Chalkhills Digest Volume 5, Issue 283
Date: Wednesday, 13 October 1999

         Chalkhills Digest, Volume 5, Number 283

                Wednesday, 13 October 1999

Today's Topics:

                          Bowie
       on the Internet nobody knows you're a dog...
                 An Ugly American Abroad
   Malcolm ( aka Charlie ) Brian ( aka Satanas Diablo )
                Well this is just _great_.
                   Why we love the band
         HOW 'BOUT DEM E-A-G-L-E-S!!!!!! (Jill?)
               "She turned me into a newt."
                      charlie chuck
                   Adventures with AV1
                     and moving on...
              How Many Versions of Homespun?
                         Dimitri
                       Old/New Fans
           Destined to take the place of what?
      Space Ghost blasts CDnow with his power bands
                   The Buck Stops Here
              MINISTERmountainoutofamoleHILL
                      take this town
  CD release dates, and request for help on compilation

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The evidence is all around / Our brains are bigger.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Message-Id: <l03130301b428cc192817@[208.13.202.71]>
Date: Tue, 12 Oct 1999 07:36:47 -0400
From: "Christopher R. Coolidge" <cauldron@together.net>
Subject: Bowie

>which brings us right back to bowie.
>mine is a toss-up btwn "ziggy stardust" and "diamond dogs." if you think
>about it, and especially if you look at it in the light shed by hobbiton
>- i mean - harrison's recent posts, that if you pasted ziggy, d.dogs,
>and alladinsane end-to-end (the life span of ziggy herself) that you
>would have a concept album to end all concept albums.
>
>would you consider 'skylarking' to be a concept album?
>
>-dan

  Except Diamond Dogs isn't part of the Ziggy concept; it maintains a
character who slightly resembles Ziggy because it's still Bowie and kind of
glam, but it's much darker, set in a sinister 1984 type society(at least I
think that's what the concept is, it's rather ambiguous; seems like Bowie
hadn't thought it out enough between snorts of coke). Diamond Dogs also
featured a completely different band except for pianist Mike Garson and
Bowie plays all the guitar except for one track. That's the only thing I
find rather weak about Diamond Dogs, some of it screams for Mick Ronson's
lead guitar, though Bowie does a very effective rhythm guitar throughout.
It's missing something, like Spinal Tap without Nigel Tufnel.

Christopher R. Coolidge

Homepage at
http://homepages.together.net/~cauldron/homepage.html

"A Great law protects me from the government. The Bill of rights has 10
GREAT laws.

A Good law protects me from you.  Laws against murder, theft,
assault and the like are good laws.

A Poor law attempts to protect me from myself."

- Unknown

------------------------------

Message-ID: <900822C71730D2118D8C00805F65765CAA5230@EINSTEIN>
From: Jill Oleson <oleson@moneystar.com>
Subject: on the Internet nobody knows you're a dog...
Date: Wed, 13 Oct 1999 10:34:23 -0500

When the Internet explosion began over a decade ago
(not when the Internet began, but when it got too big
for its britches), there was a popular cartoon depicting
a dog sitting on its haunches before a computer with
its front paws on the keyboard.  He turns his head and
remarks to a fellow canine, "On the Internet nobody knows
you're a dog."

Imagine:  A communication interface capable of masking
your real persona to the extent that nobody can be certain
of anything about you--they can't even tell what species
you are.

All anyone can judge you by are your words and how you
string them together.  As you post additional messages,
people begin to believe that they know more and more
truths about you.  You may be sincere, sarcastic, a joker,
or aesthete.  You may be an troll, you may be a dog.

Jill Oleson
Austin, Texas
...and in case you didn't catch it before, when I identified
myself as "a rich, Harley-riding, 84-year-old great-grandmother,
three-time Olympian, governor of the Lone Star State...plus
need I mention that eleven times I was voted "Most Beautiful"
and "Most Popular" and "Most Likely to Succeed"?"
I was lying.

Anyone can do that.

What makes the Internet work as a successful
communication interface is that 95 percent of the time
people are being honest.  Unfortunately that leaves a
five percent margin for growing Pinocchio's nose.

------------------------------

Message-ID: <19991012140046.24691.qmail@hotmail.com>
From: "Bob Crain" <bobcrain@hotmail.com>
Subject: An Ugly American Abroad
Date: Tue, 12 Oct 1999 07:00:46 PDT

Hello Brits and Ex-pats,

I'm going to be in London tonight, Oct. 12, through next week, then around
and about these shores of ancient times until Oct. 30.  Anyone know of any
good gigs going on?  Let me know, maybe we can meet up (like all good
Chalkers eventually do).  I'm already planning on hitting the Brighton
Cardiacs gig with DOM. and his nutcase pals.

