Chalkhills Digest Volume 4, Issue 102
Date: Thursday, 2 July 1998
Chalkhills Digest, Volume 4, Number 102
Thursday, 2 July 1998
Today's Topics:
Re: Boring? Us?
re: religious spoutings
Atlanta Bash Update
XTC sighting, page down!
Yaz Toots Horn
ARE YOU INSANE!?
Demos
Lloyd-Weber and YES
Good AP reading material
Dear God, Jethro Tull & My wife!
Oh Boy-a!
Welly-Welly-Welly-Well?
No Larking Matter
A calmer me.....
Chalkhills' Children '98
Big Express -- past the 1st 5 songs
CC Recollections
My Weapon, Your Weapon, Our Weapon
Pure Content
Re: Party?
XTC and the F word
A beautiful moment in Swindon
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So with a mop and a bucket / I'll just say forget her.
---------------------------------------------------------------------- Message-Id: <s59a3ab0.068@parliament.uk> Date: Wed, 01 Jul 1998 13:32:20 +0100 From: Dominic Lawson <LAWSOND@parliament.uk> Subject: Re: Boring? Us? (i) Robert kindly says..."Dom, you ain't boring, man!" Well no, but I am "incredibly smug" and also "one of those guys who looks in the mirror and gets a hard-on", so it's not all good news. (ii) "Finally... Dom and Harrison, shake hands, and lets talk about something pleasent...like XTC!" XTC? Sorry, I'm not familiar with the name. Is that like a pop group or something? Only kidding, fight-fans. Oh, and Harrison's lovely really. I just got a bit sweaty back there..... (iii) Just as a matter of interest, is anyone aware of any bits of XTC tunes that have been sampled and used elsewhere? I only ask because one of my current musical projects utilises a couple of snippets from "Collideascope" and, I think, "Millions", in a fairly un-XTC context. Works a treat. All within the legal sampling limits as well, naturally! Obviously I'm far too smug for most of you to bear, but any interested parties who would like to hear what I've been up to can feel free to mail me. Or not. Dom.
------------------------------ Message-Id: <199807011225.HAA04287@ted.asap.net> From: "Greg Singer" <greg@asap.net> Subject: re: re: religious spoutings Date: Wed, 1 Jul 1998 07:40:41 -0500 Jason, You're right. Bob, the author of the original quote, and I chatted of the list and what you say is true. A couple of the lines seemed strong to me. But that the way it goes. >Greg wrote: > It's sad to see people spouting their religious propaganda, "Religion: > Christian who loves Reformed theology (John Calvin, Jonathon Edwards). > Christ is King. Life is meaningless otherwise.", when all we want to > hear about is XTC. > Jason responded... >Why is this sad? How is this any different than the numerous people >spouting their atheist propaganda? I mean he was answering a question >about his religious views. It's not like he chose to post some huge >dissertation why shouldf all convert to his Calvinsit reform thheology aor >something. It was a brief statement of his religious views. Greg s
------------------------------ Message-ID: <359A3383.67AA@sprintmail.com> Date: Wed, 01 Jul 1998 09:02:59 -0400 From: Stormy Monday <stormymonday@sprintmail.com> Organization: Stormy Monday Enterprises Subject: Atlanta Bash Update Folxtc, Just a reminder that the Second Annual Atlanta Bash in Honor Of XTC will be held in Marietta GA, on Saturday August the 8th. Last year's party was a blast, and this year we are planning an impromptu unplugged jam session. While the focus of the party is XTC, the jam will be unstructured, allowing people to perform original songs, covers of their favorite artists and of course ... If you are intersted, please e-mail me at stormymonday@sprintmail.com, or Pete at pete_srd@mindspring.com, and we will add you to the guest list. Details will be forwarded to all respondents at the end of this month. Stormy Monday Today's assignment: Blast "Across This Antheap" and shake your heads in wonder at the genius of XTC.
