Chalkhills Digest Volume 5, Issue 93
Date: Thursday, 18 February 1999
Chalkhills Digest, Volume 5, Number 93
Thursday, 18 February 1999
Today's Topics:
Frivolous tonight
triple decker delight
AV2: Ship Trapped.../I Don't Want...
XTC blurb @ EveryCD
XTC in Toronto
The Economics of XTC
Andy Trapped in the Ice
Barenaked Ladies reply
pulling pig-tails from my scalp
Original Master Recordings
Compile And Be Damned
More crap - but it's mine!
Re: Them Anti-XTC Folk
Prince of Orange
ARGH!!!!
Suddenly AV
Re: Taj Majal vs. Garden Shed
From Today's Headlines Untimely Ripp'd
Then It Appeared!!
XTC book auction
Re: Them Anti-XTC Folk
Andy in Toronto
Through the Hill
XTC and Music Boulevard
Typo contest is over
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---------------------------------------------------------------------- From: "Damian Foulger" <damian@imclaser.com> Date: Tue, 16 Feb 1999 12:39:32 -0600 Subject: Frivolous tonight Message-Id: <19990216122736.8604439c.in@ceo.ceolasers.com> AV1 spoiler, page down it you don't want to read discussion!!!!! I just downloaded the Frivolous Tonight snippet and thought who's that singing? What has happened to CM's voice in seven years. It's much more gruff now. It's a great song though, my favourite yet. What a shame CM has written only two songs on the album. Dames tWd P.s. Cooking Vinyl and The Little Lighthouse appear to be out of step with their previews. I beleive that CV are in error. "We did not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we merely borrow it from our children." -- Native American Saying
------------------------------ From: nedrise@MNSi.Net Message-ID: <34E87D49.6DF02E6A@mnsi.net> Date: Mon, 16 Feb 1998 13:54:32 -0400 Subject: triple decker delight Chalklodytes: Folks, here in the Windsor -Detroit area, we've just been given a triple dose of Apple Venus - Martin Bandyke, dj on WDET, just played I'd Like That, Frivolous Tonight, and River of Orchids, all in a row. Radio just doesn't get any better than that!!! I feel lke the great blackness billowing forth from Mt. Doom is finally dissipating. Dispersed by the gilded tones of heaven's long awaited Golden Pop Ensemble! Yes, we know for certain now that the sun *will* shine again. Micheal Stone
------------------------------ Message-Id: <199902161900.LAA04737@sgi.com> Date: Tue, 16 Feb 1999 13:59:50 -0500 From: "Simmons, Jonathan S." <jonathan_simmons@merck.com> Subject: AV2: Ship Trapped.../I Don't Want... Definitely have to agree with Alan about "Ship Trapped in the Ice" and "I Don't Want to Be Here" -- these MUST appear on AV2 (as do "Dame Fortune" and "Prince of Orange")(and "Playground")(and "Bumpercars")(and "Wounded Horse"). But assuming they DON'T, would they become fair game for Fuzzy Warbles? Oh, and "Some Lovely." That has to go on AV2, too. Please? -Jon S.
------------------------------ Message-ID: <697A4CA51395D111A658AA00040058069D9FB6@NT6> From: "Wiencek, Dan" <wiencek@aaos.org> Subject: XTC blurb @ EveryCD Date: Tue, 16 Feb 1999 13:40:42 -0600 This isn't really anything new, but a music service I subscribe to, EveryCD.com, posted a blurb about all us ravenous fans buying up advances of Apple Venus: XTC PROMOS HOT ON THE WEB Promotional advance copies of the forthcoming XTC album, Apple Venus Vol. 1, are selling very well on the Internet. On the auction site eBay (www.eBay.com), the album is fetching between $30 and $90. This is highly unusual for an advance release, especially one as nondescript as this: the CD is encased in a plain sleeve, without a jewel box, art or liner notes. Those who don't want to drop $90 on the album can wait until February 23, when the album legally hits stores. The first single from the album, "I'd Like That," is available in Liquid Audio format exclusively on the Internet, at www.tvtrecords.com/xtc. ___________ Rather ridiculously, the site still isn't offering Apple Venus for pre-order. Too bad--I bought Transistor Blast from them for a very fine price (about $40 w/ shipping). But I think AV will have to be a store buy; I couldn't bear not to have it on the day of release. "Day of release" ... God, I hope that isn't some punning Freudian slip ...