-Bob Crain

------------------------------

Message-ID: <013a01bf14ba$d27dde00$7d5791d2@p13s574p>
From: "John  Boudreau" <aso1@mocha.ocn.ne.jp>
Subject: Malcolm ( aka Charlie ) Brian ( aka Satanas Diablo )
Date: Tue, 12 Oct 1999 22:11:17 +0900

>  Hello, my name is Brian and I just joined the list a few days back after
>  being told to join by my friend, err, Charlie Buck (which is not his real
>  name, it just sounds funny!)

This whole " Charlie Buck " ( " not his real name " ) affair is smelling
fishier and fishier to me . Now buddy " Satanas Diablo " ( aka Brian )
suddenly decides to join the list right after Charlie threatens to quit it ;
and Charlie TOLD Brian to join ?

>>>Like Charlie, I am an
>>>audio engineer, but I also am a web developer, a musician and a really
good guy.  In fact, you could call me god-like.  Don't let the name fool
you, or
>>>the email!  Its only to avoid Spam.  I am in no way evil.  I am really a
>>>nice guy to get to know.  So please, if you are Christian, don't threaten
>>>to kill me.

A " nice guy " and " god-like " and then pleads with Christians not to
threaten to kill him because of his " Satanas Diablo " alias and devilish
e-mail  address .  Talk about a bigoted remark ! How would non-Christians on
the list feel if a list member whose alias was JESUS Diablo asked them not
to threaten to kill him ?

At this point I have to agree with Todd Bernhardt who said :

>I hope everybody recognizes this as the flamebait it is. I had just thought
>Charlie Buck was not the sharpest knife in the shop, but now it's obvious
>to me that he's just been yanking our chain (the hotmail address is a
clue).

Would the flames reach all the way to Japan if I suggested that it is very
possible that " Charlie Buck " and " Satanas Diablo " are one in the same
person ?

John

------------------------------

Message-Id: <199910130928.JAA158.23@GATEWAY.TIRERACK.COM>
Date: Wed, 13 Oct 1999 09:31:08 -0500
Subject: Well this is just _great_.
From: "William Loring" <bloring@tirerack.com>

Well great, those of you who have questioned Charlie's claims of racism have
now sent him and his friend away, thinking that this list is a pack of
racists. It wasn't enough for some of you to have private doubts about the
validity of his claims. Some of you came out and declared, without doubt,
that he was lying! On what evidence did you make this claim? You said that
it "didn't add up." Boy, that's scientific.

Did it ever occur to you, that perhaps you didn't have the WHOLE STORY?
Perhaps there were private e-mails going back and forth that you were
UNAWARE OF? Whatever personal doubts I may have had about Charlie's story, I
kept to myself. Several of us sent notes of encouragement to him, telling
him we were sorry that someone on this list might behave in such an ignorant
and hateful way. We suggested that he forward any names or messages to John
Relph, so that he could determine what steps to take next. Since we knew we
didn't have the whole story, we didn't jump to ill-informed and ignorant
conclusions, based on incomplete third party (at best) information. To those
of you who said, "am I missing something?" Yes, you are. Actually, you've
not seen ANY of the alleged conversation, so how can you pass judgement on
it?

Personally, I assumed that if Charlie were not telling the truth, that this
would eventually come out on its own. If he was telling the truth, this too
would become clear in time. In the meantime, I had to assume his claims were
true. After all, I had no evidence to show that they were not. And if his
claims are true, this is very disturbing indeed.

I think that those of you who have questioned Charlie's claims owe him and
his friend a sincere apology. If you don't give him the benefit of the
doubt, who do you think will believe YOU, if something similar happens to
you?

Once again, I am saddened by the lack of patience, compassion, and
understanding shown by some of this list's members. The last few days of
list messages would be very depressing reading, if presented to XTC. What do
you think the writer of "Knuckle Down" might think if he read these
messages?

