Chalkhills Digest Volume 5, Issue 97
Date: Monday, 22 February 1999

          Chalkhills Digest, Volume 5, Number 97

                 Monday, 22 February 1999

Today's Topics:

                     Amazon dot XTC!
            Plea for HELP from East Podunk!!!
                       NYC Signing
                      Dave was right
                   Re: rants & opinions
                       Peckham Rose
            F - O - R - G - I - V - E -M - E!!
                 New York City on Tuesday
                    Better price at MB
               Ask XTC a question and win!!
                 Autographed pics to win
          Milwaukee Carpool to Chicago on 2/25?
                 Apple Venus SHIPPING NOW
                    Yazbek on Jupiter
  Picking a fight... hey, we all make typos now, really.
                 Where, Where, Where!!!!!
                 Radios Appear...In Fear!
                Re: Random remarks, again
              AV1: Only in Calgary You Say?
                       I'm Furious
                       Philly radio
                     Grumble, grumble
           Don't like " River Of Orchids '' ???
                  An XTC fan's $0.02...
                       Bad Dog Spot

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They drift into pub nights with no / Promise for tomorrow.

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

Message-Id: <36CE0AF8.A25F2EE4@bowdoin.edu>
Date: Fri, 19 Feb 1999 20:08:17 -0500
From: Ben Gott/Loquacious Music <bgott@bowdoin.edu>
Organization: http://listen.to/loquacious
Subject: Amazon dot XTC!

Chalkers:

Although it has fluctuated between 40-70, "AV1" has been on Amazon.com's
"Top 100" list for about a week now.  (As of tonight, Friday, it's #63).
Doesn't that *rock*?  I mean, the friggin' thing hasn't even been released
yet!  And it's already beating the shite out of Sugar Ray's "14:59"!

Can ya dig it?

(I love cdnow.com, to be sure, but "AV1" is cheaper at Amazon.com -- the
amazing savings of $5.09 off list!)

-Ben

+-----------------------------------------------------------------+
    Benjamin Gott :: Bowdoin College :: Brunswick, Maine 04011
AOL Plan4Nigel :: Telephone (207) 721-5513 :: Mobile (207) 798-1859
   Just like a mad dog / You're chasing your tail in a circle...
+-----------------------------------------------------------------+

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

Subject: Plea for HELP from East Podunk!!!
Message-ID: <19990219.214650.5143.0.mbrechtel@juno.com>
From: Meredith Brechtel <mbrechtel@juno.com>
Date: Fri, 19 Feb 1999 20:53:06 EST

How-do, fellow Chalkers.
I just returned from a week out of town (to glorious San Francisco, aka
Civilization), to a heap 'o Digests.  Thanks, all, for posting  the
address for obtaining appearance schedules.

 However,  being the cheapskate that I am (combined with my residence in
East Podunk), I only have "free" e-mail ("Free" being in name only, as I
pay a hefty price by subjecting myself to daily adverts via e-mail in
exchange for the service), I have no REAL WWW access.

Therefore, I am unable to get to any of these web sites.  If anyone would
please and kindly e-mail me with any scheduled appearances in the Florida
or Georgia areas, I would be much appreciative.  Tampa or Orlando would
be GREAT (are you receiving me, TVT???) if not already scheduled.  If
Pittsburgh is missing out, what little hope for this nether region
farther South than the Deep South?

Also, contact with any fellow Floridians under the age of 90 would be
great.  A mini-celebration of the release of AV1 sounds wonderful; any
interest in the southern sector?

Meredith
squirlgirl_99

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

Message-Id: <199902200206.VAA03234@mx05.erols.com>
Date: Fri, 19 Feb 1999 21:06:18 -0500
Subject: NYC Signing
From: "Eddie O'Hare" <EddieO@PrivatePilot.com>

> Any other Chalkids going to the NYC signing Tuesday the 23rd?  (Rhetorical
> question; I know.)  Some of us are talking about hanging out together
> afterward.  Just wondering how we'll recognize each other.  Carry a stick
> of chalk?

I'll be there too. Someone more creative than I ought to come up with some
identifying tell.

I'll be the big, giddy bearded 40 year old in the Mets Jacket.

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

Message-ID: <fVMG3AA+Qiz2Ewaj@emdac.demon.co.uk>
Date: Sat, 20 Feb 1999 02:55:58 +0000
From: Phil Hetherington <phil@emdac.demon.co.uk>
Subject: Dave was right

I haven't been near my email for 2 weeks and have had to rather fly
through the backlog, so apologies if this is all old news.