------------------------------ From: "Damian Foulger" <damian@ceolasers.com> Date: Wed, 1 Jul 1998 08:24:13 -0500 Subject: XTC sighting, page down! Message-Id: <19980701081948.9a280dcc.in@ceo.ceolasers.com> Has anyone seen the Camelot Music advert? It mentions 'Ecstacy' [sic], twice. The second time it flashes up the letters: XTC. It's almost subliminal. It's a pity that they mispronounce the name! Dames tWd
------------------------------ Message-Id: <v02140b01b1c0022cbe40@[208.251.162.147]> Date: Wed, 1 Jul 1998 10:16:48 -0500 From: gloop@ntr.net (Yazbek) Subject: Yaz Toots Horn Alright, Goddamn it. It's me, Yazbek, and since W.A.R., the weak little indie label I'm on, has neglected to get the word out about our upcoming gig at THE LIZARD LOUNGE in CAMBRIDGE, MASS. tomorrow, THursday July 2nd at 10 o'clock p.m., I'm forced to do it myself. We're also going to do a residency at FEZ in NYC-- four Tuesdays in a row starting July 14th, with a nice loud horn section and cool guest acts. Chalkies must reveal themselves at said gigs. And for those who are looking for the inside poop-- I have no idea how the XTC album's going, but at least it looks like they'll finish the damn thing before my tumor metastisizes. Thanks.
------------------------------ Message-Id: <199807011454.JAA21587@indy3.indy.net> Date: Wed, 01 Jul 98 09:56:14 -0500 From: Rednoise <rednoise@indy.net> Subject: ARE YOU INSANE!? After reading my first digest, and after pounding my head on my desk for 5 minutes, I just had to ask, regarding the comment below: ARE YOU INSANE !? <<snip>> >I don't want to cause a stir, but if XTC were good enough to achieve >commercial success they wouldn't *need* to perfect an album so much. <<snip>> Maybe you just want to cause a stir. If I missed some of the thread, or there is sarcasm that doesn't reproduce well in print, I apologize in earnest, but, Christ !!!!!!!!! Have you read anything the band has said about it's dealings with the 'industry' ?!?!? More to the point, if XTC were 'good enough' to achieve commercial success, we'd be listening to Andy and Colin singing "Love at first site...oooo baby, goin'a do it ALLLL night " or maybe "Train running low on cocaine, gotta get me more or I'll go insane" better yet, "Rook, rook, show me your tits" (this may already be a 'Bud' commercial) All of the above would be over 2-note 'power chords' , and oh yea, and the lyrics wouldn't rhyme or even follow any type of meter. Is there anyone left on the planet with an attention span ? Sincerely, Red
------------------------------ From: GFROBE@aol.com Message-ID: <e05c46c0.359a53c2@aol.com> Date: Wed, 1 Jul 1998 11:20:32 EDT Subject: Demos As a recent newcomer to Chalkhills I just wanted to ask where I can find the demos that all are talking about. Probably a very worn out request I'm sure but remember, we've all been there. I read about someone having access to a CD burner. If that person (or anyone for that matter) would contact me directly I'd gladly pay or trade something for a copy. Thanks, Gary (gfrobe@aol.com)
------------------------------
From: sberkeley@ccm.frontiercorp.com
Message-Id: <9807018993.AA899308059@ccm.frontiercorp.com>
Date: Wed, 01 Jul 98 08:51:47 -0500
Subject: Lloyd-Weber and YES
>Simon Deane wrote: We can't even say that, for example, "English
>Settlement" is better than "Jesus Christ Superstar" - that's
>just our opinion as XTC fans.
Ummmm... Relativism aside, I think we can say that "ES" is far better
than "JCSS" (even YES could outdo "JCSS" [as dismal as they were/
are]). Let's not be afraid of insulting people just a little; they
can take it. In this case they need to.
