Chalkhills Digest, Volume 7, Number 52

                 Saturday, 6 October 2001

Topics:

If I can't change your mind then no one will... (non-XTC content)
         Husker Du vs. Sugar...must we go there?
              creeping out from the shadows
                  Wanted 10 people to...
                 Taking the Veil of Tears
                 State your peace tonight
                  Suzanne and Grant Lee
                     Re: Elusive Mole
Does anyone have a list of the 'not-quite-banned-from-radio-yet' songs?

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It's 1961 again and we are piggy in the middle.

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Date: Fri, 28 Sep 2001 23:40:50 EDT
From: MaadMatt@aol.com
Subject: If I can't change your mind then no one will... (non-XTC content)
Message-ID: <167.1933d72.28e69cc2@aol.com>

Mole wrote:

<<WHAT???? Are you high? I mean I am all for letting folks have there own
opinions on things but are you serious?

Husker Du is probably the best band to emerge from the United States in
the last 15 years with the only possible others being the Dead Kennedys
and The Replacements. And if anybody dares throw the Britney card I
swear I will hunt you down and slap you till you cry for mercy. And yes
I know tons of the rest of you will find flaws with my statement and
normally I respect your opinions but frankly I don't want to hear em at
the moment. Husker Du ROCK! HARD! .

Sugar was a much better than average band but lets face it it was still
Bob with two hired guns to back him up just as Nova Mob provided the
same platform for Grant Hart, but both bands only had one great
songwriter, Husker had 2, AND they didn't like each other, so like two
high school boys trying to impress the head cheerleader (bad analogy
given Bobs sexuality I know) they constantly over the course of a
decade tried to outdo one another both on record and on stage. The
Huskers are nothing short of astounding! To even suggest that Sugar
somehow eclipses the brilliance of Husker is just wrong. Just plain
wrong. Now go listen to "Diane" at maximum volume for an hour for your
punishment.>>

Agreed about how incredible the Huskers were (memo to any Rhino people if
present: how bout a 2 CD Huskers anthology? It'd be a great compliment to the
Ramones and Replacements anthologies!), but dammit, Sugar's Copper Blue is
quite possibly the greatest record of the 90's. Ten tracks, 44 minutes or so,
every one an absolute killer. If you've ever been remotely interested in Bob
Mould and want a good one to start with, hunt this one down.

-Matt

Obligatory XTC content: Here Comes President Kill Again...

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

Date: Sat, 29 Sep 2001 09:22:10 -0400
From: "Angie Hill" <thunderien@hotmail.com>
Subject: Husker Du vs. Sugar...must we go there?
Message-ID: <F109mn6YXBVweYd5SnS0000991b@hotmail.com>

A recent reply to my assertation that Sugar was a better band than Husker Du
went something like this...
<<WHAT???? Are you high? I mean I am all for letting folks have there own
opinions on things but are you serious?>>
Yup, I'm serious, and without the aid of illegal substances! :-)
But let me explain myself a little more clearly. I love Husker Du. They do
indeed RAWK and their tunes pack a great emotional punch.
Really, I hate to even make the comparison between the two bands. But
basically, I'm a rabid Bob Mould fan and so when he appeared on the scene
with Sugar after 2 kinda mellow (for Bob anyhow) solo albums, I had to leap
for joy. It was just great to hear Bob rockin' again.
And perhaps I'll be beaten for this statement as well, but, although I like
the tunes Grant Hart wrote while with the Huskers, I don't care for his solo
work...I think Bob was by far the better writer and his work since Huskers
kinda proves it, heehee (*ducks in effort to avoid the er, reign of blows
;-)* )

btw, I took your "punishment" and listened to Diane at full volume. Now you
must get out your copy of Beaster and crank Tilted til your windows break
and the neighbors call the cops. If either of those things fail to occur, it
ain't loud enough!

Also, somebody else mentioned They Might Be Giants and Mono Puff as one of
their fave side projects. I have to agree and can't believe I forgot about
that one, heehee.

Here's some XTC content fer ya: The xtc cd I can't stop spinning lately?
Mummer. Can't say why all of a sudden I must listen to this one daily. It's
a mystery, but I ain't complainin'....