"Apple Venus Vol.1" has been on a pre-release listening post in
Virgin Megastore on the corner of Oxford Street and Tottenham Court
Road in London for the last week. When I got there on monday, I was
too late to listen to it right through so I skimmed it, so my
opinion on it is bound to alter when I've heard it properly.

But my initial impression is yes, Dave was spot on [in the article
in Mojo]. This is no longer a band, it's two songwriters and a
guitarist (well, now minus the guitarist, obviously). There may not
actually be anything wrong with that, but given the way things were
turning out, I think he had to go, for his own sanity if nothing
else.

I'm personally disappointed in myself for having (by means mostly
foul) heard all of Andy's songs in demo form. Congratulations to
those who managed to avoid doing so, your first listen will mean so
much more than mine did. Perhaps that explains why I focussed on
Colin's songs so much when I played it. I had to play "Fruit Nut"
twice just to take in the sheer brilliance of it.

Since they had no CDs to put by the listening post, there was a
stack of XTC postcards promoting the album. If everyone took 6
like I did there won't be any left now, but I might let some go
to good homes.

On the front is "Apple Venus Volume 1 XTC" down one side, and a
peacock's feather (as discussed previously but sideways). On the
back is the following text:

   XTC    Apple Venus Volume 1

   Album released on 22/9/99 on CD, 180cm Vinyl & Cassette

   11 new songs, which have an effect, according to Andy Partridge,
   "similar to being whacked on the head with a sherbet-dipped
   crowbar". Apple Venus Volime.1 is non-conformity at its most
   brilliant, luscious orchestral pop that sounds like nothing
   else you'll hear in 1999"

   (Plus some Cooking Vinyl blurb)

Well I think they've summed it up nicely there. There's also a space
for an address, and I would imagine that some of these might have
been sent out, though of course these were all blank. Nice promo item.

They'd also stuck up some sort of a picture flat (12"x12") of the
album cover.

Anyway, I shall be back there on Monday armed with the relevant
bits of paper and iron or, in this case, probably plastic.

-=-=-

As an aside, the same listening post had the new Blondie album a
week before its release too. Well, that's saved me some money.

-=-=-

Off topic, but 22/2/99 has been advertised as the UK release date
(finally!) for Barenaked Ladies "Stunt". However, HMV on Oxford
Street obviously had other ideas because they put it on sale two
weeks early, the same day the single "One Week" came out. (Which,
incidently, entered the UK singles charts at No.5 - brilliant
result). Probably BNL's worst album since 'Gordon' (which is
sounding a bit dated in places now), but still better than most.

-=-=-

Other things in recent Chalkhills:

- 'Omnibus' is dreadful. The music jangles and grates alarmingly, the
  lyrics are clumsy.
- 'War Dance' is outstandingly brilliant, though I can understand why
  it may not work outside the UK. The "resurrecting Churchill" line is
  especially clever since old Winston's grandson was an MP at the time
  (might still be for all I know). And the music gives me goosebumps.
  If I ever dig out Nonsuch just for one track, it's this one.
- I love 'Washaway'. It reminds me of growing up on a new 1970s
  housing estate in the English shires, aged about 5. The "smell
  of boiling cabbage" line is one of the most evocative lines I've
  ever heard in a song.
- If you can't tell the difference between an opinion and a fact that's
  not my fault.

-=-=-

Off topic again, but regarding the Crowded House / Finn discussion.
When CH split I was so upset by it (no, really) that I couldn't
bring myself to buy 'Finn' when it came out. Don't ask me to explain
the logic in that, that's just how it was. Anyway, I bought 'Try
Whistling This' shortly after it came out, and also bought 'Finn' on
the same day, so I gave them a pretty objective comparison. Of the
two of them, I'd say 'Finn' was the better one. Of course, neither
can touch 'Temple Of Low Men', but I didn't expect them to.

I once read an interview with Crowded House in which the members
described their most memorable gigs, which in Neil's case was the
London show at which a bloke got up and stripped on the stage. Which
as it happens was the one and only Crowded House gig I went to. No
it wasn't me, silly.