------------------------------ Message-Id: <199902161956.LAA00619@sgi.com> Date: 16 Feb 99 14:59:37 -0500 From: Jennifer Ralston <jennifer_ralston@tbwachiat.com> Subject: XTC in Toronto Well, I just got off the phone with Tower Records in Toronto, and it sounds like details are being finalised for an in-store appearance by (at least) Andy on 27 feb '99. (Thanks Neil!) So far, they know he will be signing autographs but are not sure if there will be a Q and A. Sounds like it's just Andy but she wasn't sure about that either. No time yet, but as it's a Saturday I would guess it'll be around 1 p.m. or so. Will post with further details if anyone is interested, or just write me directly and I'll get back to you. Perhaps a mini-Chalkhills gathering would be in order once we get to the store! I'd like that, jennifer. Say a sunflower I became, I'd be growing in your brain...
------------------------------ Message-ID: <36C9CE37.14FDB0AC@bellatlantic.net> Date: Tue, 16 Feb 1999 14:59:51 -0500 From: Jim Slade <castells@bellatlantic.net> Subject: The Economics of XTC After hearing "Greenman", "David S White" <david.s.white@lineone.net> dared to ask why a band that spent "seven impecunious years in the wilderness" chose to return with a "multi-layered palatial meisterwork" rather than a less-expensive "guitar-driven garage-y thing (which no doubt would be glorious)" that would create a well of profits for what's the forthcoming AV1. Well, let me be the first of dozens of Chalkhillers to say "How dare you think XTC would make decisions based on crass economics! How dare you question the band's moral and artistic compass!":))) Hey, if truth be told, I wondered the same thing (likewise, I've wondered why XTC bothers with "pro" producers and studios when Martin Newell's The Greatest Living Englishman sounds A-OK to my ears), but one of the things that makes XTC special is the band's complete lack of care for the marketplace. I'd be thrilled to buy an ultimately poor-selling album on par with Mummer. David may be hinting at one point: Andy is losing his credibility to whine about the evil record industry. For whatever hardships they've faced, they are blessed to be able to make an orchestral record that will never be played live. XTC slaughtered the competition with heavy garage/guitar albums in the past to no avail. Maybe the time is ripe for the band's pastoral side to take off. Jim http://www.groovedisques.com
------------------------------ From: keith@car.net Subject: Andy Trapped in the Ice Date: Tue, 16 Feb 1999 14:57:30 -0500 Message-ID: <710A7D30AC98D111B682005004060C5F1D6C@LOCAL-SERVER> I must voice my opinon in this matter... Mitch, please tell Andy to include "Ship Trapped in the Ice" and "I Don't Want to Be Here" on AV2! At first I didn't get into "Ship," but that melody has a habit of staying with you. And if he doesn't want to include it because it's about Virgin, all I have to say is "Liarbird!" "I Don't Want to Be Here" is the best of the bunch, period. I just can't understand why he doesn't want to release it. Too bad Bill Davups' website is gone, otherwise everyone would have been able to hear it. Keith
------------------------------ Message-ID: <2043F72A2C73D2119D5B0008C74CA17B1DFAA9@azmail.rjconsult.com> From: "Miller, Ed" <emiller@rjconsult.com> Subject: Barenaked Ladies reply Date: Tue, 16 Feb 1999 13:14:01 -0600 Hi, all... In the previous edition of Chalkhills, Dom posed the following question.... >>Oh, and could someone explain what's so damn exciting about that Barenaked Ladies song? I gather that we're supposed to be impressed by the singer's verbal dexterity, but since you could pick ANY decent Hip Hop album from the last six years and find numerous examples of vastly superior vocal technique, with (it has to be said) immensely superior (and far more extensive, therefore harder to memorize) lyrics, I was wondering whether I'd missed some essential ingredient in the BNL listening experience. Any thoughts?<< Dom... rather than address your first question, let me try to answer both questions at the same time. You are making a mistake that I'm surprised someone of your obvious worldliness and intelligence should. You seem to be judging the band based on one song! Barenaked Ladies have an extensive catalog of music... four studio albums, a fantastic live CD, a couple of EP's and some singles, most of which, IMHO are exceptional in quality. In addition, BNL tour extensively and, though they seemed a little tired last time I saw them, consistently perform their material flawlessly and enthusiastically. Additionally, they are a funny bunch of gents and some of their stories and interviews remind me a little of our own Mr. Partridge. So... I might suggest that you pick up a copy of "Gordon" or the live CD "Rock Spectacle". You'll probably find there's a lot more there than initially meets the ear. Regards, Ed
