Chalkhills Digest Volume 8, Issue 32
Date: Monday, 3 June 2002
Chalkhills Digest, Volume 8, Number 32
Monday, 3 June 2002
Topics:
XTC Plate o' Joy
XTC Automobile Vanity Plates
License plate ideas
More Moby
Starpark
A Most Interesting Forum
Andy's Apple Venus Interview
Re: Dolby
Jeffs
A Toast, to the Jam!
The Gathering of the Faithful Fans of XTC
Bumper Sticker's Are Fun...
RE: Moby . . . dick!
strangest XTC reference...ever?
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---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Mon, 27 May 2002 20:37:35 -0400 From: Ben Gott <bgott@rectoryschool.org> Subject: XTC Plate o' Joy Message-ID: <B918498E.6773%bgott@rectoryschool.org> Gang, Here's a crappy, lo-res picture for you: [ http://www.bowdoin.edu/~bgott/plate.jpg ] Don't worry! Be happy! (And, yes, I know I need a haircut...) -Ben
------------------------------ Date: Mon, 27 May 2002 21:36:02 -0500 From: "Richard" <rjpa1@attbi.com> Subject: XTC Automobile Vanity Plates Message-ID: <066701c205f0$691a0cc0$04081fac@verisity.com> WAY2EASY! TISPOP ATOMAGE NEWBRUM DISCBLUE FRUTNUT LIMELYT 10FTALL DEARGOD OMNIBUS ZIZORMAN SNOWMAN I could go on... Cheers, AUTOXTC
------------------------------ Date: Mon, 27 May 2002 22:17:11 -0700 (PDT) From: Ryan Anthony <hamsterranch@yahoo.com> Subject: License plate ideas Message-ID: <20020528051711.90027.qmail@web10103.mail.yahoo.com> Jamie Lowe, the esteemed compiler of the Red Lion Demos, wants a vanity license plate which will scream out his allegiance to XTC, but which will pass the censors at the State of Illinois Department of Motor Vehicles. Jamie doesn't say whether the letter-combination "XTC" is specifically proscribed. Can you use it, or not? If not, how about taking all your XTC CDs, vinyl albums, and books in to the censor-in-chief and prove that your reference is to a band, not to the party-drug of current vogue? You don't want to bother, or you tried it already, to no avail? Okay, I'll assume "XTC" is off-limits. Then how else might you signal your citizenship in XTC Nation? Another limitation: Illinois doesn't allow the intermingling of letters and numerals, which is a pity, because that wipes out "GR8FIRE," 1000UMB," and 25OCLK." How about "XVIRGIN" or "XGEFFEN"? They'd let you have the latter. "IMBUGGD"? "BUZCITY"? "MYWEAPN" (or "MYWEPON")? "BLAKSEA"? "SGTROCK"? "NIHILON"? After all, you'll be traveling! "YOTDANS" (or "YOTDNCE" or "YOTDANC")? "FUNKPOP"? "KISSHER"? "LIARBRD"? "SKYLARK"? No, don't do it. Even I, XTC fan that I am, would see "SKYLARK" and assume you are partial to the space-opera fiction of E. E. "Doc" Smith, Ph.D. "DEARGOD"? No, don't even bother trying. URNENUF"? "ANTHEAP"? "PINKTHG"? "CHOKHIL"? Maybe the best way to signal your citizenship is to use the v-for-u stylistic conceit of the 1992 album, the final Virgin/Geffen release, and cause to be emblazoned on your license ... "NONSVCH." Ryan Anthony An independent Internet content provider P.S.: Two of the best vanity license plates of all time (and they require only six characters!) are "10SNE1" and "HIYOAG." What does that second one say? Think of the Lone Ranger and the Periodic Table of the Elements.
------------------------------ Date: Tue, 28 May 2002 16:45:27 +1000 From: "Paul Haines" <prhaines@optushome.com.au> Subject: More Moby Message-ID: <005401c20613$40b5d980$41e231d2@vic.optushome.com.au> Chalkhillians, On the Moby thing: I successfully kept my hate pins in Moby and 'Play' oh for quite some time - a couple of years maybe - until about a month ago when I picked it up cheap. I hate to say it, but the only stuff I don't like on it are the first two singles (the 'bodyrock' thing and some other fast piece). the rest of it is simply beautiful. And where he sings? My favourite songs. Well, how about that? I took out those hate pins and it didn't hurt a bit... Haines
------------------------------ Date: Tue, 28 May 2002 00:47:28 -0700 (PDT) From: starpark live <starparklive@yahoo.com> Subject: Starpark Message-ID: <20020528074728.96000.qmail@web21505.mail.yahoo.com> drummer sacked for speaking his mind
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 28 May 2002 13:22:01 +0000
From: "Paul Culnane" <paulculnane@hotmail.com>
Subject: A Most Interesting Forum
Message-ID: <F5P3psNhnM7kl3DyzOs000107e5@hotmail.com>
Hello Chalkfans, contemptible prats (yeah, I'm still smarting 'bout that
swipe) and other groovers...
