Chalkhills: What Was New

What's Old?

Last update: 11 May 2008

Headline News: The most important recent developments.
Other News: Other recent changes and additions to Chalkhills and new XTC pages on the web.
What's Old: Not-so-recent changes, going back to 1996.

These are old What's New entries going all the way back to July 1996, archived for your edification.

2008

February 9:: Ever wondered who created the MIDI for “Scissor Man”? Me, too. Until today, when I received a message from long-time Chalkhills subscriber Ed Daranciang. It was he.
February 3:: XTC Fans: Andy sees “Red”.
February 2:: Listen to “Senses Working Overtime” and “The Loving”, the latest efforts from Aceofwands.
January 24:: Kay Stracey tells us to go Ask Andy.
January 20:: Aceofwands strikes again: “Extrovert”, “I Gave My Suitcase Away” and “Train Running Low on Soul Coal”.; The XTC Fans song of the week is “2 Rainbeau Melt”. See if you can find the pot of gold.
January 13:: Dave Gregory remembers the song for last week: “Complicated Game” (at the XTC Fans MySpace).
January 12:: Per Aronsson contributed three new pics: Colin Moulding's Canadian Drums and Wires gold record and Steve Taylor's Diſappointed promotional counter stand and collection of promo bits.
January 8:: Aceofwands is back with “Dame Fortune” and “Humble Daisy”.
January 6:: The song of the week is “Complicated Game”. Play it.
January 2:: Aceofwands has too much time on his hands, and as evidence, I present “English Roundabout”.

2007

December 30:: Aceofwands swished and flicked and what to my wandering eye did appear but a cyclops tied to a rock, but everybody knows her as “Little Lighthouse”.
December 28:: J. D. Mack sent in scans from the December 1968 issue of Monkees Monthly including the cover and a caricature of Mickey Dolenz by young Andrew Partridge.; Aceofwands has covered “Obscene Procession”.
December 26:: Ace recorder Aceofwands, live from Bumfuqh, Egypt, submits “Difficult Age”.
December 23:: Andy discusses “Always Winter, Never Christmas”.
December 21:: Apple Venus Vol. 1 is a “Classic Pick” at The College Crowd Digs Me.
December 17:: More sounds from the anonymous Aceofwands: “All of a Sudden (It's Too Late)” and “Love on a Farmboy's Wages”.; More sounds from the anonymous Sgt. Rock: “Crowded Room”, “Atom Age”, “Yacht Dance” and “This World Over”.
December 10:: The prolific Aceofwands continues making his many covers of XTC and Andy Partridge songs available.; Oh, and Happy Dec-10!
December 9:: The XTC Fans's song for the weak is “Towers of London”. La la Londinium!
December 7:: Dave Mallow notes: “Scott Mervis with the Pittsburgh Post Gazette recently interviewed Todd Rundgren about ‘the three signature records in his production catalog’. Interesting to hear a current take on the oft-discussed Skylarking sessions. . .”
December 5:: Aceofwands is now letting us hear his covers of “No Thugs In Our House”, “Everything” and “Runaways”.
December 4:: Kim Simpson released his acoustic cover of “Snowman” on his Big Surprise EP in March 2007. Enjoy!; Aceofwands has recorded numerous covers of XTC and Andy Partridge songs.
December 1:: Henry Albert Sebastopol Queen Victoria Crun sent in a scan of the purple and green cover of his Japanese CD of Through the Hill.
November 25:: Paste Magazine has some interesting features, including “XTC's Andy Partridge - Senses Working Overtime” and “Paste's 100 Best Living Songwriters: The List”. The latter also comes with a podcast featuring an interview with Andy Partridge: “Paste Magazine Culture Club Episode 19: Paul McCartney, R.E.M.'s Peter Buck and XTC's Andy Partridge - Special 100 Best Living Songwriters Episode”.; The XTC Fans song of the week is “Church of Women”. Worship today.
November 24:: Have you enjoyed “The XTC X-perience”?; Stuff-Em-Up the hill backwards features a number of “Tape Archive” features, including “The Dukes Of Stratosphear Interview 1985”, “XTC Interview 1984 Part1” and “Part2”.
November 20:: Here's an article entitled “Dave Gregory - XTC's Axe Toting Genius” from The GigRig.; Read “XTC - Towers of London”, an extensive piece in Dancing About Architecture.
November 19:: aggregät 4/5/6 presents an analysis of “No Thugs in Our House”.
November 17:: I have attempted to compile an exhaustive XTC covers list. If you have corrections or other additional information, please let me know.
November 12:: Monstrance reviewed: Cyclic Defrost.
November 11:: The Song of the Day is “This Is Pop”. Help spread the word!; Lêa says, “Lay your head on the-strip-arte.blogspot.com to see an illustrated birthday greenman”.
November 2:: GHP Complete Complete: Volumes 13-16 of GHP Complete are now available from Go Home Productions. GHP Complete CD13: ‘Official Remixes Vol 1’ includes David Bowie vs XTC: “I'm Afraid of Making Plans for Americans” which samples, remixes and otherwise folds, spindles and mutilates, in a good way, XTC's “Making Plans for Nigel” and Bowie's “I'm Afraid of Americans”. Download your copy today!
November 1:: Darlene Love covers “Thanks For Christmas” on her album It's Christmas, Of Course.
October 31:: Everything New is Old Again: Work continues apace on 11 Modern Antiquities, the forthcoming album from Pugwash. Dave Gregory played on their 2006 Christmas single Tinsel & Marzipan, and it is rumoured that Pugwash was also the backing band on the last XTC single, Where Did the Ordinary People Go?. In any case, Andy Partridge has co-written two of the tracks (“My Genius” and “At The Sea”) with Pugwash main man Thomas Walsh, and we believe Partridge also plays guitar on one or more of the tracks. You can hear an excerpt from a rough mix of “My Genius” on the new 11 Modern Antiquities MySpace page.
October 29:: The song of the week over at XTC Fans is “Chalkhills and Children”, the song that gave this website its name.
October 14:: The XTC Fans song of the week is “Great Fire”. Burn.
October 8:: Tor Lier found lip-sync video of “The Meeting Place” from The Tube, 1987, on YouTube.
October 5:: Bill Wikstrom points out that the new print issue of Filter magazine has interviews with Andy Partridge and Dave Gregory in their tribute article entitled “Permanent Bliss: The Immutable Pleasures of XTC”. Scan, anyone?; Swindon Advertiser says “Music fans will be in XTC” at 12 Bar on September 29. Well, September 29 has come and gone. How was it?
October 4:: Pour a Glass of Fine Wires: Fine Wires Humming A New Song, the new EP from Monstrance, recorded especially for Stuart Maconie's Freak Zone show on BBC 6 Music, is now available for download from APE House Records. An animated video for “I Lovely Cosmonaut” (from the Monstrance album) is also included.
October 3:: Autumn's here and the time is right for dishing up a treat: “Autumn Almanac Pt. 1” (Planet Mondo).
October 1:: “Then She Appeared” is the XTC Fans Song of the Week.
September 22:: Mark of Go Home Productions (XTC fan and remixer extraordinaire) writes: “‘Bootlegs’ have been fun but have become less spontaneous for me in 2007. ‘Mashed’ was initially an exciting project/prospect but 3 years took its toll and really watered it down to the laughing stock that it was.” So Mark “put a lid on this particular GHP chapter” and released GHP Complete, the first 12 of 16 mp3 compilation albums now online. “Basically all the bootlegs from 2002-2007. Unofficial Remixes. Rarities and Unreleased.” Including many tracks which sample or remix XTC. Download yours today.
