now we're breaking
into our programme for the second time tonight..."? on 'Psonic Psunspot
(before 'The Affiliated' unless I'm horribly mistaken). I ask because XFM
(slightly less-crap-than-the-others London radio station) has taken to using
the same sample, up to 'programme' as a jingle.

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 05 Jul 2001 13:36:46 +0200
From: art et affiche <art.affiche@wanadoo.fr>
Subject: Time for British beat
Message-ID: <3B44514D.7AE14690@wanadoo.fr>

Chalkhillians,
A little message to tell you I just bought the "NUGGETS II" box,
"original artyfacts from the British Empire and beyond, 1964-1969"
Grrrrreat collection! 4 Cds! 109 tracks !
(of course, I got the "Nuggets I" too, "original artyfact of the first
psychedelic era"-)

Yes it's related to XTC! It's for you, fans of the Dukes!
If you don't already have any of these charming British teenage rock bands
on your records collection, buy it!
Like it is said in the (beautifull) booklet, "Congratulations, you are now
the proud owner of a virtually hitless collection of mod, flower power,
psychedelic, British R'n'B, freakbeat, twee-pop and dozens of records
too strange to pigeonhole into some sub-sub-genre of nugget."
Gems in it, from great bands as The Small faces,
Kinks, Pretty Things, Action, Smoke, Them-
So jump!
And you will understand why Colin, Andy and Dave had so much fun
making "25 o'clock" and "Psonic Psunspots"!
Ah, the label is a US one, Rhino Entertainment Company,
get infos at www.rhino.com (no no they don't give me any money).
Don't know how much does it cost in the USA? In France, 490 FF, about
74 euros. Maybe I could burn some CDs and trade, if someone is interested?

Ciao,

Marie "I put on my floral pants and plug in the f***ing fuzz box" Omnibus.

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 5 Jul 2001 22:34:36 -0700
From: "Drude" <the-drude@home.com>
Subject: Reign Of Blows Blows?
Message-ID: <002a01c105dd$58327e60$6ec94518@gv.shawcable.net>

Re: That's as maybe, but it's still a frog!

Hmmmm... a lot of R.O.B. slagging going on....  But, I've noticed
something.... XTC's albums definitely fall into...oh, let's say....THREE
categories, or types of album...

First off, you have the Punkish/Poppy albums... such as White Music and
Drums and Wires...

Secondly, you have the more pastoral and/or Brit-Poppy ones such as Nonsuch,
Apple Venus and Skylarking...

Thirdly, are the noisy, BIG-DRUMMY albums such as Black Sea and Big
Express...

I would assume that people's natural inclinations towards certain types of
music would cause them to be attracted to/turned off by certain albums
and/or songs by XTC.

F'rinstance, my ex-girlfriend LOVED Skylarking and Nonsuch, and, I assume,
Apple Venus, but couldn't bloody take more than a few seconds of  Train
Running Low or Reign Of Blows.

Myself, I got into XTC at the tail-end of their Punk/Pop/New Wave era, and
at the beginning of their Big-Drummy era, and my favourites are still from
the Big-Drummy era.  I believe Black Sea is the ultimate XTC album, and the
one I always recommend to new listeners.  I love ALL XTC, all of their
moods, because they do it all so well, but I can totally understand a person
disliking XTC's noisier side...

Personally, I'd LOVE it if they'd bring the BIG DRUMS back...hell...I'll
play for them!!!!

Drude

------------------------------

Date: Sat, 7 Jul 2001 08:38:50 -0700 (PDT)
From: John Relph <relph@mando.engr.sgi.com>
Subject: Did you see XTC with Slade?
Message-ID: <10107070838.ZM140393@mando.engr.sgi.com>

Folks,

Did any of you ever see XTC and Slade on the same bill?
If so, let us know!

	-- John

--- begin forwarded mail

Name:    Martin
Email:    pintofsausages@zoom.co.uk
Date:    6-30-2001

Message:    OK its very easy to name all the bands that went on to
make it big as the best Slade support but one to be added to the best
support band list is "BUNNY", remember them? They had a single out at
the time on Polydor but I can't remember what it was called! This band
I think were on the tour after the "Crazee nite tour", I saw Beckett
on this tour but they are not really worthy of being on this list
....I also saw XTC support Slade once at Aston Uni (can't remember the
date or year, over to you Chris S. any idea's?). Martin.

--- end forwarded mail

------------------------------

Date: Sat, 07 Jul 2001 20:00:18 -0500
From: "vee tube" <veetube@hotmail.com>
Subject: FREE! Robyn Hitchcock/XTC Music!
Message-ID: <F79b6KZmcK8r6beUzmR0000fc5c@hotmail.com>

                    Hi Kids!

