Chalkhills Digest Volume 6, Issue 188
Date: Saturday, 15 July 2000
Chalkhills Digest, Volume 6, Number 188
Saturday, 15 July 2000
Topics:
Go...ahead and jump...for my free CDs
Just as easy . . .
Andy on the List
More Commerciality (one each)
Re: Q listings
signal ad
VH1's The Pissed, uh List.
(none)
Vacuum Tube Implosion
take two of these and don't call me in the morning
Standing Up With Joe
XTC in Seattle
I dream of...Colin
The List
Colin cashes in
What a sad spectacle
screeching brats on VH1
Andy on VH1.
Re: Flash
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---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Fri, 14 Jul 2000 09:23:08 -0500 From: "Marcus Padgett" <marcus@nebo.com> Subject: Go...ahead and jump...for my free CDs Message-ID: <NDBBIHDFILGBJJCGKMNNOEJECFAA.marcus@nebo.com> Don't know if anyone has mentioned this, but at the end of TWATM where the drums drop out and the "goes the wheel" vocal is reprised - as soon as I hear the "go" I start thinking "go ahead and jump" from the similar part in "Jump". At the recent Chicago Chalkhills gathering I burned some CDs of the in-studio medley from the WXRT CD as party favors. Since almost everyone already had it, I have a few extras that will be mailed to the first two Chalksters to e-mail me who can be reached with domestic (US) postage.
------------------------------ Date: Fri, 14 Jul 2000 17:10:56 +0100 From: "Smith, David" <David.Smith@tfeurope.com> Subject: Just as easy . . . Message-ID: <4BBE67B71C1DD411A23600508B65F71E685FE5@tfsecmsg04.tfseur.co.uk> To Tim Brooks I know I'll regret being so smug, but your "guess the signing off lyric" was even easier than certain XTC lyrics you could have posted. To be honest it's not much of a competition if actually put the title of the song in the lyric snippet you choose! Having said that, there aren't many beter songs you could have chosen than the immaculate "Desire As", from Prefab Sprout's second album, known this side of the pond as "Steve McQueen" and over there as "Two Wheels Good". Great choice. I'll join in the game - what the hey - with this little gem (should be easy): "The thrill of getting caught The recklessness of water They cannot see me naked" Oooo-eerrrrr! Smudgeboy E-Mail: david.smith@tfeurope.com
------------------------------ Date: Fri, 14 Jul 2000 09:52:26 PDT From: "Ralph Simpson DeMarco" <sawpit@hotmail.com> Subject: Andy on the List Message-ID: <20000714165226.26347.qmail@hotmail.com> Chalkers: This show, more than any other, shows the generation gap in full effect. Andy was attacked by the audience and other members of the cast for his 3rd choice: "My Way" by Sinatra. Andy says "you will find this song being crooned in every Karaoke bar in the world." Boos and jeers from all around. The rabble were also not pleased that he picked 2nd choice: "Stairway to Heaven". Andy says "They were a good band, but this is probably their worst song. So, let's all get up and sing along the notes of the intro to the song, you all know it." He stands up, air-guitar in hand. No body follows or thinks it's funny. I hear gasps, and boos and calls of heretic, and burn him! (well maybe not burn). Some teenie actress from That 70's show says "but He was great" as if Led Zep were one person. The host and some comedian Shang had to say "it's OK, you're young!" That's and excuse? When I was ten even I knew that Zep was a band! Top choice for Andy? "Rock n Roll (part 2)" by Garry Glitter. He got an ovation for that. "You will not hear this song on the radio.. but you will hear it at every sporting event in the world." Shang said it inspires one to take over a small country. As the music