Chalkhills Digest Volume 3, Issue 120
Date: Wednesday, 28 May 1997
Chalkhills Digest, Volume 3, Number 120
Wednesday, 28 May 1997
Today's Topics:
Rykodisc!
Rock reads
CUT THE CRAP!!!
Chalkhills list
Having and not having
Jesus of Swindon
these are a few of my favourite rock rea
XTC + Superman
XTC UK Convention
non-meeting
What a BLAST !!!!
The Ugly Underneath
Sgt. Rock (Is Going To Help Me) TAB
Trib tape orders received
Chalkhills' Children '96 Songwriters
Dukes, Top Ten
Look Look... well, only a little about the videos.
Hello, I'm a newbie
Great Bassists
Virgin Viewer
a few chains of thought....
Convention Report (long)
Administrivia:
Check out the latest guitar chord charts, tablature and MIDI files
in the Chalkhills Archives!
World Wide Web: <http://chalkhills.org/>
To UNSUBSCRIBE from the Chalkhills mailing list, send a message to
<chalkhills-request@chalkhills.org> with the following command:
unsubscribe chalkhills
For all other administrative issues, send a message to:
<chalkhills-request@chalkhills.org>
Please remember to send your Chalkhills postings to:
<chalkhills@chalkhills.org>
The views expressed herein are those of the individual authors.
Chalkhills is digested with Digest 3.3d (John Relph <relph@sgi.com>).
You can read it in your bible / Or on the back of this record sleeve.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Message-ID: <3386EA06.4433@prodigy.net>
Date: Sat, 24 May 1997 13:15:50 +0000
From: dke <dke@prodigy.net>
Organization: Prodigy Internet
Subject: Rykodisc!
Hi there!,
I just got back from the Rykodisc home page, and someone named
'Jeff' is already asking them about signing XTC, and Ryko seems to be
aware of XTC's current situation, but are having little progress.
Perhaps we could all help XTC's bargaining position by posting Ryko
with our support for/Love for XTC!
Their message board is located at:
http://www.rykodisc.com/msgboard/
Doug
------------------------------
Message-ID: <3386F169.1F04@prodigy.net>
Date: Sat, 24 May 1997 13:47:21 +0000
From: dke <dke@PRODIGY.NET>
Organization: Prodigy Internet
Subject: Rock reads
Hi there!,
As far as good books out there re: rock music, etc., if you have
even the faintest appreciation of Frank Zappa's work, you should really
check out: "The Real Frank Zappa Book", by Frank Zappa with Peter
Occhiogrosso. (Poseidon Press / Simon & Schuster) It's absolutely
hilarious and very informative.
Just a thought...
Doug
"Information is not knowledge, knowledge is not wisdom, wisdom is not
truth, truth is not beauty, beauty is not love, love is not music.
Music is the best." Frank Zappa
------------------------------ From: VOLCANIST@aol.com Date: Sat, 24 May 1997 17:17:47 -0400 (EDT) Message-ID: <970524171747_1822192184@emout18.mail.aol.com> Subject: CUT THE CRAP!!! LEAVE DAVE ALONE!!!!!! WHO GIVES A CRAP IF HE'S GAY, STRAIGHT, OR NOTHING AT ALL. WHAT BUSINESS IS IT OF YOUR'S ANYWAY! ????
------------------------------ Message-ID: <33877F5D.786B@sysnet.net> Date: Sat, 24 May 1997 19:53:01 -0400 From: Julian Cook <siogo@sysnet.net> Organization: TravelFinder.com Subject: Chalkhills list I am an on and off poster to Chalkhills. I was wondering if the lads knew of the mailing list and what they thought of it. Anyone know the answer to this one? Julian Cook President TravelFinder.com http://travelfinder.com
------------------------------ From: kekkone@sci.fi Message-ID: <33880A88.1018@sci.fi> Date: Sun, 25 May 1997 02:46:48 -0700 Subject: Having and not having Dewitt J. Henderson wrote: > This whole have/have nots thing regarding the demos - I don't > get it. Me neither. I haven't heard one second of any of the new songs, and I definitely belong to the haves. Until the new album(s) is/are released, I *have* all the anticipation and excitement that you sorry losers who know what to expect *don't* have. Har! Serves you right! :-)) kekkone
------------------------------ Message-Id: <v01540b00afad377e5f90@[169.132.99.201]> Date: Sun, 25 May 1997 02:01:55 +0100 From: pjmuck@idt.net (Peter McCulloch) Subject: Jesus of Swindon LaShawn M. Taylor writes: >And as for Christian music. Most of my teenage years were spent listening to >it. When I discovered alternative, a lot of it dropped from my stereo >because it sounded too corny to me. But there *are* decent bands, believe >it or not. You just have to know where to look because they don't get played >often, or sometimes not at all. One great christian band I can recall who never appeared to be too preachy were/are King's X. I don't expect many folks on this list to be into this band, but the best way I can describe them is "Hendrix meets the Beatles meets Black Sabbath". They kinda got lost in the shuffle of heavy metal-mania in the late 80's, but there's a lot more substance to this band. I'd recommend their latest, "Ear Candy", or their classic, "Gretchen Goes to Nebraska", as good introductions. >> Does anybody know who did the voice of Ella Guru in the song of the same >> name? It was Captain Beefheart after all. David O'Connell writes: >In that e-mail, I made reference to "Goodbye Humanosaurus" as being the >one stand-by track that was going to be recorded in case one of the >album's songs became ornery and started messing around with our beloved >Swindonian lads. >When asked about his songs for the album, Colin explained the >proceedure of selection...."Through that process we arrived at doing five >of my songs. We were doing one song of mine called "Didn't Hurt A Bit": I >wasn't too keen on it but Gus [Dudgeon, the producer] and Andy said we >should. We got half through, put the drums on, but I really couldn't get >behind it and I said to the guys 'Look, I don't want to carry on with it', >so it resulted in me having four songs on the album. "Smartest Monkeys", >"Bungalow", "My Bird Performs" and "War Dance." Interesting that XTC would pick "GH" as a standby, considering it reuses a musical section/melody that's in "Then She Appeared", which is on Nonsuch and, to the best of my knowledge, came first. My personal choice would have been "Goosey, Goosey", assuming the aforementioned, "It Didn't Hurt a Bit" were already scratched. Seems like Colin's most accessible stuff (in many ways his best material) gets left off the albums in favor of the more obscure tracks. "It Didn't Hurt a Bit", "Where Did All the Ordinary People Go?", and "Down a Peg", all would have made great additions (or substitutions to THAT SONG, but let's not go down that road again). >Dave is gay? I slept with him and I assure you he's not. Now let's get back to the music. Regards, Peter
------------------------------ From: monnickj@ubk.co.uk Message-Id: <199705251043.LAA12185@sys4.cambridge.uk.psi.net> Date: Sat, 24 May 1997 11:03:01 +0000 Subject: these are a few of my favourite rock rea I'd divide rock reads in pre and post punk, the difference being that the latter recognises the velvets, the various German outfits and the very wonderful Pere Ubu, cleveland's finest. Of the post punk reads I would unresevedly recommend Julian Cope's 'head up', an hilarious book which covers his time upto the split of 'the teardrop explodes'. His 'krautrock' covers an interesting topic, the various german bands, not very well. Pre-punk reading would include John Otway's 'Baby that really me', an equally hilarious of a determined failure who did it his way. That said, his first album is a gem and gave a direction which folk music only followed a decade latter. Peter Frame's 'family trees', unashamed detail and trivia with some hoaxes included just for fun. Little Richard's autobiography is another good read if only for his wild lifestyle and comments about buddy holly's privates. Greil's 'mystery train' is a good read, covering a very traditional range of performers well. He is in London promoting his ramble on the basement tapes, signing copies at 'helter skelter', denmark st, w1, on Monday. Has anyone tried his 'lipstick traces' which covers the links between punk, the dadists and the situationalists ? I tried but gave up because his writing style was so deranged that the book seemed a dadaist act in itself, a pity because the subject matter is very interesting. His own machine gun etiquette. Oh yes, 'paperback writer' was written by Mark Shipper Virgin Megastore in London the 1980 XTC Radio 1 in Concert cd for #5. enjoy the break jon *---------------------------------------------------------------- The views expressed are of the individual, and do not necessarily reflect the views of The United Bank of Kuwait PLC. *----------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------ From: BraincsDtr@aol.com Date: Sun, 25 May 1997 07:20:56 -0400 (EDT) Message-ID: <970525072054_-995422990@emout17.mail.aol.com> Subject: XTC + Superman Well, I've been away from the Chalkhills Digest as I've spent the last few weeks in a mad letter writing/internet/email campaign trying to save the TV show Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman. My choice email address/screen name is direct correlation to my fanaticism for both XTC and this show. Alas, my and many others attempts to save Superman didn't work, BUT, I did receive this little XTC tidbit in return. Sending out thank you email to some of the people who worked on the show, I received this response from one of the supervising writers: * ---------------------------------------- Thanks for the kind words. They are appreciated. Oh, by the way, Andy Partridge is GOD. Best, Tim * --------------------------------------- All that time and I never knew there was an XTC/Superman connection. I'll probably scower old episodes now to see if any references to the band pop up on the show. If anyone is interested the next (and last) episode Tim wrote for the series airs next saturday at 8 in the USA. Scower away! Laurie Collins "Don't let the loveless ones sell you a world wrapped in grey"
------------------------------ Message-Id: <199705251448.PAA01967@linux.nildram.co.uk> From: "Keith Beck" <ericb@vip.solis.co.uk> Date: Sun, 25 May 1997 15:48:35 +0000 Subject: XTC UK Convention Hello Everyone, It was a great day had by all, may I be the first to congratulate Simon for winning the Smartest monkey competition, and a big thanks to Martin Newell for a great gig, the man is a star. Dave Gregory is very definitely not gay, Martin Newell told me this, he went out with a girl when he was young, then he went out with a bunch of guitars, then he went out with Aimie Mann, and now he goes out with a bunch of guitars again, so hopefully that's and end to that, he is very definitely not gay. XTC are to sign a label deal in the UK this week, and hope to have an album out in February, this is from the horses mouth folks. The producer being looked at is Chris Hughes, but that's nothing definite. Thanks to ?, sorry didn't get your name, for the brilliant telephone interview with all the boys. Thanks to John for pulling the pints. And last but not least, a BIG thanks to Mike Foster for an absolutely fantastic day, Great T shirts Mike. Hats off to our greatest national institution, Let's do it again soon, Cheers, Keith.