Well,
Chalkhills Digest, Volume 8, Number 31
Monday, 27 May 2002
Proved to be a most interesting forum!
Molly was cute as usual:
I just wanted to let those fellow Chalkhillians who live in the Western
NY/Southern Ontario area, that Ben Folds will be doing a FREE concert here
in Buffalo on June 6th. It's part of the Thursday in the Square series.
Just wanted to let you know.
Molly
>>>As ever, dear Molly, your vigilance is appreciated! :-)
From: Jeff Eby <jeffaeb@yahoo.com>
Eminem disses Moby in his
most recent single, but it's constructive criticism
compared to what I've been hearing here.
Yes, I know you're basicly responding to the
overzelous praise by a recent poster but there are so
many more deserving people that deserve your scorn.
Why pick on a moral, humble man who BTW has admitted
to being as confused about his success as most anyone?
>>>IMO both rock in ways we wouldn't have bothered with before, nor known.
>>>It's opened my eyes to forms of music I would hitherto have eschewed.
>>>Though my mate Dunks might vehemently dispute this. But that's his way,
>>>and I will severeley reprimand him upon our next meeting.
From: "Todd and Jennifer Bernhardt" <toddjenn@erols.com>
If I had to pick one
concrete example of XTC's greatness, it would be their ability over the
years to attact such a wide variety of fans -- younger and older, caring
and callous, positive and negative, contemplative and contemptuous,
clear-eyed and cloudy.<
I say, yes, clear-eyed and cloudy! (if not the other bits). Todd put it
good, didn't he daddy? He's right you know!
From: starpark live <starparklive@yahoo.com>
Subject: STARPARK.....NEWS
Forget it, because Kai Chambers (Terry's son in case you didn't know) has
finished with the band so really there's not much further interest there for
us. Unless you're interested in KC's future career, which I for one will be
fostering!
There was more in that volume but I'm tired. Just wanna read the rest
and...rest
Suggest: Canadian band SLOAN's "If It Feels Good Do It".
Now that's a template we all can adopt!
Rock-it ~ Paul
------------------------------ Date: Tue, 28 May 2002 13:22:24 -0600 From: "Steve Oleson" <Steve.Oleson@oag.state.tx.us> Subject: Andy's Apple Venus Interview Message-ID: <scf384e1.078@smtpgate.oag.state.tx.us> Austin Radio Station KGSR, has a transcript of a 1999 interview with Andy Partridge. See http://www.kgsr.com/frames.html Other interviews included on the page are: Elvis Costello Patti Smith David Byrne Lucinda Williams Billy Bragg Lyle Lovett Ray Davies Tom Waits Joni Mitchell and a 2002 interview with Paul McCartney Enjoy, Steve Oleson
------------------------------ Date: Tue, 28 May 2002 16:25:59 -0400 From: "Brian" <mattone@bhip.infi.net> Subject: Re: Dolby Message-ID: <004a01c20685$e1ff09c0$fa28f343@brian> Tschalkgerz! Jon wrote: >Www.flatearth.com I think. Sumptin like that.< If one is online, caring enough to disseminate info, it ought to be easy to pop over and verify any info you might send, just to make it easier for those you seem to be trying to help... Not to be confused with the Flat Earth Society, a collection of idiots who believe the Earth is flat (and I hesitate somewhat to give you the URL - http://www.flat-earth.org/society/about.mhtml - but I'd be a hypocrite if I didn't) or the punk rock group by the same name (http://www.flatearthsociety.com), http://www.thomasdolby.com/ is the site Jon is referring to here. >Anyway Thomas now runs a successful software development corp. They do Audio over the web kinda stuff. Beatnick is the name of it I believe.< http://www.beatnik.com/ >PS Oh and Messr Dolby was once considered as a replacement for Barry. He wanted the gig but they already really knew they wanted Dave.< And the world is no worse for it. ;-) But it IS round. -Brian Matthews http://www.stonetrek.com
------------------------------ Date: Wed, 29 May 2002 16:32:00 +0100 (BST) From: Bert Millichip <juan_the_man2002@yahoo.co.uk> Subject: Jeffs Message-ID: <20020529153200.61589.qmail@web14810.mail.yahoo.com> Jeff wrote: >>>Bert, sorry to burst your bubble, but who do you think is buying this expensive, 4-CD set of alternate versions and strange home demos compiled by an obscure, elitist, cultish, intelligent band that never had a worldwide top 10 hit, and who only very few even know? 14-year-olds? Britney Spears fans? "Us" afficionados will make it beyond the first hundred words, because "us" are... us. Who else will ever see the essay? "Us" Chalkhillers are proud that one of "we" was actually chosen to do the job, and did it well.