-Shamus
------------------------------ Message-ID: <304D2C3DF164D111827200600837841F28EA80@einstein.moneystar.com> From: Jill Oleson <oleson@moneystar.com> Subject: Good AP reading material Date: Wed, 1 Jul 1998 11:46:47 -0500 Like most Chalkers -- I suspect -- I'd like to get inside the head of Andy Partridge at least for a few hours. I have so many questions about his lyrics, about his creative inspirations. Tea and crumpets are, of course, optional. I would promise to leave the messy brain matter encased in his skull when I left. Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints. Reading the following article is as close as I've come: http://www.users.dircon.co.uk/~nonsuch/articles/xtcx.htm Jill Oleson oleson@moneystar.com Austin, Texas
------------------------------ Message-ID: <9008165AB825D1118A1600A024A1661947D6C7@CHOWAN> From: "Martin, Alan" <Alan.Martin@ncxix.hcg.eds.com> Subject: Dear God, Jethro Tull & My wife! Date: Wed, 1 Jul 1998 13:35:18 -0400 Hello all! Everyone has been filling the list with tons of interesting things. I've been reading all the hubub about "Dear God" and felt I had to make a comment. First of all, just because a musician, ANY musician, makes a musical statement concerning a "God" or "Deity" or "Being" and in that statement, questions certain aspects of the worship or dogma involved, does not automatically mean that it is an "Anti-God" stance. In this particular instance, AP is simply proposing questions that one should think about without simply accepting the old religious Cliches as answers. I, for one, believe strongly in "God" or some semblance of "God" as the concept is presented to us by modern, western religions. Although, I DO NOT believe in any organized form of religious following or belief systems. Following in this vein, perhaps some of you have heard the song "God" from the Aqualung album by Jethro Tull? It's lyrics follow in the same line of thought as "Dear God" to my ears. Both songs express the same basic ideas and/or proposals. And the last track on the album, "Wind Up" actually, expresses it in a more succinct way. I don't mean to rustle any feathers with this post. Just wanted to get some feedback on my thoughts. (and perhaps dig up some closeted JT/XTC fans! :} ) Oh, and to those of you posting about meeting that perfect woman who shares in your love of AP and the boys.... my wife LOVES XTC! So, eat your hearts out! NA NA NA NA NAAAAAA NAAAAAA!!!!!! (The opinions expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of EDS, Inc.) Alan J. Martin ECS x3076 Alan.Martin@ncxix.hcg.eds.com
------------------------------
Message-ID: <359A882F.7A4B05C5@intermetrics.com>
Date: Wed, 01 Jul 1998 15:07:11 -0400
From: Harrison Sherwood <sherwood@intermetrics.com>
Subject: Oh Boy-a!
Bob Estus syncretized:
> [Goya's] "The Sleep of Reason Produces Monsters"... an artist asleep at
> his drafting board with owls and bats propagating from his
> subconsciousness.
[snip]
> Just think how the old masters felt, they call...
> Awaken you dreamers
> Asleep at your desks
Oh, wonderful, Bob! Dead solid perfect with the six-iron, on the green in
two! Way to kick out the William! Of _course_ that's the reference! Goya's
"Sleep of Reason"! Hot spit! Ain't Partridge great?
And I've seen it in a painting
And I've seen it in engraving
And I've seen it in their faces
Clear as children's chalk lines on the paving
Let's see, besides the fire and fireworks that you mention, and added to the
ocean and sailing imagery Mitch Friedman can tell us all about, can we add
another Partridgean bugbear, painting and painters? We know Andy was a
graphic designer before he was a famous neurotic, and he can paint some, as
the cover of the 12-inch "Mayor of Simpleton" can attest. And he's a pretty
whimsical sculptor.
The Botticelli allusion in "Then She Appeared" should be obvious enough,
"Ballet for a Rainy Day," "Andy Paints Brian," now this Goya number.... A
possible nexus between the sea and the painting imagery is "Seagulls
Screaming," which (besides containing the line "The waves look painted on")
has always struck me as a sort of "moment-captured" song, like a
painting. Any others?
While we're on "Wrapped in Grey", take a look at the line, "How colored the
flowers all smelled." Back when I was studying up for that bachelorate I
keep getting caught in my zipper I remember melting a few neurons attempting
through artificial and illegal means to induce a state of "synesthesia,"
which is what Andy captures so economically here: The mixing up of the
senses, where colors have smells and flavors have texture and so on.
Christian mystics (Meister Eckhart
[http://www.digiserve.com/mystic/Christian/Eckhart/index.html], for
example), not to mention mystics of many other religious traditions, thought
of synesthesia as a harbinger of a state of grace or enlightenment, of
Awakening if you like. I also remember some goober named Blake yacketing on
about it.
