XTC
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XTC podcast, for those interested. The latest episode has Andy Partridge talking about various things including rediscovering old live tapes (including Helium Kidz) and cleaning them up, and talking through the writing of some songs.
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Following from this post from foxfeeder concerning the great Colin Moulding, two new songs from him which essentially are his first solo release.
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Following from this post from foxfeeder concerning the great Colin Moulding, two new songs from him which essentially are his first solo release.
That's how I stumbled across the youtube vid I posted. I thought there might be a promo on there, sadly, not yet.
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Massive XTC fan here. Would be very glad to get some XTC and Partridge related waffle going in this thread.
But I'm away for the next week, so I can't get it going just yet.
If anyone's interested we could do an album by album discussion. Not necessarily in the chronological order.
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Massive XTC fan here. Would be very glad to get some XTC and Partridge related waffle going in this thread.
But I'm away for the next week, so I can't get it going just yet.
If anyone's interested we could do an album by album discussion. Not necessarily in the chronological order.
Excellent idea.
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I absolutely love XTC, have all their albums and their alter egos,the wonderful Dukes Of Stratosphear albums. If you haven't heard the Dukes do yourself a favour and give them a listen , they are well worth it. They released 2 albums but there is a recent reissue that has them both on " Chips From The Chocolate Fireball" and a more recent comp " Psurroundabout Ride" which has the 2 albums and some extra tracks
I actually only saw XTC live once, in Liverpool on the 8th December 1980, the day one of my heroes, John lennon died Needless to say it was an emotional day and of course XTC were superb.
Hard to pick a fav album but if I had to it would be Black Sea but they have not released one album i do not love.
They must be the most underrated band of all time, I think it was only Andy Partridge's stage fright which held them back.
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I absolutely love XTC, have all their albums and their alter egos,the wonderful Dukes Of Stratosphear albums. If you haven't heard the Dukes do yourself a favour and give them a listen , they are well worth it. They released 2 albums but there is a recent reissue that has them both on " Chips From The Chocolate Fireball" and a more recent comp " Psurroundabout Ride" which has the 2 albums and some extra tracks
I actually only saw XTC live once, in Liverpool on the 8th December 1980, the day one of my heroes, John lennon died Needless to say it was an emotional day and of course XTC were superb.
Hard to pick a fav album but if I had to it would be Black Sea but they have not released one album i do not love.
They must be the most underrated band of all time, I think it was only Andy Partridge's stage fright which held them back.
Chips From The Chocolate Fireball was released at the same time as Psonic Psunspot. The first album came out on vinyl only, Came out a month before I bought my first CD player, but when the second one came out, it was only on vinyl too, but the CD had both albums on it, so I bought that. But you are right, it was reissued a few years back, and the Psurroundsound Ride is complete.
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Used to be a big fan of xtc in the early 80'.. always seemed to bring something different to the table. Not listened to them for a while but after reading the comments, thought i must listen again . Reminded me if how good they were and indeed a great listen/reminder.
Have heard Partridge a few times on 6 radio, and seems to do a fair bit of songwriting for others 👍
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I absolutely love XTC, have all their albums and their alter egos,the wonderful Dukes Of Stratosphear albums. If you haven't heard the Dukes do yourself a favour and give them a listen , they are well worth it. They released 2 albums but there is a recent reissue that has them both on " Chips From The Chocolate Fireball" and a more recent comp " Psurroundabout Ride" which has the 2 albums and some extra tracks
I actually only saw XTC live once, in Liverpool on the 8th December 1980, the day one of my heroes, John lennon died Needless to say it was an emotional day and of course XTC were superb.
Hard to pick a fav album but if I had to it would be Black Sea but they have not released one album i do not love.
They must be the most underrated band of all time, I think it was only Andy Partridge's stage fright which held them back.
As someone who actually got to see them on stage you are a sainted person in my view. I am inhaling your message, from which I draw strength. And what a memory, that the event took place the day of Lennon's death. Given what a Beatles disciple Partridge is, he must have had something to say.
My top Dukes songs are Your Gold Dress and Pale & Precious.
Black Sea for me too. It is indeed very difficult to pick out one album and so many of theirs push all my buttons, I even think some of the later ones were better in some respects but for various personal reasons Black Sea, while probably not their best, is my favourite.
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Have heard Partridge a few times on 6 radio, and seems to do a fair bit of songwriting for others 👍
He's great value in interviews, such a smart chap.