-=-=-

Shriekback news: Martyn and Lu are remixing the demos for "Pond Life"
(I'm assuming that's what the album will be called) before having
another attack on the record companies with it. Apparently they have
over 4 hours of music to play with; the saddest thing is that 3 hours
of it none of us will ever get to hear. They will also be doing some
further "Billy Bragg and the Blokes" gigs (I've seen one advertised
for some time in March, near London).

-=-=-

River of awe, kids...     (sorry, couldn't resist)
Phil
--
 _
|_) |_  * |    Me: http://www.emdac.demon.co.uk/phil/
|   | ) | |    Then for Shriekback add: shrkindx.html
===========    Or for Gang Of Four: gof/gof_indx.html

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

Message-Id: <3.0.2.32.19990219223312.006bd724@mail.interlog.com>
Date: Fri, 19 Feb 1999 22:33:12 -0500
From: David Oh <davidoh@interlog.com>
Subject: Re: rants & opinions

>From: Dominic Lawson <LAWSOND@parliament.uk>
>>>Rant over. Opinions?
>No, sorry, I'm trying to give them up.
>Dom.

sorry, dom, but just what is it you are trying to give up; rants or opinions?

i need to know... ;-)

davidoh

btw, you haven't called <sniff>... are we still getting married?

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

Message-ID: <36CEB082.B1354758@which.net>
Date: Sat, 20 Feb 1999 12:54:26 +0000
From: B Blanchard <b.blanchard@which.net>
Subject: Peckham Rose

Dear Chalkhillians

Your history and geography lesson for the day begins here and
ends in an XTC related point.

I live right next to a huge park called Peckham Rye Park.  It is
104 years old and became the park for the use of the public when
the then local borough council bought the land from the then
local landowner way back in maybe round 1895.

Behind me is a very large overgrown beautiful cemetery called
Nunhead Cemetery (250 years old and sister to the more famous
Highgate Cemetery in the north - Highgate buried thinkers artists
and artisans, Nunhead buried engineers and inventors - like the
guy who invented public toilets his little mausoleum looks like
one (deliberately so!) and the guy who invented the lightbulb I
think?)

When the local councillors and Friends of Peckham Rye Park got
together for the park's 100th birthday celebration a couple years
ago - they unveiled a little plinth to celebrate the park's 100th
birthday. Everyone was dressed in Victorian dress. It was quite a
fun day.  The plinth had a metal plaque on top of it.  Guess what
- the plinth which is in the middle of this beautiful green park
with a well kept little garden in the middle of it - is made of
rotten old concrete and the metal plaque and the nails which
secure it has gone all rusty already.

ANYHOW because of all this green stuff surrounding us we get all
sorts of birds at our birdfeeder including shy woodpeckers, blue
tits,  greenfinches and any other thing that wants to get up
there. And because we are on a hill we have great views of
London.   It's wonderful.  Indeed I live more or less in the
centre of London but, but, but my postal address includes Peckham
Rye. I live in Peckham Rye which is up the road from Peckham.

Got AV1 yesterday from the home of Cooking Vinyl itself  (VINYL
AND CD - got paid last week!)  and read the lyrics (thanks so
much).  Well I don't know if AP has ever been to Peckham but
there's an awful lot of stuff round here that doesn't constitute
concrete!

Anyhow, from hereon in I am that Peckham Rose.  I thank you!
Class dismissed!

River of Orchids.  I think it's my fave track and reminds me very
much of - dare I say it - Godley & Creme (ex 10cc) Five O'Clock
In the Morning.

Your Dictionary is my least fave Partridge track.  I just think
it's something to do with spelling words out in songs.  It just
doesn't work  (For the same reason I hated D-I-V-O-R-C-E!!!!!)

The Peckham Rose

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

Message-ID: <36CEB5F6.13D65E6E@which.net>
Date: Sat, 20 Feb 1999 13:17:42 +0000
From: B Blanchard <b.blanchard@which.net>
Subject: F - O - R - G - I - V - E -M - E!!

HAVING SAID THAT and before you write in your tens to ask for me
to be banished from the list - I just mean that the spelling
words bit out in YOUR DICTIONARY is the reason why it is my least
favourite as far as just those lyric bits alone are concerned. I
think the main lyrics and the song construction is beautiful and
the piano and the end just made me want to weep.

And when you read the end lyrics (hollow ring with no finger in -
our marriage be undone) in black and white it is tragic.
Absolutely tragic. But AP has put them against a masterful upbeat
song ending and he means like often is the case the end although
sad can be the beginning of something more beautiful which in his
case it was. I'm stating the obvious. I just didn't like the
SPELLING out words bit!

