Chalkhills Digest Volume 3, Issue 1
Date: Sunday, 22 September 1996
Chalkhills Digest, Volume 3, Number 1
Sunday, 22 September 1996
Today's Topics:
More Thoughts On Matches
James' giant peach of a question
Fossil Fuel reviewed in Sweden
Holly
Any truth to this rumor?
Where Do They Bake Beautiful Girls?
Dear God, I like Fossil Fuel !
scouse and Gabriel
Fossil Fools / blah
Fossil Fuel (again)
Easter Theatre lyrics -Final transcription?
loud family/sugarplastic confirmed
lyrics suggestion
return of the dreaded monkey thread
Ron Sexsmith
Re: Ball and Chain/Sister Europe
Re: HuxleyMiller
Re: Partridge on the radio
CD Bootlegs.....where ?
XTC's guitar tunings & misc. lyrics
Dr. Demento's Funny Five
More from me
Blades y lo que dice en "The Man WSAHS"
TD faves
Youngest XTC Fan...
Plea for demos
Demos or Demons?
...Gastronomic....
Bacon Bros. and XTC
They just turn up in the darndest places...
Looking for demos/Found FF
XTC CDS FS
This is really really scary
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Another year's gone by, the world's grown older.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Message-ID: <01BBA6D1.E25641A0@qrvl-67ppp56.epix.net>
From: Tim Schreyer <schreyer@epix.net>
Subject: More Thoughts On Matches
Date: Fri, 20 Sep 1996 08:52:22 -0400
Jeff Langr <jeffrey.langr@mci.com> said:
> Jon Eva wrote:
> >There is a rather obscure picture of a match inside the cd case, I've
> >never really understood XTC's minor obsession with matches ('England's
> >Glory ... A Striking Beauty!' and the cover to 'Wait 'Till Your Boat
> >Goes Down' spring to mind). Can anyone explain this to me?
>
> Don't forget the sound of a match striking at the start of Set Myself
> on Fire. Fire is also rather prevalent, with the following coming to
> the top of my head:
>
[fine list of XTC flame references snipped]
>
> As far as what it all means, sounds to me like Andy is Beavis in
> disguise (Fire! Fire!)...
I think the lure of the match image is more along the
lines of burning and explosion than just flames.
The match is a potent little package which when lit
burns sharply and quickly, only once and no stopping it.
It can evoke feelings of potency, urgency, and "you've
only got one chance so you better get it right."
You can find some uses of this metaphor in XTC tunes, most
notably:
"All Of A Sudden (It's Too Late)" --
"life's like a firework -- you're only lit once and
you must stand and radiate correctly"
"Rocket From A Bottle" -- the whole song pretty much
"Burning With Optimism's Flames" -- the burning thing
"Great Fire" -- "the animals are panicking"
I think if these more along the urgency and finally side
of flames rather than the cleansing, redemption side, e.g.
"Sacrificial Bonfire".
Any support or derision? :-)
Tim
------------------------------ From: isksa@zipnet.net Date: Fri, 20 Sep 1996 13:50:07 -0400 (EDT) Message-Id: <v02130500ae684aaeff83@DialupEudora> Subject: James' giant peach of a question >From: james.dignan@stonebow.otago.ac.nz (James Dignan) >Is "Rook" the only XTC song on which Colin does not play??? Off the top of my head, Colin is also absent on 1000 Umbrellas. And probably at least some of the Homo Safari series. Maybe Somnambulist. Red Brick Dream. Yaddyaddya. Speaking of Paper Snow, River of Orchids lyrics read a lot like Talking Heads' 'Nothing But Flowers'. Love that tune. When's the release date for the Heads' thang? Album title? Record label? Please note that the silent c in "Yazbeck" is also invisible: Yazbek. And, having seen it quite often as I scroll through the digests, I think Constantine Pappas is just an incredibly cool name. I hate being so monosyllabic myself. Gene
------------------------------ Date: Fri, 20 Sep 1996 14:34 +0200 Message-id: <199609201234.CGjz@memo.volvo.se> From: =?iso-8859-1?q?P=C4R?= NILSSON <PVKU.PARN@MEMO.VOLVO.SE> Subject: Fossil Fuel reviewed in Sweden I was surprised to see a short review of FOSSIL FUEL in today's issue of Goteborgs-Posten, Sweden's second largest morning newspaper - I was under the impression that FF would only be released in the UK. It received a note of 4 (out of 5), and here's a translation of the text: "The only objection would be that the Dukes of Stratosphear are psychedelically absent. Apart from that, this double CD by Swindon's contribution to the history of music is a gold mine, filled with intelligent music that is both pop-historically interesting and very much alive. Good pop lasts long." I seem to recall that the recent demographic survey showed that a whopping 5% or thereabouts of the Chalkhills subscribers were Swedish, so let's see some chart action here! :) Cheers, Par
------------------------------ Message-Id: <199609201713.KAA05919@dfw-ix4.ix.netcom.com> From: "Mark G. Cuevas" <litserv@ix.netcom.com> Subject: Holly Date: Fri, 20 Sep 1996 10:08:04 -0700 From: Marc_LaFoy@magic.ca > Upon reading this it occurred to me that perhaps "Poppy" could be > interpreted as Pop himself, Andy, giving his daughter a horsey > ride. Wutcha think? I think that's excellent. What about this: Holly rides Poppy in the way Andy rides Pop. Both are lost in their worlds. Good thing for us.