There is a decent collection of Goya art at
http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Studios/7788/goya13.html. (Although only the
worst pedant would point out the consistent misspelling of "Francisco"
throughout the site.) Especially affecting are the Black Period and the
Disasters of War. And if you like women (you know--in _that_ way), the Maja
paintings aren't just sexy daubs, they're a guaranteed, rock-solid,
stand-up-and-whinny aphrodisiac...harder'n Chinese algebra.... Why,
hel-*lo*, Mrs. Alba! Up for a little postgrad work?
In light of recent discussions I got a big, loud, teeth-exposed, Homer
Simpson horse-laugh out of the Sleep of Reason parody at
http://www.readings.com.au/scans/trojan.htm.
And why, I keep asking myself, is the sagacious Mr. Estus thinking along
these lines, eh? Couldn't it maybe have a tiny something to do with another
Goya reference, this one from the mind of David Byrne?
From the sleep of reason, a life is born
We are creatures of love, we are creatures of love
Harrison "Little pee-pee, little toes" Sherwood
------------------------------ Message-ID: <MAPI.Id.0016.006f6e656c6c6f203030303730303037@MAPI.to.RFC822> From: "Donald Melnyk" <donello@flash.net> Subject: Welly-Welly-Welly-Well? Date: Wed, 01 Jul 98 15:48:11 PDT This is donello and I hope this catches all eyes. I'm an old XTC soul and I'm so anxious to finally connect with all my kindred folken! There's a lot of catching up (digest reading) I'll need to do. Firstly, LIVE XTC. >>>>>JIFFY POP<<<<< .............XTC IS JIFFY POP.................. sell off your instruments and go to school Such as the ivory-billed woodpecker, where only , stats, reports, photos and film clips survive, I've prayed that this analogy to extinction is premature. Those who've picked up on this band, post 1982 might never of known what a blast their shows were. I've witnesses this phenomenon twice and that's how I've became a terminal case with XTC musical eros. I empathize with all, that desire for another chance, (ya-ya, I know of Dave's departure-- ya-ya, FAT chance, now!). Yet, my primary (and latent) proposal to this small, yet fervent membership was to bring the mountain to Mohammed, i.e. to present the lads the option (or IDEA) to play live to even a minute portion of their fan base whilst staying in Britain. No tours,.. just an event. Take some time before replying..... then tell me about it. (Yes, bla-bla, the complications! I believed in Andy's prior sensitivities and public statements - yet remember,........ people change). To me, over all these years (1980), Colin has always been the real mystery man in this group. Please direct me to any interviews or quotes known to be attributed to him. I know of none, myself so perhaps any of the chk/tlkrs can assist, eh?? As a windup, I know of at least two known and unreleased live recordings in the US from 79 and 80. I assume the earlier is of very high audio quality and (hopefully) in the farthest recesses of a tape archive of a midwestern radio station. The existence of the latter is certain. I look forward to reading y'all real soon,.... until then, help me get thru these cynical days, donello!
------------------------------ Message-Id: <199807012212.AAA26900@mail.knoware.nl> From: "Mark Strijbos" <mmello@knoware.nl> Organization: The Little Lighthouse Date: Thu, 2 Jul 1998 00:14:25 +0000 Subject: No Larking Matter Dear Chalkers, Halsted asked: > I haven't listened to Skylarking in a long time so I broke > out the UK disc of it. The label side has yellowed, especially at > the edges, and it now won't play. Has anyone else had the same > problem? No. I have exactly the same disc. Bought it when it was released - this album made me get my first cd player - and it hasn't faded (yet?) But this problem has been mentioned elsewhere before. Apparently, older and/or cheap cd's are particularily prone to this. Corrosion (rust) has also been reported... Is there a cure? No. But hey, i've got duplicates of most of the XTC cd's, so i don't worry too much! yours in duplo, Mark Strijbos at The Little Lighthouse the XTC website @ http://come.to/xtc and http://www.knoware.nl/users/mmello
------------------------------
Message-ID: <35997542.592F@virgin.net>
Date: Wed, 01 Jul 1998 00:31:14 +0100
From: peter.wright2@virgin.net (peter.wright2@virgin.net)
Subject: A calmer me.....