OK I'm apologising before anyone's started to have a go but I
just wanted to make it clear!

Peckham Rose!

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

Message-ID: <36CEB825.56CA@earthlink.net>
Date: Sat, 20 Feb 1999 08:27:01 -0500
From: Tim Kendrick <tim63@earthlink.net>
Subject: New York City on Tuesday

Hi everyone!

I'll be at Tower records on Tuesday (2/23)
to see the guys.  I'll be wearing my Chalkhills T-shirt.
If you're going and you have one - wear it!
If you don't have one, buy an APPLE VENUS early
and hold it in front of you so you'll be easy to spot (ha, ha).

Since the XTC signing is supposed to start at 6:00 p.m.,
I figured I would try to be there at the store around 4:30 p.m.
Maybe we can have a mini-Chalkhills gathering before/during/after
the signing!  Hope to see some of you there!!!

   Tim K.

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

Message-ID: <36CEB752.4548BB4F@erols.com>
Date: Sat, 20 Feb 1999 08:23:30 -0500
From: Todd and Jennifer Bernhardt <toddjenn@erols.com>
Subject: Better price at MB

Hi:

Just a quick note to let people know that if you haven't already taken
advantage of Music Boulevard's $10 off coupon for first-time customers
to order AV1, you should. I go my copy when it when it was first
announced here in the digest and got the album for less than $6, which
I'm still happy about. But, I just ordered AV1 as a gift for a friend
(using my wife's credit card, which allowed me to use the coupon
again!), and because they've dropped the price, got it for $4.87,
including shipping and handling.

If you're a first-time customer (or if you know someone who's never
ordered from MB who will let you use their credit card), go to

http://www.musicblvd.com/1048AL/

and take it from there.

BUY MULTIPLE COPIES OF AV1!! USE THEM AS FABULOUS GIFTS FOR FRIENDS AND
FAMILY!! SPREAD THE CREED OF XTC AND HELP THE ALBUM CHART!!

--Todd

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

Message-ID: <36CEC69E.44BF@comlab.ox.ac.uk>
Date: Sat, 20 Feb 1999 14:28:46 +0000
From: Shawn Rusaw <Shawn.Rusaw@comlab.ox.ac.uk>
Organization: Oxford University Computing Laboratory, UK
Subject: Ask XTC a question and win!!

The JAM! music website has contest. Basically, they are interviewing
Andy on Feb 26th and want fans to submit questions. 10 lucky people will
win an autographed copy of AV1. Follow following URL for more details

http://www.canoe.com/JamTrivia/home_xtc.html

-----
Shawn Rusaw
Oxford University Computing Laboratory

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

Date: Sat, 20 Feb 1999 15:38:19 +0100 (MET)
From: Martin van Rappard <rappard@dds.nl>
Subject: Autographed pics to win
Message-ID: <Pine.GSO.3.90.990220153720.24215B-100000@fatima.dds.nl>

Go this from Music Boulevard's news service:

XTC Listening Party and Contest
You may remember them from the '80s, when they had
such alternative singles as "Senses Working
Overtime," "Generals and Majors," and "Dear God." On
Feb. 23, TVT Records will release XTC's Apple Venus
Vol. 1, and you can hear a preview of every song on
Rocktropolis now until Feb 28. To make things
interesting, enter our contest to win the CD and an
autographed photo of the band (5 winners).
http://p0.com/r.d?5DNY1y3lE=rocktropolis/main/events/xtc/default.asp

Cheers,

Martin

http://members.xoom.com/rappard
rappard@iname.com

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

Message-ID: <003001be5ce5$d5ab6bc0$dc85cfa9@dfranson.execpc.com>
From: "Dave Franson" <dfranson@execpc.com>
Subject: Milwaukee Carpool to Chicago on 2/25?
Date: Sat, 20 Feb 1999 09:04:36 -0600

Hi all,

Any sociable Chalkhills fans traveling from Milwaukee to Chicago on 2/25?
It looks like I may be looking at one empty seat in my car minimally.
Alternately, if I end up with three empty seats I'd be interested in
hitchin' with some other driver.

Tentative plans are to leave downtown Milwaukee no later than 2:30 p.m. so
we have time to park, grab a bite, and hit Borders around 5:00 or so.