September 16:: “Meccanik Dancing” is the XTC Fans song of the week.
September 15:: Fossil Fuel reviewed: Les Inrockuptibles, and you can also read about “L'Affaire Louis Trio - Trois hommes et un Colin”.
September 10:: Pitchfork reviews Apple Box.; Being There thinks “Getting to Know: XTC” is a good idea.; Apple Venus Vol. 1 reviewed: Tokyo Weekender · La T-Calf.
September 2:: The Song of the Week is “Summer's Cauldron” over at the XTC Fans blog.
August 26:: XTC Fans Song of the Week: “All of a Sudden (It's Too Late)”.; Check out “La verdad brillando como el sol...”, a piece of art inspired by “I Bought Myself A Liarbird” at the-Strip-ARTE!.; Paul Margach pitched a concept to the publishers of the 33 1/3 book series, but it was rejected.
August 17:: MIT's The Tech reviews Beeswax: Some B-Sides 1977-1982, Waxworks: Some Singles 1977-1982, Skylarking, Mummer, and Fast 'N' Bulbous (which includes XTC's cover of “Ella Guru”).
August 14:: Monstrance reviewed: Alternative Press.
August 5:: “Greenman” is the MySpace XTC Fans song of the week.
August 1:: 12 Bar, 179 Westcott Place, Swindon, has been booked to host an XTC-themed event on Saturday 29 September. The Shebeats and The Fuzzy Warblers are scheduled to appear. (The SundayDogs unfortunately will not be able to perform.)
July 23:: The XTC Fans Song of the Week is “Real by Reel”.
July 12:: Monstrance will be playing live on Stuart Maconie's BBC 6 Music programme Freak Zone, on Sunday 29 July. Yes, you heard it right, Martyn, Barry and Andy will wield their musical tools in the studio for a session of improvised sound. The show starts at 17.00 UTC.
July 10:: Chalkhills is moving to a new system (Ubuntu Feisty) and it might be a few days before mail delivery is configured and the next issue of Chalkhills goes out. Please be patient.
July 9:: The XTC Fans Song of the Week is “Seagulls Screaming Kiss Her, Kiss Her”.
July 3:: Bullz-Eye thinks XTC is one of eight “Bands that should reunite”.; Orpheus — The Lowdown reviewed: Groove.
July 2:: Laura Sylvester spoke to Andy Partridge, “The Tiny Circus of His Life: Catching up With Andy Partridge” is what resulted.
June 29:: Ricardo Juarez sent in three nanopictures inspired by the trace of a wet bag of tea and XTC songs: “The Disappointed”, “Holly Up On Poppy” and “Snowman”
June 27:: Orpheus — The Lowdown reviewed: Orlando Weekly · All Media Guide · HARP · Downtown Music Gallery.; Monstrance reviewed: HARP.
June 26:: Orpheus: The Lowdown reviewed: PopMatters (thanks to Tyler Hewitt).
June 25:: I'm back from Weiser and Andy's back from Swindon to discuss “No Lampreys in my Lunch” with Todd “Working Stiff” Bernhardt over at XTC Fans.; Monstrance reviewed: JamBase.
June 14:: Jeff Truzzi has charted two more songs: “River of Orchids” and “Easter Theatre”.
June 13:: LêA submits “La Rana y el Güey” and “Travestismo Ilustrado” for your edification.
June 11:: And I quote: Part of an ongoing series of interviews by Todd Bernhardt with Andy Partridge about the songs we feature each week on MySpace. This week's song, “Dame Fortune”, is the first song from the first disc in the nine-disc series of outtakes, demos, and rarities known as Fuzzy Warbles.; Kathleen Davis writes to say that there will be a mini southern California XTC gathering starting at 6:30pm on July 21, at the AMAZING-sounding Library Bar in Downtown Los Angeles! (630 West 6th St, Suite 116-A, Entrance on Hope St.) Please write Kathleen for more details.
June 3:: Andy discusses “All Along the Watchtower”, the XTC Fans Song of the Week.
May 29:: Martyn Barker blogs about Monstrance in Modern Drummer.
May 27:: Darrell Harvey has attempted a new transcription of the ‘brown chords’ for “Easter Theatre”.
May 20:: The XTC Fans Song of the Week is “Garden of Earthly Delights”.
May 16:: Andrew Boyle noticed some editing mistakes in this CMJ feature entitled “ANDY PARTRIDGE: Self-Editing: Andy Partridge Gets Away From The ABCs Of XTC With Moonstrance”.
May 12:: J. D. Mack transcribed this review of Monstrance from the recent issue of Goldmine.; “Blast from the Past”: English Settlement is reviewed by Ben Gott for Blogcritics.
May 10:: Goldmine features an article and interview entitled “XTC carves out a unique punk niche”. In which issue does this article appear? (Thanks to Marie Omnibus and J. D. Mack.)
May 9:: Monstrance reviewed: Pitchfork.
May 6:: “Over at the XTCfans MySpace site, the song of the week is ‘Ladybird’.”
May 5:: Marie mentions more Monstrance: Billboard.
May 3:: Marie Omnibus points you to two new zoo reviews of Monstrance: C|net Download.com & La MagicBox.
May 2:: Unfortunately, the last Dukes Of Simpleton gig was cancelled at the last minute due to inclement weather (outdoor venue). The good news is that they have a new date at the same club. So if you're in the Austin area, please join them for two hours of live XTC music at Threadgill's World Headquarters on Saturday June 9th. They'll be playing from 9.00pm until 11.00pm. As previously announced, they've got five new songs and a new drummer who really leans into those Terry Chambers parts. They've even got good stock of Dukes T-shirts which they'll be selling at the show. (Thanks to Chris Vreeland.)
April 30:: Yet another in a series of conversations with Andy Partridge and Todd “Drumboy” Bernhardt, the Song of the Week is “We're All Light”.
April 27:: Monstrance reviewed: Sunday Tribune · La Repubblica.
April 26:: “Andy Partridge isn't afraid to admit it: He's a Luddite.” Read more in Wired.
April 24:: Jared Morris sent in guitar tab for “This is Pop?”!; According to Sea of Tranquility, “Andy Partridge Favors Left Arm With Monstrance”.; Monstrance reviewed: PopMatters.
April 22:: The XTC Fans song of the week is “Battery Brides”.
April 20:: Steve Clarke has informed me that he was responsible for the MIDI transcription of “Chalkhills and Children”, for his use at the 1997 XTC gathering in Basingstoke.
April 17:: David Yazbek and his Warmest Regards (Dean Sharenow, Erik Dellapenna, Mike DuClos) will be playing songs from his forthcoming album on May 10th at 7:30 p.m. at Joe's Pub (425 Lafayette St., New York City, 212-967-7555). Tickets are $25. “The amazing bastard! He's my hero. I wish I'd written all his songs!” - Andy Partridge of XTC.
April 16:: The song of the week is “Season Cycle”. Help ride the song.; Jeff Truzzi charts again: “Ballet for a Rainy Day”.; Monstrance reviewed: Shepherd Express.
April 13:: Monstrance reviewed: The Independent · Glorious Noise · LMNOP · Cincinnati CityBeat · Bullz-Eye · Your Flesh Magazine.