Dear All,
Okay - I admit I went slightly Over the Top in my last post.
Frustration does that to a person. A hard day was had and when I looked
at 3 Chalkhills that I hadn't got around to yet , I just kind of blew my
top. But I stick by my basic point. There is too much time til the new
album and no news from the XTC camp so we have to make our own
entertainment. Unfortunately this means Chalkhills sometimes looks like
a hybrid of a Cosmo readers survey and a lonely hearts column. I think
some people forget this is a forum for XTC fans and they go waffling on
with their own agenda. The bottom line is this : Wouldn't we all prefer
fewer editions of the Digest with a higher quality XTC content . I
really think too many people post just for the sake of it when they
really have nothing much to say. And before you all start tapping away -
yes maybe I DO fall into that catagory but I feel strongly about this
and I am merely giving my opinion.
I have had abusive email since my last post but was pleased to find
an equal amount of supportive messages. The supportive people all said
the same thing and it bothers me . Every one of them said they felt the
same as me but were TOO AFRAID to say so in the Digest for fear of the
backlash. I think thats a shame. The whole point of a forum is for
people to voice their opinions ( as long as its ON-TOPIC ) and they
shouldn't be scared to do so because of the bullies.
I,ve said all there is to say now. Don't bother mailing me just to be
abusive.I welcome constructive criticism. Thanks to those who mailed in
support and guys....SAY WHAT YOU FEEL - its your forum too.
Hi , Chez. Sorry I haven't written - you know me ! Hope your doing
well back in the States. Will write soon. Yours, Pete.
------------------------------
Message-Id: <v03102800b1c0875f7029@[165.227.110.102]>
Date: Wed, 1 Jul 1998 18:09:47 -0700
From: Richard Pedretti-Allen <richard@tactics.com>
Subject: Chalkhills' Children '98
Chuckholes!
I big, Roger Miller-style "Hi-De-Ho"!
As I dust the chalk from my hands after digesting several issues of the
digest, I have a million things to say. But I won't. I'll keep it as
short and concise as I can (not very), addressing each topic
individually and send a million messages!
Amanda wrote: "Whilst waiting for the Disneyland parade to hurry the
hell up and get out of our way, I saw a guy wearing a green shirt with
XTC on the back. I traipsed up to him (and what a "traipser" she is!)
and asked where he got it from. He said "From the Chalkhills
newsgroup." I said "Hey, I'm on that group!" He said "I'm
Richard-Pedretti Allen." and stuck out his hand. I said "I'm Amanda
Owens!" He came over and gave me a big hug.
Oh Amanda, you are so sweet! It was a truly benevolent act that you
refrained from mentioning that after you stated your name, you reached
for your purse. I felt sure you were going to draw a 9mm and give me
some fast lead. I envisioned trying to run and hide amidst the crowd
but they all laid flat on the ground when you lit off a few rounds into
the air. ...and there I was... trying quickly to devise some
self-deprecating lyrics about me that would make "Goodbye Amandasaurus"
sound like a Jackson Brown love ballad.
The hug was simply a defensive manuever to make it as difficult as
possible for you to extricate the heater from your waistband, realizing
that there was no smooth exit to be had with the entire crowd lying
face down amongst the Hercules parade pieces.
Alas, there was no gun at all. It was at that point that our worlds
changed. We looked deeply into each other's eyes (you can see deeper
into hers than mine). There was an immeasurable breadth and depth of
understanding in that single moment. Soft violin swells began curling
around us, draping us in warmth and a marked propensity toward shedding
our moral shackles, among other things, that stifled our breath as we
spun waltzing away.
We then kissed deeply (you can kiss deeper into her than me) and
climbed into the Pooh bear costume together! Oh, the shame, the
decedance, the passion, the heat, the fur... and the pity I have for
the next person to wear that costume!
Amanda, thanks for being so understanding (and thanks to Walt for the
metal detectors at the front gates!)
