h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Entry: XTC - The Band - A3003553
Author: Reddyfreddy. (Unique, SK, A-PG & PoN) - U232535

When I first joined H2G2, one of the entries I planned to write was one on XTC. Well, here it is. Enjoy!

RF

So it only took you a year? That's pretty good going! I have 2 or 3 three that are still only in me head.

OK, first thoughts. The new album "due to be released at the start of September 2004" - might need to rephrase that to allow it still to make sense in years to come.

Why did the record buying public ignore them? I know Andy's nasally whine isnt the most seductive voice in the world, and they arent exactly pin-ups....are you suggesting that a sufficient promotion budget could overcome the shallowness of punters and turn them (the BRBP) into sophisticated conisseurs?

May I make a suggestion?

"In 1977, having secured a recording contract and toured extensively..."
'...on one occasion playing Dingwall's in Camden, supported by an unknown band called Dire Straits'.

XTC were part of a short-lived post punk movement called power pop which seemed to be typified by fast songs (like Science Friction) and Hawaiian shirts. The only other bands I can remember from that genre were The Yachts and The Smirks.

Very well-researched entry

I think I'll wait until the end of September 2004, and Fuzzy Warbles volumes 5 & 6 actually being in the shops, before amending that bit - it should be well in the past by the time this reaches the EG . XTC/Partridge are notorious with deadlines.

I think the tastes of the BRBP weren't exactly ready for the sophistication of Apple Venus Volume 1, having been "spoilt" by the likes of Spice Girls, Take This and the like. Without the muscle of a big record company, and no money to spend on promotion, it was largely down to word of mouth, existing fans, music press reviews (and many a Q hack was tapping away, frothing at the mouth, etc. ). The problem with XTC, and their expectations of their music, is that they think that the fact that it's good (in their entirely unhumble opinions!) is enough.

So, to come back from almost 8 years' absence with a single of orchestral arrangements, with no drums, at a time when even "Britpop" was fading fast...a triumph of hope over reality. Perhaps I could expand on this thesis a bit?

RF

Gosho!

I've put a footnote about Dire Straits in.

RF

Can I at this point mention that there is a very very good Dire Straits entry for you to link to:

A311031



B

You can indeed.

Erm, how do I link to it? (Obvious beginner question)

Also, I mention UB40, The Police, REM, Todd Rundgren, Captain Sensible, Blur, Terry Hall, Cathy Dennis, and Peter Blegvad in the entry (I think that's all - should I consider linkage to all these people? Or will the kind person who edits the entry take care of all that for me?

RF

What you want to write

[take the space out of the A-number, though]

There's an absolutely brilliant entry on Blur at A737633.

Your Sub should put a few links in, unless it's me, because I hate doing it.

B

Blimey, it's clever, this GuideML! How does it look now?

That entry on Blur's pretty good, too...were you aware of the Partridge connection? He was the original producer for Leisure, apparently.

RF

Nope. I can safely say that that one had passed me by.

B

Wow! I'm so happy to see such a comprehensive Entry on XTC! And what a band.

I can only come into this from the most tragic viewpoint, and wonder whether it's worth mentioning (and also if anyone else in the world has listened to it more than once) the bizarre Mr. Partridge: Take Away/Lure of Salvage.

Oh Dukes of Stratosphear - another terrific combo!

I wonder how he feels now about being the second-most-famous A. Partridge...

Nice one, ReddyFreddy!

Natalie!

I've tried, so far as possible, to stick to official XTC albums and projects only. Nearly all members of the band have produced solo work, collaborations and other projects, and I felt that if I started going down that route the list would be endless. Similarly, I've ignored 'unofficial' releases such as The Bull With the Golden Guts and Jules Verne's Notebook.

Just imagine if the two of them got together...'Hello, it's "Knowing Me, Knowing You" (ah-haaaaa!) with Andy Partridge!' Doesn't bear thinking about! (Although Andy Partridge did do some work presenting a children's television programme at some stage...don't know if it ever made it to air though .)

RF

Nice entry. I've always liked XTC, although I've regarded the quality of their output as very variable. Oranges and Lemons is a real Curate's Egg. I also can't believe that Dear God didn't originally make the cut for Skylarking: it has one of the most sophisticated and sonically complex melodies of any pop song I can remember. The band's ability to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory is remarkable.

One minor niggle: wasn't it '*St.* John Johns' (as in 'sinjunn'). Not 'Sir John Johns'?

Hi Felonious Monk! I've checked on my Dukes CD and it's definitely Sir John Johns. Yeah, I know what you mean about Oranges & Lemons - it's not high on my personal favourites list, but it was their biggest seller! Go figure, as they say.

RF

Thank you for this! Jonathan Ross played "Making Plans for Nigel" recently and I turned it up loud for my teenage daughters to hear without telling them when it was from and they didn't seem to notice it was from what they call "ye olden days". (Defined as pre-1990 I believe, but it can change.)

I'd like to sneak the whole of "Drums and Wires" past them and see how long it took to realise it was retro. However, this would mean putting on that large flat black CD that you need to turn over. They might spot something.

In the entry under the heading "Early Days" you state "After playing in several local bands...." without defining where that "local" means until you mention Swindon at the end of that section. It wouldn't be clear to someone who hadn't heard of them that you even meant anywhere in the UK until that point.

High on my personal fave list: "Complicated Game".

Ah yes, I tend to take it for granted that everyone knows that XTC are Swindon's finest! I shall amend accordingly.

RF

Now that you've done that, you can add the link to the edited Guide Entry on Swindon: A676253

Aha! Now I see your cunning plan!

RF

No cunning plan at all. I've no connection to either Swindon or the author of the article. My motive is to help you get XTC into the Guide asap!
<<--- Now listening to Drums and Wires on vinyl.