------------------------------ Message-ID: <19990216201844.17125.rocketmail@attach1.rocketmail.com> Date: Tue, 16 Feb 1999 12:18:44 -0800 (PST) From: nross <phoenixyellowrose@rocketmail.com> Subject: pulling pig-tails from my scalp Okay... you Tarzan, Me reply: From: Todd Bernhardt Subject: Ha ha >Oh! Nicole... "I'd be your Clinton if you'd be my Monica Ha ha, We'd laugh Because each smoke would make me grow up really high Really high, like a really high thing 'Til Starr caught us Impeachment..." Back to our regularly scheduled programming:< Pulling my pig-tails and sticking them in your inkjar, are you?! Dom: Subject: Precociousness Alert!!! >An excellent idea, inserting that Duran Duran get-out clause. Covered yourself nicely there...< To reitterate what Molly said a while back: Some of us like Duran Duran. Okay... so they are not that talented or cerebral... for me, its more nostalgia. That is was played when I was young... It doesn't mean I hold the belief that you are not aloud to think they totally suck shit. I just thought I'd play antagonist to you. >but don't fall into the trap of considering yourself in any way more radical or free-thinking than your classmates, just because you've got a few XTC CDs.< hmmm. Okay, I like that comment, sharp, biting. >The vast majority of people never progress beyond what's in the charts or on the TV, and frankly they don't care. Apart from anything else, for all their glorious qualities, XTC are hardly a million musical miles away from the commercial mainstream (although "River Of Orchids" seems to suggest an alternative future...) and the fact that their following is a "cult" one just makes it easier to wear your appreciation for the band as a badge of pride and an indication of your "developed" taste.< Are you sure YOU'RE not Andy? Mates, what do ya think? >In truth, I bet some of your classmates are metal fans, and therefore beneath your contempt anyway.< Ah... well. Let's be Mollyfied and please not generalize. Metal is about as bad as your beloved hip-hop. >Oh, and could someone explain what's so damn exciting about that Barenaked Ladies song?< Its just plain fun to listen to... in my opinion... I gather not in your opinion. Its fun, and somewhat clever, which, you have to admit is unusual for the forum in which that particular song, sound, and group can be appreciated. >Anyhoo, that's enough needless abuse... My apologies - it's been a long day.< Et toi! Mon amie! -Nicole
------------------------------ Message-ID: <36C9DC27.65B3@monmouth.com> Date: Tue, 16 Feb 1999 15:59:19 -0500 From: Ross Dickinson <rdickinson@monmouth.com> Organization: Respectable Street Subject: Original Master Recordings I'm new to the list, and I've got a question about the original master recordings CD's of Skylarking and Orange and Lemons. What are they? I mean obviously they're the original recordings everything, but what about the tracks themselves? Are they all unproduced and unmixed still? Are there any songs that are really different compared to the commercial version, or slightly different? Do the tracks stretch out and end instead of fading out? -Ross -- * -------------------------------------->Parody Central http://www.monmouth.com/~rdickinson/ With 200+ Songs and Growing! * -------------------------------------->Trendy Quote Part "Fly on the wall! See-See-See-Seein' it all!" -XTC
------------------------------
Message-Id: <199902162110.WAA01048@mail.knoware.nl>
From: "Mark Strijbos" <mmello@knoware.nl>
Date: Tue, 16 Feb 1999 22:21:26 +0000
Subject: Compile And Be Damned
Dear Chalkers,
A train of thought tried to get away unspotted:
> Unless the guy was talking about some obscure hits collections, he
> is very, very wrong, as not only have XTC never released 3 hits
> collections in the scope of 3 years,
No?
Then what about Fossil Fuel ('96), Upsy Daisy Assortment ('97) and
The Greatest ('98) ?
But then again... you could argue that those are not greatest hits
compilations at all.
After all you could compile all of XTC's "hits" on a 3" cd single :)
PS: the whole arguments is a bit silly of course... it's rarely
the artist or act that is pushing for compilations, box sets and the
like, but the record company. The act usually gets a smaller piece of
the money pie for back catalog reissues.
Take the case in hand as an exceptional example: XTC only agreed to
the three compilations as part of the divorce settlement with
Virgin/EMI and probably made tuppence on every copy sold.