Please respond off-list.

Thanks,

Dave
http://www.execpc.com/~dfranson

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

Message-ID: <19990220173834.29386.rocketmail@send105.yahoomail.com>
Date: Sat, 20 Feb 1999 09:38:34 -0800 (PST)
From: Mark Rushton <markrushton@yahoo.com>
Subject: Apple Venus SHIPPING NOW

I just got an email from CDNow that says:

Dear Mark,

Thank you for shopping at CDnow, the Internet's Number One Music
Store!

On Feb. 19 we shipped your order number xxxxxxx for the following item:

XTC : Vol. 1-Apple Venus (CD)

to the following address via Federal Express 2-day:

<my address>

YES!  Looks like it's on the way!

Mark Rushton
Webmaster, Permanent Flame - The Bill Nelson Web Site
http://www.billnelson.com

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

Message-ID: <36CEF2BD.2909@war.com>
Date: Sat, 20 Feb 1999 10:37:01 -0700
From: PlugMusic <CLombardi@war.com>
Subject: Yazbek on Jupiter

Yazbek Post!

Yazbek Continues Residency
at Baby Jupiters
on Thursday, February 25th.

XTC lovers and beyond - don't miss this show.  Pop pianist extraordinare
Yazbek will perform at Baby Jupiters on the last Thursday of each month,
through March.  Come check it out and you too, will understand-

The New York Press says of Yazbek's latest release Tock, "Tock is a
whirlwind (with) wacky, energetic, unusual lyrical tangents and killer
hooks." And E! Online says  "Brazenly Inventive! A wild low-fi pop
orgy."

Baby Jupiters
170 Orchard Street
New York City

Thursday, February 25 @ 10:00 PM

21 and over
Tickets are $5.00
Call 212-982-2229 for more information

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

Message-ID: <19990220183821.1217.rocketmail@attach1.rocketmail.com>
Date: Sat, 20 Feb 1999 10:38:21 -0800 (PST)
From: nross <phoenixyellowrose@rocketmail.com>
Subject: Picking a fight... hey, we all make typos now, really.

Mongo only pawn... in game of life.
-- Mongo

God that's cute... but I really hate Mongo.

"Let's begin..."

From: Recreational Evil <jemiah@q7.com>
Subject: Don't Diss Duran Duran
On Thu, 18 Feb 1999 Nicole wrote:

>> 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.

>Er, may I play the devil's advocate and put forth the notion that Duran
actually ARE talented?  I don't just like them because of nostalgia -- I
like them because they write interesting songs and play them expertly.
Kind of the same way I feel about XTC, actually.<

Eh... you are ALLOWED to believe they are talented too. I don't.
Never did. Well... except for their later stuff... and the song Skin
Trade. I actually didn't like them much in the beginning... they grew
on me. BUUUUUT... its no big thang, I am sure ya'll hate stuff
I like. For instance, I like Kathy Matea, pure country. Can anyone
beat that?

>> Ah... well. Let's be Mollyfied and please not generalize.
>> Metal is about as bad as your beloved hip-hop.

>Ouch!  You wound me!  Not that I'm not used to supposedly open-minded,
erudite music fans dismissing one of the most varied and fantastic
genres
around today.  that's like saying "all music with a guitar solo in it
sucks".  Yes, a lot of it does -- but almost all music available in your
average store does.  Don't diss it, don't dismiss it.  If you don't like
it, OK -- but try some first, and see how it feels on your palate.  I
used
to hate all rap/hip-hop, then I found some that I like.  See?  It's
easy!<

Hey! My comment was meant to be taken as: not all metal is bad, you like
hip hop... you think its cool, hey, metal CAN be nice too. By the
way, Dom likes metal... I got his point wrong.

Hey, but thanks for calling me erudite.
And on to...

From: Dominic Lawson <LAWSOND@parliament.uk>
Subject: I Am Weeping As I Write This...

>>It doesn't mean I hold the belief that you are not aloud
to think they (Duran Duran) totally suck shit

>Which they do. By the way, did that mean that I'm allowed to think,
aloud
to think, or allowed to think aloud? Mummy!<

yeh yeh... hey, refer to subject line.

>>Metal is about as bad as your beloved hip-hop.

>Right, who wants a fight? Come on!! COME ON!!!!!!!<

Hit me with your best shot, why don't you hit me with your best shot...
fire awaaaaaaaaay! (giving away my age).