------------------------------ Message-ID: <31510B652669CF11BA1D00805F38219E02558EB1@DUB-04-MSG> From: Peter Fitzpatrick <peterfit@MICROSOFT.com> Subject: non-meeting Date: Sun, 25 May 1997 14:07:55 -0700 APOLOGY : we couldn't do the NetMeeting thing - basically the phone line at the convention venue wouldn't work (something to do with a digital exchange or something). So we couldn't dial out and get an ISP connection. I'm really, really sorry if you went to ridiculous effort, or even very little effort, to try and take part. I'm bummed too. Sorry -Peter
------------------------------ Message-ID: <31510B652669CF11BA1D00805F38219E02558EAF@DUB-04-MSG> From: Peter Fitzpatrick <peterfit@MICROSOFT.com> Subject: What a BLAST !!!! Date: Sun, 25 May 1997 14:07:49 -0700 Whew....I'm tired (!) So, Dan Prendiville et moi flew to Bristol airport Saturday morning, found our hirecar (hey it only took 45 minutes !) and drove to Basingstoke. Eventually found our motel (that was the tough part) and after a quick lunch and a couple of pints of the local brew we took a taxi to the convention. Arriving just as Martin Newell was starting his very entertaining set (yes folks - Martin has two new fans in Ireland) we looked around and saw that YES ! we were not alone !!! A quick beer during the break and some intros to faces that were previously only names on Chalkhills, plus intros to some fans that have yet to discover "that internet thing". This was already looking good. Bought a copy of Becki's CD (thanks Simon !), discussed the nuances of "Father Ted" (sorry - "it's a priest thing, you wouldn't understand") and realised "YES ! WE ARE NOT ALONE !" A fun XTCQUIX ensued......myself and Dan developed a severe case of the giggles (perhaps me more than he...at least I was slightly more vocal). CONGRATULATIONS TO "THE SMARTEST MONKEYS" !!!! Yes folks : Simon and Natalie scored more points than anyone else. Considering the questions it is no mean feat ! (and when Mr. Stribos is present you BETTER know your XTC !) The Chalkhillians laughed when we saw the title of the small (I mean SMALL) trophy awarded...yes, "The Smartest Monkeys". How Ironic.......(like rain on your wedding day...) Next a trip to the pub for some food and beer (not in that order). That's when we got to chat and indulge ourselves. If you haven't been to a fan convention then you are missing out big time : the very feeling of being able to discuss and talk ad nausem about your favourite topic with a captive audience. Sheer Bliss ! Eventually we returned to the venue and indulged ourselves in listening to some great cover versions (sorry : I forget your name but anyone who has the balls to do "Chalkhills & Children" in front of THAT audience ..... and do it so well deserves every praise....well done mate). A one hour (wow...did THAT pass by quickly!) phone interview with Andy,Colin & Dave followed. Lotsa nice stuff. And Dave said the "F" word (!!!!!!!!!!!) - cue all the Chalkhillians looking knowingly at each other. I'm sure someone else will put up a transcript of the interview. The day was drawing to a close and a video (v.short) that I brought along was shown. I had made a little video while in Andy's shed a few weeks ago. The visual quality was not great - but the demo he was playing most certainly was. Yes folks - "We're All Light"......watch out for it. As everyone ran for trains & stuff I demo'd the Rifff show to anyone who cared to watch and showed my photos from Andy's shed (and some autographed CD covers) to anyone who cared to see. We departed for the pub and a splendid time was had by all. Andy had requested on the phone when I last spoke to him that "under no circumstances was anyone to behave themselves....haha". I think we fulfilled his wish as the bar closed. I arrived back in Dublin this morning and it's now almost 10:00pm. I'm tired. Damn I'm tired. Wasn't that a blast ?? :-)
------------------------------ Message-ID: <31510B652669CF11BA1D00805F38219E02558EB0@DUB-04-MSG> From: Peter Fitzpatrick <peterfit@MICROSOFT.com> Subject: The Ugly Underneath Date: Sun, 25 May 1997 14:07:53 -0700 First off : let's not make a thread out of this, it's too negative. "Cut to the chase Peter" Someone stole my autographed "Oranges & Lemons" CD cover at the convention last night. At the time I was philisophical because I was determined to enjoy the day and was not going to let it bring anyone down. But now I'm pretty angry. What's worse is that it might even have been one of the Chalkhillians there. Yes, hard to believe huh ? A word of advice - if you're going to a convention or get together, don't bring anything to show that you haven't secured and/or can't replace. I'm lucky - I'll probably be able to send