plays, Andy puts two fingers over his lip, and goose-steps at bit. The crowd laughed, he stood up and took a few bows for the rousing applause he received. (I guess it was a relief for him after the poisoned arrows shot at him.) But it was no surprise that the first two songs eliminated from the final list were the first two that Andy picked! "My Way", (c'come it's Frank! they chide). Andy trys to hide his head inside his shirt. To add insult to injury, the proceed to knock off "Stairway to Heaven" (stupid 70s show chick says, "but it's a cool song!") But, I yell at the TV, that the point is that the song has been overplayed, not whether it's a great song! AAAAAhhhhh! The only saving grace is Andy got in the final three! 3. Rock n roll, part 1 2. Macarena 1. Livin' La Vida Loca It seems to me, that there is no hope for the younger generation. They think that in five, ten years we are still gonna hear Vida Loca? NO! But will we still hear the three songs Andy picked? Yes. We will be even more sick of them after the Will Smith and Hammer tunes and all the other recent songs on the list have slipped into obscurity. Once again, Andy Partridge is just too smart for the teenie-twenty somethings who, I'm sorry to be so tough on...have not done their rock homework. It was embarrassing to watch. Now I understand why XTC is so ignored by mass media. They have always been too damn smart. People don't like to be reminded of how mindless they are when it comes to music. Ralph Simpson Coates DeMarco
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 14 Jul 2000 09:43:34 -0700
From: "Steve Young" <sjyoung@hotmail.com>
Subject: More Commerciality (one each)
Message-ID: <20000714164403.6444.qmail@hotmail.com>
I've decided to fell two trees with one buzzsaw. Err... maybe that didn't
come out right. Anyway, each album has an ideal advertisement...
They need not play the entire song over the advert - rather, just repeating
a refrain ad nauseum (and thus ruining it forever - but that's another
story):
1. Coca Cola or Pepsi - "This is Pop"
2. Energizer Batteries - "Battery Brides" (featuring the E. Bunny's new
frilly mate! - last shot, they pound their drums side-by-side into the
sunset)
3. Any deodorant/anti-perspirant - "When You're Near Me I Have Difficulty"
(difficulty breathing, maybe - featuring the same annoyed businessman in a
trenchcoat riding the subway)
4. Wall Street Financial Company (Merril Lynch?) - "Paper and Iron" (played
without irony as an affirmation of the numbers lifestyle)
5. RAID pesticide (as mentioned before) - "Fly on the Wall" (featuring a
computer-generated fly's snoopy trip around a house)
6. Sports Utility Vehicle - "Deliver Us From the Elements" (featuring SUV's
familiar computer-generated trek across desert, tundra, forest... white fine
print at the bottom, of course)
7. Go Ahead Vacations! - "This World Over" (with an UPBEAT COVER by the same
for-hire people who ruined all the Beatles songs on TV for consulting
companies)
8. Chili's or TGIFridays or some southwestern-sports-bar - "The Meeting
Place" .. "here at []'s, where everybody comes to meet! ["mm mm mmmm.. the
meeting place!"]
9. Trojan Condoms - "Pink Thing" (irresistable)
10. Nintendo's new Donkey Kong 64 video game - "The Smartest Monkies"
(played over screen shots of various levels, game play examples, etc.)
11. Green Giant frozen vegetables - "Greenman" (featuring a "GEN X" revival
of the Green Giant, now surfing or skating and/or wearing sunglasses... ho
ho ho... Green Giant EXTREME!)
12. Sears WetherProof(tm) sidings and roof panels- "Boarded Up" (.. nailed
up shut! - now YOU'RE nailed up shut in time for Winter!)
