Xtc的传略

XTC hail from Swindon, a once decaying railway centre and now growing business centre, in Wiltshire, England. XTC have been singing songs voicing their view of the world since 1977, when they hit the London music scene during the height of the Punk explosion. With the name XTC, they were often mistakenly considered to be part of the Punk and New Wave movements themselves, but XTC are determinedly pop! One of the foremost and long-lived bands in the power pop movement spearheaded by such luminaries as The Beach Boys, The Beatles, and The Kinks, XTC have ofttimes tipped their hat (and winked their collective eye) to those bands, and many others.

　　In the mid-80s, XTC went underground and appeared, dressed in purple paisley, as the psychedelic Dukes of Stratosphear with their EP 25 O'Clock. Since that time XTC have had hits in America with such songs as the controversial "Dear God", written as a child's letter to his creator, which helped their album Skylarking become the favourite of many XTC fans, and their anti-fame song "The Mayor of Simpleton", from their 1989 double LP Oranges and Lemons. XTC's latest album is called Wasp Star (Apple Venus Volume 2), and marks the return to XTC's electric sound. Andy Partridge calls it "eclectric".

　　XTC is arguably led by Andy Partridge, guitarist, singer, prolific songwriter, and public persona of XTC. Andy can be brilliant, witty, and difficult by turns. Andy also suffers from terrible stage fright, a factor which led XTC to end their career as a live touring band in 1982. Andy, born in Malta, has lived in Swindon for most of his life. Andy has been influential in the music world since the early 80s, working with such artists as Thomas Dolby, The Residents, Riuichi Sakamoto, Terry Hall, Cathy Dennis, Joan Armatrading, and Harold Budd. Andy has also been in demand as a producer for the likes of The Lilac Time, Martin Newell, Yazbek, and Peter Blegvad.

　　Colin Moulding is the other songwriter in XTC, and many of his songs have become the trademark songs of XTC, including their first breakthrough hit "Making Plans for Nigel", the anti-war "Generals and Majors", and the MTV favorite "King for a Day". Colin is also the bassist for XTC, and has contributed his talents on the bass guitar to albums by such artists as Sam Phillips, Peter Blegvad, and the French alternative group Affaire Louis Trio.

　　Some say the musical meat of XTC was provided by Dave Gregory, who left the band during the recording of Apple Venus Volume 1. Dave was hired prior to the recording of the album Drums and Wires to replace original keyboardist Barry Andrews. Dave is a multi-instrumentalist, playing guitar, keyboards, singing background vocals, and providing string arrangements as well. Dave is often in demand as a session and live player, having worked with such artists as Peter Gabriel, Zeke Manyika, The Big Dish, Aimee Mann, the Italian singer Alice, Jennifer Trynin, Becki Di Gregorio, and Brian Stevens.

　　The original drummer for XTC was Terry Chambers, a no-nonsense hard drinking man. He loved to tour and to pound the skins. When XTC went from being a well-oiled touring machine to a studio band with time on their hands, Terry decided to leave the band and moved to Australia with his wife.

　　Barry Andrews was a one-of-a-kind keyboard madman, the original fourth member of XTC. His antics as well as his melodic and rhythmic contributions helped form the basis of the early XTC sound. It was his originality as much as anything that eventually led him to quit the group. He went on to work with Robert Fripp's League of Gentlemen, and then formed the band Shriekback, who met with a good measure of success.

　　And what are they doing now, you ask? As of August 27th, 1997, XTC and their record label Idea signed a licensing deal with Cooking Vinyl U.K. for the world excluding the U.S., Canada, Central America, South America, and Africa. On July 8, 1998, XTC and Idea signed a licensing deal with TVT U.S.A. for the U.S. market. Various licensees are representing the band throughout the rest of the world including Pony Canyon in Japan and Roc in the Far East. The uniqueness of the deal allows greater artistic control for the band, something for which they had been striving for some time.

　　XTC's latest album is called Wasp Star (Apple Venus Volume 2). It's a more straightforward electric guitar album than their previous (Apple Venus Volume 1). The album was produced by Nick Davis and XTC, and features the talents of drummers Chuck Sabo and Prairie Prince. The album is garnering very positive reviews.