(Yes, I think you may have missed the point there.)

Yes, I know I did.

AH well... let's all go to hell.
How many more days is it?
Are they really coming to philly... nice notice, dammit.

PEACE MEN, and women.,
Nicole

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

Message-ID: <19990220190711.1485.qmail@hotmail.com>
From: "Molly Fanton" <mollyfa@hotmail.com>
Subject: Where, Where, Where!!!!!
Date: Sat, 20 Feb 1999 14:07:11 EST

Where is Andy going to be in Buffalo?  I've read the schedule, but it
doesn't say where?  Does anybody know.  Maybe my pleading paid off.  Now
I know there is a God.  Now I have to find a way to get there.  Hmm,
hitch-hiking, nah.  Oh well, I'll find a legal way to get there.

Molly

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

Message-ID: <19990220192937.27347.qmail@hotmail.com>
From: "Bob Crain" <bobcrain@hotmail.com>
Subject: Radios Appear...In Fear!
Date: Sat, 20 Feb 1999 11:29:37 PST

>From: Brian Wysolmierski <bwysol@netscape.net>
>
>http://www.dallasobserver.com/sceneheard/radio/playlist/index.html
>
>Jump forward 21:45 into the radio program. You'll hear the
>DJs banter about XTC, saying lame things like, "XTC is as sexy
>as computer programming." Then they play 2 XTC songs (the other
>one being Respectable Street).  After they play Frivolous Tonight,
>the talk about how lame XTC is and their "geeky XTC websites"

And they mention "Chalkhills" by name... These radio geeks remind me
that not everyone is either unaware of, neutral toward, or in love with
XTC's music.  Some people actively hate them!

-Bob Crain

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

Message-ID: <+ZM3IEASgyz2Ewer@demon.co.uk>
Date: Sat, 20 Feb 1999 21:24:34 +0000
From: Jon Holden-Dye <jon@jhd-designs.demon.co.uk>
Subject: Re: Random remarks, again

In article <Pine.GSO.3.90.990218190910.13335D-100000@fatima.dds.nl>,
Martin van Rappard <rappard@dds.nl> writes
 . . .snippety-snip
>  Which neatly brings me to another point: strange band names. A friend's
>band was once called Weirdos From Another Planet! (the title of one of the
>Calvin & Hobbes comic books) - reading it as I type it, it's probably
>been the name of a Thomas Dolby song already. The abbreviation WFAP! is
>lovely onomatopeeic (spelling?), though.

I guess my favourite to date is a sadly defunct band from sunny
Southampton called Ringo Chubb & The Screaming Toilet Fish From Mars.
--
Jon Holden-Dye
"I like to keep an open mind - but
not so open my brain falls out." (Anon.)

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

Message-ID: <36CF401A.44B0@telusplanet.net>
Date: Sat, 20 Feb 1999 15:07:06 -0800
From: Keith Clark <clarkkj@telusplanet.net>
Subject: AV1: Only in Calgary You Say?

Sorry, Molly, but I can't help it:

(Thursday)
While picking up the latest re-release from The Church (Magician Among
the Spirits & Some) and complaining about the March 2 Canadian release
date of AV1, I was told to wait for a minute. Five minutes later my "CD
pusher" slips something into the bag and tells me "you didn't get this
from me" and "come back next week to pay him".

On the way out, I peer into the bag and nearly have cardiac arrest; a
shrink-wrapped copy of AV1. I turn to my buddy, smile, and head straight
for home. Six listens later, all I can say/think is BRILLIANT!!!!!!!
If 'I'd Like That' or 'Greenman' doesn't hit the radio here I think I'll
arrange for Revenue Canada to audit the station's programming guys tax
returns for the last few years.  :^)

(Friday)
Eleven listens today (The Church CD still sitting on my desk) and sounds
even better that yesterday. My only complaints are the skimpy packaging
(cardboard-ish one piece photo insert) and that it took me half an hour
to transfer the clear sticker to the jewel case from the shrinkwrap (my
lack of suitable fingernails must assume most of the blame).

Sorry for the lack of definitive musings of the songs, but I have always
been of the opinion that music needs to be listened to and not spoken of
(except for those spoken-word albums of course).

Cheers,

Keith

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

From: Xtckinks@aol.com
Message-ID: <b6440211.36cf3c28@aol.com>
Date: Sat, 20 Feb 1999 17:50:16 EST
Subject: I'm Furious

It took this to bring me out of lurking.