13. Finally... the Dukes... peddling Cold Medicine! - ("You're My Drug")
~~Steve
------------------------------ Date: Fri, 14 Jul 2000 19:30:22 +0100 From: "Ken Lansdowne" <kenlansdowne@blueyonder.co.uk> Subject: Re: Q listings Message-ID: <00d001bfedc1$c1fcbb60$5a0130d5@pc> >From: "Charles Oliver" <charles@cfs.com.au> > >I'm from the UK and have 36 of Q's Top 100 Albums in my collection (of 450+ >CDs). Several would certainly not make my Top 100. There seems to be a >definite bias towards 90's music in the Q listing - check out the number of >Oasis, Radiohead, Blur, Verve etc. albums. A quick run through the list shows only a slight bias towards 90's albums - there are almost as many from the 70's and 80's, plus a handful from the 60's 6 Beatles albums, 3 Rolling Stones, 3 Bowie, 3 Led Zep 2 Oasis, 2 Radiohead, 1 Verve (although these artists do not have as large a catalogue to choose from) >There are numerous glaring omissions too. Apart from the aforementioned lack >of XTC content, haven't these guys ever heard of the Kinks or the Who >before? The Who did make it with their best album Quadrophenia (but only at 56 - I would have put it higher) A quick stab at my personal top 20 British Albums (in no particular order - a way to get the obligitory XTC content!) 10cc - Sheet Music Beatles - Revolver Beautiful South - Blue is the Colour Kate Bush - The Dreaming Camel - The Snow Goose Deep Purple - In Rock Genesis - Foxtrot Jethro Tull - Songs From The Wood Led Zeppelin - III Ewan McColl - Naming of Names Marillion - Fugazi Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here Queen - Queen II Squeeze - Cool For Cats Steeleye Span - Parcel of Rogues Stranglers - Rattus Norvegicus Twelfth Night - Fact And Fiction XTC - Drums & Wires XTC - English Settlement This shows a distinct 70's-80's bias!
------------------------------ Date: Fri, 14 Jul 2000 13:30:44 CDT From: "Megan Heller" <hellerm@hotmail.com> Subject: signal ad Message-ID: <20000714183044.23104.qmail@hotmail.com> Jeff Eason responded to my "commerciality" post-- >Megan in the DC Metro Area opened up what I consider to be an appetizing >can o' worms. Namely, when do musicians cross the line when selling their >songs for advertising? >Two instances in the last year bothered me a bit. The Volkswagon TV ad >using Nick Drake's "Pink Moon" and the Mercedes TV ad using Steve Goodman's >"The 20th Century is Almost Over". On the one hand you have huge >multi-national corporations using the work of artists who are deceased. >Would they approve? Does anyone care? Who gets the money? On the other hand >these hellish adverts might just turn on some listeners to the joys of >Drake and Goodman. And that, as Martha Stewart would say, is a good thing. I'm not familiar with the Mercedes commercial, but I've seen the VW commercial using Nick Drake many times. I finally started listening to Nick Drake about a year and a half ago, and I love the song "Pink Moon". I was surprised that the commercial did nothing to ruin it for me-- I admit, I didn't really think about the issue of royalties (although I have no doubt that his family has an Estate in his name), but I thought it was nicely done. It was the driving around, listening to good music on a pretty night, never being really social-- made me sentimental for my teenage years... sniff. ;) Anyway, I have two friends who bought the album "Pink Moon" because of that ad, so that, as you reference, is a good thing. >Somewhat acceptable use of a classic song: Toyota's use of Sly Stone's >"Everyday People". Who can doubt that Stone has squandered whatever his >label paid him in the 70s? Fact-- when I was six years old (1983), my parents and I lived in Marietta, Georgia (a suburb of Atlanta). Sly Stone (and his family, I suppose), moved into my subdivision. I swear. My mother was a runner at the time, and she once ran by as he was mowing his lawn, and he called after her to join his band (she declined with a hand gesture). Shortly thereafter he was arrested for cocaine possession. Very random. KirK.Gill@equifax.com also responded-- >On the "commerciality" of music and musicians, and on the idea of "selling >out" as mentioned in Megan's posting, I humbly submit this quote from Tool: > >"All you know about me is what I've sold you, Dumb fuck. I sold out long >before you ever heard my name. I sold my soul to make a record, Dip shit, >And you bought one. " > >If you can get past the vulgarity (which, let's face it, is pretty much >impossible in this world), the message is clear. We all tend to forget >about all the "selling out" that a band has to do just to get their foot in >the door. As bothersome as it may be to hear your favorite tunes running >behind a shoe commercial or somesuch, it's just a continuation of the same >process. Behind all the posturing and posing and hit-making and miss-making >are just a bunch of sods trying to make a little more cash this week than >they did the week before. I just want to mention, I never used the term "selling out"-- my post was a summary of the fact that I am coming to terms with the use of music I like in, well, crap commercials. But it's a living, and being a musician is a job. m.