a replacement cover to Andy and ask if he can sign it. It's only paper and ink - but bloody special paper and ink though. But what if I wasn't in that position ? What if I couldn't attempt to replace something so unique ? Either way - it doesn't excuse it. If you *are* on this list - shame on you. If it meant THAT much to you, all you had to do was ASK. I would have tried to arrange for Andy to sign a cover for you. Is this going to stop me sharing anything I can get my hands on ? Right now - yes, because I'm pretty pissed off. But I'll be ok once I've vented ;-) Oh by the way - I know how to identify this sleeve. If it ever comes up for sale or trade (somehow I doubt it) you'll know it because it's got an arrow, drawn by Andy, pointing to Andy's groin in the cartoon-like cover with the word "oops!" written on it. Still smiling tho' -peter
------------------------------ Message-Id: <199705252359.QAA07171@sgi.sgi.com> Date: Sun, 25 May 1997 16:00:17 -0700 From: hbmus047@email.csun.edu (Ian Dahlberg) Subject: Sgt. Rock (Is Going To Help Me) TAB Sgt. Rock (Is Going To Help Me) Quick 'n dirty Sgt. Rock chords taken directly from "11 Different Animals" An XTC songbook made with David Gregory's supervision. [ The actual chord charts are available in the Chalkhills archives, see above for the URL. -- John ]
------------------------------ From: Richard.PedrettiAllen@octel.com Message-Id: <c=US%a=_%p=Octel%l=EX-CAMPUS1-970527171228Z-355@ex-campus2.corp.octel.com> Subject: Trib tape orders received Date: Tue, 27 May 1997 10:12:28 -0700 Here is a listing of all the people who have sent me a check for "Chalkhills' Children '96" as of May 26. A-G Jose Artecona, Todd Bernhardt, Ben Brand, Jason Brown, Steve Cameron, John Christenson, Randy Christopher, Phil Corless, Mark Cuevas, Andy Cuthbert, Eric Day, Pune Dracker, Bob Estus, Mark Fisher, Mitch Friedman, Jennifer Geese, David Gershman, Greg Gillette, Ben Gott H-P Scott Haefner, Marion Hardin, Mitchell Harding, Jude Hayden, John Hedges, Naoyuki Isogai, Tim Kendrick, Simon Knight, Jeffrey Langr, Richard Leighton, Ira Lieman, Andrew Lippitt, Ed Miller, Ken Monk, Ian Murphy, Robin Myrick, Steve Perley, Troy Peters, John Pinto, Randy Posynick R-Z Dave Ray, Melissa Reaves, John Relph, Della & Steve Schiavo, Tim Schreyer, Harrison Sherwood, Charles Silverman, Thomas Slack, J.D. Smelser, Jeff Smith, Ekram Soylemez, Chris Spillios, Michael Stander, John Wilkens, Parrish Wilkinson, Wesley Wilson, William Wisner, Thomas Worthington, Jim Zittel Tapes should ship June 2. (getting damn close to a year, aren't I?)
------------------------------ From: Richard.PedrettiAllen@octel.com Message-Id: <c=US%a=_%p=Octel%l=EX-CAMPUS1-970527182151Z-500@ex-campus2.corp.octel.com> Subject: Chalkhills' Children '96 Songwriters Date: Tue, 27 May 1997 11:21:51 -0700 Several people have asked for a listing of who wrote what on the tribute tape... Song Author Xtsea compilation of XTC lyrics Battery Brides Andy Partridge Making Plans For Nigel Colin Moulding Day In, Day Out Colin Moulding The Somnambulist Andy Partridge All Of Sudden (It's Too Late) Andy Partridge It's Nearly Africa Andy Partridge My Love Explodes Andy Partridge The Meeting Place Colin Moulding 1000 Umbrellas Andy Partridge Dear God Andy Partridge Sacrificial Bonfire Colin Moulding Collideascope Andy Partridge Disque Bleu Andy Partridge Chalkhills And Children Andy Partridge Goosey Goosey Andy Partridge Living In Haunted Heart Andy Partridge Books Are Burning Andy Partridge Andy = 13; Colin = 4 A stern finger-wagging to all the people who did not know every bit of this information! (that includes me) Cheers, Richard
------------------------------ Message-Id: <s38af6d1.061@elsevier.com> Date: Tue, 27 May 1997 14:58:57 -0400 From: Ralph DeMarco <r.demarco@elsevier.com> Subject: Dukes, Top Ten Dear One Armed Bandits and Affiliated Members: Matt responded to my post about being exposed to the Dukes: >I know someone else who likes/tolerates the Dukes but hates >XTC...BTW, did your friend know they were one and the same? Yes. My friend did know that three of the four Dukes were XTC. My other friend thinks that some of the Dukes' sound alot like Badfinger (one of those few bands signed to Apple Records) especially ?Mole from the Ministry? which is like ?Come and Get It? written by Sir Paul. And of course all the other sounds... Now, for no reason, I present my personal rankings with comments (as if anyone cares). Note: All the XTC records I own are the original vinyl versions without the bonus tracks (except Nonsuch). 1. Mummer (This is a magical album. For those who don?t get it...what can I say?) 2. Skylarking (Super, super songs and wonderful production by TR) 3. Drums and Wires (Really gets me a hoppin?) 