Wonder Web

Evening Advertiser
Saturday, August 1, 1998

Surfin' USA?
For California read Swindon

By Graham Carter

WHEN WE were kids we used to listen to The Beach Boys and dream about going to California. Now the opposite happens, thanks to the power of the Internet. Over in California, they are listening to Swindon band XTC and dreaming about coming here.

XTC were belting out records from the late 1970s until 1992 when they fell out with their record company. Yet, despite six years off, their popularity has continued to grow, fuelled by a large fan base among Internet users, especially in the States.

They have spent the last six years dissecting every chord and every syllable of XTC's output and have helped to give the band a kind of cult status.

One such fan is Bob Estus who spends his weekends surfing in the Pacific Ocean close to his home in San Diego, California - and spends his evenings surfing the Internet, trying to learn more about Swindon.

The 34-year-old computer graphics wizard has never been to the town, but as a fan of XTC, he can't get enough of the place. He has spent the last six months compiling a 77-page Internet site which brings together the many references to Swindon in XTC's work. The site, called Roundabout and featuring a section called Go2 Swindon, offers an explanation of the lyrics to baffled American fans.

But Bob lives a life far removed from that of the average Swindonian.

"I work for Sony on PlayStation titles," he explained. "I make the little 3-D movies that precede a video game, as well as backgrounds, characters or effects needed in these games. It really is fun, but challenging work.

"I'm entrenched in the newer middle class suburbs. I do partake in that hopelessly clichéd California sport of surfing, but I have been known to whistle All You Pretty Girls (an XTC single) while waiting in the choppy interval between waves.

"The rest of my family doesn't understand the fascination with either the band or Swindon. But their music satisfies my needs for intelligent lyrics, catchy melodies, and impeccable musicianship. It always puts me in a great mood. The records are superbly crafted and inventive.

"And, of course, as an XTC fan you're continually hit over the head with 'XTC are from Swindon'. It's not long before you begin to wonder what this Swindon place is all about."

The idea for the website came after a real Swindonian, who happens to be my twin brother, began correcting misinformation that had been placed on the Internet regarding Swindon and references to it in the songs. One site actually refers to Swindon as "decaying", but Bob is better informed.

Armed with cuttings from the Evening Advertiser and photos of landmarks, he has been able to construct the definitive Swindon guide for confused XTC fans worldwide.

Now he is planning a make a "pilgrimage" to see the town in real life.

I asked him what will be on his tour itinerary.

"The Railway Museum would be a must-see," he said. "I would like to snoop around the old railway works too, take a walk up to the Uffington Horse. Maybe I'll try my hand at navigating the Magic Roundabout."

When he asked me whether he can take a balloon trip over Ermin Street, I'm pretty sure he wasn't joking.

Bob is definitely a case of a beach boy picking up good vibrations from Swindon - and if you don't understand that, ask your dad.

To visit Bob's site, just type come.to/roundabout in the address box. If you're from Swindon, it will make his day if you also post an e-mail before you leave.

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