In DIGEST 1095, Brian told us:

<<Listen to Frivolous Tonight in its entirity on SceneHeard (an online radio
show) at: http://www.dallasobserver.com/sceneheard/radio/playlist/index.html

Jump forward 21:45 into the radio program. You'll hear the DJs banter about
XTC, saying lame things like, "XTC is as sexy as computer programming." Then
they play 2 XTC songs (the other one being Respectable Street).
After they play Frivolous Tonight, the talk about how lame XTC is and their
"geeky XTC websites"
Oh, yeah... they also do lame English accents. Boy, is that witty or what?
They're fucking idiots.>>

Fellow C'hillers,
I'm still shaking from listening to the remarks the DJ's made about our
beloveds.
Brian barely scratched the surface on how badly they ripped XTC, and us!
Listen to the remarks after Frivolous Tonight, which begins at 28:30ish. How
can we take this without retaliating?
Here's a letter I sent to them, only moments ago.

_____________________________________________________
Subj:	Re: Show #17
Date:	2/20/99 5:34:00 PM Eastern Standard Time
From:	Xtckinks
To:	sceneheard@dallasobserver.com

About your XTC comments, FUCK YOU, assholes!
______________________________________________________

I wonder how they'll like them APPLE Venuses!

XTC ya,
Paul

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

From: OMBEAN1@aol.com
Message-ID: <7816d37e.36cf470e@aol.com>
Date: Sat, 20 Feb 1999 18:36:46 EST
Subject: Philly radio

Chalkies,
 It becomes very apparent how much radio sucks when a new XTC disc is
released.It is head & shoulders above anything else out there.Phillys
"modern rock" station will not be playing " Id Like That". At least not
yet. Theyll continue to play Alanis & Natalie both thanking everybody a
million times.SHEESH! The program director says hes a fan but the single
isnt radio friendly. Insert Archie Bunkers' Bronx Cheer here.
 Still no location for Philly appearance? What up?
 Dancing drunk with nectar, Roger

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

From: tim@edenpop.u-net.com (Tim Eden)
Subject: Grumble, grumble
Date: Sun, 21 Feb 1999 00:21:46 GMT
Message-ID: <36d050bd.45596129@mail.u-net.com>

>Tim Eden said, also recently:
>> Say "no" to digest!

So I did!

>I disagree.  I keep every one of these digests.  I vote to KEEP the digest
>format.

And I always keep old mail too, always have done. Then when I want to
look up something interesting that a certain person has said, I can do
so relatively quickly by looking up (a) their name (b) their subject
heading, without having to think "Now was it Digest #4-34 or #4-35? Or
was it #5-34?" etc.

>Anyway, I've proposed an alt.music.xtc group to the Usenet sys-admin types
>at alt.config, and I'm curious to see if any of Chalkhills' readers would
>be interested in this forum

Certainly! Let me know if this happens. I'm sorry to have been such a
grumble (I'm normally such an effervescent mailing list member!) but I
have been very disappointed with Chalkhills, probably mostly due to
the (as I see it) unwieldy and impersonal digest format. The few
replies I *have* received (thanks!) have been mostly off the list! I
don't understand this. People seem to announce, here, rather than
converse. Nobody even welcomes newbies which I always understood to be
good "netiquette" (yeuch!).

Thanks for all the info you have "announced", though. I do appreciate
it. I will be departing shortly, though. Shame.

Tim

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

Message-ID: <001201be5d37$1c663f80$6e5791d2@johnboud>
From: "John Boudreau" <aso1@mocha.ocn.ne.jp>
Subject: Don't like " River Of Orchids '' ???
Date: Sun, 21 Feb 1999 10:10:32 +0900

Katy wrote :

>I've only listened to it once, but I will
>again VERY soon, because I like all of it (except 'river of orchids')
>and it's sure to really grow on me..

Katy my dear , is it really true that you don't like River Of Orchids ? If
it IS , I find this truly incomprehensible . This tune is IMHO is one of
several masterpieces on THE album that is THE  masterpiece for the coming
new millenium .  ROO is one of the precious few out of a million  that have
passed through my eardrums since I got into music at the beginning of the
British Invasion in 1964 that make me shed happytears ; it is that bloody
good . The first time I heard it goosebumps burst out all over my body ; I
began laughing like a crazyman ; and the tears flowed . Surely you must be
joking ???