4. English Settlement (Simple and ingenius...almost flawless...almost) 5. Nonsuch (Wow, some days this is my favorite) 6. Black Sea (The rock & roll album - crank it up dude!) 7. Oranges and Lemons (Love the songs but - a bit sharp around the edges- help!) 8. The Big Express (The rock & roll album part II. First side/half is great but...it loses me) 9. White Music (Talk about dismantling pop! XTC does Dylan? Scary stuff) 10. Go 2 (Getting rather smooth after being so angular. Are you recieving me?) Honarable Mentions: **25 O?Clock/Psonic Psunspot - The Dukes of Stratosphear (This one I play the most! Some of the best pop songs Andy & Colin ever wrote) *Rag & Bone Buffet (This one has one of my favorite Colin songs. I used to be an angry young man once too) A comment on the bonus tracks: Some are quite good but...they should have been placed at the end of the albums. Thank you and good night. Ralphie
------------------------------
Message-Id: <199705280227.TAA23045@mail.eskimo.com>
From: "Matt Keeley" <mrme@eskimo.com>
Date: Tue, 27 May 1997 19:25:43 +0000
Subject: Look Look... well, only a little about the videos.
Hello all, yet again.... more ramblings from your resident
spazchow....
> From: Dave Ledbetter <dbetter@acton.com>
> >Matt Keeley wrote:
> >Before I leave, one closing thought: Anyone else think the song
> >titles are the best part of Explode Together?
> I agree. I just couldn't get into "The Dub Experiments".
Thing that I think about Explode is that some of the songs would have
been pretty good if they hadn't been dubs.... I've read some of the
lyrics from Chalkhills (they're really hard to decipher... and that
blasted Virgin didn't include anything! I'd love to see a picture of
the cover of Take Away/Lure of Salvage... but I digress), and I think
that some of them would work really well as real songs, esp. New
Broom and to a lesser extent, Shore Leave Orthinology (Another 1950).
But there really does need to be songs with those titles, no matter
how nearly unlistenable. I suppose if I hear it again, I might grow
to like them, as I did with Big Express, but well.... with Big
Express, I liked some of the songs already.
> From: "kimberly lynn martin" <KMAR0971@Mercury.GC.PeachNet.EDU>
> Just thought I'd post my thoughts about COLIN. I love Andy's songs,
> but I have always had a special affinity for the compositions of Mr.
> Moulding.
I always liked Colin's contributions, but I prefer Andy's.... songs.
(Nothing against Andy, just can't think of a synonym that begins with
"A" to keep with the alliteration.) Andy's just seem more, well,
appealing. Colin's early stuff (i.e. Life Begins.) (Nigel excluded,
that's genius) kinda grates on me.... not a lot, but slightly.
Anyway, I couldn't stand it if Colin were out of the band or
anything. But, well, I can't comment on Barry's stuff (don't have Go
2 yet).
> From: Andrew Notarian <apn@UDel.Edu>
> BASSISTS -- are we rating these people on pure talent, whether we like
> their music or not?
When I rated, I did a combination of both... mainly because in songs
I like, the bass tends to be pretty good, and well, when I don't like
a song it's hard to pick out a good part as I'm pressing the skip
button/changing the channel. Usually the latter. But anyway....
> From: "Jeffrey Langr" <Jeffrey.Langr@MCI.Com>
> 1. Suggestion, please go to Rykodisc's web page, as previously
> suggested in Chalkhills, go to their message board, and post
> a reply to the XTC message I already posted. Or post a new
> reply, whatever. A few hundred messages (or even 50) from
> Chalkhills subscribers would look nice.
To quote Principal Skinner, "Done, done, and I do mean done."
> From: "Ben Gott" <xtcfan@hotmail.com>
> To all those Chalkmonsters who regularly order from CDNow!: "Upsy Daisy"
> (The Assortment) is available, advance order, for $9.77! That's right,
> folks. Cheaper than a Mariah Carey tape!
> Order through my CDNow link, and I get money towards purchases. I still don't
> work for them, though.
No! Order through my link, so I get money!! Well, he did beat me to
it, so go to his site at:
http://www.wp.com/58596
(but if you buy two copies, buy one from his and buy one from me,
neh? 8)
> From: The Gottschalks <gotts@tenet.edu>
> I won't go way off on this, but I will say this: The Gigantes' condition of
> being with Elektra is pretty smart, because it is, let's admit it, by far a
> larger record label than Rykodisc. TMBG are probably looking to gain more
> fans, and staying with Elektra is a much safer bet for doing so.
I don't know... I think that going to Ryko would be better for
gaining new fans, because, even though Elektra is bigger, Ryko will
let them make videos. But this is off topic.