       Seem's Robyn and the SBoys decided to
      AUTHORIZE the release of some tunes from
      the tour.

  http://www.underwatermoonlight.com/downloads.html

       Seem's Sir Demon Brown decided to release
    some tunes from XTC! LIVE In Ann Arbor Michigan!

  http://www.orangetwin.com/drunken/annarbor1980.html

                   }---:)

P.S. TSDB=Thanx Sir Demon Brown.

P.P.S. The XTC link will take you to a few
       other places.

                 TSDB!OUT!

------------------------------

Date: Mon, 09 Jul 2001 12:11:45 -0600
From: "Steve Oleson" <Steve.Oleson@oag.state.tx.us>
Subject: On second thought....
Message-ID: <sb499f8b.037@smtpgate.oag.state.tx.us>

Hello All!
Now that the dust on my turntable has settled, and I've had a chance
to re-evaluate Apple Venus and Wasp Star, I have to admit that I think
that...

Andy was right all along: the two albums should have been combined as
a double album.

The resulting album would have would have reflected XTC's eclectic
personality in the fashion of Nonsuch, and been a stronger collection
than Apple Venus or Wasp Star.

What do you think?
Steve Oleson
Austin, TX

------------------------------

Date: Mon, 09 Jul 2001 20:20:36 -0000
From: "apparratus null" <apparratus_null@hotmail.com>
Subject: nonsuch demos
Message-ID: <F5RjfXr6nbb3MOsvGhc00009657@hotmail.com>

oi chalkhill

just got a bootleg CD with interesting, but not too interesting, demos off
nonsuch (an album i totally adore).  "i'm the man who murdered love" is also
there, as well as some songs i don't know. anybody with nice info about any
of the following? -

goosy goosy

rocket

goodbye humanosaurus

where did all the ordinary people go

it didnt hurt a bit

its snowing angel

------------------------------

Date: Mon, 09 Jul 2001 16:35:11 -0600
From: Phil Corless <pkmeco@yahoo.com>
Subject: US Festival '83
Message-ID: <3.0.5.32.20010709163511.00af2c50@pop.mindspring.com>

During the early to mid-80's I was an avid taper of
movies and concerts from pay TV services.  Lately
I've been going through my old videos and either
throwing them out or passing them along to others.
This is what happens when you have kids and run out
of space in the house.... Your stuff gets replaced
by their stuff!

Anyway, sitting in front of me is a video of the 1983
US Festival.  This was televised on either HBO or Showtime,
and features the following bands:  Oingo Boingo, The Clash,
Men At Work, Stray Cats, INXS, Divinyls, Flock of Seagulls,
English Beat, and a few others.

I thought someone on this list might be interested in it.... The
video quality is still excellent (Maxell tape, watched only once
in the 18 years since it was recorded).  You'll also get "The Road
Warrior" (starring Mel Gibson), "Man From Snowy River" and
Michael Jackson's "Thriller".....

If anyone wants it, it's yours.  No cost!  Otherwise it goes in the trash.

Email me at:   pkmeco@yahoo.com with your address.

- Phil

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 10 Jul 2001 15:30:05 +1000 (EST)
From: Steve C <nihilon2000@yahoo.com.au>
Subject: It's good to be back
Message-ID: <20010710053005.36005.qmail@web11802.mail.yahoo.com>

Hey Chalkers,

I've been off the list for about three years now - due
to circumstances beyond my control.

But now I'm back.

Hi to Danny, John, and any of the Tokyo XTCers I used
to meet with.

Steve

(Formerly nihilon@crisscross.com)

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 10 Jul 2001 15:12:56 +0900
From: Shigemasa Fujimoto <scfujimoto@hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: Colin Moulding Needs Your Help
Message-ID: <F237B7fPt2Ztn45gZfU00014851@hotmail.com>

Dear XTC fan,

Colin has found what he was looking for! Many thanks from him to all
concerned.

Also, thanks from me to those who wrote in and to Mr John Relph who let me
use his network.

Best wishes,

Shigemasa Fujimoto

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 10 Jul 2001 07:58:56 -0600
From: "Steve Oleson" <Steve.Oleson@oag.state.tx.us>
Subject: Yo, Fishface!
Message-ID: <sb4ab5de.064@smtpgate.oag.state.tx.us>

Dear Mr. Vee Tube:
I have been a fan of Neil Finn for many years. I'm wondering: Is he
one of your brothers in fins?

Is "Finn" a Fin?

Respectfully,
Steve Oleson
Austin, TX

------------------------------

End of Chalkhills Digest #7-41
******************************

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