Sadly,

William Loring

"What's so funny 'bout peace, love and understanding?" - Elvis Costello

------------------------------

Message-Id: <s8032468.090@OAG.STATE.TX.US>
Date: Tue, 12 Oct 1999 12:06:34 -0600
From: "Steve Oleson" <Steve.Oleson@OAG.STATE.TX.US>
Subject: Why we love the band

In C-hills #5-277, Warren asked: Is it weird to like xtc in usa?"
Welll..
At one time circa 1980, it was cool to like XTC. By the time of Black Sea,
they had had enough radio play in the states, that they were pretty well
known and regarded by music pros and average listener who liked "new wave"
music. Unfortunately, since that time, they have had very few hits. Also,
the appreciation that people had at that time for originality in music, has
waned. Therefore, XTC fans in the US tend to be in the not too tiny segment
of the population who either have been fans since the late seventies, or
"came on board" because of the radio play generated by Skylarking and O&L. I
do think that AV-l has helped, too.

But to answer the question, I'd have to say no, it is not weird to be an XTC
fan in the states. Luckily, there are enough radio stations that play less
than top 40 music, to keep XTC alive for the listening public.

Besides, XTC fans dont really care if people think we're weird. We are
"quirky" in that way!

When XTC visited Austin to promote O&L, Andy said, (humbly, and gratefully)
that he didnt really understand why there was such love for XTC in the US.
He seemed to think that they were so English, that they would only appeal to
people of the UK.

I have a theory (no, not a theory about dinosaurs) about XTC:

 Americans like XTC because they express something that is close to the
spirit of Americans: the belief that an original idea can be at least as
valid (probably even better), than those found in traditional culture etc.
To me, at least, it was XTCs' rejection of less unique "answers" to musical
composition and lyrics,  that forever won them a place in my heart.

Do other Yanks have theories regarding our love of XTC?
Regards,
Steve Oleson
Austin, TX

------------------------------

Message-ID: <900822C71730D2118D8C00805F65765CAA521E@EINSTEIN>
From: Jill Oleson <oleson@moneystar.com>
Subject: HOW 'BOUT DEM E-A-G-L-E-S!!!!!! (Jill?)
Date: Tue, 12 Oct 1999 12:18:59 -0500

Okay, sorry... no XTC content here, but at least I'll be brief:
Our friend Roger asked:

>   HOW 'BOUT DEM E-A-G-L-E-S!!!!!! (Jill?)

It took me a minute to realize that Roger was indeed referring
to me in this message.  While I don't know of any other Jills
on this list, I doubted at first that he was targeting his comment
to me.   Then I remembered...  Last weekend the Eagles trounced
the Dallas Cowboys with a sudden and brilliant victory in a football
game.  With a surprise touchdown in the last 4 (or so) minutes,
the Eagles won the game.  I don't usually watch football, but
I did happen to see this very exciting game.  I'll share your
enthusiasm, Roger.  The Eagles played very well (but only in
the LAST 4 MINUTES!  ;-)

Jill Oleson
Austin, Texas!

------------------------------

Message-ID: <38036FF8.D192A34F@ci.conover.nc.us>
Date: Tue, 12 Oct 1999 13:29:28 -0400
From: erik schlichting <eriks@ci.conover.nc.us>
Subject: "She turned me into a newt."

Chalkhillers: (minimal XTC content follows:)

I am incensed by this recent "discussion" started by
"Charlie Buck." When his message stating that he had been
attacked with racial epithets first hit the list, I
suspected it to be a troll and chose to ignore it. I still
believe that this was, as someone else pointed out
"flamebait," and those that fell all over themselves in
their politically correct rush for the heads of those
nameless chalk-bigots provided the desired response.

So, let's have a witch hunt please. Let's try to figure out
which poster is most likely to have racially slurred some
anonymous user just for their own savage enjoyment. In fact,
everyone can e-mail me the names of the three list members
they think are most likely to call someone they've never met
by any particularly ugly racial/gender/religious slur (your
choice! Who shall we do today? Jews? Women? Gays?) and I'll
compile the results and report back. Then, we can burn the
top ten vote-getters, just to make sure we get them all.

So, "Charlie Buck," I hope you finally got an answer to your
question. I'm sorry that you didn't choose a different
avenue to get an answer, such as posting your question
again, or visiting the website, or READING the responses
that were put on the digest. However, the puerile method you
did choose has led to a wonderful little uproar that has not
one damn thing to do with XTC, and to which I sadly and
angrily admit adding and prolonging.

On a similar note: Satanas Diablo <thedevil@minister.com>
(now THERE's a moniker that inspires respect and
credibility...) wrote:

"Regardless, I don't want to talk about this anymore, unless
were going to
talk about something positive, or something about XTC.
Shit, I own a
server, I would rather start a discussion list there about
all this crap
then to hear about it on this list."