------------------------------ Date: Fri, 20 Sep 1996 09:24:04 -0600 (CST) From: AMANDA OWENS <ACOEA@jazz.ucc.uno.edu> Subject: Any truth to this rumor? Message-id: <01I9P3ESV2RM8ZVL1G@jazz.ucc.uno.edu> I just picked up the Crash Test Dummies biography, and there was something in there about Andy Partridge agreeing to help keyboardist Ellen Reid out with her upcoming solo album (which according to the book, set Brad Roberts' mouth to watering.) Anyone know if this is true or author embellishment here? Amanda again for the third time
------------------------------ Date: Fri, 20 Sep 1996 17:48:33 +0400 (EDT) From: Thomas Slack <tgs@telerama.lm.com> Subject: Where Do They Bake Beautiful Girls? Message-ID: <Pine.3.89.9609201723.A19548-0100000@bosconian.lm.com> In the womb, of course. Keep the oven warm for 9 months, and Lo and Behold.. TS
------------------------------ Message-Id: <199609202155.XAA03097@utrecht.knoware.nl> From: "Mark Strijbos" <mmello@knoware.nl> Date: Sat, 21 Sep 1996 00:32:28 +0000 Subject: Dear God, I like Fossil Fuel ! Dear Chalkies, Regarding the Fossil Fuel compilation: Does anyone know if ALL the tracks were remastered/remixed for this occasion? The early singles really sound terrific now; much better than on any other cd IMHO. My guess is that all pre O&L singles have been remastered but I'm not sure... Anyone know anything about this? I must say that it's a great compilation ( much better than previous efforts ) and very suitable as a gift for potential converts. Now when will Virgin release the b-sides? BTW: does anyone have a spare Dear God CD single or a UK Peter Pumpkinhead 7"single ??? Email me privately if you have anything for sale/trade. bye, Mark Strijbos at The Little Lighthouse http://utopia.knoware.nl/~mmello/index.html ===> Mark's useless XTC quote for today <== There's no youth culture only masks they let you rent
------------------------------ From: jrsnipp@interserv.com Date: Fri, 20 Sep 1996 15:15:12 -0700 Message-Id: <199609202215.PAA07458@m1.interserv.com> Subject: scouse and Gabriel varga@ferndown.ate.slb.com (Stephen Varga) writes: > There I was watching Brookside (Scouse soap to our overseas friends) (intervening stuff cut) > voiceover by famous Radio 1 Scouse DJ, John Peel. My dictionary lists "scouse," short for "lobscouse," as a baked dish or stew made ususally with meat and hardtack. So, obviously, I am missing the appropriate connotation. Care to enlighten? later on Stephen Varga writes: > It would be ironic if this became XTC's most successful record ever at a > time when they have just lost their Virginity and went into profit for the > first time only last year. This reminds me, didn't Peter Gabriel get cut from Virgin only to record "So" for Geffen? (Or maybe not...)
------------------------------
Message-ID: <thomyJAiQ0QyEw2y@emdac.demon.co.uk>
Date: Sat, 21 Sep 1996 02:25:54 +0100
From: Phil Hetherington <phil@emdac.demon.co.uk>
Subject: Fossil Fools / blah
Someone whos name this crappy mailer isn't telling me said:
>Me: Excuse me, I was wondering if you could tell me if you will be getting
>the new XTC compilation in. It was to be released this week or last.
>
>17 year old Nineties hip chick: Ecstasy? (turns and looks at her equally
>puzzled friend)
>
>Me: Yeah, XTC (pronouncing it as it appears)
>
>17 year old Nineties hip chick: Well, uh, we don't get any compilation
>albums anyway.
>
>Me: Thanks.
You think you've got problems. OK, I didn't have any problems buying it
(well, I was in the main Virgin Megastore in the middle of London; price
#16.99 for those taking notes, and HMV had it at a pound more which is
the only reason I swallowed my pride and went to Virgin anyway). But I
digress...
Me: Do you know if there are any singles to be released to promote that?
(pointing to ltd.ed. copy of Fossil Fuel)
17 year old Nineties hip chick (UK edition): Fossil Fuel? Is that the
name of the band?
I hung about long enough to establish that the most recent singles
listed were from Nonsuch, but I also spotted on the screen a reference
to a 7" of 'Making Plans For Nigel' issued on Old Gold in about 1992.
Does anyone know anything about this? (Apologies if it's in the
discography already...)
Anyway, FF is nice to have, especially as I didn't have any of the
previous compilations. What are these comments about having WTYBGD
on CD? Wasn't it on 'The Compact XTC' or 'Waxworks' or even both? Or
was there another version? I just bought the 7", it was cheaper...
I didn't realise 'This Is Pop' was so radically different to the
album version.
The match is cool. If you wiggle the CD from side to side you can
get it to disappear and reappear - kept me happy for ages, that did.
Pity about the '2 Disc' printed over the case, which sort of spoils
the effect, but it's still cool.
Ob-non-XTC-content: ( :-) )
'Leave' is the best track R.E.M. have ever done; worth buying the
new album for that alone. (Actually, I'm probably the only person
that likes it, but hey.)
The new OMD album is pretty decent, but with the obligatory duff track
here and there. But a return to form nonetheless.
The new Suede album is growing on me a lot, and is probably my favourite
of the recent batch of releases. Which, considering the poor reviews,
isn't bad. I especially like 'Filmstar'.
The new Christy Moore album is OK, not a patch on the live show though.
I've just received an advance copy of 'Shine', the debut EP from a fine
band called Toucan who I've seen live a few times over the last year.