To all, I hereby attest that I am a hell of a lot worse than any of the
praise posters realize... I have ruthlessly secured untold wealth from
making the Chalkhills tape which has bankrolled my infommercial about
how you, too, can make your fortune over the internet.
The next surge of cash that will suspend my accountant's ability to
blink will come from Chalkhills' Children '98! The quality just keeps
getting better and so many folks are moving into the realm of digital
recording that there are many squeakly clean productions. And the
range of styles! Oh my! Adult contemporary, Chinese Punk, Muzak,
Melodic Industrial, Bluegrass, Ska Polka ("Polska"?)... THIS is pop!
(one "o")
Okay, so we may be running a couple days behind and, considering that
he didn't have enough time to contribute a track, I have probably not
allotted Peter enough time to master all the tracks before the deadline
so... let's just say... We are on track for our September release
date!
...and for the record...
Religion: Frisbeterian (when I die, my soul gets stuck on the roof)
Political Party: Party?! Did somebody say, "Party"?! (And I only use
that word as a noun.)
Drugs: M&Ms!! Martinis and Motrin, baby.
Job: My main forte has been in the recording production of spoken
word... and most of you hear my work SEVERAL times per day! Voice
messaging! Octel, VMX, NT, Tadiran, Toshiba in more than 30 languages.
(You finally have a LEGITIMATE reason to hate me!)
Dream: Heh, heh, heh... I'm not falling for that gag again. How about
I just say... "Tangerine."
Cheers, Richard
------------------------------ Message-ID: <359ADF59.68F1@ix.netcom.com> Date: Wed, 01 Jul 1998 18:16:09 -0700 From: Rich/MetalMan <cbunnell@ix.netcom.com> Subject: Big Express -- past the 1st 5 songs Hello all, after reading through back issues of the Chalkhills digest (and finding it really interesting, especially since I've recently become an XTC fan) I decided to join. Since I sound completely stupid and I don't wanna make a big corny introduction like I'm some god or something, I'll just go right to my question. I'm still in the process of purchasing XTC albums (so far I have Black Sea, English Settlement, Skylarking, Oranges & Lemons and a couple of singles collections, all of which are superb) and I've recently ordered The Big Express for 7 bucks from CDNow, since from the clips there, and various sound files I've heard, the first 5 songs sound GREAT. What I want to know is, does the rest of The Big Express match up to the first 5 songs? I have tons of albums with a weaker second half but a strong first, and will Big Express become one of them? What are the songs past This World Over (which is now one of my favorite songs ever) like? Ok, I'll shut up now. -- * ---------------------------------------------- Rich Bunnell or "Metal Man," whichever sounds more insane - "This is your life and you do what you want to do, just don't hurt nobody, unless of course they ask you" -XTC - "Well, YOU'RE the one that bought all of those smoke detectors and we haven't even had a single fire!" -Homer Simpson - http://www.geocities.com/EnchantedForest/4527/ * ----------------------------------------------
------------------------------
Message-Id: <359B010F.9703EE78@usa.net>
Date: Wed, 01 Jul 1998 22:40:04 -0500
From: Ben Gott <loquacious@usa.net>
Organization: Loquacious Music - http://www.bowdoin.edu/~bgott
Subject: CC Recollections
Hillers,
Paul Carnine's post about the recording of "Complicated Game" for CC'98 is
probably the best post I've read in awhile (sorry, Harrison!) In fact, it
may qualify as one of the best posts I've read in almost four years of
Chalkhills.
If anyone's interested, I had a terribly interesting time recording "Making
Plans for Nigel." After deciding to do it as an "adult alternative" piece, I
had quite a bit of fun (and no language barrier, as my engineer was Dexter
the plastic dinosaur). Some highlights:
- I had tonsillitis. It's not easy to sing when one has tonsillitis.
- I sequenced the drums, bass, and other keyboard-y stuff first, and then
had to figure out how to do the "de-dee-dee" guitar bits. Dave's little
break is tough, too...Try hitting that 12th fret so quickly!
- I scatted on the outro.
Yay. CC'98. Buy it, for "Complicated Game."