April 9:: NewCritics/By Neddie Jingo offer “A Tinny Little Sputnik”, an exclusive interview with Andy Partridge concerning the new album Monstrance, in both an easy-to-digest abridged form and as an unedited transcript.; Last week, the XTC Fans song of the week was “Jason and the Argonauts”. . .
March 31:: Monstrance reviewed: Blogcritics Magazine.; Thanks to a new distribution deal between Ape House Records and Rykodisc, “Andy Partridge Floods Marketplace With Albums”. The American market, that is. Flooded with the likes of Monstrance, Orpheus — The Lowdown, Veda Hille's Return of the Killdeer and more. . .
: Salon offers an “Exclusive Song of the Day: ‘Chaingang,’ Monstrance” for March 26, 2007.; Starling's Balm Carousel makes an equinoxe offering of “EggsTC”.
March 30:: Monstrance reviewed: The Independent.
March 29:: Fuzzy Warbles Collector's Album reviewed: The Sunday Times.
March 28:
: Magnet Magazine March 2007's Featured Artist: Andy Partridge.; Skylarking reviewed: Treble.
March 27:: The Fuzzy Warbles Collector's Box reviewed: The Orange County Register. (Hi, Ben!); Apple Venus Vol 1 reviewed: La Repubblica.
March 26:: Monstrance reviewed: Kevchino.com.; Read “Fricke's Picks: Home-Demo Larks From XTC's Andy Partridge”
March 21:: “Winterwerk” Single Released: “Winterwerk”, the first single from Monstrance, the new album by Martyn Barker, Barry Andrews and Andy Partridge, is now available for download from the Ape store (67p excluding VAT, 79p inclusive of VAT).
March 19:: Apple Box reviewed: All Music Guide.; Dukes Have Another Gig: The Dukes Of Simpleton (a tribute band dedicated to bringing you the music of XTC, performed live) will be playing Saturday, April 14th at Threadgill's World Headquarters in Austin from 9-11 pm. They've got five new songs and a new drummer! (Thanks to Chris Vreeland.)
March 18:: “Wrapped In Grey” is the XTC Fans song of the week. Listen and weep.
March 16:: From the collection of Mark Byron: XTC poster (circa 1977), Black Sea poster (US?), and a Virgin UK Black Sea poster.
March 14:: Mark Byron flashes his autographed Too Many Cooks In The Kitchen single. Thanks, Mark!; Gerry Eng shares a letter from Andy Partridge. Thanks, Gerry!
March 13:: The Official Fuzzy Warbles Collector's Album reviewed: Chicago Sun-Times.
March 12:: The Official Fuzzy Warbles Collector's Album reviewed: Pitchfork · Reno Rambler.
: Annie Zaleski says, “XTC's fuzzy warbler [Andy Partridge] is a pop genius” (Denver Westword).
March 11:: The song for today is “Helicopter”. Help spread the song.; HARP claims that “XTC's Partridge Gets ‘Monstrance’ On Us”.
March 6:: Lots of new XTC video on YouTube these days. Check it out.
March 5:: Andy Partridge talks about “All You Pretty Girls” with XTCfans (what a surprise).
March 3:: Ben Gott writes, “In honour of the end of XTC, I have compiled an MP3 of some of my favourite XTC endings . . .”
February 26:: “Respectable Street” is the song of the week on the XTC Fans MySpace blog.
February 24:: “Wildgroei van XTC?” you ask yourself.
February 19:: Andy Partridge talks about “Stupidly Happy” this week in the XTC Fans blog.
February 14:: Jordan Cooper has contributed simple guitar chords for “Instant Tunes”.; Find out what happened between Robert Schneider (The Apples in Stereo) and Andy Partridge (XTC) in this interview (thanks to Ben Gott).; Andy Partridge was Spinning On Air at WNYC on Sunday, 11 February 2007 (thanks to Pär Nilsson).
February 11:: “Statue of Liberty” is the song of the week over at XTC Fans.
February 10:: Andy Partridge says XTC is “Well and Truly in the Fridge” (thanks to Peter Mack for the link).
February 9:: Kelly Osborn found this disturbing Onion AV interview with Andy Partridge (thanks to Bob Crain).
February 7:: Per Aronsson is keeping me busy, sending in photos at an alarming rate: the Japanese Nonsvch promotional box set, contents of said box set, back cover of said box, a “Sgt. Rock” sticker, a Drums and Wires sticker, and a few of his collection of pin badges. Yow!
February 5:: Apparently Jeff Truzzi was not happy with his initial pass at the guitar chords for “No Thugs In Our House”. He sent in corrections today.
February 4:: XTCFans Song of the Week: “Little Lighthouse”.
January 31:: Guitar chords for “No Thugs In Our House” are now available thanks to Jeff Truzzi.
January 28:: It's Andy versus Todd again over at XTC Fans, today's subject: “Love on a Farmboy's Wages”.
January 26:: Kevin Denley has an autographed copy of the Wrapped in Grey CD single.
January 22:: Dom is jealous of Todd because Todd spoke to Andy Partridge about “I'd Like That”, so visit XTC Fans for the full conversation.; Total Music Magazine has published this interview with Andy Partridge.
January 16:: Fuzzy Warbles Vol. 7/8 reviewed: Sentire Ascoltare.
January 14:: Todd Bernhardt speaks with Andy Partridge about “Are You Receiving Me?” As a matter of fact, he does. Or is he? Only his hairdresser knows for sure.
January 12:: Jeff Truzzi, reporting for duty: guitar charts for “All I Dream Of is a Friend” updated, sir!
January 10:: Jeff Truzzi has now, only days later, sent in guitar charts for the intro and verse parts of “Funk Pop A Roll”.
January 9:: Monstrance Mix-Mastered: According to the Ape House, the new double-disc live improvised (“and overdub free”) album Monstrance from Barry Andrews, Martyn Barker and Andy Partridge has now been mixed and mastered and is mostly ready to go. The album will be released on 2 April 2007 in the UK, and on 3 April 2007 in the USA (via Ryko distribution). Check the Ape site for more details on the track listing, free downloads, podcasts, blogs, etc.
January 7:: Jeff Truzzi has sent in guitar chords for “Scarecrow People”.; Andy Partridge discusses “Mayor of Simpleton” over at the XTC Fans (MySpace) site.
January 1:: Happy New Year! Andy Partridge discusses “Making Plans for Nigel”, the song of the week at XTC Fans.

2006

December 29:: Per Aronsson is a true Chalkhills hero again, he sent in photos of numerous pieces of XTC swag: a Drums and Wires T-shirt (front and back), the jacket Andy Partridge wore on stage during the English Settlement tour, a promotional counter stand for The Meeting Place, two Nonsvch T-shirts (short sleeve and long sleeve), a black Skylarking T-shirt (front and back), a white Skylarking T-shirt, and a promotional counter stand for Wasp Star. Rock on!
December 27:: Coat of Many Cupboards reviewed: HARP.; Is it “Das Ende der Demokratie” for XTC? And are XTC The Lords of Song? Intro thinks so. Intro also reviews Homegrown, Wasp Star, Homespun and Transistor Blast.; It's a “Day In The Life: Andy Partridge, guitarist and chief songwriter with XTC, and the founder of Ape House records” (The Independent).; “Mix It Up: Andy Partridge!” (Amplifier).; Fuzzy Warbles is a “A Garden of Earthly XTC Delights” (Los Angeles Times).; Fuzzy Warbles Collector's Box Set reviewed: OX Fanzine.