Many other compilations on the market are born under similar
circumstances... just a record company flogging a dead horse
(or an act that has already left them for greener pastures)
In the meantime, a wise man once said:
Ask not what XTC can do for you, ask how many extra copies of AV1
_you_ can afford to buy for friends and family...
yours in xtc,
Mark Strijbos at The Little Lighthouse
http://www.knoware.nl/users/mmello/
or http://come.to/xtc
------------------------------ Message-Id: <s6c99873.050@dineout.org> Date: Tue, 16 Feb 1999 16:10:12 -0500 From: "Jason Hauser" <JHAUSER@dineout.org> Subject: More crap - but it's mine! Hi-Yoooo- Scuttlebutt on the street says XTC have a new album coming out in a few days. You guys hear anything about this? The Nigels, an XTC cover band, are playing the Birchmere in Alexandria, VA on July 3rd, for those of you in the DC area. It's gonna be a cruel, cruel summer. Ten Feet Tall - Isn't everything metric over there? Why "Feet" then? And I think I pinpointed the point (redundant?) where the guys lost millions of dollars. After the success of English Settlement, a pop gem was called for. So they released the hilarious, lighthearted tom-foolery of Great Fire b/w Gold. Whoops! If only they had written Mayor of Simpleton back then they'd be bigger than U2. Probably. Not. Welcome Andrea Thorstein! You're 27, female (presumably) and your last name has Thor in it. Perfect. Welcome Rafael! You're english is excellent. I like Spanish myself but five years of espanol and I've only garnered the ability to perfectly pronounce the menu at Taco Bell and translate any word ending in "cion". Mister, you're a better man than I. De que color son sus zapatos? Can't seem to get that sentence out of my head. To Rich Bunnell: Bummer about that review, but it was a fairly erudite review at that, eh? Obviously, this is someone who sort of likes the band anyway. To Lemoncurry: I love cud! But only as a diet supplement. David White said: In other words,why The Taj Mahal first, and the garden shed later? It would seem to make economic sense to have them the other way about, no? Yes. But I'm sure you're not surprised. Xtc has a way of shooting themselves in the foot. Fans will love this album, but I can't see it getting a lot of airplay next to, jesus, I don't even know what's being played! Never mind. Go ahead, bite the big APPLE, don't bite no maggots! -Stones She had the body of a VENUS just imagine my surprise! *Aerosmith When no ONE listens, it's no use talking at all. - Missing Persons
------------------------------ Message-Id: <l03110701b2ef7e2ed78d@[209.112.136.101]> Date: Tue, 16 Feb 1999 12:21:56 -0900 From: Michael Travis <mdt@pobox.alaska.net> Subject: Re: Them Anti-XTC Folk [In Chalkhills #5-91, Rich Bunnell wrote about an inflammatory comment on his page of XTC reviews at <http://www.users.interport.net/~aske/xtc.htm>] Since his argument is factually untrue, I see no reason why his comments need to remain on the review page. If you don't have editorial control of the page, those that do should at least append a comment noting the falsehood. I guess we should feel sorry for the guy; from the tone of his writing he's had a stick up his arse about XTC for many, many years. Anybody who has ever felt the need to come up with an "argument" against an "evil" band probably has a bias not related to the actual quality of the music. My guess is that to him XTC is emotionally tied to a bad period of his life and/or people he doesn't like. ----- Would a video for "Your Dictionary" be "Your Pictionary"? (Pictionary is a game marketed in the US.)
