Top Headlines
March 6, 2021: In Episode 28 of
The ProgCast, Andy Partridge said he will be releasing
16 "or so" EPs over an unspecified period, containing demos of songs written
for other artists, which he's calling
My Failed Songwriting
Career. Most of the artists requested songs in a certain style (for
example, "McCartney", classic rock, folk, Christmas, etc.). Andy would write
several songs for them to choose from, and they would pick one, often not the
one he thought was the best, leaving him with an enormous backlog of worthy
songs. The songs are not about himself, but written to order or, as he says,
it's him "in fancy dress." Most of these demos were recorded very quickly,
sometimes with the artist present, so he's spending time now "tarting them up"
for release, but only the best (in his opinion) of the many demos that were
recorded. [
Thanks to Tom Demi]
January 23, 2021: Ape House writes, "Restoration of multi track tapes is underway for the XTC
album
APPLE VENUS
(vol 1). As soon as the cleaning & rebuild finishes, the man
with the expert touch, Steven Wilson, will be making a 5.1 & new stereo
mix. Another great quality APE release to look forward to". Peckham roses all
'round.
March 15, 2020: Futureman Records released
Garden of Earthly Delights - An XTC
Celebration on March 6, 2020. All proceeds from the project will
benefit The Wild Honey Foundation. The 2 CD set includes 32 tracks, the digital
download includes an additional 17 tracks! Performers include Pop 4, The Corner
Laughers, Paul Myers, The Anderson Council, Corin Ashley and Cliff Hillis, and
many others. "Thanks to everyone involved, we think you're going to enjoy!"
September 2, 2019:
Psurroundabout Ride gathers all of The Dukes
of Stratosphear's material on a CD/Blu-Ray pset, with both of the band's albums
plus 2 extra tracks, remixed in pstereo and 5.1 psurround by Steven Wilson
(approved by Andy Partridge). Originally produced by John Leckie (Swami Anand
Nagara) and The Dukes, the set includes a CD with all tracks in stereo, plus a
Blu-Ray containing all 19 songs in their original mixes in hi-res stereo, new
mixes of 18 songs in hi-res stereo and 5.1 surround plus a final song up-mixed
to surround using the Penteo audio system, and complete demos from both albums
& instrumental versions of album songs in hi-res stereo. Pre-order now, the
set will be released on 18 October 2019 (delayed due to manufacturing issues
with the 200g vinyl).
Ape House News
October 10, 2018: CLASSIC XTC VINYL RELEASES
September 29, 2017: BLACK SEA now in 5.1
March 8, 2017: POWERS RETURNED
December 3, 2016: XTC SHIRTS AU GO GO
October 17, 2016: SKYLARKING NOW IN 5.1
Chalkhills is a web resource dedicated to
XTC
(the now defunct band). Peruse Chalkhills to find a wealth of information about
XTC, their music and recordings, and much more.
Chalkhills was
created by me,
John Relph, and is infrequently
updated (I try to have a life) so check back often. Chalkhills was the longest
extant XTC mailing list, created in April 1989 as an offshoot of the venerable
Love-Hounds list and killed off (in a bizarre kitchen accident, of course) in
August 2014. Chalkhills is the longest extant XTC web site, first hacked
together in May 1994, although FTP archives were first made available in April
1991.
“Shut your wretched pie trap, you ridiculous
prick.”© John
Relph
Other News
February 27
Austin Emerson Lucas transcribed guitar chords for “
Runaways”.
February 14
Ali Sueoka transcribed the
guitar solo for “I'm Playing My Fano”.
¶ You might be interested in the
Without the Beatles compilation featuring Colin's Hermits covering “I Am The Walrus”.
January 23
Ian Roberts reviewed
Chips From The Chocolate Fireball and
Apple Venus Volume 1.
Recent Site Updates
April 4, 2021: Discography - Andy Partridge: My Failed Songwriting Career; Songs - “Jelly Baby”, “Lolly Let's Suck It And See”, “I'm The Kaiser”, “All Aboard for Bubble Land”, “Licky Licky Liquorice”
April 3, 2021: Covers - Sounds Incarcerated: "Your Gold Dress", Sounds Incarcerated: "Vanishing Girl"
March 28, 2021: Songs - XTC: "Standing In For Joe", XTC: "Cherry in Your Tree", Andy Partridge: "Visit to the Doctor", Andy Partridge: "Tin Toy Clockwork Train", Andy Partridge: "Candymine", “Cavegirl”; Discography - Andy Partridge: Cavegirl
February 14, 2021: Discography - Without the Beatles
February 5, 2021: Discography - The Dukes of Stratosphear: 25 O'Clock
Twitter: apehouseXTC