This, after a short essay on race relations. If you want a
discussion on racism, then start it on your server, and
maybe you will overcome it by talking about it. Good luck.
In the meantime, quit bitching about a lack of XTC content
on the XTC list at the end of your non-XTC post and
CONTRIBUTE to the XTC discussion. There must be something
about XTC that prompted you to join, so how about it? Is XTC
good? Do they suck? Let's talk XTC.

Finally, I know that complaining about grammar and spelling
on the internet is like pissing in the ocean. However, if
one cannot be bothered to take the time to proofread and
spell check list contributions before sending them, then one
should expect that their ignorance, laziness and/or
stupidity is going to be obvious to anyone that reads those
posts. If you want people to take you seriously, it helps to
let them think that you have more than half a brain, AND you
know how to use it

	"I thought I had the whole world in my mouth
	 I thought I could say what I wanted to say
 	 For a second that thought became a sword in my hand..."
						A. Partridge

Hypocritically yours,
Erik Schlichting

------------------------------

From: Saints3Den@aol.com
Message-ID: <0.7315b8d3.2535062e@aol.com>
Date: Tue, 12 Oct 1999 17:46:22 EDT
Subject: charlie chuck

chalkfolks
                 I really want to write about money and xtc. But first...

                Charlie Chuck
                Married a duck
                Duck died
                Charlie cried

      ( This whole charlie buck thing has reminded me of this childhood poem)

          Regarding cb and his pal diablow - this all seems phony to me,too.
      Look no further than when av-1 came out and some yahoo dj's were
trashing xtc on their show,playing frivolous tonight and mocking xtc for
bieng too english. Some of you sent them scathing e-mails. This is their
revenge.

      diablow claims to like xtc and wants to talk about them. He even
types -xtc-once in each of his messages. Strong fan, as that is the extent
of his xtc related discussion. Also claims to be a nice guy, while
proceeding to post a vicious message.

      I am , of course most likely wrong here. I am no racist. I do not
condone racism.
  When I joined chalkhills,however I never read that it is a place to
discuss the band xtc -unless you are a racist.

    I would be surprised if there were not racists on this list. I also
resent the feeling that americans alone are racists. Don't think there
isn't a great degree of racism in England and Canada, too. Today, in our
politically correct world, one of the buzzwords is Tolerance. I can
tolerate racists being on this list. After all, based on some admissions in
past postings, there are drug abusers , french trombonists, alcoholics on
chalkhills. Most likely, thieves, spouse abusers, you name it . My hands
weren't checked for nail holes when I signed on...were yours? Let he who is
without sin cast the first stone.

            Here is money and xtc......  Well, I have been meaning to bring
this up for awhile. I think it is more andy and money. with av-1, I am
getting mixed signals . I know they didn't really have any $ (lbs) and had
to borrow to get the ball rolling. But since then they seem to be very
cheap, while somehow being very extravagant at the same time.  Cheap
examples
                      1)  the difford shit
                      2)  no lyrics, etc in av-1
                      3)  Not wanting to do a single
                      4)  not wanting to do a video
        there are mo' examples which I cant recall right now...help me out
here,or i'll quit.

                  EXTRAVAGANCES
                       1)  TV commercials
                       2)  Price of orchestra
                       3)  signing tour
                       4)  doing several singles- (at the wrong time,to boot!)
                       5)  doing part of a video
                       6)   building own studio                  mo'examples
etc...see above

     Now, I understand that a lot of the extravagances are considered
needed promotions, but so would have been the other things.Am i missing
something?  As Dr. Lee said at the OJ trial, something wrong. Or are they
now making tons of money and spending it all?

       Stick- I meant to welcome you back too, but I kept putting it off .
speaking of which... p-nut gallery? here we go again!

                                               enough bull shift for
now,eddie st. martin

------------------------------

Message-ID: <19991012222007.6793.qmail@hotmail.com>
From: "Don Ruddell" <capt_fadeaway@hotmail.com>
Subject: Adventures with AV1
Date: Tue, 12 Oct 1999 18:20:07 EDT