------------------------------ Date: Fri, 14 Jul 2000 15:14:29 EDT From: WESnLES@aol.com Subject: VH1's The Pissed, uh List. Message-ID: <69.7aac2a9.26a0c095@aol.com> Farmboy's (and girls): Three barely pubescent kids do battle with Andy Partridge over the most overplayed song of all time. Sound good? Well, maybe not. Especially since the kids, and a large percentage of the audience were under the impression that they were attempting to gauge the most overplayed song of the LAST TWO FREAKIN' YEARS! I wish I could've been there for the taping/understand a few folks on the list, not THE LIST, were there. Did Andy ever go off on 'em only to have it wind up on the overcrowded floor of the cutting room? When the 16 year old girl from the 70's thingy (which smacks of Happy Days) freaked out over Andy's mention of Frank's tune, oh my. I kept waiting for Andy to say "Uh, this is the MOST OVERPLAYED SONG OF ALL TIME we're talking about!" Everyone there seemed to think that he was saying his picks were bad songs. NO, simply OVERPLAYED. (Wasn't that the topic? YES it was.) C'mon, one guy picked a damn New Kids song. Uh, anybody hear that song on the radio lately? No? Then, and correct me if I'm wrong, if it's not being played anywhere how can it possibly compete with an older song still getting airtime? That's right kids, IT CAN'T. What a narrow, sorry assed group of folks VH1 assembled to share their thoughts about music with Andy. One man who knows ten times as much about music as the four other folks chosen to discuss it with him and is ten times as old as any of 'em makes for some dumb ass shit TV. Why did I expect any different? Poor Andy. (Thanks for the support nurse Deb!) wesLONG http://members.tripod.com/~The_Last_Balloon/index.html
------------------------------ Date: Fri, 14 Jul 2000 14:38:39 -0500 From: "Jamie Lowe" <jamielowe@email.msn.com> Subject: (none) Message-ID: <000f01bfedcb$3019bb80$b896243f@unlpm> Chalkholders, The venerable Wall Street Journal has reviewed WS as Pop Perfection! It is a great and glowing review with bits of lyrics from SH, IAL, TMWML and SIFJ. The review appeared on page w4 of their weekend section. I am sorry but I can't find a link for everyone (I did try, really I did). You will just have to pick up a copy for yourselves. Here's some of it... "WS the duo's third release in in less than a year following a lengthy hiatus, is bursting with all sorts of cleverness that's enhanced by bright, flawless execution." But we knew that already, didn't we. Cheers, Jamie(let me show the egress)Lowe
------------------------------ Date: Fri, 14 Jul 2000 15:11:56 -0500 From: "Joe Funk" <twosheds@mindspring.com> Subject: Vacuum Tube Implosion Message-ID: <010c01bfedcf$c3a13b40$7721fea9@user> Greetings! Chalklings!! >From "vee tube" <veetube@hotmail.com>: > 'Hillers from all over the world responded! > (Funny, nobody from TEXASS help't out) Gee, Mr. Tube.... You have such an animosity against Texas.. yet you live here!? I may just have to go up to DFW and.... ...KICK YER ASS!!!!!!! ....Sorry, I meant..BASS-O-MATIC!!!!!!! Joe "No!!...It's too FISHY for me" Funk
------------------------------ Date: Fri, 14 Jul 2000 13:18:53 -0700 From: "Victor Rocha" <wstsidela@mediaone.net> Subject: take two of these and don't call me in the morning Message-ID: <018501bfedd0$bb61ea00$45548218@we.mediaone.net> >I guess nobody's interested in the listening parties >anymore, because nobody showed up to the Drums & Wires >one today. I guess somebody in here was right when >they said nobody wanted to come to a chat with me as >host. So from now on there won't be anymore listening >parties. I tried the best I could. I made it at a >time of day where more people could come, but I guess >nobody wants to be in chat with me. But I'm not bad >in chat, but nobody will know that. I'm really >bothered by this. Some people in here don't seem to >think I have feelings. I spend my time getting the >chat room ready, and nobody shows up. Well if anybody >wants to start the listening parties I won't go, >because I seem to retract people. Thanks for >everything guys. > >Molly :( Molly, I think I see your problem. YOU'RE ANNOYING!!! Victor Rocha California Indian Gaming News Los Angeles, California www.pechanga.net
------------------------------ Date: Fri, 14 Jul 2000 17:09:59 -0400 (EDT) From: Radios In Motion <radiosinmotion@iwon.com> Subject: Standing Up With Joe Message-ID: <383886530.963609000342.JavaMail.root@web184-iw> I have seen plenty of entertaining Flash on the web. HOWEVER, no matter how you twist it, tvt's site really sucks. I have been doing web design for about 6 years now and I must say their site sucks. So what, you can play little flash drums?! What about the content. I would suggest tvt checking out CNET's Builder.com for information on web design. The leading problem web sites face is the fact they are so worried about using all the latest technologies that they skip over the main thing that draws users to a web site; CONTENT.