Discovered them supporting Shriekback, no less. Anyway, it's out in the
middle of October, and will probably sink without trace and be worth a
fortune when they're really famous in about 3 years time. So there. :-)
Talking of Shriekback (see, I threw some XTC-related stuff into this bit
after all), I've also received a promo copy of a new v/a compilation,
released on World Domination, called 'Into Topological Space', which
includes the previously unreleased 'Terribly Swolen' by Shriekback.
Sorry, I don't have the official release details yet, but when I get
them I'll post them. (For anyone not in the know, Shriekback is Barry
Andrews' band.) As for what I think of it, er, it's different.
But most importantly, I've finally tracked down a copy of Danny Elfman's
soundtrack to 'The Nightmare Before Christmas'. Now, I'm sure I've heard
of Mr. Elfman, and it was probably on this list, so if anyone who can
tell me anything at all about him would care to email me privately...?
If he was on the Carmen Sandiego CD or something then my apologies, but
I don't have the CD here to check.
Finally, anyone emailing me over the next 4-5 weeks should be prepared
for a long delay in replying, as I won't be able to get near this
computer.
Apologies for waffling. :-)
Phil H.
------------------------------ Message-ID: <HUNsaEA450QyEwRI@emdac.demon.co.uk> Date: Sat, 21 Sep 1996 03:10:00 +0100 From: Phil Hetherington <phil@emdac.demon.co.uk> Subject: Fossil Fuel (again) Almost forgot to add... Who else noticed that the CD was pressed by EMI in... Swindon!?? I claim my prize. :-) -- Phil Hetherington
------------------------------ From: Keith Hanlon <ad180@seorf.ohiou.edu> Message-Id: <199609210438.AAA20050@big.seorf.ohiou.edu> Subject: Easter Theatre lyrics -Final transcription? Date: Sat, 21 Sep 1996 00:38:25 -0400 (EDT) I've finally had the time to sit down with everyone's interpretations of the "Easter Theatre" lyrics. I never used "gamboling" much in my vocabulary - this is better than the "Word Smart" books! Thanks to Eddie (Saints3Den@aol.com), Joshua Hall-Baker (particle@cyber1.servtech.com), my good friend Chris Forbes ( a non-subscriber XTC fan- SnappyG@aol.com), and Brookes McKenzie (RMCKENZI@smith.smith.edu). Take a bow folks! You all gave some great suggestions for these lyrics. Sometimes it was very difficult to decide! "Easter Theatre" Gold sun rolls around Chocalate nipple brown Tumble from your arms Like the ground your breasts swell Land awake from sleep Hares will kick and leap Flowers climb erect Smiling from the moist kiss of her rainbow mouth CHORUS Stage left Enter Easter and she's dressed [in your yolk] Stage right Now the son has died, the father can be born Stand up If we'd all breathe in, we'd blow away the smoke New Life We'd have called her new life [or "we don't call her new life"] [Golden] mounts the tree Pleads for you and me Scratching on the lamb Gamboling with spring step Buds will laugh and burst Racing to be first Turning all the soil As the prompters' fingers threw her Spinning screech REPEAT CHORUS Easter... in her bonnet Easter... in her hair Easter... are there ribbons [She ties... everywhere] (last chorus omit "she ties") REPEAT CHORUS NOTES: 1. At the end of the chorus, Andy does say "smoke," not "snow" as many people have suggested. Listen to it with headphones and you can hear him pronounce the "k" as the background vocals are singing "new." 2. It has been suggested that the first word in the second verse is either "hunter" or "hunger." If I had to pick between the two, I'd pick hunter. But I always hear a word that sounds like "olden." Then I saw Brookes' post which suggested "golden." Duh! 3. "She ties... everywhere" is debatable. I think he pronounces "where" oddly. Other suggestions have been: "Free ties," "Eat I'd," and "she tries." I tend to believe that she ties ribbons everywhere. Makes sense to me no matter how Andy chooses to say it! 4. It sounds like "she's dressed in your yolk" in the chorus, but to be completely honest with you, I don't know what that means! On a related topic: I know a lot of people are wanting copies of these demos. We have been told by a fellow listmember and friend of Andy's (Mitch?) that Andy is not comfortable with these songs circulating. It's a terrible position to be in - I'm happy I have them, but I'd also like to respect Andy's feelings. Should we debate as to whether or not a tape tree is ethical?? It would certainly make a lot of people happy. (Before I get email asking for copies, let it be known that I can't; my second tape deck broke!) Thanks again for the input everyone. This is still open to debate, so email me if you have suggestions! Keith
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 20 Sep 1996 17:58:29 -0400
Message-ID: <24313D80.@metagroup.com>
From: RobertD@metagroup.com (RobertD)
Subject: loud family/sugarplastic confirmed
If it's not too late ...
Loud Family and SugarPlastic will perform in store at Brass City
Records in Waterbury Conn. Sunday the 22nd. Scheduled start time is 4
p.m., expect a crowd it's been well publicized all over the state.
Both bands play Saturday night at the Municipal Cafe (aka The Muni) in
downtown Hartford. a third band is scheduled to play as well.
I'm headed into NYC Saturday to check out a Raymond Scott tribute -
I'm sure this is the kind of stuff that influenced A.P. as a child. RS
composed the music for Merrie Melodies and other great cartoons from
the 40s and 50s. RS' "Powerhaus" was also used heavily on Ren and
Stimpy.
Anyone heard a better price than $26 for Fossil Fuel? Walter at Brass
City has four or five copies. But any XTC collector is balking at the
price since everything has been available before. In fact, Wait Til
Your Boat Goes Down was on the Japanese CD issue of Beeswax, so indeed
nothing on FF is new to CD as far as I know.