     Just a few comments from a new Chalkhiller concerning the "new fans vs.
old fans" thread and other scattered topics:
     AV1 was my first album-length exposure to the XTC phenomenon, even
though I'd enjoyed the few songs that became "popular" in the States ("Dear
God" and "Peter Pumpkinhead" -- I'm fairly young at 22, and never really
heard of the group until Nonsuch.  Such are the disadvantages of living in
small-town Indiana...).  My interest was perked by a small item in Magnet
(great magazine -- buy it and try it)on Song Stories and AV1.  To make a
long, uninteresting story short and somewhat pertinent, I started playing
the record at my workplace (a corporate monstrosity of a record shop), fell
in love with it, and continue to play it every day, even six months later.
I still have trouble convincing my friends and customers to give it a
chance, but I think that in 30 years' time, the general public will hear it
in the same way they hear Pet Sounds today -- as a record with many
satisfying layers of emotion and sound.  I've yet to delve into the early
stages of XTC's career, but I love everything from Skylarking on -- just not
as much as AV1.  You never forget your first kiss, I suppose.
     My point?  Just as some Beatles fans prefer Abbey Road over Help!,
there are XTC fans that will take AV1 over English Settlement anyday.  I
think it has more to do with the fan's jumping-on point than anything -- I
still haven't heard English Settlement, and even though I may love it when I
do, I can't imagine loving it more than AV1.
     In response to the question about whether or not it's weird to like XTC
in the States, my answer is an emphatic "Yes!"  At least where I'm from.
The usual response I get when I bring up the band is, "XTC?!  They did a
song about God, didn't they?  Or about a pumpkin?"
     And about what Americans think the British listen to:  I've had about a
dozen British customers in my store over the past year (don't ask me what
they were doing in Indiana), and each and every one of them headed straight
for the country section.  Is the garbage being spewed forth from present-day
Nashville actually reaching the UK?  I'm very curious.  Somebody please fill
me in on this horrifying development.

------------------------------

Message-ID: <19991012232247.16258.rocketmail@web2903.mail.yahoo.com>
Date: Tue, 12 Oct 1999 16:22:47 -0700 (PDT)
From: nross <PhoenixYellowRose@rocketmail.com>
Subject: and moving on...

I was wondering what topic would get Molly back to posting!

Lets see if I can incite a riot, eh?

Lets talk about Sting or Phil Collins.
Lets talk Duran Duran.
Hmm... lets debate, AGAIN, who was the originator of that DAMN
ARCHITECTURE QUOTE!!!

 ;-)

In response to Steve Oleson's question as to what instrument would
Andy's voice be?

I have always thought it sounded like a trumpet or a drum (earlier
records) and then, later on, more like a Sax.

Clever songs by XTC "Poor Skeleton" I do so love that song!
 One of the millions, though, that is damn good. Probably my favorite
Colin song. I guess my favorite XTC song would  be either Snowman or
Dear God. Although, I am partial to Mayor of Simpleton. Hell! I like
them all.

Someone mentioned earlier that he (she?) heard about AV1 after joining
the list... I joined the list just to keep track of the status of AV1,
with full intentions of leaving once it came out...

peaceloveetc, Nicole "this is my real identity, and I'm still here" Ross

=====
Nicole's internet music station:
http://www.imagineradio.com/mymusiclisten.asp?name=phoenixyellowrose

------------------------------

From: WWi8064839@aol.com
Message-ID: <0.710f797c.2535196a@aol.com>
Date: Tue, 12 Oct 1999 19:08:26 EDT
Subject: How Many Versions of Homespun?

Hello,

I live in the States and I had ordered the Japanese version of Homespun,
which was to contain all the demos plus Andy's explanations of how the
three AV1 singles came to be. Never did get my Japanese Homespun, and I see
that the CD (American version) is released here in the US.

Bottom line: Are there versions of Homespun out there other than the
American?

More importantly - are there any track differences?

Thanks,

Wes

------------------------------

Message-ID: <3803D82B.63D00EB1@tmbg.org>
Date: Tue, 12 Oct 1999 20:54:09 -0400
From: Ben Gott/Loquacious Music <gott@tmbg.org>
Organization: http://listen.to/loquacious
Subject: Dimitri

Chalkhillers,

A few points to tick off:

1. In my radio station listening travels, I've discovered a CD by a band
called The Cherry Orchard.  The album, called "The Start of Our Affair," is
an absolute pop masterpiece.  I urge y'all to pick it up!  (I'm still
looking for new songs to play on my show, by the way; so far, I've played
stuff by The La's, The Feelies, Julian Cope, The Boo Radleys, Sloan, The
Flaming Lips, The Go-Betweens, Serge Gainsbourg, Magnetic Fields, Of
Montreal, and many others.)

2. Speaking of pop masterpieces: HELP!  Can any of you European folk find
me a copy of Dimitri from Paris's "Sacre Blue"?  CDNow and Amazon.com list
it only as a $40 import, but it's got to be available in some other format,
somewhere!  A burned CD or MiniDisc is absolutely just as good as a
store-bought copy...so please e-mail me off list, and we'll talk.