--Angie

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

Date: Sat, 29 Sep 2001 23:18:24 -0700
From: "May O'Mahoney" <may5272@gte.net>
Subject: creeping out from the shadows
Message-ID: <3BB6B931.604E@gte.net>

Greetings Treasured Chalkhillians-
It's been so, so long since I've posted anything so I thought I'd creep
out from the bushes and say, 'hello.'
Kudos to Debora Brown - what a babe - still at it, I see! (g)
Kudos also to Sharrison Herwood - even IF he won't write me back. (I
think it's something I said about Iceland.)

I hope you're all well.

Unfortunately I have no fabulous gems of wisdom to share. (Like I ever
did!)
But I do say, pile on the love and the peace and the happiness. Don't
take for granted the wonder that is life!
- May 'Louden Noxious' O'Mahoney

PS: I'm seeing a band called Sigur Ros at the Wilshire in LA in a week.
Ever heard of them?

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

Date: Sun, 30 Sep 2001 09:20:06 -0400
From: "Brian" <mattone@bhip.infi.net>
Subject: Wanted 10 people to...
Message-ID: <003a01c149b2$9fecff00$8b43193f@brian>

Tschalkgerz!

>XTC content,  have you listened to "War Dance " written by Colin Moulding
lately?

Heh-heh-heh!
Yep.
I recall lots of negativity towards this song during past discussions on
this list... and I hope we all have a deeper appreciation of it now.

-Brian Matthews
http://www.stonetrek.com
Episode 5: "Star Trekkin'" now showing!

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

Date: Sun, 30 Sep 2001 15:23:50 -0400
From: Neal Buck <nealhbuck@earthlink.net>
Subject: Taking the Veil of Tears
Message-ID: <B7DCE986.3FB%nealhbuck@earthlink.net>

Chalks,

Just got the urge to de-lurk, and first of all say welcome back to
Chalkhills: The Web Site. You had me worried there for a while, John, but
thank you for your perserverance. How appropriate to have the lyrics to
"Terrorism" (which, until I finished reading Digest #7-51 was a previously
written demo - I thought it might be a current response from AP).

Like everyone, I was shocked by the sight of an airplane full of innocent
people being crashed deliberately into a building full of innocent people,
knowing this went on in three other planes. The Oingo Boingo song, "Nothing
Bad Ever Happens To Me," came to mind. Perhaps we'll all "Wake Up" now. The
recent warnings of more terrorism, especially chemical, have got me just a
bit nervous. But what can I do but not give them what they want - fear. I
just hope our leaders choose a wise path in dealing with the criminals.

I see there's a thread on side projects going on now. I haven't read every
posting on the subject so forgive me if I repeat info:

Blur ---> Gorillaz
Police ---> Klark Kent
Phish/Primus/Police ---> OysterHead

Speaking of Gorillaz, I bought the CD 'cuz I liked "Clint Eastwood" and the
concept of an animated group. I like the music OK, but I can't see how a
"band" can perform most of the songs - they sound like solo project studio
noodling (is that why one of the "bandmembers" is named "Noodles"?).

Mostly, I've been discovering Bob Dylan. I got the bio, "Behind the Shades
Revisited" for my birthday, and have been buying all his CDs in order as
I've read about them. I still don't understand half of what he's singing
about (do I HAVE to read Rimbaud?) but I appreciate his music and art much
more. And of course, not being able to figure it all out keeps me coming
back for more, which is what art does. I'm up to "New Morning" (bought the
3-CD pack, JWH/NS/NM). I don't know if I'll get everything, but for now I'm
enjoying the journey thru this legend's life.

Wow, I didn't know I had this much to say. I'll shut up now and get into my
task of installing my new copy of Quark 4 - I'm so excited!