Is anyone interested in bidding for the King For A Day 3-inch CD
(crown cut) with KFOAD (12-inch version), Paint My Heroes (A.P. demo)
and Skeletons (C.M. demo)? e-mail me with your bids.
I'm hearing so much about the "new" demos, how can I get a copy. I'll
send a blank tape to anyone who can make me a dub. e-mail me, and I'll
send you my XTC file.
ciao for now,
Bob D.
------------------------------ From: PiriyaV3@aol.com Date: Sat, 21 Sep 1996 16:24:11 -0400 Message-ID: <960921162410_1243924672@emout11.mail.aol.com> Subject: lyrics suggestion Hiya Chalkhillians, I'm going to be brave and suggest a couple corrections to the "I Can't Own Her" lyrics. :) In a message dated Wed, 18 Sep 1996 22:27:05 -0400 (EDT) Joshua Hall-Bachner <particle@servtech.com> wrote: >> Forever more. Is that a (?) request? >> Is that something so funny? Forever more. Is that an ODD request? Is that something so funny? >> Of all the things you got >> The thing you want the most >> Is there a chance the one thing that you just can't have? Of all the things you've got The thing you want the most Is there, and she's the one thing that you just can't have. Okay, that's all from me. Andy's lyrics are so terribly hard to decipher as is! I admire anyone who takes the time to transcribe all of these! :D By the way - where is everybody ordering Fossil Fuel from?? What exactly is it, anyway? I remember reading about the release of it long ago, but now I REALLY want to have it...please email me privately if you have any info that you'd like to share! Thanks, Piriya "Little teeth, little teeth, it's a wonder you can eat. Throw your food upon the floor, mash it up with your feet." - The Sugarplastic
------------------------------ Date: Sat, 21 Sep 1996 13:20:22 -0700 (PDT) Message-Id: <v01510100ae69931d5bcc@[206.15.69.68]> From: mf@well.com (Mitch Friedman) Subject: return of the dreaded monkey thread Hey Everyone, Don't worry, I'm not gonna harp on that chimp thing from a few months ago, but during that whole period I noticed that absolutely no one mentioned the song "Like a Monkey in a Zoo" by Daniel Johnston. I'll get back to that in a minute. On the top of today's (Sept. 21st) list is a fond happy birthday to Dave Gregory. Also sharing a birthday with Dave is none other than me. How lucky could a guy get? Now if I could only share his guitar playing genius . . . I'd like to throw in my sincere thanks and appreciation to all the people who have recommended some great music since I joined Chalkhills. Ben Folds Five, Eric Matthews, The Sugarplastic, The Loud Family, Jason Faulkner -- all excell- ent additions to my CD rack. Now it's my turn to strongly suggest a disc for your collections . . . K. McCarty 'Dead Dog's Eyeball' - Songs of Daniel Johnston This album came out in late '94 and I just can't refrain from blathering about it any longer. Here's a little background: Daniel Johnston is a talented, prolific, and clinically depressed songwriter who lives in Texas. He's put out about 12 terribly recorded home tapes and has several LP's as well. His songs are very catchy, self-deprecating/loathing, sad and funny, intelligent and emotional. Kathy McCarty is the lead vocalist/ songwriter/guitarist of an Austin, Texas band called Glass Eye and a friend of Daniel's. 'Dead Dog's Eyeball' is her first solo album and consists entirely of covers of about 18 of Daniel's songs. She has a really strong and emotive singing voice and a very creative production sense. The album was recorded at a fellow Glass Eye bandmember's home ADAT studio so the album has a great pure sound. There is very little reverb on any of the mostly acoustic instruments and believe me, you'll love the sound of a real piano and drums. Every song is arranged in a different style so there is some real variety to the album. It is one of those discs that you find yourself listening to every day for weeks at a time. I've had it for almost 2 years and I still love it as much as the first time I heard it. It's on Bar None records out of New Jersey. GET IT!!! Mitch
------------------------------ From: myke <jerk@earth.execpc.com> Message-Id: <199609212002.PAA10570@earth.execpc.com> Subject: Ron Sexsmith Date: Sat, 21 Sep 1996 15:02:47 -0500 (CDT) While we're on the subject of amazing singer-songwriters, does anyone else like Ron Sexsmith? I hold the rather lofty opinion that his album is the finest musical thing ever made, but I expect there are some lesser admirers here too. Don't ever dare call me chickenhead, myke
------------------------------ Date: Sat, 21 Sep 1996 15:47:21 -0500 (CDT) From: ierano_j@DD.PALMER.EDU Subject: Re: Ball and Chain/Sister Europe Message-id: <Pine.PMDF.3.91.960921154412.485803B-100000@DD.PALMER.EDU> James Dignan mentions similarity between Ball and Chain and Psych. Furs Sister Europe, both covered by Icehouse. I have both the original recordings and can not recall any similarities. Perhaps it was in the Icehouse rendition of these songs. Joe Ierano
------------------------------ Message-Id: <v01540b03ae6a0abdd68b@[204.254.68.9]> Date: Sat, 21 Sep 1996 14:24:01 -0700 From: gondola@deltanet.com (E.B.) Subject: Re: HuxleyMiller >From: JStoffs@aol.com > >Does anyone know anything further about P. Hux? I've checked some major >record stores and about all I've found out is that their full name is >Parthenon Huxley, which sounds a little bit like a Monty Python character >to me. Parthenon Huxley is the lead GUY's name, not the group's name. He also released a solo album on Columbia in the late '80s. Seems like he may have backed up somebody famous before that, but I forget. >From: dgershmn <dgershmn@ametsoc.org> > >[The Loud Family's Scott Miller] was having a great time on >stage and was in fine voice and humor throughout the show. The "miserably whining" SCOTT MILLER in fine voice??? Hold everything...stop the presses!!! ;) I think the Loud Family is *OK*, but I don't like them as well as Game Theory, and neither band is anywhere near in the same league as XTC. I like the Sugarplastic a lot better than the LF too. <Shrug> Miller will never top The Big Shot Chronicles, Eb