3. The first song on Sting's new album is, in my opinion, probably the best
thing he's done in ten years.  Check it out, if you dare.  Also, Stevie
Wonder's harmonica playing on the title track is -- surprise, surprise! --
fantastic.

4. That XTC is a *fine* band.

-Ben

+----------------------------------------------------------------+
     Benjamin Gott . Loquacious Music . Brunswick, ME 04011
AOL: Plan4Nigel . Telephone (207) 721-5366 . Mobile (207) 798-1859
  Anything is hard to find / When you will not open your eyes...
+----------------------------------------------------------------+

------------------------------

Message-ID: <19991013021500.14807.qmail@www0p.netaddress.usa.net>
Date: 12 Oct 99 19:15:00 PDT
From: vee tube <veetube@netscape.net>
Subject: Old/New Fans

     I was going to respond to Warrens Butt.
   Off post, but, I felt so compelled to relay
 my own emotional response to his Old/New Fan post
  that I thought I would share my own reaction
     with all'ya'alls on the Hill.

     It was several eons ago the 'Great Trout'
      sent us on our quest. Our mission?

           FIND THE HOLLY SCALE!

  After centuries of searching and coming up
   empty fin'd, XTC released Oranges & Lemons

      The very next day we found the SCALE!

                    So...
   ...Ever since that wondrous day (With the rest of
  our conquered stellar systems) It hath been deemed
 that XTC's O&L be deemed an infinite expression of
     everything that is worthy of existence.

   But, like you humans, we once had our own primitive
  wants and needs. That is when we listened to 'Drums' and
                       'E.S.'

                    The Point?

            XTC covers all time and space!
                   (Read, Ages)

                       }---:)

 P.S. Two way overlooked CDs in the last 5 Yrs.

    1. Jill Sobule: Happy Town (the rest of her stuff
                      kinda sucks)
    2. Webb Wilder: Town & Country (Pick up on it!)

 P.P.S. WANKERS!

       1. 1972 (20th Anv.) 'Paul'

       2. 196? Melody Maker (Custom/Big Hum on the neck
                 Small hum on the bridge)

       3. 19?? Band Master Head (Totaly mod'd)
                CH.1 is a Fender Twin
                CH.2 is a Marshall
         The Pre-Tubes are Telefunken 'Flat Plates'
          The output amp has been reconfigured for
                      EL34/6CA7
                  They blow the p*ss outa
                        6L6's!

            They don't call me VeeTube fo'nuttin!

                 SAVE THE CATHODE RESISTOR!

------------------------------

Message-ID: <19991013025128.17336.rocketmail@web1706.mail.yahoo.com>
Date: Wed, 13 Oct 1999 12:51:28 +1000 (EST)
From: Mud Shark <mudshark1944@yahoo.com.au>
Subject: Destined to take the place of what?

A first-time posting here - a bit about myself :

* Australian (you could probably guess from my email
addy)
* Saw XTC in Sydney in 1979 or 1980, and was probably
the oldest person in the room
* Almost totally computer-illiterate, which is why
it's taken so long to find this list
* Lover of all sorts of music, and eager to discuss
anything and everything with like-minded online geeks
- is this the kind of forum that frowns on discussion
of other bands? If so, I won't mention them again....

That's about it - I'm looking forward to being a part
of this already!

MS

=====
"I rail against God because I was told to stop eating paste in Sunday
school" - P.J.O'Rourke

------------------------------

From: fheaney@erols.com
Message-ID: <001b01bf1526$eda1aec0$30e47ad1@default>
Subject: Space Ghost blasts CDnow with his power bands
Date: Tue, 12 Oct 1999 22:59:08 -0400

Wes Hanks queried:

> Did Andy's appearance on Space Ghost Coast to Coast come and go with nary
> a word? I have been checking the Cartoon Network's site and it appears
> they are running re-runs. I have yet to see his episode listed. Wasn't
> Andy's episode scheduled to run sometime during this past summer? Or did
> I totally muff the punt return?

You've probably noticed this on the website since asking this, Wes, but for
everyone else--the new season just started, so we can probably expect the
Andy Partridge (and John Flansburgh of They Might Be Giants, I might add) to
be along soonish.  You can all keep abreast of the upcoming week's guests by
visiting:

http://www.cartoonnetwork.com/spaceghost/index.html

Next up is Steven Wright, and the season premiere with Bob Costas had me on
the floor.  But you should all watch it every week anyway, because (a) it's
the funniest show on TV and (b) they only show one upcoming guest on the
website, so if they have multiple guests, and they have someone more famous
than Andy on the same show he's on, they might highlight the other guest
instead.