> I can't understand most of these Scissor Man lyrics. I bought this cd for
> six dollars. Also present on the crap rack was O&L. More money saved for
> people like me, that's what I say.
Scissor Man is kinda odd... I didn't really get the lyrics, but when
I sat down to read them, I realised how, well, sick they were! I
suppose it was mainly as a thing for kids to keep them to be good,
like a satire of one of those songs, but still, the whole thing about
waking up to "find important pieces gone" (can we say Bobbit... heheh)
(Shut up, Matt!) is a bit on the bizzare/sick side. Needless to say,
I love it!
BTW, I just saw the video compilation (Thanks Scott!), and is it just
me or does Andy look completely demented in the Nigel video? I
suppose that's the point, but still. And I love that part in Ball
and Chain that looks like Andy's about to sneak up behind Colin with
the slegde hammer... (Bang, bang, Andy's silver hammer....) (SHUT UP,
Matt!!) Anyway, that's a really cool video.
Now that was schizophrenic....
Matt
-=>Matt Keeley mrme@eskimo.com<=-
I Have Learnt | Visit my home page
the Value of | http://www.eskimo.com/~mrme
Human Sacrifice| I used to be temporarily insane!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Now I'm just stupid! -- Brak
Yeah.
------------------------------ Message-ID: <c=US%a=_%p=SELECT_Software_%l=SELECT_OX_MAIL-970528095909Z-385@sst.star.co.uk> From: Catherine Sweeney <Cather-s@selectst.com> Subject: Hello, I'm a newbie Date: Wed, 28 May 1997 10:59:09 +0100 I've just read the last Chalkhills volume, and I'm glad I've subscribed. I picked up a few things along the way, and am randomly going to respond to some of them and bore you all senseless. I got into XTC at the time of Black Sea, because I fell in love with Colin and was rather taken with him leaping up and down on that bouncy castle thing in the Generals and Majors video (I was only 14, for God's sake). But I've loved them all ever since. I've never met anyone other than me who owns any XTC albums at all, let alone the amount I own, so when I found Chalkhills I realised what it must have felt when medieval woman encountered the Renaissance for the first time. OK, there's a lot going for the Medievalists, but they don't have Michelangelo. Why is it that all my friends say "XTC, oh yes, they're really nice. Making Plans for Nigel, isn't it? Haven't got any of their stuff, though". Why not, I say, before punching them in the record collection. Roads Girdle the Globe is my current favourite song and I'm listening to it right now. But it changes regularly, and, truth is, they're all magnificent. My boyfriend detests Roads Girdle the Globe, so I think I'll dump him. I've never done the housework whilst listening to Drums and Wires, but I got through my O levels listening to Black Sea. I failed maths 3 times, but did marvellously well in History. Is there any secret meaning in this? Bassists - I've missed most of this, so am about to say something which is either a)desperately uncool or b)a repeat of an earlier message. But what about Mick Karn? So, hello everyone. I'm Catherine, a repetitive and uncool London Irish person thingummy jig. I'm at work. I'd better go and do some, then.....
------------------------------ Message-ID: <c=US%a=_%p=Tencor%l=MILXPR02-970528142721Z-34971@milxbh01.tencor.com> From: "Oehler, Alan" <ALAN.OEHLER@tencor.com> Subject: Great Bassists Date: Wed, 28 May 1997 07:27:21 -0700 Andrew Notarian wrote <Whenever I pay careful attention to the bass lines in XTC, they usually don't impress me. If someone would you like to tell me I'm wrong, go ahead and email me, maybe I'm missing something. I can't think of walking bass line in any XTC song, or even a really catchy repetitive Bruce Thomas keeping the song together in a neat little package type bassline.> As a old bass lover (and I don't mean bass frappes made in my Bassomatic) from way back, I must say, Andrew, are you kidding? Just one great example: the "really catchy repetitive," "neat little package type bassline" in "Mayor of Simpleton" on Oranges and Lemons. That tune is one of those that sums up XTC's strengths in a nutshell -- great pop tunesmithing that's catchy but also quirky, great energy, great singing from Andy, great harmonies, and incredible (dare I say perfect?) playing (very notably the bass)... Echoing the 5-10 top bassists stuff, I didn't notice anybody mentioning James Jamerson, the Motown great. I was also glad to see the spate of "what about Tony Levin" posts. One might argue that even though he's considered a jazz player, Jaco Pastorius' influence was so pervasive that he certainly deserves to be in such a list. --Alan Oehler
------------------------------ Date: Wed, 28 May 1997 08:46:32 +0000 Subject: Virgin Viewer From: Tom Keekley <keeks@maroon.tc.umn.edu> Message-Id: <338c36521a77002@mhub1.tc.umn.edu> While excitedly viewing Look Look for the first time (the first time Ive ever seen XTC *MOVE*) I noticed Richard Branson in the video for Generals and Majors. I didnt see anything in the archives about this and thought it was an interesting tidbit.
