Reviews of XTC: Chalkhills And Children

The Music Box, September 1999 Select, 1992 Vox, 1992 Q, circa September 1992

XTC: Chalkhills and Children The Definitive Biography by Chris Twomey

Q
circa September 1992
by David Hepworth

Chalkhills and Children

The involvement of the word “definitive” in the title implies that XTC have attracted numerous biographers in the past and that finally the band are about to be dealt some justice. The problem is that most rock biographies deal with commercial success, how to get it and how to deal with it, and commercial success is something XTC have had only the briefest acquaintance with.

Since the beginning of 1982, when Andy Partridge walked out on an American tour and they turned their back on touring, XTC have had a odd relationship with the music business, selling records in quantities respectable enough for a young band breaking through college radio but insufficiently exposed to attract new fans.

Twomey's acount of the band's golden age in the late '70's when they coat-tailed punk despite their birth certificates and musical predilections is worth a skim but as soon as we arrive at the mid-'80's, it's largely the same recurring story of “any ideas for producers?”.

One is left admiring Partridge's single-mindedness but sympathising with his long-suffering colleagues, stuck at home when they could be out making some noise.

[Thanks to Steve Levenstein]

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