------------------------------ Date: Sat, 21 Sep 1996 22:23:19 +0100 Message-Id: <199609212123.AA18484@felix.dircon.co.uk> From: casey@dircon.co.uk (Mick Casey) Subject: Re: Partridge on the radio Hi I don't often post to the group, just normally lurk around. However, thought I'd let you all know that AP is special guest on Gary Crowley radio show, London station GLR, Thursday night 26 Sept. To those of you outside London (most of you, I guess) this is hardly relevant and to those of you outside the UK, "Who's Gary Crowley?". Fair point. However, if there are any particular gems forthcoming from the interview I may be tempted to post again. Keep up the good work, y'aall... * ---------------------------------------------------------- I have nothing to declare except my jeans. Mick casey@dircon.co.uk * ----------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------ Message-Id: <199609212135.WAA06853@aoife.indigo.ie> From: "Peter Fitzpatrick" <beatle@indigo.ie> Subject: CD Bootlegs.....where ? Date: Sat, 21 Sep 1996 22:38:44 +0100 Hi all, Where oh where can I lay my hands on XTC CD Boots ?? I'm particularly interested in those Japanese "Demos" series that I've seen mentioned a couple of times. now listening to : XTC "Nonsvch" http://aoife.indigo.ie/~beatle
------------------------------ Message-Id: <3242B815.54E2@siu.edu> Date: Fri, 20 Sep 1996 10:28:21 -0500 From: Doug Downing <groove25@siu.edu> Subject: XTC's guitar tunings & misc. lyrics Hi! Does anyone out there know of any alternative guitar tunings used by XTC for particular songs? There's been more than one posting in this digest or on the Chalkhills webpage that hints that some XTC songs were created (and therefore best played) with non-standard tunings, yet these mystery tunings never seem to be revealed. Anyone have any ideas? (Perhaps a music magazine article or a video performance would offer some clues...) ------------ On a totally different subject... Brookes McKenzie offered this correction for a particular line of "I'd Like That": "toasting fork, I'll be done" I'd always heard the line as "toasting four, copy done." "Four" being a setting on your toaster, "done" being a status on a xerox machine (at least in my mind). Two really quick ways of saying, "Stick a fork in me, babe, I'm done." Someone else was bitching that they left the "Coca" off "Coca-Cola" on the "Life Begins at the Hop" lyrics in the Fossil Fuel CD booklet. Sorry, but it's never been "Coca-Cola." It's always been "c-c-c-cola." A nasty stuttering affliction poor Colin only recently overcame. We try not to talk about it, as he's rather sensitive on the subject. (I still say he has a bright future ahead of him in the British steel, stee-ul, stee-ul, stee-ul. Yeah, yeah.) --Doug Downing * --------------------------------------------------------- "You take me to heaven from deeper than hell ever, Doug" --Andy Partridge * ---------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------ Date: Sat, 21 Sep 1996 19:31:54 -0400 (EDT) From: Christie <cbyun@cep.yale.edu> Subject: Dr. Demento's Funny Five Message-ID: <Pine.LNX.3.91.960921192911.22833B-100000@www.cep.yale.edu> Just a quick note--I'd Rather Have a Bottle in Front of Me than a Frontal Lobotomy appeared in Dr. D's list of top groovy song titles (or something equivalent). That along with You Scream, I Scream, We All Scream for Ice Cream. Okay, now I'll step down and find something to do. Christie
------------------------------ Date: Sat, 21 Sep 1996 20:19:57 -0400 (EDT) Message-Id: <199609220019.UAA10079@cyber1.servtech.com> From: Joshua Hall-Bachner <particle@servtech.com> Subject: More from me Okay, guys. Three quick things: 1) No more lyrics from me. I'll post a short message if I send some more to Chalkhills (the website), but no more on the list because it's annoying Mr. Relph. :) 2) If anybody is wondering why I send in one huge e-mail after each digest instead of a bunch of small ones: it's easier, it's a habit I've developed >from reading a lot of "bounce" lists (where sending more than a couple messages per day is bad form), and I read my mail offline in Eudora, so copy/paste into a single e-mail is the easiest way. > don't you think that >all of Colin's demos for _Nunchuk_ are a thousand times better than >the drivel that actually got on the album? okay, well, so it's only >two songs - "Down a Peg" and [where did all the ordinary people go?] Actually, it's more than that. Don't forget "It Didn't Hurt A Bit" (great song, BTW) and Car Out Of Control (not quite as good). Yeah, I think they should have dumped TSM and Wardance in favor of some of these. >Josh: (re: "Easter Theatre") i _swear_ he's saying "smoke" - you can hear >the delayed 'k' - furthermore even though i know it makes less sense in the >overall scheme of the song, it makes more sense in terms of the line - "If >we'd all breathe in and blow away the snow" is slightly illogical - and >rhymes better. I dunno...after listening carefully, I do hear a "k"...but I also hear a distinct "nuh" as opposed to a "muh". Maybe Andy couldn't make up his mind. Anyway, I don't see how that line is illogical, anyway. >By the way, does anyone actually use Andy's answerphone message from >"The Bull With The Golden Guts" on their answerphone? What sort of >comments has it brought? I really