------------------------------ From: mikem9@ix.netcom.com Date: Tue, 16 Feb 1999 16:01:55 -0600 (CST) Message-Id: <199921613509341@> Subject: Prince of Orange I know that Prince of Orange was previously released on a side project (the name of which escapes me at this moment), but for some reason I thought it'd be included on AV1. Well, it's not and I'm bumming. What's the deal? It's a great song that, IMHO, deserves proper attention. AV2, perhaps? --Mike
------------------------------ Message-ID: <19990216223336.18304.qmail@hotmail.com> From: "Molly Fanton" <mollyfa@hotmail.com> Subject: ARGH!!!! Date: Tue, 16 Feb 1999 17:33:35 EST I just looked at the TVT web site, and Buffalo wasn't listed. The closest place is Toronto, but I don't have the means to get there. Oh why, oh why do they taunt me? I really want to see Andy. I could bug my sister to see if she could stop in and see Mr. Partridge. Oh well. Molly
------------------------------ From: fheaney@erols.com Message-Id: <199902162242.RAA08329@smtp2.erols.com> Subject: Suddenly AV Date: Tue, 16 Feb 1999 17:39:12 -0500 Well, I stumbled across a promo copy of AV1 today -- the jewel case version w/ artwork, etc., not the cardboard sleeve ilk -- and I had to buy it, even though I've already ordered one from Music Blvd. Whew! It's breathtaking. I know Dave Gregory wanted a mixture of orchestral and electric, but I have to agree with Andy that this was the way to go. I think it wouldn't feel nearly as much of a piece if it included the electric material. To whoever asked about why they did the orchestral album first, instead of the cheaper one -- I think it's a more dramatic difference from what XTC (and almost everyone) has done before, so it makes a bolder statement, and may make critics and audiences take more notice (at least it would be nice if it did). On another level, though, it's particularly unfortunate they didn't do the electric album first, because there would've been more for Dave to do and he might not have quit the band. But you never know -- maybe Colin will talk some sense into those two irascible fellows. If Bruce Thomas would work with Elvis Costello again after Elvis wrote the scathing "How to Be Dumb" about him, anything is possible. Finally, though I do love "I'd Like That", "Greenman" sounds like the single to me as well. Maybe it will be the "Kashmir" of the '90s. -- Francis Heaney
------------------------------
Message-Id: <199902162110.WAA01024@mail.knoware.nl>
From: "Mark Strijbos" <mmello@knoware.nl>
Date: Tue, 16 Feb 1999 22:21:26 +0000
Subject: Re: Taj Majal vs. Garden Shed
Dear Chalkers,
I'm sorry, it's me again...
David White rightly wondered why the expensive orchestral album was
released before the "cheap" guitar album when funds were so low?
> This might seem an odd question, [snip snip snip].
> In other words, why The Taj Mahal first, and the garden shed later?
Exactly! I've wondered about this myself and i think it just might
have something to do with the age and content of the material.
Most of the AV1 material is quite old by now and it was written
during difficult times. my guess is that Andy wanted to get this
lot out of the way and off his chest first.
yours in xtc,
Mark Strijbos at The Little Lighthouse
http://www.knoware.nl/users/mmello/
or http://come.to/xtc
------------------------------
Message-ID: <36C9D773.19476C0A@averstar.com>
Date: Tue, 16 Feb 1999 16:39:13 -0400
From: Harrison Sherwood <sherwood@averstar.com>
Organization: Averstar, Inc.
Subject: From Today's Headlines Untimely Ripp'd
AN ANECDOTE ILLUSTRATING SOMETHING OF THE WEST COUNTRY CHARACTER
The Swindon Evening Advertiser (http://www.adver.co.uk/) has been reporting
on a developing local controversy, and I thought it might be edifying to
bring it to your attention, as it involves a certain Bronze Age calcite
quadruped of some sentimental importance....
Head: Burning a Path to the Uffington Horse
Sub: Council's Brush-clearing Technique "Antiquated and Dangerous" Argue
Enviros
By Anne Tour-Redde, Special to the Swindon Evening Advertiser
The Swindon Borough Council have approved a controversial measure to clear
overgrown and neglected wild gorse shrubbery surrounding the famous
Bronze-Age Chalk Horse of Uffington. This Thursday the Council will clear
the overgrowth the old-fashioned way: they will burn it.
The torch will be applied to the thorny bushes by trained Park Services
workers--if legal challenges issued by environmental and historical groups
are unsuccessful. The Tourist Board and Chamber of Commerce have supported
the burning, citing tourists' tales of painful scratches and torn clothing
incurred when trying to reach the popular historic landmark on foot.
Following is an extract from an interview with the mayor of Swindon,
Councillor Brian Ford:
Advertiser: The horse is in gorse, of course?
Ford: Of course!
Advertiser: And no one can walk to a horse in gorse!
Ford: That is, of course, unless the gorse is a-flaming, Ms. Tour-Redde!
Harrison "Don't shoot the messenger" Sherwood
------------------------------
From: kburda@sial.com
Message-Id: <8625671A.007E890F.00@notesgw.sial.com>
Date: Tue, 16 Feb 1999 16:59:50 -0600
Subject: Then It Appeared!!
No, not AV1, but the long-forgotten MERCHANDISING poll
that some of you responded to at the end of last year.
Remember it? Well, I finally found the data (after having
misplaced it for a while), and seeing as things are only
going to get busier with the new release I figured it's now or never.