My tonsils were removed on 28 May, by the way.
-Ben
+------------------------------------------------------------+
Ben Gott :: Loquacious Music :: Salisbury, CT 06068
http://www.bowdoin.edu/~bgott :: (860) 435-9726
Six or eight thousand years ago, they laid down the law!
+------------------------------------------------------------+
------------------------------ From: hiner1@uakron.edu Message-ID: <359B1E11.554C15C8@uakron.edu> Date: Thu, 02 Jul 1998 01:43:45 -0400 Organization: University of Akron Subject: My Weapon, Your Weapon, Our Weapon Thought I would delurk for just a second and chime in with my two inches...er, cents, on the recent (yet again!) deconstruction of that Barry Andrews classic, "My Weapon." French philosopher/historian Foucalt (complete with diamond studded doggy collar) once wrote about the sexuality of power, and "My Weapon" is a wonderful illustration of the current interpretation of post structuralism. The themes of impotence and frustration in "My Weapon" are much deeper than the average listener realizes. The subject of the song feels overwhelmed by the world around him, a shallow man in waters not too deep but deep enough for him. He doesn't have a good job, he doesn't have many friends (and they only like him when he's buying, to paraphrase another tune), and he is constantly belittled by his girlfriend, who dates him only because she can feel superior to his rather simple ways. To the subject, the only time he can feel superior is during sex, which he views as an exercise in power. Its the only time he is in charge, so to him sex is not about love but about revenge. He is a man not to be despised, but pitied. He cannot (or will not) love, and he will undoubtedly move from relationship to relationship without ever feeling that he belongs. Many men still have a difficult time dealing with women in positions of power, particularly sexual power, whether we like to admit it or not. They cope in different ways - resignation, jealousy, hatred, or mental adjustment. Barry is obviously telling the story of a little man who only enjoys "hate f*cks" - a man who will never understand that he is shallow and impotent. BTW - the lyric sheet claims the song ends with "stinkin' weapon." Does anybody else think he sings "secret weapon?" Just curious. Oh, you can count me in with the people who like the song. -Matt "History's bunk...in the future we'll create more junk." - Gang of 4
------------------------------ Message-ID: <359B2494.6412@gte.net> Date: Wed, 01 Jul 1998 23:11:45 -0700 From: Randy Hiatt <rhiatt@gte.net> Subject: Pure Content I feel like I'm preaching to the choir (forgive me Andy for I haven't sinned). Also excuse the disjointed thoughts below, I ment well. It's hard to stick to pure XTC content, their art is hard to define, and to defend our definitions we need to explain our personal perspectives which I'm sure are broader than what the "boys" feed us. I usually skim Chalkhills for content which interests me, I enjoy the diversity and new leads. >But Partridge, like any "thinking" man, has difficulty >reconciling the traditional image of an all-loving God >with someone who would allow the kind of pain and >misery that are so abundant on this earth. It is with >heart-felt poignancy that Partridge points out this paradox. My put on this may be similar to other posts, DG speaks to my belief structure because I want it to. It's good art, easy for anyone to find the meaning they find interesting. I think it shines a light on the "Christian" definition of god and how the concept fails to deliver satisfaction, that's not to say god isn't possible. I feel god is the underlying force centering all things, sorta the "real" unified field theory if you will (we're all just taste buds on the big tongue of life). The bible is a piece of art not to be taken literally as well. Try replacing the word Jesus with cosmic consciousness the next time you read the bible. We know so little about our realities, electricity, gravity...but we know of their effects and use these often, but scientists don't know their true cause. "Science" and "religion" are converging because each has an angle which has value, but one without the other isn't a full meal deal. Anyone read Walter or Lao Russell (a blend of science and philosophy), or James Burke's Cosmic Consciousness? XTC DateLine: >Love her? I'd give her the world _and_ my Science Friction single! >I once "dated" a girl who liked the Dukes (without knowing their >true identity) but that's as close as i got... the rest of them all hated >XTC in general and Andy's voice in particular. >My last girlfriend even asked me to "give up XTC for her". >Hah! fat chance... I was turned on to XTC by my girlfriend (20yrs ago). She is still on my mind from time to time...hmmm. I met her because I was told there was this girl who's favorite LP was "The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway", how could I let let that go by without further research. I too am single and don't expect lightning to strike often, but we hang in there. It's all about passion, any women with passion for life and music will eventually see the XTC, give them time to digest the melodies and read the words. I have my techniques for introducing new listeners (another time) (the Genesis 4 CD box set is out...Live Lamb, Selling England, Suppers Ready...) >Hey we have two chalkies meeting up at Siggraph in Orlando next month. >Join us it's going to be a fun conference. If you like computer graphics... at least catch the 300+ vendor floor show! http://www.siggraph.org/s98/s98main.html How many XTC songs have whistling on them (did I miss it in the FAQ)? Randy in Seattle
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From: nihilon@crisscross.com
Message-Id: <v03007800b1c16e4e3bc3@[203.137.9.211]>
Subject: Re: Party?