December 26:: According to MP3.com, “Andy Partridge is not a Social Worker”.; Fuzzy Warbles Collector's Album reviewed and recommended: The Philadelphia Enquirer · Le Monde.
December 19:: The Official Andy Partridge Fuzzy Warbles Collector's Album reviewed: San Diego Union-Tribune.
December 18:: Andy Partridge discusses “Thanks For Christmas”, the song of the week at XTC Fans.; Fuzzy Warbles Collectors Album reviewed: Entertainment Weekly.; “XTC's Partridge discusses boxset, Monstrance” in Variety.
December 16:: The Fuzzy Warbles Collectors Album reviewed: Time Out Chicago · Amplifier · Chromewaves · Tucson Weekly · HARP Magazine · Metroland · Austin Chronicle · Illinois Entertainer.
December 15:: Fingertips chooses Andy Partridge's “Sonic Boom” as one of “This Week's Finds”; a free and legal download of “I Don't Want To Be Here” is also available.
December 14:: Andy Partridge is a “Genius of Pop” (at least according to the St. Louis Riverfront Times).
December 13:: “A warm and fuzzy Partridge? Not!” (The Boston Globe, thanks to Wes Hanks).; Runout and Groove to Apple Vinyls: Apple Vinyls, the Special Collector's Edition box set of 13 vinyl 7-inch singles with special sleeves, is now available from Idea Records. The box set includes all the tracks from Apple Venus Vol. 1 and Wasp Star, plus three bonus tracks “Where Did The Ordinary People Go”, “Spiral” and “Say It”.
December 12:: Ape House in the 24th and 1/2 Century: The latest news: the Ape House web site now features audio and video podcasts, the first being Andy Partridge talking about the Fuzzy Warbles Collector's Album. There will also be a video preview from Monstrance; a download single will be released early in 2007, the album is expected in April. More audio and video podcasts will follow. Oh, yes, there will also be some sort of blog thing.
December 11:: Andy Partridge discusses “Senses Working Overtime”, the song of the week at XTC Fans.
DEC-10:: Fuzzy Warbles Collector's Album reviewed: Newsday · Humo.
December 6:: Fuzzy Warbles Collector's Album reviewed: The New York Times.; Pugwash have released a new Christmas single entitled Tinsel & Marzipan. All proceeds from sales of the single go to Brainwave, the Irish Epilepsy Association. The recording features some special guests including Mundy, Eric Matthews, Neil Hannon, Peter Fitzpatrick, and Dave Gregory. We'd like Dave to get a Number One, and we reckon we can get this CD into the charts if enough people buy it the weekend of December 8th. And, even if you purchase this song as a digital download it will still count toward the chart position! So buy it now, either as a digital download or as an honest-to-goodness CD single! Let's go all the way!
December 4:: The song of the week at the XTC Fans space is “The Ballad of Peter Pumpkinhead”.; Jeff Truzzi has transcribed the chords for “All I Dream of is a Friend”.
December 1:: Neil Callatrava sent in some corrections to the chords posted for “New Town Animal (in a Furnished Cage)”.
November 27:: Don Leibold brought this Chicago Sun-Times review of The Fuzzy Warbles Collectors Album to our attention.; Benjamin Lukoff wrote to let us know that a transcript of the “Amazon Wire podcast” is now available on Amazon.com — the transcript is entitled “Music You Should Hear: Andy Partridge”.; The Official Fuzzy Warbles Collector's Album reviewed: Amazon.com · Platomania.
November 26:: The song of the week at the XTC Fans space is “Dear God”.
November 23:: Ben Gott sent in images of the front and back covers of the promotional Official Fuzzy Warbles Collector's Sampler.
November 20:: The song of the week at the XTC Fans space is “Science Friction”.
November 19:: The Official Fuzzy Warbles Collector's Album reviewed: Seattle Weekly · De Morgen.; Ian E and Paul Culnane pointed out this unsettling comment from Andy Partridge in the December issue of MOJO magazine: “I speak of XTC in the past tense. It's in the freezer and I dunno if it'll ever come out again. Colin [Moulding] phoned me recently and said he wasn't interested in music any more, and it wouldn't be XTC without him. . .”
November 18:: Ben Gott is a contributing writer at kevchino.com, check out his review of the Fuzzy Warbles Collector's Album.; Bullz-Eye has “a chat with Andy Partridge”. (Thanks, Wes!)
November 12:: Todd Bernhardt writes to say, “Ben Lukoff's excellent interview with Andy is up at http://www.amazon.com/wire” (free download of “2 Rainbeau Melt” also available). Also, the “Song of the Week” is “Harvest Festival”.
November 10:: Max Greenstreet alerted us to a new “Puremusic interview with Andy Partridge”.
November 6:: Jeff Truzzi contributes “possibly the toughest song [he has] transcribed”, “1000 Umbrellas”.
November 5:: Todd Bernhardt interviews Andy Partridge on the topic of “The Song of the Week” (this week's song: “Snowman”).
November 3:: For some time today, both the Ape Records and XTC/Idea Records web sites were down. There was a server problem, but it seems to be fixed now. Thank you for your patience.
October 31:: Todd Bernhardt interviews Andy Partridge on the topic of “The Song of the Week” (this week's song: “Merely a Man”).; Bill Wikstrom wrote to point out that “XTC are briefly seen in the new DVD Everyone Stares: The Police Inside Out by Stewart Copeland (yes, the very man who seemingly lived in that Drums & Wires T-shirt). They are seen: 1) On the tour bus with The Police (Andy sitting next to Terry and Colin and Dave scattered across from them). 2) Orange, France - Terry standing behind Police tour manager Kim Turner as Kim spittles out some water. 3) Orange, France - Andy rabidly talking to Sting backstage about the bands The Yachts and Holly And The Italians.”
October 30:: Wes Hanks points out a new interview with Andy Partridge at PopMatters: “The Man Who Sailed Around His Soul” (includes a podcast).; The latest news from the Ape House: “Andy Partridge has recently recorded an edition of Freak Zone hosted by Stuart Maconie, for BBC's 6 Music digital radio station. Several numbers from the Fuzzy Warbles series are played with Andy and Stuart shooting the breeze in between. The show rounds off with an exclusive airing of a nine-minute extract from the forthcoming double disc set Monstrance, called ‘I Lovely Cosmonaut’. The show will be broadcast on 19th November at 1700 GMT.”
October 29:: a quegg has contributed black & white and greyscale images of the Dukes name from the cover of 25 O'Clock.
October 22:: Free downloads available!; Fuzzy Warbles Collector's Album reviewed: Miami New Times.
October 18:: Plato (p)reviews The Official Fuzzy Warbles Collector's Album and Fuzzy Warbles Vol. 7-8.
October 17:: Fuzzy Warbles 7+8 reviewed: KindaMusik · Antithetik.; The Official Fuzzy Warbles Collector's Album (p)reviewed: The Independent · Subba-Cultcha.
October 14:: Blogcritics.org features a little news item about the (then) impending release of Fuzzy Warbles 7 & 8 and Collector's Album: “Overlooked Alternatives”.; The Official Fuzzy Warbles Collector's Album reviewed (at LiveJournal) and previewed (at CityBeat).