<<< I'm pretty sure Virgin are hoping to flog COMC to a slightly wider market than the minuscule number of "afficionados" we're talking about - unless they enjoy losing money, that is. You are too insular. There are plenty of people out there who appreciate the intelligence of XTC's music yet wouldn't dream of reading stuff like Chalkhills or wordy liner notes. I know some of them. Who knows, there might even be one or two 14 year-olds buying the set. My wife is considerably older than 14, unfortunately, but she's bought every XTC album since the very first one came out when she was 11. A more diplomatic Jeff wrote: >>>I'm no big fan of Moby, I have two of his CD's and find half of them enjoyable, but half of them bland. But why the adamant, viscous and often personal attacks on him suddenly?<<< Because some people are full of bile and hate and want to piss off anybody who dares to like music that they don't personally "get". I pity them, and so should you. Also, a lot of people make a wholly irrational connection between an artist's musical talent and his/her worth as a person. (This connection becomes stronger the more commercially successful the artist is.) Thus, Moby is an arsehole, whereas John Lennon (to take an example from the other end of the spectrum) was a great guy. Of course, the exact opposite is true. Personally, I despise Moby's MUSIC as much as anybody, but if you enjoy it then I'm pleased for you, and congrats to him for making himself a nice living out of it. By the way, "viscous" was an inspired choice of word - I hope it wasn't just a typo! Bert (who never thought he'd see the day when he would spring to Moby's defence)
------------------------------ Date: Wed, 29 May 2002 12:16:06 -0400 From: "Kulak, Matt (HT-EX)" <MKulak@GI.com> Subject: A Toast, to the Jam! Message-ID: <B0552F533A3BA54BAA9BE6244A1E6A5D02671733@pa06xchm2.gic.gi.com> Hello to all of you future Fuzzy Warblers, I made a recent discovery in the local shopping mall's CD store bargain bin that I thought I would mention. [I had actually typed that last sentence using the now-archaic term "record store", as old habits are apparently hard to break. But I just couldn't leave it there. Am I becoming anal in my old age?] Anyway, I had heard the song "Town Called Malice" by the Jam many years ago - when I actually used to listen to radio. I knew I liked that song, but knew nothing of the rest of their material. So in this bargain bin I find a disc called "beat surrender" by the Jam for $7.99 (U.S.), which has Town Called Malice on it. It turns out to be some type of compilation I believe. I ended up being very surprised at the type of music on it. Town Called Malice always seemed to me to be a sort of retro-swing-rock'n'roll song. Much of their music, though, is actually pretty raucous, punk-tinged stuff (sorry, I'm not much for classifying music, as it turns out!). But I liked it. And what does any of this have to do with XTC? Well, there are a few tracks on there that I swear could have been written by our Swindon boys during their White Music/Go 2 days! "In the City", "Carnaby Street" and to some extent "All Mod Cons" were all written in the late 70's, and I swear could have been outtakes from the aforementioned albums. There's the same frenetic drumming, the same grungy and jangly guitars, even some vocals sound strangely Andy-esque. The only things missing are the spatterings of Barry's organ throughout. Pardon me, but it's hard to use the terms "Barry's organ" and "spatterings" without coming off as crude and phallus-obsessed!!! Maybe I'll just go sit in my room and strum on my brown guitar a bit to cool off. :>) From some precursory internet noodling, I've found that there seem to be plenty of Jam/Paul Weller/Style Council websites and fans out there. Is anyone on this list familiar with a lot of his stuff? Has the rest of his material (in either group or solo) been good? Any suggestions on must-have releases for the beginning listener? And does anyone know if the Jam originated anywhere near the Swindon scene? Thanks all! Matt "Insert Extremely Witty Pseudonym here" Kulak
------------------------------ Date: Wed, 29 May 2002 22:18:42 +0100 From: Jayne Myrone <spagyric_2002@yahoo.co.uk> Subject: The Gathering of the Faithful Fans of XTC Message-ID: <B91B0442.5B%spagyric_2002@yahoo.co.uk> to put it simply Time: 13-14th July 2002 Place: Oxford, UK come along and join some of your fellow Chalkers in quaffing beer, talking about things XTC and a very informal jam session too. A pilgrimage to the Uffington Horse is included. Family and friends also welcomed. Interested? Contact spagyric_2002.yahoo.co.uk There will also be an official t-shirt. More to follow on that.