P.S.  Any reviewer who gives AV1 a 6 out of 10 needs his or her ears and
head examined .

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

Message-ID: <36CFA927.22DA@schoollink.net>
Date: Sat, 20 Feb 1999 22:35:19 -0800
From: Dan Phipps <phipps@schoollink.net>
Organization: CIC
Subject: An XTC fan's $0.02...

I know that this is probably old news to most
of the other posters who constantly frequent
the Chalkhills site and all, but I just have
to say that today (02.20.99) marks the first
time in over 7 years that I actually heard a
new XTC song!!!!  Naturally, being a fan for
such a long time, my opinion of "I'd Like
That" is totally biased, but DAMN!  It sure
sounded GOOD!!!  These guys haven't lost a
damned thing, as far as both their sound and
talent go!

Now knowing that I've pre-ordered the new
CD (via CD Universe), it makes me want to
hear the entire new album that much more!
(Just three "aching" more days!!!!!)

Can't wait!  :-)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
/Dan Phipps <phipps@schoollink.net>

"Imagination like a muscle will
 increase with exercise."
(Peter Blegvad)

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

Date: Sun, 21 Feb 1999 02:03:50 -0500
From: Steve Pitts <Steve_Pitts@compuserve.com>
Subject: Bad Dog Spot
Message-ID: <199902210204_MC2-6B3F-DB04@compuserve.com>

Chalkfolks,

In 5-91 Rich Bunnell passed on a complaint:

> during XTC's popularity peak the band felt it absolutely necessary to
release 3 greatest hits compilations in a window of three years.
Unacceptable! <

Even if it were true, this seems like a rather strange grudge to hold
against a band when it is generally the record company that drives such
releases.

> it really disturbs me that I finally get a reader comment [...] and it's
such a disparaging, anti-XTC comment <

I wouldn't sweat it Rich, it is far more common to receive negative
reactions to such efforts than positive ones

Ian Sutton reported a response from 'DJ' Kevin Greening:

> there's nothing on [AV1] really suited to daytime Radio 1 <

which explains why many of us stopped listening to said radio station some
good while ago <sigh>

David White asked:

> why The Taj Mahal first, and the garden shed later? <

Because Andy is a stubborn self-centred artist determined to follow his
muse rather than 'give in' to commercial demands (or is that too obvious??)

In 5-92 Andrea Lynn Rossillon responded to my ignorance on etymology:

> there are lots of words in English that combine words from more than one
language to create a new English word <

I guess that isn't really surprising, given how the language has been
affected by so many others depending upon who was raping and pillaging at
the time, but 'yonic' still _feels_ wrong (fnarrr, fnarrr)

> to nitpick with English is such a losing battle <

Tell me about it <g> (and one that I lose with monotonous regularity,
whether it be with my own children or with those responsible for sending
out flyers to clients at work. Fewer and fewer folk seem to care any more.
Ah well, I must be getting old :)

Derek queried:

> Desktop Theme for Windows 95 (anyone know if these work in 98?) <

Yes they do. Most of the Win95 Plus! pack stuff has been incorporared into
the base Win98 and themes are definitely there

Dom opined:

> It's called hyperbole <

Spelt B-O-L-L-O-C-K-S presumably??

> they won't starve if you buy a magazine... <

Indeed not, and I was being completely hypocritical about it anyway
(especially bearing in mind that I went into a couple of record shops
yesterday, to see if they had AV1 yet - they insisted that they didn't but
that it would be available first thing Monday morning - and came home with
5 new CDs <shrug>). It still seems poor VFM in relation to a single track
on CD full of other stuff that I've never heard of, but perhaps I was just
hoping for a good argument ;)

In 5-93 Jason Hauser asked:

> Isn't everything metric over there?  Why "Feet" then? <

Because Britain only went metric very reluctantly and only fairly recently.
Anyone over thirty or so will still think in imperial units - inches, feet,
yards, miles, ounces, pounds, stones, pints, quarts, gallons - rather than
metric ones, and I'm sure that Andy is no exception in that regard. For
myself, I have to try and do the mental arithmetic and convert units
especially when shopping for food, because the metric values just don't
'mean' anything

Cheers, Steve

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

End of Chalkhills Digest #5-97
******************************

Go back to Volume 5.

22 February 1999 / Feedback