October 9:: Scott Thill let us know about this interview with Andy Partridge: “I Pissed God Off” on Morphizm.
October 8:: Jamie Lowe has moved his XTC White Horse bumperstickers to http://xtcstickers.jamielowe.net/.
October 7:: Fuzzy Warbles 7/8 is reviewed by Power of Pop and Platomania.; Download Andy Partridge's “Sonic Boom” courtesy Toolshed.
October 6:: “Here comes President Enik again” compares the song “Here Comes President Kill Again” to recent events (in Timedoor).
September 25:: The Official Fuzzy Warbles Collector's Album will be released on 16 October 2006 by Ape House UK. The box set includes all 8 volumes of Andy Partridge's Fuzzy Warbles, a bonus 9 track CD entitled Hinges, a book entitled A Brief History of Home Taping and a sheet of Fuzzy Warbles stamps. For those of you who have already bought autographed copies of Fuzzy Warbles volumes 1-6, the box is available with volumes 7+8 at a special price, as of 25 September. Order yours today!
September 23:: Randall Johnson has contributed corrected chords to “Mermaid Smiled”.
September 21:: Jeff Barringer has alerted us to his “Podcast: Interview with Andy Partridge of XTC” in Club Kingsnake.; Philip Adamek has contributed guitar chords to “I Defy You Gravity”.
September 17:: aquegg interprets “Wrapped In Grey” for the Nonsvch Colouring Book.
September 15:: Jeffrey Terich points out that “XTC's Skylarking was featured on Treble's Best of the 80s!”
August 29:: William Loring points out that XTC are a “defunct English art-rock combo” according to Yahoo!. Billboard is not so sure.; “Andy Partridge Opens Up His Ape House” in ChartAttack.; Apple Box reviewed: Jam!.
August 26:: This Day In Rock mentions “XTC's USA Debut” (thanks to Paul Culnane).
August 11:: Alfred Masciocchi writes, “One of the songs [‘Cause It's Love (Saint Parallelogram)’] on Robyn's forthcoming album entitled Olé Tarantula (due early October in the states) has a songwriting credit to Robyn and Andy.”
August 2:: Fuzzy Warbles Volumes 7+8 have just been listed for pre-order at Amazon.co.uk. The two collections are scheduled to be released on 25 September 2006 in the U.K. At least, that's what Amazon.co.uk says. It appears that the two volumes may be released in August in other countries. We have no word as of yet of a Japanese release.
July 17:: Links to XTC videos on YouTube have been added. Check 'em out!
July 13:: More mixed news from The Ape House: “The good news is that Andy's broken tendon (in the all important guitar chord forming left hand) is slowly recovering. He's started to play again but says he feels like a beginner at the moment. . . The bad news is that an accident during mixing the forthcoming improv album, has left Andy with damaged hearing and very bad tinnitus. This is a crippling condition where a constant loud whistling is heard inside the head. He is currently undergoing hyperbaric oxygen treatment which can be beneficial in many cases. Lets all keep our fingers crossed.” Additionally, “The album of live improvised (and overdub free) music by Barry Andrews, Martyn Barker and Andy Partridge is all mixed and awaiting the mastering process. This unusual and thrilling 2 disc set, called Monstrance, will be released in the autumn . . .”
July 7:: Daniel Garrett writes, “On the historic day Swindon College closed down, we spoke to a former student, XTC's Andy Partridge.”
July 4:: XTC/Idea Records news: “For all you vinyl junkies a very special treat. We have pressed up only 1000 units of the Apple Box as A Special Collectors Edition Set of 7 inch singles called Apple Vinyls. Painstakingly put together by the two Andys, the box emulates its CD sibling with the varnished peacock design. Each box contains 13 x 7 inch singles, each in its own unique sleeve. All the tracks from Apple Venus Vol 1 and Wasp Star are paired together with one addition, the XTC song ‘Where Did The Ordinary People Go’, which was only previously available as a digital download. As a special bonus there is a 7 inch single version of the tracks ‘Spiral’ and ‘Say It’ in its own picture bag.” Stay tuned for more information.
July 3:: Rory Hoffmeister sent in his version of Books Are Burning from the Nonsvch Colouring Book.
June 30:: Per Aronsson is busy once again: here's a nice Oranges & Lemons baseball cap.
June 10:: Per Aronsson has contributed some pics of the Japan Tour 1979 Programme.
May 30:: The Daily Vault reviews Go 2, Waxworks: Some Singles 1977-1982, and Skylarking.
May 28:: Apple Venus reviewed: Berliner Kurier.
May 27:: Trouser Press has combined its guides to XTC, previously in two parts: “The '70s and '80s” and “The '90s and Beyond”.
May 26:: Hisaaki Shintaku has a copy of the Black Sea Live! bootleg LP set, and he sent in some pics: the whole shebang, the front cover, the back cover, the LP label, the 7",, the backside of the 7", and the other LP label. Many thanks!
May 25:: Apple Venus Volume 1 reviewed: Orlando Weekly.; Fossil Fuel reviewed: Planet Internet.
May 23:: Jan Bletz writes, “4 hours of Andy Partridge on Dutch radio tonight: interviews, music (XTC, Judee Sill and others). Can be listened to on demand (with an extra hour added!).” Go to http://chalkhills.org/articles/VPRO060523.html for more info.; The forthcoming album Calling Distance Stations by The Nines will be self-released on their TAS GOLD imprint in late May 2006 and is now available for pre-order (with bonus songs) from NotLame. The album features the song “Receiving Me” co-written with Andy Partridge. Several songs will be mixed by Jason Falkner, with John Adams and João Carvalho mixing the remainder. Their website recently received a full makeover. They also have a MySpace page, featuring the previously unreleased track “Jack McGee” (a Polygram demo).
May 22:: Oranges and Lemons reviewed: Weekly Planet.
May 16:: The Dukes Of Simpleton are playing their next gig at Threadgill's World Headquarters, 301 W. Riverside Dr., Austin, TX, on Saturday, June 17th, at 8:00pm. They will be doing two full sets this time, featuring five new songs!
May 12:: Apple Box reviewed: Revolver. · Studio M Live · OTG.; Apple Bite reviewed: Groove.no.; Check out OTG's Year-End Music Reviews.
May 10:: Apple Box reviewed: Ox Fanzine.; Fuzzy Warbles 5 + 6 reviewed: Ox Fanzine.
May 5:: I met Mark Cuevas, executive producer of Chalkhills Originals '98: Awaken You Dreamers, for a pint or two in D.C. yesterday, and he says there are still a few copies of the compilation available. Order yours today!
May 2:: Tim wrote to say he loves the website, and he also has a blog, so read “The iTunes 180! #144: XTC's ‘The Mayor of Simpleton’” and “Reason #152 not to abandon the long-playing format: Nonsuch” in Split Like Light Refracted.
April 26:: J.D. Mack sent in a cool Nonsvch-styled advert from a 1992 issue of Alternative Press.
April 25:: The Limited Edition XTC Oranges & Lemons Tonestar guitar from Fano Guitars is now available! The guitar features full-colour Oranges & Lemons graphics, orange and lemon inlaid “dots” on the neck, and is autographed by Andy Partridge, Colin Moulding and Dave Gregory. Loads of other features, too! (Thanks to Erik Anderson.)