I once chatted with someone from Swindon who'd met AP a few times. He said you didn't know which version you were going to get - the chummy, witty one who'd happily have a pint with you and entertainingly shoot the breeze, or the darker, challenging, cutting, acid-tongued one you best steer clear of. But then, he's firmly in the category of people I hugely admire but wouldn't especially want to spend time with. Just enjoying his work is enough for me. (Though that said, I had some nice exchanges with him on twitter before he left it, including one about Genesis! Talking about one of my favourite groups with the main writer from one of my other favourite groups nearly blew my mind).
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I had no familiarity with this band before, but discovering them now because of this thread. Currently have Skylarking on. Really enjoy what I'm hearing so far.
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I had no familiarity with this band before, but discovering them now because of this thread. Currently have Skylarking on. Really enjoy what I'm hearing so far.
You've gone straight to the one that's usually cited as their standout album. Nice to hear it's clicking with you. For two very different experiences - both in a good way, and should you feel inspired to explore further - would be found in The Big Express and Apple Venus.
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The idea of an XTC thread came up here, in the body parts thread of all places. We thought it might be worth starting an XTC thread. I'm still not too sure and wonder if it'll just be two of us but I thought I'd give it a go. I have noticed before that some Genesis fans are XTC fans too so there must be something that appeals in both for some of us.
They began in the 1970s as a sort of power-pop band but as many bands did, they got considered as part of the punk/new-wave movements. I certainly never considered them punk - while I liked punk and they did have some of that punk-style energy I could see straight off there was more to XTC in terms of their songwriting, which was mainly by singer/guitarist Andy Partridge, about 80% with the rest written by bassist Colin Moulding who sang on his own compositions. Partridge's songs in particular were distinguished by clever word-play within usually very cohesive often 'thematic' lyrics. He also had a great knack for melody and producing compact songs crammed with jumpy stop-start rhythms and McCartneyesque vertical tunes, something that became more prevalent with time. In the same Beatles terms Moulding was more the Lennon with his horizontal tunes, though it's not a great comparison in all honesty. His wordplay was less colourful but he still had a good ear for a song and possibly their best-known hit Making Plans For Nigel was one of his.
Their original lineup was completed by the shrill cartoony keyboards of Barry Andrews and the thundering drums of Terry Chambers. Andrews left and, with a pre-fame Thomas Dolby knocking on the door to replace him, Partridge took the seemingly perverse decision to add a second guitarist instead, Dave Gregory. (Another link, Partridge was producer on Dolby's first single, Urges).
They were from Swindon in the English westcountry and this formerly industrial railway town informed some of their work. Their live shows could be famously incendiary and Partridge was a lively front-man fizzing with energy, so it was a shock that he had a breakdown on tour in 1982 and was never able to face stage work again; XTC ceased to be a touring band from that point on. They continued putting out albums until 2000 by which time they'd evolved into a very different kind of band, with often rich pastoral orchestral tones bearing no resemblance to the twitchy power-pop of their early days.
So after banging on about them here's where I discover it's just me and foxfeeder who are remotely interested! (Though I hope not).
Thomas Dolby! Here in the states he’s a one hit wonder! She blinded ME with science!!
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Thomas Dolby! Here in the states he’s a one hit wonder! She blinded ME with science!!
Sadly he's not far beyond that here in his home country. I say 'sadly' as I think he deserved better.
His excellent book The Speed of Sound doesn't hide his bitterness and regret at aspects of his music career. As you may know he then went on to licence synth technology and polyphonic ringtones to phone companies. His account of that is also in his book and is a bit of an eye-opener at times.
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Sadly he's not far beyond that here in his home country. I say 'sadly' as I think he deserved better.
His excellent book The Speed of Sound doesn't hide his bitterness and regret at aspects of his music career. As you may know he then went on to licence synth technology and polyphonic ringtones to phone companies. His account of that is also in his book and is a bit of an eye-opener at times.
I didn’t know all that about him. Interesting.
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Thomas Dolby! Here in the states he’s a one hit wonder! She blinded ME with science!!
Covered by Steve Hackett - The Devil is an Englishman.
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Covered by Steve Hackett - The Devil is an Englishman.
I love that cover!
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You've gone straight to the one that's usually cited as their standout album. Nice to hear it's clicking with you. For two very different experiences - both in a good way, and should you feel inspired to explore further - would be found in The Big Express and Apple Venus.
Thanks for the tips, will definitely check them out. Funny this band completely flew under my radar, they're great. Makes me wonder what else I've missed!