Date: Thu, 2 Jul 1998 17:00:50 +0900
Greetings all,
Puffy Pal Dean wrote ;
>Here's hoping everyone is fine and dandy. BTW: are there any Japanese
>Chalkhillians out there anymore? If so, please write directly to me, off
>the list - I'd love to hear any reports on the Puffy tour and who is in
>their band this time out. Sorry, about the slight diverge there folks, but
>Puffy info is precious (though not exactly pale)...;-)
I was amazed to read this cos I was listening to Puffy at that very time!
Yumi and Ami are cool. I e-mailed Dean directly - but this does raise
another question.
Is it time for the third Tokyo XTC party?
Tokyo residents - e-mail me directly and we'll do something again.
Best,
Steve (MGV)
The Right Reverend.
* ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Life is what happens while you're busy making plans.
(John Lennon)
* ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Message-ID: <359B4ED6.A0EB70E@earthlink.net>
Date: Thu, 02 Jul 1998 02:11:50 -0700
From: Steven Graff <slapdash@earthlink.net>
Organization: SLAPDASH
Subject: XTC and the F word
Hey there!
Noticed Bob Estus counting off hidden occasions where our boys spake
the f-word. It just isn't so.
Mind you, I don't want this to be a microcosm of it's own,
discussion-wise, just want to correct it.
Smoke is curling round the door in Great Fire (the F-word makes no
sense placed here)
In 1000 Umbrellas:
"So with a mop and a bucket I'll just say 'forget her' and carry on
sweeping up where I've been weeping..."
And thus, Andy never does speak the word in question. Nor do I...at
least not here. I'm sure at least the Great fire mistake was taken up
once before, recently, on the digest.
Love XTC...love the Jam....miss gigging....you didn't need to know
that...
Steven "picky about things that probably don't mean as much to
anyone else" Graff
------------------------------ From: "Suzanne Cerquone" <Suzanne_Cerquone@stercomm.com> Message-Id: <85256635.0045781F.00@> Date: Thu, 2 Jul 1998 08:59:16 -0400 Subject: A beautiful moment in Swindon Hi Chalkers: I just came back to the States from a very fun vacation in merry ol' England. On my last day there, my friends and I drove from Chepstow, Wales to Salisbury to see the obligatory tourist traps of Stonehenge and the cathedral. Our driving route was through Swindon, so you can imagine this silly American's anticipation. What made it even funnier was that I met a guy in a pub a few nights before in Oswestry who sells hi-fi equipment in Swindon, and says Andy is one of his best customers, always asking for the "latest and greatest." The guy has even brought new products by AP's house. So we were driving down the A346 and it's raining (natch). This is a pretty country road with very green farmland and rolling hills. I stick the '95 demos in the tape player and fast forward to "You and the Clouds Will Still Be Beautiful." Appropriate, eh? But then the rain stops, the clouds clear, and the sun shines over the green fields. And wouldn't you know it, this incredible FULL and DOUBLE rainbow appears before our winshield. It was one of those moments when nature just stupifies you. And it was in Swindon with XTC blaring on the rental car's stereo. Life is good. Just had to share.
------------------------------ End of Chalkhills Digest #4-102 *******************************
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