------------------------------ Date: Fri, 14 Jul 2000 14:35:32 -0700 (PDT) From: Misty Shock <mccrtny@scn.org> Subject: XTC in Seattle Message-ID: <Pine.SUN.3.96.1000714143326.8677C-100000@scn> When? Where? I assume FM 103.7? I'm out of the country at the moment, so please tell me they're not coming until mid-August, as of course, I'd like to stalk the radio station where they would be appearing. ;) Misty
------------------------------ Date: Fri, 14 Jul 2000 17:58:38 EDT From: RblTrouser@aol.com Subject: I dream of...Colin Message-ID: <f6.df33b1.26a0e70e@aol.com> To continue flogging the "wounded horse" (I'm sorry I won't do it again) of dreams of XTC....a rather odd one last night.... I was at a crowded baseball game/circus (don't ask), and I got up to go get something, and on the way back saw Andy, Colin and Dave sitting on a bench. I thought "Hey, there they are" and kept going. As it turned out, they all got up, and Colin ended up sitting down next to me, and proceeded to tell me jokes for the next 5 minutes. Then, for some reason, we all had to observe 5 minutes of slience. Everyone was sitting there with their heads bowed, completely silent...then Colin started whistling VERY loudly, obviously to get on everyone's nerves. The he started humming, and then making "vroom vroom" noises (I don't know where this came from, don't ask, again). My first thought upon waking was "What the hell was that???" And I agree with Erik- TVT's website is terrible, but their customer service makes up for it. Fortunately, as I am a privileged white female living in the USA, I have no problem accessing their site. To quote Jeff: <Possible scenarios for Andy and Colin to cash in on this advertising crazy world: "Stupidly Happy" for Prozac "Big Day" for Ban Roll-On Deodorant "I'm Bugged" for Raid "Senses Working Overtime" for Nytol sleep aids. "So Pale & Precious" for Coppertone Sunscreen.> Don't forget "Humble Daisy" for Miracle-Gro and "We're All Light" for GE. cheers m'dears, Sarah D
------------------------------ Date: Fri, 14 Jul 2000 18:36:36 -0500 From: "Larry Stevens" <lstevens@fgi.net> Subject: The List Message-ID: <002e01bfedec$5d0f1ec0$bbc6d4cc@oldbessie> Chalkhillers What a rare and beautiful Partridge sighting on VH-1. Forget concert tours, I want my Partridge TV! What I found particularly enjoyable about the show was the glaring difference in age between our hero and the other panelists. Andy brought a perspective the others could scarcely comprehend and thus provided good controversial grist for the mill. The only other panelists I recognized were the kids from That 70's Show. They're not that different from their characters, now are they? I don't suppose they had a clue that XTC were releasing albums in the 70's? Anyway, That 70's Show is my absolute favorite TV show these days. I especially love the scenes where they all sit about in a circle in Eric's basement and... Anyway, Andy was ganged up on by the others but was vindicated in the end. All very good fun, even though I'm not overly-fond of VH-1 or The List. I'll take my Partridge fix where I can find it. Going to give the stars a stir, Larry Funk-Pop-A-Roll beats up my soul
------------------------------ Date: Fri, 14 Jul 2000 17:02:15 -0700 From: Tom McNichol <mcnichol@wired.com> Subject: Colin cashes in Message-ID: <v04220800b59558dccede@[206.221.207.90]> In response to possible ways Andy and Colin can cash in on selling their songs to advertisers: "Standing in For Joe" for Sanka