April 17:: Return to the Dark Side of the Moon: A Tribute to Pink Floyd, produced by Billy Sherwood, features XTC's Colin Moulding singing “Brain Damage” and playing bass on “Time”. The tribute album will be released on May 16.
April 12:: Ape House Records claims: “Having had the knob twiddling talents of Ian Cooper at Metropolis Mastering, weave his magic over the tracks, [Fuzzy Warbles] Volumes 7 and 8 are now complete. Andy has deliberately left some of the best tracks till last. . . The artwork is nearing completion by Andrew at Cactus Design, the covers are done and we are on the final tweaks, so they will be ready for release in the Summer. These two volumes will complete the . . . Series. Well almost......!” Cryptic, that last.
April 9:: Bill Wikstrom sent in some more artwork: back cover of the Epic Records USA English Settlement LP, back cover of the Mummer LP, advert for the Life Begins at the Hop single, and, last but not least, a platinum record for Oranges and Lemons.
March 29:: Brian Canfield has submitted tab for “The World is Full of Angry Young Men”.
March 27:: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly: News from the Ape House. The good: “Andy Partridge has been working with Barry Andrews and Drummer Martyn Barker recently on an improvised music project. The three have been playing live in Swindon's Headroom Studio and over three sessions have amassed about 8 hours of material. Engineer Merv Carswell and Future Sound Of London guitarist Stuart Rowe are sorting and mixing the mountain of sounds for a future Ape release.” The bad and the ugly: “. . . Andy has unfortunately damaged his left hand. He has broken the tendon supporting his left ring finger and won't be able to go anywhere near a guitar for over 8 weeks. Then the splint will be removed and he will start physio to recover as much use of the finger as possible. According to Andy it's the one that does the majority of the work on the fretboard.” Is this the end?
March 24:: Todd Bernhardt interviewed Andy Partridge recently. A 1,500 word version will be published this summer, but a longer version is available on the XTCFans MySpace site.
March 22:: Drums and Wires reviewed: Treble.
March 20:: Give a listen to Totom's “An Open Letter to XTC”, a mashup of Beastie Boys's “An Open Letter to NYC” vs. XTC's “Day In, Day Out”.; Oranges & Lemons reviewed: DJ Snugglebunny.
March 15:: Mitch Friedman writes, “I would like to alert each and every one of you to . . . the music video of Andy Partridge's long time girlfriend Erica Wexler's scathingly amusing song ‘I'm So Sick of Models!’ Andy produced and arranged the original demo version of the song, and you can still hear some of his touches on this final version as the demo version was passed off to a remixer who added some dance inducing snares to the mix. . . In the near future Erica will be releasing an album of original songs, and this video could help to drum up a nice little buzz about her.”
March 9:: Thanks to Takada Yuichi and Matthew Last for translating “ganbare nigel” (“Hold on, Nigel!”), a name by which “Making Plans for Nigel” has been known in Japan.
March 3:: Omnibus writes to tell us that POPnews features an “interesting and well done biography” of XTC.
February 24:: Bill Wikstrom, too busy for his pants, found these lovely pics: a 1965 Boston radio advertisement poster by Milton Glaser, an advert for the This World Over single, and a press photo from the same session as the photo on the cover of the Dutch Wait Till Your Boat Goes Down 7" single.
February 17:: Bill Wikstrom found Jean-Luc's photos of XTC (1977-1980).
February 15:: Latest news from Idea and Ape House: Andy Partridge is co-writing and recording with both Robyn Hitchcock and Charlotte Hatherley. Let's hope these efforts don't go the way of the ill-fated collaboration with Sophie Ellis-Bextor.
February 14:: Ape House Records tells us that Fuzzy Warbles 7+8, the last in the series, will be released in early summer 2006. They will be mastered by Metropolis maestro Ian Cooper in a few days. There will be a special box set offered containing all eight volumes. Some songs to appear on 7+8: “Through Electric Gardens”, “Sonic Boom”, “I'm Unbecome”, “The Bland Leading The Bland”, “2 Rainbeau Melt” and “I Don't Want To Be Here”.
February 8:: Jonathan Monnickendam writes, “News but nothing new to hear, I imagine; XTC headline tonight's Dream Ticket on BBC Radio 6” (Wednesday 8 February 2200-0100 UTC).
February 3:: XTC/Idea Records have made “Where Did The Ordinary People Go”, the new XTC song written by Colin Moulding, available for download worldwide. The song was originally released on 6 December 2005 on iTunes USA.
January 30:: Ben Gott has made his recordings of XTC's “Battery Brides”, “Making Plans for Nigel” and Andy Partridge's “Everything” available from his Loquacious Music website.
January 29:: Paul Culnane transcribed this review of Apple Box from the December 2005 issue of MOJO.; Apple Bite reviewed: Glide.
January 27:: A few days ago Bill Wikstrom sent me some scans of tour posters that he found, including Netherlands, 9 augustus 1980, B&L Warehouse, Athens, Georgia, April 24, 1981, Showbox Theatre, Seattle, Washington, April 10, 1982 (cancelled), and also this Go 2 promo poster. Thanks, Bill!
January 19:: Apple Box reviewed: De Morgen.; Coat of Many Colours reviewed: Music Boom.; Black Sea reviewed: Regards.
January 15:: Time for another Dukes of Simpleton show: The November show by The Dukes Of Simpleton at Threadgill's was quite a smashing success! Well, here they go again, with a few new songs this time, from 8:00 to 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, February 25, at Momo's Club, 618 W. 6th St, Austin, Texas.
January 14:: Hinterlandt cover “Making Plans for Nigel” on their New Belief System album from 2004. Give it a listen.
January 13:: This is Wiltshire and the Swindon Advertiser have published a few articles about XTC - The Meeting Place - 2005: “Band's fans will be in ecstacy”, “Making plans for XTC weekend” “Fans gather to celebrate”, and “Xtreme xstacy at XTC xtravaganza”.; Also in the same rag: “XTC's Andy has a pop at Swindon” from June 2005.
January 11:: Wasp Star reviewed: Music Club.; English Settlement and Skylarking are among “100 Overlooked Albums — The Masterpieces Rolling Stone Doesn't Want You to Know About”, a list compiled by Red Magazine.
January 10:: Coat of Many Cupboards reviewed: Exclaim!.
January 4:: According to Kurt's Krap, the forthcoming album by The Nines will be “. . . mixed finally by Oct 3 2005. The last song is being mixed as we speak or write and we are quite excited about this one. . . Jason Falkner, John Adams and Joao Carvalho mixed this new album. The album will also include a co-write with U.K.'s Andy Partridge of XTC called ‘Receiving Me’. The Nines will be mastering the album right away (October). [They're] currently looking at a few label options to release this one. . . soon.” Of course, I only just noticed.
January 3:: Apple Box reviewed: Fudgeland.; Orpheus - The Lowdown reviewed: Credible Muggins.
January 1:: Apple Box reviewed: Cucamonga · [Le Machin-Truc].

2005

December 30:: Apple Box reviewed: Static · Amazon.com · 32puertas.com · PopMatters · Losing Today · Kataweb · RockStar.; Philip Brands sent in a few lovely pics: the front cover, back cover, A-side label and B-side label of the original issue of the Mr. Partridge Take Away / The Lure of Salvage LP, and the front cover of the box, CD 1, CD 2, CD 3, and CD 4 of the Transistor Blast box set.