wanted to use it on my Voicemail at >work, but I don't think the company would be too impressed. I do! The comments include: - probably about 15 people who have hung up, thinking that they have the wrong number; - (*very* nasal accent) "Ooooh, very creative." - Above's daughter who called back two minutes later to hear it herself, and said "Neato." - Hysterical laughter - From my grandmother: "What is that music?" - "I like it." >>Au contraire, there jerky. "Bake" is what I meant and "bake" is the lyric. >>As to interpretation, go for it. > >Hey, fella, easy there. If you can't accept a difference of opinion on your >lyric readings without getting all testy about it, don't bother mentioning >them here. Well, to some degree, when the lyrics sheet says "bake" and Andy *very clearly* enunciates the "b" sound in "bake", it's sort of silly to post something like "Well, that *can't* be the lyric!" The actual lyric of the song is "bake", there is no room for interpretation or disagreement there. That *is* how the song goes. You can interpret it however you want. But except for cases where the published lyrics are *obviously* wrong, they're usually the best way to go. >I also wish to ask....why such a condescending attitude towards Brad >Roberts/ Crash Test Dummies? They are just fans of the band expressing that >admiration through their music. All the snooty remarks about how much their >song versions suck really aren't necessary (although, like I said earlier, >I wasn't too impressed with Peter Pumpkinhead.) Their PP was pretty flat, but I guess you could chalk that up to evil corporate scum. However, their version of All You Pretty Girls is really good; it changes the song a lot; they make it their own song. That's what makes for a good cover. >I'm with DeWitt. But let me state it somewhat more emphatically. I'm >getting just a bit tired of these selfish little "so-called" Chalkhillians >who drone on about demos they damn well know most of us have never heard. >Despite repeated requests (read pleas) for sharing they continue to mock by >posting guesses to lyrics ad nauseum. Are you listening JHB? Don't be a >weenie. If you saw my post in the last Chalkhills, I offered to dub any of those demos for anyone who wants them, and even gave an URL (http://www.servtech.com/public/particle/boot.html) where you can see what I have. I REPEAT: I WILL DUB THOSE UNRELEASED DEMOS FOR WHOEVER WANTS THEM. But if I start getting 100 responses, don't expect to be getting the tapes back that quickly. (As in, within the same calendar season as you sent them...) I have school to deal with. And, BTW, I have promptly and politely responded to everyone who e-mailed me asking for dubs in the affirmative. Did you e-mail me? No. So why get on my case? I guess I could have prefaced my lyrics with "E-mail me if you want a copy" but I sort of assumed that if you saw that I had them and wanted a copy that you'd e-mail me. I always e-mail anybody who posts about some rare cassette or concert bootleg that I want, even if I don't think they'll help me out. The worst that can happen is that they'll say no. And on that topic, I think the undecipherable female vocal in "Prince of Orange" is actually "Fairytale". And if I can actually remember, I'll try to do one of those "semi-sigs" that people do, like so: Josh, spokes of the sun god delay you. /---------------------------Joshua Hall-Bachner---------------------------\ | particle@servtech.com http://www.servtech.com/public/particle/ | | "And I see nations playfully hurl snowballs packed with stone and clay."| \--------------XTC, "You And The Clouds Will Still Be Beautiful"----------/
------------------------------ Date: Sat, 21 Sep 1996 21:19 -0600 (MDT) From: Miles or Gigi Coleman <coleman@cougarnet.byu.edu> Subject: Blades y lo que dice en "The Man WSAHS" Message-id: <0DY46L6SC00E5G@ACS2.BYU.EDU> >P.S. In the last verse of the Blades version, he says something in >Spanish about XTC. Does anyone know what he's saying? I'm pretty sure he says: "De Ruben Blades y Son del Solar para ti, un abrazo a la gente de XTC!" In other words: "A hug to the guys from XTC from Ruben Blades and the Son del Solar!" (that's his band) This is actually a fairly common practice for salsa and merengue bands, that is, announce their band in the song somewhere. These guys just happen to be really friendly and add a bit of appreciation to the boys. Miles Miles and Gigi Coleman Provo, Utah http://www.byu.edu/~coleman Family Home Page http://www.byu.edu/~coleman/guatenor Guatemala City North Mission Alumni Page http://www.mission.net Index for Alumni of LDS Missions
------------------------------ Date: Sat, 21 Sep 1996 21:40 -0600 (MDT) From: Miles or Gigi Coleman <coleman@cougarnet.byu.edu> Subject: TD faves Message-id: <0DY47JO0B00MVR@ACS2.BYU.EDU> >Whenever I reach for Testimonial Dinner, it's always to hear "The Man >Who...", (which several others on this list have already praised), or my >other favorite, "Another Satellite". The reason I'm writing is because I >haven't heard anyone else mention this track as being among their favorites >on the TD album. The P. Hux version is dramatic, energetic, and inventive, >yet still true-to-form. Second that motion. I'm already biased to Ruben Blades version because he is fantastic musician and I really like latino music, be it merengue or salsa or traditional. This track and P. Hux's are the strongest on the disc followed by McLachlan's and The Verve Pipe's. Can't really appreciate the track by our "friends" The Rembrandts. Except for the do wop ending it's pretty ordinary. A surprise for me was the Freedy Johnston track. Didn't like it much the first few times I heard it, but have grown quite fond of it now. Guess that's the way it is. Bought Crimson's "Thrak" the other day. What does anyone else think? Thought it a little strange. I had never heard any of King Crimson's stuff previously. You can send any opinions to me if you don't want to take precious XTC space. Besides, it's scarce these days, right Josh? :) Miles