------------------------------ Date: Fri, 14 Jul 2000 17:16:03 -0700 From: Craig Vreeken <CVreekn@ns.net> Subject: What a sad spectacle Message-ID: <3.0.5.32.20000714171603.0079dc10@mail-1.ns.net> Watched Andy on the list last night and felt really bad for him. I knew it was an awful show, but the other guests on this episode acted just like hyperactive children denied their Ritalin. Tyler Hewitt described them as "clueless kids sitting around looking like they were wondering who let grandpa into the studio." Couldn't agree more. It was just a bunch of yelling idiots. Andy played along, but I can't imagine how he felt when he left the studio. While any publicity is good publicity, I can't imagine a single copy of Wasp Star being purchased based on this pathetic piece of crap. If you missed it, don't bother watching it when they show it again. This show should best be ignored and forgotten by any fan of Andy and XTC. Craig Vreeken http://www.ns.net/~CVreekn/index.html
------------------------------ Date: Fri, 14 Jul 2000 18:05:29 -0700 From: "Wes Hanks" <whanks1@earthlink.net> Subject: screeching brats on VH1 Message-ID: <000501bfedf8$c7231260$f6c8fc9e@default> Baby Sitters Club Members, I would imagine that Andy didn't get invited to tag along with the cool kids to the post prodution party. Good Lord, those twits couldn't bring themselves to even *interact* with Andy. Check out the end where he is ignored by the cool kids. Everything Andy said *flew* over them with clearance for the luggage rack. Wes "no, the other Wes, the one who doesn't describe his poop to people" Hanks
------------------------------ Date: Fri, 14 Jul 2000 21:40:54 -0500 From: Julia Brown <juliab@accesshub.net> Subject: Andy on VH1. Message-ID: <396FCF35.7358@accesshub.net> Hi. Did anyone videotape Andy P.'s appearance on VH-1? If so, I'd love a copy. I don't have a lot to trade, but I do have a few things I believe are rare... Thanks much, Julia juliab@accesshub.net
------------------------------ Date: Fri, 14 Jul 2000 21:29:41 -0400 From: "Brian" <mattone@bhip.infi.net> Subject: Re: Flash Message-ID: <005001bfedfc$28032720$23e49cd1@Brian> Tscahlkgerz! > In Digest #@6-182, Brian Matthews spoke: > > >Then you haven't looked very hard - or is it because you CAN'T? > >Didn't you just say that you can't use the Flash plug-in? So how can you sit > >there and say you haven't seen any worthwhile Flash content? > > Sorry, Brian, but I take offense to *your* comments. I think you need > to re-read Joe Hartley's original post. Admittedly, yes, he did slam > Flash content in general, however the context was referring to > *commercial* sites, and not *entertainment* sites. You also evoked > the Mac versus Windows debate - quite unnecessary considering Mr. > Hartley is working on a Unix platform. And I don't remember Joe making any particular distinction when he was slamming Flash content on the web in general. This is where I got off, being a Flash user and all. The web just ain't quite ready for Flash any more than most of the world is ready for XTC. Doesn't mean we shouldn't use it or listen to it. And how you made a platform war out of my comments I'll never know. I was merely using an analogy to illustrate my point. > Oh how I laughed at Brian's defence of Flash plug ins, there's nowt like > computer software to start a holy war. "Nowt"? > I always skip past those silly flash intros and all that animated stuff, > they just slow down access to the real info that I want. Once we all get > broadband access then maybe they'll be a little more acceptable to me. Hmmm... Flash is supposed to be bandwidth friendly - more so than sites loaded down with bitmaps. -Brian Matthews
------------------------------ End of Chalkhills Digest #6-188 *******************************
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