New purchases: catching up with Tim Buckley, the Mahavishnu Orchestra and
Miles Davis' "Bitches Brew"...wow.  Decided to try out Beth Orton's
"Central Reservation"; disappointing on first listen but I'll try it again.
The new Stereolab also seems not quite up to snuff -- it has a few tracks
that seem to take a step forward (like the first track, "Fuses"), but a lot
of the rest sounds like I've heard it already.  On the plus side, I didn't
think another album of Raymond Scott tunes would be particularly
eye-opening, but the orchestrations on "Raymond Scott: the Chesterfield
Arrangements" by the Metropole Orchestra (with the Beau Hunks Sextette) are
great.

As for CDnow: I just ordered my Homespun from them (along with the new
Bowie) and, yeah, don't order from CDnow if you want extra-prompt service
(unless you're willing to shell out for overnight delivery).  I only order
from them because it's really easy to find coupons for them -- I don't
think I've ever paid more than $10 for a CD from CDnow.

Now I'm just waiting for the domestic release of the new Scritti Politti.
I sampled some tracks online and it sounds fab.

And this one's just for Megan:

Caesura!  Caesura!  Caesura!  Ah-hah-hah-hah-hah!

-- Francis

"And you're dying for a pee, so you go behind a tree."
   -- The Fall

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Date: Wed, 13 Oct 1999 09:54:45 -0700 (PDT)
Message-Id: <199910131654.JAA49444@mando.engr.sgi.com>
From: John Relph <relph@cthulhu>
Subject: The Buck Stops Here

Okay folks,

This has gone on long enough.  The discussion of Charlie Buck, racism
and trolls ends with this issue.  Most of you are adults, and even
those of you who aren't usually act like adults.  Those who cannot,
don't act like children here on the list.  I have spoken to
Mr. Diablo, and I can verify that both he and Mr. Buck exist.  Why did
they take aliases?  For the same reasons that many people on the 'net
take aliases.  Not to pull the wool over our eyes.  So get over it,
and let's get on with it.  This list is supposed to be for the
discussion of XTC, the band and their music.  Let's get back on topic.

Speaking of which, I like the short snippet of the very early take of
"I'd Like That" on the *Homespun* CD.  I also like Colin Moulding's
message to Carol.  Par for the course, definitely.

	-- John

------------------------------

From: WESnLES@aol.com
Message-ID: <0.1805136e.25355766@aol.com>
Date: Tue, 12 Oct 1999 23:32:54 EDT
Subject: MINISTERmountainoutofamoleHILL

Luna (luna1@mindspring.com) wrote:

"I don't know why everything that has an XTC influence which
happens to be discussed on this list has to be compared riff by riff and
line by line with XTC. I did notice some similarities (keep in mind that
XTC has been a huge influence on many bands, of which a good number are
better known than XTC), but I don't think I could enjoy anything if I was
constantly looking through XTC glasses. ...the Beatles perhaps (the most
common criticism of XTC was that they were a "faux Beatles" band, and I
think that's crap)."

I agree...I've always hated the Beatle rip-off shite that is constantly
flung at XTC.  As for Minister Hype...uh, I mean Minister Hill...I still
think they are very much ATTEMPTING to sound like XTC.  I mean, c'mon
now...just listen to the first words sung on the first song(I've Been In A
World)...how hard is Howard Herrick trying to sound like Colin?....and be
honest.

I was sent Minister Hell...uh, I mean Minister Hill...about a month ago to
review for Consumables Online, and the cd came with a 12 page
presskit...the majority of which contains the bands lyrics...and this is
good, I wish all the cd's I reviewed came with this much info.  Still, the
following rubbed me the wrong way....these are the first words on the first
page of Minister Help...uh, I mean....ahhh screw it, here's the blurb:

"If you were left cold by XTC's latest (MEANING AV1 FOR GOD'S SAKE), then
this is probably what you were expecting! Great songs, quirky changes and a
fine blend of acoustic and electric instrumentation.  Man, if Colin
Moulding released a solo album today, produced by Andy Partridge, then this
is exactly what it would sound like.  Although I don't think that it would
touch the majesty that this album possesses."

PUHHHHHLEASE!  I think I'll read it again while singing to myself "on and
on across this dungheap".  How can you read that crap...which Minister Hill
obviously opted to open their own presskit with...and not say that they are
trying to sound like the Swindon duo?

As for the lyrics bit..."gold word" this and that...I was actually joking
around a bit on this one...Minister's lyrics aren't bad at
all.......again....what I've said in every post about this band: they are a
good band, they are not a great band.