December 28:: Andy interview on BBC Radio Swindon: Ian Sutton writes, “BBC Radio Swindon are heavily advertising their New Year's Day special which is an interview with Andy and goes out at 1400GMT. . . In a previous digest someone expressed surprise that Andy would write a Christmas song. He explained that it is good to celebrate the end of another year for whatever reason.”; Returning to the Dark Side of the Moon: According to the “Yes and the current members — Where are they now?” page, “Recordings for Returning to the Dark Side of the Moon — a follow-up project [to Back Against the Wall, a tribute album to Pink Floyd's The Wall] based on Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon — are well under way with a further array of guests . . .” including Pat Mastelotto, drummer on XTC's Oranges & Lemons, and XTC's Colin Moulding, who sings lead vocal on “Brain Damage” and plays bass on “Time”. The album will hopefully be released in early 2006.
December 21:: Daniel Garrett alerted us to a new “Interview with Andy Partridge” on BBC Wiltshire.
December 20:: Robert Mallows sent scans of “Generally Major: Colin Moulding Workshop” from the May 2005 issue of Guitar & Bass magazine. And check out what's in front of Dave Gregory in the photo. . .
December 18:: In order to better bring you all the news that fits in print, Chalkhills has for some time now been bringing you RSS news feeds. Including not only these headlines and other recent news, but XTC/Idea Records news and Ape House Records news as well (the latter news feeds are created by a little Perl hack I wrote which parses the original web sites). Our own Citizen Keith also built an XTC feed jumbler which collects all of these feeds into one.
December 17:: Saturday Social Countdown to XTC Party Time: Phil Gazzard writes “Just to let you know that Andy Partridge is picking his top 10 XTC songs on BBC Radio Wales ‘Saturday Social’ programme (Saturdays at 7:30 pm). Last week was ‘Chalkhills And Children’ at number 7, this week ‘Season Cycle’ at number 6. I assume there'd be another 5 weeks to go, then...”
December 15:: More wholesome XTC goodness: Rob Leary writes, “Andy [Partridge] and Colin [Moulding] have set up a streaming QuickTime feed for you to listen to the new Apple Box-exclusive tracks, as well as some Fuzzy Warbles. Each track is accompanied by liner notes and lyrics. An enjoyable listen all around, especially while at work.”
December 13:: Chris Wright notes: “. . . readers may be interested to know that it is also available on Rhapsody.”; Jordi Ibáñez Llauradó sent in basic chords to “all the songs in the XTC catalogue that hadn't been tabbed in this great site, from Black Sea to Nonsuch”, including: “Rocket From A Bottle”, “Paper and Iron (Notes and Coins)”, “Travels In Nihilon”, “Smokeless Zone”, “Don't Lose Your Temper”, “The Somnambulist”, “Runaways”, “Leisure”, “It's Nearly Africa”, “Fly On The Wall”, “Down In The Cockpit”, “English Roundabout”, “Wake Up!”, “Seagulls Screaming Kiss Her, Kiss Her”, “This World Over”, “Big Day”, “The Man Who Sailed Around His Soul”, “Sacrificial Bonfire”, “Cynical Days”, “Miniature Sun” and “War Dance”.
December 8:: Brian Canfield transcribed chords for “The Smartest Monkeys”.
December 7:: Ptolemaic Terrascope featured “Pebbles from The Shore of The Sun - The XTC Interview” in issue #3 from 1991.; “Spiral” reviewed: Fingertips.; Black Sea reviewed: Peter Cashwell.; The rubber shark. Enough said.
December 5:: Ben Gott writes in to say “that the entire XTC catalog is finally (!) available from iTunes USA. Included with all the major albums are Fuzzy Warbles (1-6), Through the Hill (with Harold Budd), and the Dukes. Wonderfully enough, there is a new recording of Colin's ‘Where Did the Ordinary People Go?’ It sounds incredible.”
November 29:: Jude Hayden sent in lovely scans of the cover and centerfold of the Apple Bite sampler EP.; Coat of Many Cupboards reviewed: Rolling Stone (Germany).
November 22:: Apple Box reviewed: Planet Internet.; Read “XTC leeft van de mislukking”, een interview met zanger Andy Partridge, Planet Internet; I just discovered that Mike Visceglia interviewed Colin Moulding way back on January 15th, 2004
November 18:: Robert Mallows contributed this review of Apple Box from Classic Rock magazine.
November 17:: Robert Mallows contributed this interview with Andy Partridge from Classic Rock magazine: “Welcome back . . . XTC”.; Apple Box reviewed: De Tijd · Platomania · betterPropaganda.; Buhdge reviews “Say It” and “Spiral”.; Peruse this Apple Box media kit from Toolshed.; It may be old news to some of us, but Electrolyte Foundation points out that “XTC offers two exclusive new tracks for online orders of The Apple Box”.
November 15:: Apple Box is reviewed in the latest issues of Q and Mojo. Anybody care to transcribe the reviews or send me a scan? Also, XTC appears on Now Hear This!, a free CD that is included with the latest issue of Word.
November 10:: Jeffrey Thomas alerted me to this review of Apple Box in Rolling Stone Germany.
November 9:: Yorkshire Tony writes: “Andy Partridge is appearing on Mark Radcliffe's late-night BBC Radio 2 show next Tuesday, November 15, 2005. His show is normally 10.30 pm to midnight.”
November 7:: Andy Partridge will appear on Tom Robinson's Evening Sequence on BBC 6 Music, November 7, 1900h. Summary: “On tonight's show you can hear Tom in conversation with Andy Partridge, formerly of XTC and founder of Ape Records.” (Thanks to stargazer)
November 4:: Arvel Perry contributed these screenshots of The Dukes Of Stratosphear Flying Circus from the flight simulation game “IL2: Forgotten Battles”. He did the paintjobs (with the help of the Chalkhills Archives). See the Flying Circus, the squadron, from below, and other shots.
November 2:: Tyler Hewitt found this review of “Spiral” in Pitchfork.
October 30:: Brian Rogers tabbed out the bass parts for “Meccanik Dancing” and “Jumping in Gomorrah” and last night. Enjoy!
October 25:: I finally noticed this “daily news flash” in ICE from May 4, 2005.; Frédéric Quentin contributed his cover of “Senses Working Overtime”.
October 24:: Short but nice piece on XTC and the Apple Box in today's Sunday Times (if you are not registered, use username “chalkhills” password “andyboy”).
October 14:: The final three installments of the Andy Partridge interview with Alan Haber have been posted on Buhdge.
October 9:: Apparently the 1st two Judee Sill albums are getting a US CD release — at a more reasonable price than the recent Rhino Handmade editions, but without the lavish packaging or bonus tracks — on November 1. XTC-relevant detail: according to the Amazon.com listing, Andy (an avowed and longtime JS fan) has penned new liner notes for the Heart Food CD. (Thanks to Robin Heath.)
October 7:: My apologies for the lengthy Chalkhills downtime. I still don't know why it's back online.; Chris Vreeland's XTC tribute band The Dukes of Simpleton are playing at 9:00 pm, Nov 4th at Threadgill's World Headquarters, 301 West Riverside Drive, Austin, Texas, U.S. of A. They'll be doing a wide variety of songs, from Black Sea forward, including several acoustic songs, and some selections which should genuinely surprise nearly everyone.