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 29 May 2002 18:57:42 EDT
From: BessInMoonlight@aol.com
Subject: Bumper Sticker's Are Fun...
Message-ID: <84.2900ad40.2a26b6e6@aol.com>
Ok,
This question is related to the one that someone asked about the lisence
plate: Where can I get some XTC bumper stickers? See, ever since I was a
small child (about 3 days ago) I wanted a bumper sticker... But my parents'
hideous vans were off limits. Now, my new yellow Wrangler (Holden) has
arrived and is badly in need of some decoration. Any ideas?
B.
------------------------------ Date: Thu, 30 May 2002 22:51:35 +0100 From: "David Smith" <David.Smith50@virgin.net> Subject: RE: Moby . . . dick! Message-ID: <000a01c20824$2cd35f10$2b75ff3e@oemcomputer> Well hellooooooo dahlinks, time to de-lurk with, as ever, very little to actually say, 'cept: > From: Jeff Eby > Subject: Trashing Moby? Um, why? > Why pick on a moral, humble man who BTW has admitted > to being as confused about his success as most anyone? Fair point - for my part, I can tolerate most of the stuff on "Play" but, certainly over here in Britain, it was *SO* played to death on radio as well as TV adverts and just about every compilation album made since. A few weeks ago I heard "We Are All Made of Stars" on the radio while driving along in my car. It was on Steve Wright's BBC Radio 2 afternoon show, and was featured on a section where a couple of minor celebs join Steve in the studio to listen to three new tracks and vote them hit or miss (radical, huh?). The build up he gave it prepared me for a new era in music . . . and out came this bland, banal, almost bubblegum song, the type of which wouldn't have been out of place on the "Best of Paper Lace"! They then proceeded to blather on about him "rolling back the years" to the good old days of "Kraftwerk, XTC and those other great new wave bands" (quote!). I was apopleptic. I was incandescent. I span with rage all summer long . . . OK, you know what I mean. This Casio-programmed, throwaway, euro-dance ditty, being compared to "DA BOYS"??? Whaaaaaaaaaat? Hrrrrmph! OK, then I calmed down. Fair play to the guy. He makes records. Millions of people buy them. This one's crap. He should worry. > From: "Richard" <rjpa1@attbi.com> > > It just occured to me that people outside of the US might not know the > term "Lazy Susan." Oh yes we do, and if you go here: http://www.dannybaker.force9.co.uk/ and click on the link titled "John Hannon Restaurant Anecdotage" you'll find out what they're supposed to be used for! > From: "Jamie Lowe" > > I am now the proud owner of a Jet Black 330xi and I need your help in > selecting a number plate that conveys what a big fan of XTC I am, but > without the ecstasy (drug) connection. > > Your ideas are most welcome.... On the plate now are WASP STR, and > WAKE UP. What about: BIG XPRS SGT ROCK THE HOP NO THUGS GRT FIRE PSONIC FARMBOY (perhaps not) Or even . . . DEAR GOD Alright, alright, I'm going! Sheesh! Smudge Out Oh, and BTW, c'mon you other Brits - the Chalkhills Oxford "Gathering" is fixed for July 13/14. Plans are a-laying, T-shirts are a-making, musical instruments are a-tuning, geese are a-laying, fiiiiiiiiiive Gold rings . . . ahem! Coming? Talk to this person right 'ere: spagyric_2002@yahoo.co.uk
------------------------------ Date: Thu, 30 May 2002 23:24:08 -0400 From: James Michael Isaacs <jmisaa00@uky.edu> Subject: strangest XTC reference...ever? Message-ID: <1022815448.d12bc8c0jmisaa00@uky.edu> Hello gang- Well, the Apples in Stereo are moving to Lexington *ehere I just happen to live, thank you) and I am chuffed to say the least. Maybe I can hear secret recordings made with a one Andy Partridge? Hmmm.. In other news, in the newest issue of Sports Illustrated, a writer named Steve Rushin writes in his article "Get Up for the Cup" (page 15 in the June 3 issue) the following sentences: "For the four weeks and two days that began on May 31, in the words of XTC, 'All the world is football-shaped/It's just for me to kick in space.'" Now, Andy gets quoted in the most popular sports magazine, in an article too few Americans will read, because it has nothing to do with football or bikinis. I am staking a claim to be the biggest XTC fan in Lexington, perhaps all of Kentucky (poulation of almost 4 million)- any challengers? And, I am thinking of reviving the Go 2 Appreciation Society, which will no doubt have a theme song with cleverly written lyrics and poorly stolen melodies (think Ray Davies) Let's hear it for Go 2! Best album packaging by a good margin, clever, witty, controversial, fast, fun. Who could dare say otherwise? James
------------------------------ End of Chalkhills Digest #8-32 ******************************
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