Luna also said:

"I think it's so enjoyable to listen to because they are engaging in
no-bars-held creative expression which is a rarity these days.  And sorry
to say, Wes, I don't get that feeling from the more trendy sounds of
Fountains of Wayne or Jason Faulkner, although they have some good stuff.
Who's Owsley?"

I've got no problem with "no-bars-held creative expression"....and I think
that Minister Horf is fairly creative...I just don't think their songs are
great.  As for Fountains of Wayne...their last disc (Utopia Parkway) was
pretty damn good....if you like perfectly constructed pop music that is.
They covered a good many styles withing the framework of pop...and talk
about great lyrics....none of which were complicated, just clever as
hell...Red Dragon Tattoo, a song about a kid getting a tattoo to impress a
girl:

Monday gonna take a ride on
The N train down to Coney Island
With the money I saved
Gonna get me engraved
Drink down a lot of Basil Hayden
Get kicked out when I can't see straight and
What an island to be on
Under the neon

Red dragon tattoo
Is just about on me
I got it for you
So now do you want me
With nothing to prove
Will you be my honey
In you I confide
Red dragon tattoo
I'm fit to be dyed
Am I fit to have you

I hear the man say you want to see the others
A mermaid and a heart that says mother
But I don't know from maritime
And I never did hard time
I bought a .38 Special CD collection
Some Bactine to prevent infection
And in case I get queasy
A photo of Easy...Rider

This song and cd make me feel like a kid again...every song is super
infectious.  This one makes my short list for best of '99.

Other than XTC there are probably only two artists that I'd rush out to buy
a newly released cd of: (only 2 because Jeff Buckley is dead) Jason Falkner
& Eric Matthews.  Falkner is a helluva songwriter with an amazing voice.

Owsley more or less sounds like an older slightly more mature (polished)
version of Fountains of Wayne.

Damn....that's a long post.

Check out my massive XTC trade list; Optimism's Flames:
http://members.tripod.com/~The_Last_Balloon/index.html

wesLONG

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Message-ID: <41BC73C88FDBD2119D2908002BB32B3928A020@lonexchg02.getty-images.com>
From: Warren Butson <Warren.Butson@getty-images.com>
Subject: take this town
Date: Tue, 12 Oct 1999 14:29:23 +0100

Thanks first of all to those who gave the American (and Canadian) viewpoint
of how wierd it is to like xtc.
 In England I wouldn't say it's weird just that most people thing they split
up in the mid 80's
ironically as the rest of the world started to realise they existed!
I'd  like to ask on a completely different matter if anyone has an idea
as to why "Take this town" was not on fossil fuel
and yet was on "The compact xtc"? It certainly was a single in Britain
so why no show?
it's annoying as its not on anything else as far as i'm aware.
from a damn Brit!

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Message-ID: <19991012092600.7981.rocketmail@web2101.mail.yahoo.com>
Date: Tue, 12 Oct 1999 02:26:00 -0700 (PDT)
From: Giovanni Giusti <giovanni_giusti@yahoo.com>
Subject: CD release dates, and request for help on compilation

"garret harkawik" <funktaisia@hotmail.com> wrote on Ch.5-281:
> have totally screwed up the release dates of xtc's albums. For
> example
> according to one store, almost half their albums were released in
> 1991.

I think that would be the date in which CD versions were issued,
although on second thought, that seems a bit late...

--

PLEASE HELP ME on this however:

I have a new g.f. (mmh) (yea the one I tried to woo by singing "Grass"
to) (it worked apparently) -- well, anyway:

I tried to evangelise her to XTC but so far to no avail. The problem
is that she does not live nearby *at all* so I cannot invite her over
and force her to listen while I employ my sexual prowess (ahem!) in
order to pavlov her into feeling queasy every time she hears the
lads. That's ruled out.

So I thought I'd make a compilation CDR for her. OK, you'll say, this
is the umpteenth request for advice.

Fact is, I would like to make a particular compilation based on the
groups she presently likes and listens to. That is:

QUESTION:

What would be the best CD-R compilation to woo into XTC-dom a
20-year-old young lady who currently listens to:

* Velvet Underground
* Tom Waits
* Hole
* Nine Inch Nails

In other words: what XTC songs you believe I can use to slowly bring
her into the fold, considering that for her "pop" is an insult?

Thanks in advance, answers by direct email OK.

Giovanni

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End of Chalkhills Digest #5-283
*******************************

Go back to Volume 5.

13 October 1999 / Feedback