Neal

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

Date: Sun, 30 Sep 2001 20:03:18 +0100
From: Steve.Pitts@i-tcs.com
Subject: State your peace tonight
Message-ID: <OFC8FFC79C.BA1CC2C1-ON80256AD7.00646AAD@i-tcs.com>

Chalkfolks,

In #7-51 Amanda Owens quoth:

> Styx-"Stand or Fall" <

Styx?? Surely those lyrics are from a Fixx track??

and Ryan Anthony referred to 'Somebody's Gonna Get Their Head Kicked In
Tonight':

> which was covered in joyous uptempo abandon by a short-lived Scottish
party-punk combo called the Rezillos <

Now that's a new one. 'Party-punk' seems a little unfair on Scotland's
premier punk band ;)

> the cover on *Can't Stand the Rezillos: The (Almost) Complete Rezillos*
(Sire/Warner Bros., 1993) <

Still available and well worth every penny

Cheers, Steve

NP: XTC - Oranges & Lemons (original)

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

Date: Sun, 30 Sep 2001 21:38:11 -0400
From: Ben Gott <bgott@rectoryschool.org>
Subject: Suzanne and Grant Lee
Message-ID: <B7DD4143.52DB%bgott@rectoryschool.org>

Gang,

I bought two albums today, one of which I'm incredibly happy with, and one
in which I am incredibly disappointed.

I'm disappointed, I'm sad to say, by Suzanne Vega's newest, "Songs in Red
and Gray."  The songs are great, and her music is as stellar as it's ever
been, but the production SUCKS.  Who is this Rupert Hine fellow and what the
hell was he listening to when he produced this?  Tears for Fears'
"Elemental"?  There is an unbelievably annoying reverb on all of her vocals
that just ruins, in my most humble opinion, whatever beauty might lie within
the grooves.  Sad.  I know that we can't hope for a reunion with ex-husband
Mitch Froom, but let's at least suggest someone like Jon Brion for her next
outing!

However, on the "incredibly happy" front, I'm glad to report that I bought
Grant Lee Phillips's new solo album, "Mobilize."  As you may or may not
know, Grant has been "touring" with Robyn Hitchcock and has been playing at
Largo for the past few (?) years.  I quite like the two albums he did with
his band, Grant Lee Buffalo, but "Mobilize" just blows them ("Copperopolis"
and "Jubilee") out of the water.  His voice has never sounded so good, and
the songs are sweet, well-written, and, in a few cases, a joy to behold.
("See America," the first track, is by far the best.)  As an extra added
incentive to those R.E.M. fans in the group, Michael Stipe gets credit as
both photographer and musical influence.  It's all good.

XTC content?  This summer, while in a mall in southern Connecticut, I heard
"King for a Day" playing over the P.A. system.  Got to be the top dog...

-Ben

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

Date: Tue, 2 Oct 2001 21:11:01 -0400
From: Rodney <rodneye@inspiracy.com>
Subject: Re: Elusive Mole
Message-ID: <a05001900b7e0141ed7d9@[24.52.206.93]>

>I'm a bit puzzled. I understand the Dukes released The Mole From The
>Ministry as a single, yet everywhere I look I am unable to find a
>picture of the single cover.

There wasn't one. Only a regular-issue black sleeve and circa 1975
Virgin label.

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

Date: Wed, 3 Oct 2001 02:27:28 EDT
From: CrissysDad@aol.com
Subject: Does anyone have a list of the 'not-quite-banned-from-radio-yet'
Message-ID: <113.58eb183.28ec09d0@aol.com>

songs?
Chalkhills,

Was wondering if any of the lads' from Swindon songs had been gray-listed
(that's a kinder, gentler blacklist).

Quick now...

How many off of the top of the head?

1) Generals & Majors (too easy)
2) Melt the Guns (ditto)
3) Beating of Hearts (louder than screaming warlords)
4) J-U-M-P-I-N-G in Gomorrah (though I think it would do a lotta good)
5) My Weapon
6) Living Through Another Cuba (see 1)
7) Sgt. Rock (as above)
8) Fly on the Wall (The Fly is John Ashcroft, as throw away our civil
liberties)
9) Across This Antheap
10) Poor Skeleton Steps Out
11) Scarecrow People
12) Here Comes President Kill Again

The list goes on and on.
But they're effectively banned anyway. So there's no worry.

So if anyone has a general [sic] list of recent musical thought-crimes (and
you're not too scared to) please forward it.

(F)orm a chain to hold all battleships in check

Dave (in San Franicsco)

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End of Chalkhills Digest #7-52
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