------------------------------ From: "Kevin A. McGrail" <roland@digital1.peregrinehw.com> Message-Id: <199609220539.BAA24879@digital1.peregrinehw.com> Subject: Youngest XTC Fan... Date: Sun, 22 Sep 1996 01:39:39 -0400 (EDT) Quoting some damn young whipper snapper named Joshua Hall-Bachner > I'm probably the youngest XTC fan in existence at this moment, still > being a > freshman...in High School. A relative o' mine is about 6 (2nd grade age) and adores the Carmen Sandiego Soundtrack... THough she placed that damn cake for breakfast song over Cherry in Your Tree, BUT she did know who the band was!!!!!! And my children have not yet been born, and the will like XTC or else... How many adopted children have not liking XTC to blame? I say we use em for food and end the overpopulation problem at the same time... Anyone who isn't an XTC fan, is fit for fodder... Vote for me and I'll set you free! Quoting John Relph: > Okay, enough lyrics already! If you would like to contribute > lyrics, please submit them to the Chalkhills pages (send e-mail > to <owner-chalkhills@chalkhills.org>), and then send a note > to Chalkhills saying they've been submitted. Thank you! Ditto... though it did impress all my pals that I got an XTC fan listserv mailing nearly daily because of them... Then again maybe some of them can get a job at Virgin and do a decent job on the lyrics... The FF ltd edition had the WORST formatted text with a horrid amount of typos... I know some of them were on purpose, (absorption, cola, etc) but Jeez... Kevin "Sleep only interferes with my Caffeine Consumption" McGrail -- Kevin 'Roland' McGrail "I'm a 21st Century digital -- )- )- ) ) )-- ) )-- 5103 Ox Road boy...I don't know how ---- )---- )-- )------ Fairfax, VA 22030-4562 to live, but I HAD -- )- )--- )---- ) )-- (703)591-5825 (H)/(703)273-3795 (W) a lot of toys" roland@peregrinehw.com
------------------------------ From: box@nemesis.com.au Date: Sun, 22 Sep 1996 16:35:04 -0500 Message-ID: <TCPSMTP.16.9.22.-16.35.4.2156250573.1768737600@nemesis.com.au> Subject: Plea for demos I'm desperate too. And, after reading the posts from David Goody, William Ham, Bruce Bubier, Jason NeSmith, etc, etc, I've decided to do the plea thing to. So if anyone is possibly willing to send me copies of demos [especially JVS/TBWTGG] could you _please please_ let me know by email [box@nemesis.com.au]. I don't have a lot to trade [nothing special in my collection apart from the gold Skylarking CD] but I'll be happy to offer money or whatever it takes really. Oh, and just a note to Mark Cuevas: The butler won't bring you your slippers if you kick him in the face. Thanks again people, happy Chalking... :) Adam
------------------------------ Message-ID: <32453EE3.2EE3@bright.net> Date: Sun, 22 Sep 1996 08:28:03 -0500 From: R+K Carvey <carveys@bright.net> Subject: Demos or Demons? September 22, 1996 Hello, kids, Demos seem to be a hot topic of late, with an increase in both the requests for dubs and/or locations and methods to purchase, right down to actual decodings of demo lyrics (and corrections of said decodings!). It's coming to a head, isn't it? Frustration has finally wriggled to the surface, as shown with this quote from Mark G. Cuevas (litserv@ix.netcom.com): "...Money doesn't seem to be the issue. Most of us would gladly give our benefactors a few bucks for their time and effort. Moreover, it would elevate their stature in the eyes of their peers (e.g., fellow and fellowess Chalkhillians)." "I say put up or shut up. Either spread the wealth by offering to dub the demos or email your guesses privately. We've waited long enough for more ear candy from The Great Ones. We don't need to have salt poured on the wounds. [Yes, I'm mixing metaphors.]..." Each time I see a posting regarding demos, I always think this: What does the artist think with regards to this? Does Andy and Colin actually receive any compensation for the distribution and sale of these demos (and if you are in possession of a CD version of the demos, obviously you purchased it as a "behind the counter" item at a music shop -- dubbed cassettes, of course, present a gray area; victimless crime? Who can say?)? Perhaps Andy should include "releasing demos independently" as part of the new deal with (to-be-named) recording company, in order to please Chalkhillian-sized fans, as well as grabbing a little extra cash (taking it out of the hands of the bootleggers)? What opinions do YOU have as to the existence of demos in the publics' stereos? (This subject is not for me to render judgment. As far as blacklistings are tabulated, mark me as "guilty"; I purchased an illegally produced CD of XTC's radio concert from K-ROQ from 1989. I will now be damned for all eternity. Thanks.) Sincerely, your pal, Roger Carvey