------------------------------ From: SLEDZNH@aol.com Date: Wed, 28 May 1997 10:46:36 -0400 (EDT) Message-ID: <970528104508_-764549018@emout20.mail.aol.com> Subject: a few chains of thought.... Chalkhilians... On the recent discussion of Colins' songs: a year or so ago while lamenting that there was no new XTC material and none on the horizon, I decided to make a mixed tape of just selected Colin Moulding songs ( I called it "MOULDING"; clever, huh?). Wow, what a *fun* tape! Go ahead, try it! I have the utmost repect for Colin being a fantastic musician, songwriter, and, being able play off of the genuis that is Andy Partridge for all these years. Many lesser men may have left the band by now. On the MSN rifff thing: Just an FYI, I visited their web site and saw that the Andy Partridge peice will be taking place on 6/6 and a "chat" session on "6/12". I may even subscribe for a trial month, hmmmmm. Upon recently watching the U2 TV special: though I haven't been an active fan of U2 for a while, I watched this special recently....wow - can you say *EGO*??? These guys are so self consumed they can't get out of their own way. Anyway, a strange, yet laughable idea came my way...an XTC parody portraying the history of the band had they become a "popular" "mainstream" band. You know, "The Big Express World Tour", in which the boys enter the stadium on a huge train, "The Royal NONSVCH Command Performance" before the Queen, of course the "Andy is Dead" rumour fits in well here. This may be done in the tradition of the recently mentioned "Paperback Writer" Beatles book - hey, I thought I was the only one who owned that!!! I may submit a few passages in upcoming digests, please feel free to submit your own. -James W. p.s. - a note of thanks to Mr. Relph needs to be included for his continued service. Hats Off... ; )
------------------------------ Message-Id: <2.2.32.19970528152940.006b7368@popmail.dircon.co.uk> Date: Wed, 28 May 1997 16:29:40 +0100 From: Simon Sleightholm <nonsuch@dircon.co.uk> Subject: Convention Report (long) Well, hi folks. Here's a little rundown report (from a rundown reporter) of the Basingstoke Convention; or at least what I can remember of it. I didn't actually get there until around 1:30 so I missed a showing of some video material (which included stuff I hadn't seen before by all accounts), but I did manage to catch the last half of a live performance of some XTC tunes by organiser Mike Foster and some friends. The songs I heard were "Towers Of London" (segued neatly into The Beatles' "Rain" for a few moments), "My Train Is Coming" and another I don't quite recall. Having never heard XTC music live before it was a real treat to hear these songs played with that live dynamic (even with the drum machine). After a short break, where I mingled and bought my first beer of the day, beginning the inexorable decline, it was time for Mr Newell. Now *this* was entertainment. Cannily aware that, though there were fans of his in the audience, this was after all an XTC convention (and he is a HUGE fan of the band himself), he freeformed some anecdotes about working with Andy and Dave (his Dave Gregory impression caused your correspondent to almost choke on his tongue), which were quite revealing about the dynamics within the band; there was, for example, a point during the recording process when Colin was supposed to be involved but tensions between him and Andy at that time precluded it. It was during the recording of "Greatest Living Englishmen" that both of their wives left them (surprising that it turned out to be such an "up" album, but they were trying to avoid the "Phil Collins syndrome") and Andy proved very supportive. Other tales of the reserved Mr Gregory on tour with a rowdy bunch of beer-monsters (including a dervish-like Captain Sensible) were equally revealing. After the tour Dave had been wiped out phsyically and mentally by the conditions and, after an acrimonous exchange of letters about the experience, he and Martin fell out for a while. They are all friends again now, though. Newell did some poems - some new ones, some old ones - and performed three songs (a little inexpertly; he said he hadn't played them for three years). He also threw the floor open for a Q&A session, which was equally entertaining (favourite moment; his description of the way he attracted German fans with a sort of strangest-teacher-in-the-school look about them, while in Japan he watched from his hotel window as Dave wandered down the street and back again with a little knot of pointing and whispering girls behind him). Newell was particularly damning about the music industry and the music press (his depiction of Q and NME journalists as Terry-Thomas voiced fops was side-splitting) and echoed our own sentiments about the tragedy of a band like XTC having to take odd-jobs just to make ends meet from time to time. Newell metioned, without prompting, how XTC, apart from Andy's old prescriptions, are largely a drug-free unit; Andy, he says, is one of those people who doesn't need drugs to get his mind working at odd angles, and Dave is simply too professional, too into the music, to let the edges be dulled by drugs. A nice man, happy, though EXTREMELY pushed for time, to sign our CD booklets and even take delivery of a gratis copy of Becki's CD (she being a fan, and the person who actually introduced me to his music). A break and more beer followed. Then we had a quiz, which, to MY ETERNAL SHAME, Natalie Jacobs and I won (scaring ourselves with our prowess - we really do need to get out more). Actually, I only held the paper, it was all Natalie's doing. ;) What made matters worse was that the trophy was inscribed to "The Smartest Monkey", something which provoked peals of laughter from those Chalkies assembled who recalled my hatred of the song. A certain Peter Fitzpatrick was almost moved to hook up his laptop at that point and mail this list directly