September 22:: The Apple Box, which finally brings together the two acclaimed Apple Venus albums Apple Venus Volume 1 and Wasp Star (Apple Venus Volume 2), will be released by Idea Records on 31 October 2005 in the U.K. The set also includes the demo albums Homespun and Homegrown in a “stunningly simple, pure white [box], matte laminated with a peacock feather varnished on the box lid. A white matte slipcase completes the look. Inside, each CD is packaged in its own paperboard wallet with new artwork and a 64-page book contains the lyrics to all the songs . . . with new liner notes by Andy and Colin.” Order yours today! (Thanks to XTC/Idea Records.)
August 28:: Christer Liljegren has been at it again. Here are transcriptions of “Across This Antheap” and “Living in a Haunted Heart”.
August 8:: Six more audio segments of “XTC's Andy Partridge in conversation with Alan Haber” have been posted on Buhdge.
August 6:: Paul Culnane transcribed “The Most Underrated Albums Of Our Time: Tony Williams' Lifetime”, by Andy Partridge, in Word, June 2005.
August 4:: Paul Culnane recently spoke to Steve Somerset, the brains behind The Wish List and The Shadow Kabinet, and he said “I'm fast awake in my own need. . .”
August 2:: Shock! Horror! Andy Partridge plays and sings in public: Andy Partridge & Mid Life Crisis - The Roaring Donkey!
July 24:: James Mack transcribed guitar chords for “The Art Song (Something Good With Your Life)”.
July 22:: Ted Mills reviews The Big Express and Black Sea.; Have you visited Phrygian?
July 21:: Roymond covers XTC's “It's Nearly Africa”. Shadowself covers “Another Satellite” with Neil H. on drums. Abominominous covers “Generals & Majors”.
July 19:: Listen to “In conversation with Alan Haber: XTC's Andy Partridge” in Buhdge.
July 18:: Jeffrey Fariello (him again?!) contributes “some completely altruistic XTC fodder”.
July 17:: Jeffrey Fariello has posted his version of “Omnibus” and The Morningwood Brother's Auxilliary's version of “Then She Appeared” (in full and a capella flavours), originally recorded for the King for a Day tribute.
July 11:: Fuzzy Warbles Volumes 5+6 reviewed: BIRDpages · Music-Scan.; Fuzzy Warbles Volumes 1+2 reviewed: Music-Scan.
July 9:: Read about “Harold Budd: Budd in May” in The Independent, May 8, 2005.
July 7:: Buhdge reviews Fuzzy Warbles Vols. 5 & 6.
July 6:: Registration is now open for XTC - The Meeting Place - 2005. When? September 30 through October 2, 2005. Where? Swindon. Why? Because we like you. Martin Newell and X-sTatiC will appear. We hope you will appear, too.
June 27:: Andy poses the “Riddle of the bands” in The Guardian.
June 26:: Steve Somerset writes, “Alan Haber . . . hosts a great show on WEBR in Fairfax, Virginia, called Pure Pop. . . On Saturday, 9th July, Alan hosts a two hour XTC Pure Pop Special with an exclusive interview Andy Partridge and tracks from XTC and the Fuzzy Warbles albums. The show airs from 12-2pm.” Audio segments available at Buhdge.
June 10:: Fuzzy Warbles 5 + 6 reviewed: POPnews.
June 5:: Jacky Lurton contributes his cover of “Grass”. He plays all the instruments. Anyone in Paris who plays bass or drums (or sings) who wants to play pop music (Zombies, Beach Boys, Paul Bevoir, XTC, Martin Newell), please contact Jacky by email (jacky (dot) lurton (at) tiscali (dot) fr).
May 27:: In 2004, Pitchfork published their list of “The Top 100 Albums of the 1970s”, which featured Drums and Wires at No. 38.
May 26:: Stylus Magazine reviews “Generals and Majors” in their article “Life During Wartime: The Stylus Magazine Non-Definitive Guide To Pop Protest Songs”.; In 2002, Pitchfork revealed their idea of the “Top 100 Albums Of The 1980s”, a list which featured The Dukes Of Stratosphear's Psonic Psunspot at No. 66, XTC's English Settlement at No. 46 and Skylarking at No. 15. In response, Clink Magazine published their own list, “Top 100 Records of the '80s”, featuring Skylarking at No. 19 and English Settlement at No. 54.; Chips from the Chocolate Fireball reviewed: Echoes-Online.de · Utilikilts · Other Music · Universal Pop · Fort Drastic · Il Paradiso di Cassiel.; English Settlement reviewed: Il Paradiso di Cassiel.
May 24:: Apple Venus Vol. 1 reviewed: Pop Goes the Culture!.
May 22:: Did you see the ikamono?
May 11:: X-sTatiC to play Summer Gigs, Hell freezes over! Merely a year (less 8 days) after their last gig, X-sTatiC will be returning to their London Home, The Dublin Castle, on Friday, 1st July. This'll be the first of two planned summer gigs, the other being somewhere more exotic, possibly Manchester. Then, of course, they'll be playing at The Meeting Place 2005 in Swindon on the weekend of 30th September to 2nd October. You'll all be going won't you? Of course you will.
May 4:: L.A.'s only XTC cover band Drummed and Wired are gonna hit it again. Come on out and revel in the Xtc-ness of it all. They'll tackle some new ones as well as resurrect some old. May 27th, 10:30 - 11:30pm, Canter's Kibitz Room, 419 N. Fairfax, Los Angeles, CA, 323.651.2030. In addition, as part of International Pop Overthrow (a pop festival in L.A.), Drummed and Wired will be playing June 8th at The Derby in L.A.
April 12:: Apple Venus Volume 1 reviewed: Jeff Partyka's Mega-Music Page.
March 29:: The Flea Theater presents The Neta Dance Company: NETRO: A Neta Dance Company Retrospective, May 11-22, 2005, at The Flea Theater, NYC. This retrospective of two decades of work includes River of Orchids (1999), a whimsical solo set in a psychedelic swamp of giant vinyl lily pads, with music by XTC (who have generously donated 10 box sets to the NETRO raffle!).
March 28:: Greg Stump sent in chords for “I Can't Tell What Truth Is Anymore”.
March 27:: Chris Dahlen spoke with Andy Partridge (and others), now you can read “Get That Out of Your Mouth #12: The Process Is the Product” in Pitchfork; more quotes from the interview can be read at Mr. Dahlen's Countyerchange.
March 20:: Andy Partridge reviews Judee Sill in Uncut (thanks to Jamie Lowe).
March 17:: According to the latest newsletter from XTC and all things Ape: “The Summer of 2005 sees the release of the Apple Box, an attempt to present you with a set that should have graced your ears in the mid 90's. Arguably XTC's best work, the two faces of the same coin are now properly reunited. You even get all the home demo recordings as well, all in a 4-CD boxed set.” (Released on 20 July 2005 in Japan on Pony Canyon Records.)
March 16:: Skylarking reviewed: Harizma.
March 14:: Mark Vidler of Go Home Productions says, in his recent newsletter, “Cool news with Andy Partridge of XTC coming soon too......oh yes....”. Mr. Vidler recently met with Mr. Partridge and thus: GHPblogged: Toy Soldiers and a Headful of Whine. Stay tuned! (Thanks to Stuart Draper.)
February 26:: Darryl Bullock sent in some pictures of the Rainbow Drops & Finger Pops bootleg CD box set: the set · the hidden CD-3 · the box · the bag · the CDs · inside · the booklet c