So, buckle up kiddies, it's a lot of info...
Poor Skeleton Steps Out (and responds!)
In total, 44 people answered my pleas. (WARNING: Cynical
Days comment coming.) Pretty sad, especially when you
figure that there are over 1100 people on the list.
Broken down by country:
USA 14
UK 6
Australia 2
Canada 1
unknown 8
I'd Like That
Even though you were limited to the top ten things you'd buy,
I was surprised by the types of things people wanted, and
admitted that they'd purchase (or wouldn't!). The percentages
(rounded to the nearest whole #) were taken out of 44, even
though 2 people said they didn't want to buy anything.
t-shirts/polo shirts 34 77%
People wanted nice, classy, even dressier
items that could be worn to work on casual days.
Posters 14 32%
Videos 13 29%
Hats 12 27%
Bumper stickers 8 18%
Perhaps in the style similar to the ones for
European countries?
China mugs, cups 8 18%
Demos, bootlegs, singles 7 16%
Stickers 7 16%
Updated songbook 7 16%
Book of Andy's artwork 6 14%
Screensaver 6 14%
Lapel pin/button 6 14%
Magents 5 11%
Keyring 4 9%
Games by Andy 4 9%
Soldiers/war games?
Ties 3 7%
Decals 3 7%
Guitar picks 3 7%
Calendars 3 7%
Both 12-month and Page-a-day
Mousepad 3 7%
Lunchbox 3 7%
Pictures 2 5%
Pens 2 5%
XTC-themed stuff 2 5%
"Concert" video 2 5%
They'd tape a few songs without an
audience watching
Wouldn't buy a thing 2 5%
The remaining items had one vote each (2%)
notebook, personal organizer, comic book, mirror,
life-sized cutouts, wrapping paper, pasta,
25 O'Clock alarm clock, tea/towel caddy,
knitting/embroidery patterns,
do-it-yourself Mummer costumes, Pink Thing
underwear/baby clothes, novelty books by Andy
(such as "All I Ever Learned in Kindergarden..."),
autographed CD's, playing cards, limited edition
jewel cases, drink coasters included with the CD,
toy box with figurines from AV1, coffee with "Wake
Up" on it, a well-done re-release of ES, snow globe,
salt and pepper shakers, chinese lamps, Andy's
song notebooks, ID cards for an XTC Club,
re-release of CC '97, '98, etc, Dave Gregory's
Remoulds, CD recording of an interview with them,
fan-only website with downloadable music.
The second part required people to list inexpensive ways to
promote & advertise the band. Once again, a lot of great
responses. I grouped these by how the promotion was to
occur, and the number of people who had the idea. If there's
no # by it, only one person suggested it.
World Wide Web
Official XTC website 2
Website audio clips
Merchandise-only site
Appearances
AOL chat 3
Documentary on VH-1 3
Guest on MTV 2
Interviews 2
Guest on Space Ghost
NPR's Fresh Air radio show
Loveline guest
Guest appearance anywhere
Record signings
Touring
Mini tour (fan sponsored?) 5
1989-type tour 4
Crash Tibetian Freedom Concert
What Fans Can Do
Request music everywhere 4
Post fliers on college campuses 2
Send updates to CDNow, amazon.com 2
Mass mailings to DJ's
Point out profanities in "Your Dictionary"
and protest
Sing songs aloud
Send reviews to websites
Double as field reps
Put link to digest/album on web page
Use sig files at end of messages
Miscellaneous
Articles in magazines/fanzines 4
Release music 2
Postcards w/ XTC info, web addresses
Judge contest in Tower's Pulse magazine
Press releases
Skywriting
Balloons over city
High-tech video
Hold Spinal Tap-esque fake audition for drummer
Make Swindon cable ads
Make documentary w/ local filmmaker
Put "I support Indies" in CD's
Reproduce old XTC poster (i.e. the one covering
Barry's Pink Thing in Song Stories)
Do something controversial
Ads in med-sized magazines
Subway posters
Hope you liked the poll- it was fun and interesting to do.
A pain to re-type, though. So, TVT, hope this provides a few
more ideas. Keep up the good work!!
Kate
------------------------------ From: SeamusII@webtv.net (Nanette & Phil Smith) Date: Tue, 16 Feb 1999 18:51:42 -0600 (CST) Subject: XTC book auction Message-ID: <17285-36CA129E-120@mailtod-271.iap.bryant.webtv.net> Circumstances force me to part with my autographed copy of "Chalkhills & Children" - see http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?Viewitem&item=67181654 for more details if interested. Thanks!