------------------------------ From: jrsnipp@interserv.com Date: Sun, 22 Sep 1996 09:24:30 -0700 Message-Id: <199609221624.JAA21647@m1.interserv.com> Subject: ...Gastronomic.... Both Jim Zittel and John Relph are looking for the CD by Hiroyasu Yaguchi called "Gastronomic" released in 1988. I have such a copy and, though I am not interested in selling it, I would be happy to dub it for trade. E-mail me if interested.... I found the cd in the XTC section of the local independent record store I frequented. (Obviously they knew that it was more likely to sell of pitched as Partridge product.) It cost me $29.97 American. I was quite disappointed that for thirty bucks the album only runs at 35 minutes and change! Since AP is only on six of ten tracks, it is hardly the best investment in XTC terms. Further, he gets no writing or producing credits. The credits are humorous, though, listing AP as playing on various tracks, gorilla guitar, space guitar, african guitar + chorus, english gentleman's guitar, and (my fave) triple partridge guitar. Other names I recognize on this cd are Steven Jansen and Richard Barbieri (of beloved Japan fame) and Robert Bell (of the infrequently recording Blue Nile). Overall, the album has a real "YMO with sax instead of synth" sound. If you like jazz-pop instrumentals, this is certainly tasty. (Don't let that "+ chorus" throw you, there are no dulcet Andy vocals, just huh's mixed so low you can barely make them out.) Peace, Joe Snipp yeah, yeah, yeah "snippin snippin goes the scissorman," funny! :| PS If its not in the Chalkhills database, its here: Yaguchi, Hiroyasu "Gastronomic" Invitation Records (VDR-1482) 1988. The only address and phone number listed is for his management, Orange Paradox. 303 Daikanyama-Heights, 7-8 Daikanyama-cho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150, Japan telephone 03-496-6901
------------------------------ From: Ben Gott <bgott@mail.hotchkiss.pvt.k12.ct.us> Subject: Bacon Bros. and XTC Message-ID: <SIMEON.9609221329.A@muahost.mail.hotchkiss.pvt.k12.ct.us> Date: Sun, 22 Sep 1996 13:01:29 -0500 Happy week, all my Chalkhill friends, So here's the deal. This summer, I was at a Bacon Brothers concert. In case you don't know who these fine gentlemen are, one is Kevin Bacon, and the other is his brother, Michael. The concert went pretty well - the encore was the theme from "Footloose" - and I got to talk to both Kevin and Michael after the show. I also got to talk to their bass guitarist, a guy from NYC, whose name escapes me now. I was wearing my "XTC" button, and he asked if I was a fan. "Sure!" I replied. "XTC rocks!" He then related to me a story about attending every XTC concert he could in the early 80s, and actually getting to meet Andy et al. I was blown away! We chatted for a while about various XTC-related things, at which point he had to go mingle with some other people. I went back to Kevin and asked, "Your bassist is an XTC fan. Have you ever heard them?" Unfortunately, both Kevin and Michael's answer was: "No." "Ask him to play 'English Settlement' for you," I said. "'English Settlement'." said Kevin. "Gotcha." -B XTC SONG OF THE DAY: Season Cycle *** Ben Gott bgott@mail.hotchkiss.pvt.k12.ct.us
------------------------------ Message-Id: <199609221749.KAA00238@dfw-ix11.ix.netcom.com> From: "Steve Perley" <huduguru@ix.netcom.com> Subject: They just turn up in the darndest places... Date: Sun, 22 Sep 1996 13:49:10 -0400 Howdy, Chalkies! I'm listening to the new Hoodoo Gurus disc (Blue Cave) as I check out my e-mail. As Chalkhills #159 is scrolling onto my screen, what do I hear the fabulous Dave Faulkner singing on track #2? "LSD, down on me, PCP, down on me, THC, down on me, PCP, down on me, MSG, down on me, XTC, down on me, FAB, down on me, RIP, down on me, MTV, go down on me!" All the really brilliant bands hate MTV, don't they? After all, how can you compete with a 48-hour "Real World" marathon? Steve
------------------------------ Message-Id: <199609230151.VAA04400@mime3.prodigy.com> From: CQSN59A@prodigy.com (MR CHARLES SILVERMAN) Date: Sun, 22 Sep 1996 21:51:30, -0500 Subject: Looking for demos/Found FF Hello Chalkaholics ! Here's another plea to any generous owners of demos. If anyone is willing to make a dub, please E-mail me privately. I've been seeing all these lyrics posted and, to borrow an idea from the band, its kind of like having the straight bits in the jigsaw with a huge something missing in the middle. In this case, the music. If anyone in the States is looking for the limited CD of FF, I was able to mail order mine from Siren Disc in California (www.sirencd. com). It only took 4 days from the release date last Mon to get it using regular S&H. BTW, I have no connection with Siren. I'm just a satisfied customer. Welcome back, B.G. Thats about it, Charlie
------------------------------ From: Boris6@aol.com Date: Sun, 22 Sep 1996 22:15:15 -0400 Message-ID: <960922221514_483528549@emout08.mail.aol.com> Subject: XTC CDS FS I've got a few XTC items left in my CD collection that I'm willing to part with. E me if you're interested. Doug
------------------------------ Date: Sun, 22 Sep 1996 22:37:32 -0400 (EDT) From: "Jennifer L. Geese" <jlg@tardis.svsu.edu> Subject: This is really really scary Message-Id: <Pine.OSF.3.91.960922222526.9372A-100000@tardis.svsu.edu> Hi all - Just had to share an interesting little piece of info that I discovered quite by accident. My mother is a teacher, and for Hispanic Heritage Month the students at her school are doing a program during which they will perform the Macarena. Since I know how to do it and didn't have to work that day she asked me to come teach the kids. Now I know you're all asking yourselves "What does this have to do with XTC?" Well, driving home that afternoon Ijust happened to be listening to Dear Madam Barnum while thinking of ways to get the dance to stick with the kids. AND.... I discovered that you can Macarena perfectly to DMB. This scares me. Still no luck finding Fossil Fuel. None of the stores I've checked in have any listing for it. I'm getting extremely frustrated. Anyone with any information please let me know. Thanks, Jen
------------------------------ End of Chalkhills Digest #3-1 *****************************
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