with the news. Sadly, I left my camera in my hotel room (for which I will always kick myself), but I have since managed to grab a picture of the trophy in its tawdry and damning glory. Luckily I was able to absent myself from the photograph of the trophy being presented to Natalie. Mike Foster hadn't really thought the quiz out properly though, and two rounds had to be abandoned when he hit a brick-wall of deep XTC trivia awareness from those assembled. Someone had sent Mike a tape of "Black Sea" studio takes which sounded really no different to ones I'd already received from Mark Strijbos as a trade in the spirit he mentioned a few digests ago. This guy, though, was looking for serious money. As far as I know, nobody there took up the offer and I hope nobody ever does. I had tapes there myself but they were to trade tape for tape or sell for the price of the tape and no more. Needless to say I managed to sell them all, along with four copies of Becki's CD. This was followed by a meal break at a nearby (allegedly) pub. This proved to be a bit of a shambles, but we all sat out in the beer garden drinking (yay) and chatting about the band. Which was nice. We returned to the venue for a taped conference-call phone interview (which could have done with being edited a little, to make it a bit tighter and less rambling) which provoked a bout of sniggering, in the light of Newell's impression, when Dave's West Country schoolboy voice chimed in. I recall the interview being pretty funny and interesting, but I don't recall there being much in the way of startling revelation. I'm quite willing to be corrected on this because by this time the beer was taking hold and I missed a few sections as I journeyed from seat to toilet to bar. After the interview we were informed, tantalisingly, that a deal is in the offing. No label was named (and I missed some of this, so I can't say whether they band HAVE signed or are about to. Anyone help with this?). It was also pointed out that though Andy's demos are of near releasable quality themselves, they will never be released as XTC music simply because they are not band recordings. Next fan Steve Clarke (fanatical transcriber of XTC songs into MIDI format) played some songs; "Toys" and "Collideascope" were among these. Okay, so it wasn't the band themselves, but when you have a talented musician playing a song like "Collideascope" and an auditorium of fans singing along to the chorus there is a vital magic that fills the air. Great stuff. The evening was rounded off with the playing of Peter Fitzpatrick's video, shot in Adny's shed of the man himself setting up his studio equipment and playing back a demo called "We Are All Light" - a wonderful track that left us all a bit thrilled. And that was it. Whether there is likely to be another one I don't know - mumbles from Mike seemed to indicate that it had been an organisational nightmare, but he had the goodwill of all those in attendance and it was a real blast to meet so many people with a common interest. It wasn't a Barnum & Bailey extravaganza, but it was a day filled with XTC which is precisely what we were all after. I certainly enjoyed myself immensely, as did most other people, I think. I shall wear my convention T-shirt with pride. We all relocated ourselves to various drinking establishments after that and there was much talking and drinking. It was indescribably good fun, I must say, though my recollection starts to get a LITTLE hazy at this point. Greetings to Dan P., Peter Fitz, Dave Goody and his mate Simon, Steve Clarke, Mark Strijbos, Cheryl (sorry we didn't get to chat much, my friend, it was good to see you), Huw, Naomi, Christina and George and all others I chatted to and whose names I either didn't know, or which leaked away with the beer the next morning. A cheery wave also to Mark Fisher who I saw for a few minutes in Edinburgh last week; a pleasure, sir. Your correspondent is still wildly exhausted from the experience (and the travelling) and apologises for any omissions/errors in the above account. I'm sure some of the other folk will be able to fill in any detail or correct any mistakes. The first thing I forgot, after hearing that seductive little gasp from the ring-pull on my first can, was my promise to my wife to go steady with the beer. Gladly, being quite the most fantastic, patient, and wonderful human being on this earth, she left it a day or so before taking me to task about it. I suspect, though that this was largely due to the fact that in my absence she had sunburned her nose into a brilliant red beacon and realised that she couldn't berate me convincingly while resembling a dog's squeaky toy. During Natalie Jacobs' visit to these shores she played me a video which contained excerpts from a few live shows. It still amazes me, watching Andy smiling like an angel through "Yacht Dance" on Whistle Test, or slamming around to White Music stuff, how he ever got into stagefright. The man is a *born* performer. And now, some repsonses (I've only just found the time to read the last four digests) From: "S.Irani-lewis" <MDA95SI@sheffield.ac.uk> >Gregsy's Gay ? >Well....if he is...good on him!! >if he's not....we-eell....we can't ALL be perfect ;-) >Love Will.......xx :D Now THIS made me smile. Probably the best response to the topic so far by my reckoning... >>Can anybody else suggest any other rock books? Not sure if it counts, really, but Iain Banks' Espedair Street, about the life and times of a faded rock musician, is excellent. I got some *lovely* in my bed, Simon (AKA Rowley Birkin, QC) +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+ http://www.users.dircon.co.uk/~nonsuch/bungalow.htm +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+ XTC? Are they still going? Follow me and find out..
------------------------------ End of Chalkhills Digest #3-120 *******************************
Go back to Volume 3.
29 May 1997 / Feedback