------------------------------ Message-Id: <3.0.1.32.19990216214528.006dc398@pop.mindspring.com> Date: Tue, 16 Feb 1999 21:45:28 -0500 From: "Todd E. Jones" <toddjones@mindspring.com> Subject: Re: Them Anti-XTC Folk > "Like a lot of mediocre bands, XTC were virtually unheard until a >single golden moment swept them up and sold 1,000,000 copies of an >'incidentally wonderful' recording. 'Dear God' was an exceptionally >well-timed single by a band that was otherwise incapable of producing >consistently coherent material. If this seems somewhat shallow, I revert >to the more obvious argument against Andy Partridge and his evil >brethren: during XTC's popularity peak the band felt it absolutely >necessary to release 3 greatest hits compilations in a window of three >years. Unacceptable!" Does this really strike you as "disturbing?" There is not an artist out there who can't claim some invective-laden disparagement of her/his work. I find the above reference to "consistently coherent material" to be a hilarious indictment of the author's attention span and ability to absorb diversity from an artist. I for one, am perfectly content to deeply enjoy music that confounds the average critic. While I enjoy critics who corroborate my tastes, I find them so rare that I am more inclined to dismiss all in the profession out of hand. The only bummer that I see is that negative comments may turn otherwise unexposed folks away. However, I have been intrigued on more than one occasion by a negative review. If I see a band accused of being inconsistent or incoherent, I start to suspect the reviewer and get curious about the lambastee. Just a thought! Todd Jones Manager, Producer, Insect Massage Therapist, Janitor HUGE sound generation and capture facility Cape Fear River Basin, NC http://www.mindspring.com/~toddjones
------------------------------ Date: Tue, 16 Feb 1999 21:44:40 -0500 (EST) From: Ted Harms <tmharms@library.uwaterloo.ca> Subject: Andy in Toronto Message-ID: <Pine.OSF.3.96.990216214100.362D-100000@library.uwaterloo.ca> Thanks to a kind soul for tipping us to Andy's in-store appearances. It's too bad Colin isn't coming along - love to ask him knob-dweeb questions about strings and amps... I'm definetly going to make the effort to go - anybody else on the list from the Kitchener/Waterloo area and want to share a ride? Ted Harms Library, Univ. of Waterloo tmharms@library.uwaterloo.ca 519.888.4567 x3761 "But all things excellent are as difficult as they are rare." B. Spinoza
------------------------------ Message-ID: <00cc01be5a26$14130340$4ecd2599@g00g0> From: "Gary Williams" <garyw_ms@email.msn.com> Subject: Through the Hill Date: Tue, 16 Feb 1999 19:31:58 -0800 Anyone know where I can obtain a copy of this Harold Budd/Andy Partridge collaboration released in 1994 on Gyroscope Records? Kindly reply directly to me. Thanks. GW
------------------------------ Message-ID: <19990217042858.20676.qmail@hotmail.com> From: "Molly Fanton" <mollyfa@hotmail.com> Subject: XTC and Music Boulevard Date: Tue, 16 Feb 1999 23:28:58 EST I just wanted to let people that preordered Apple Venus Vol. 1 from Music Boulevard. You might have to wait a week to get it. I just recieved The Hounds of Love by Kate Bush and they notified me that they shipped it on Feb. 9. I just wanted to let you people know. Molly
------------------------------ Message-Id: <v03102807b2efb3c28a2e@[165.227.110.102]> Date: Tue, 16 Feb 1999 20:29:45 -0700 From: Richard Pedretti-Allen <richard@tactics.com> Subject: Typo contest is over Jon Rosenberger was the first and wins the Grand Prize of I don't know what yet. Ned Frey was second and wins something less than the grand prize. The Apple Venus Volume 1 typo was in my name which hopefully means that, since it is technically NOT my name, it will not count against my 15 minutes of allocated fame. Cheers, Richard p.s. Lame-ass Lyric of the Moment: "Just a small town boy, born and raised in South Detroit..." (THERE IS NO "SOUTH" DETROIT!! SOUTH OF DETROIT IS WINDSOR, ONTARIO, CANADA!!) -who else would ejaculate such drivel but Journey - "Don't Stop Believing" (or some such hooey)
------------------------------ End of Chalkhills Digest #5-93 ******************************
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