XTC on Where Are They Now

[@costabotes9107]

Well, they didn’t last much past the millennium, but gosh, what treasures they have left us. Amazing, unpredictable, rich and varied music, possibly the most innovative and interesting pop/rock band since the Beatles.

[@vanishing_girl]

best laid plans eh?

[@michaelthomas366]

Saw XTC perform with the Police back in the early eighties. They were young, I was young, and it was a lot of fun! I now live not far from where "Skylarking" was recorded.

[@russellmurray3964]

I saw XTC on that tour as well, opening for the Police in 1980. The tragedy of it is that I was too young to realize the greatness I was witnessing, and that all too soon it wouldn't be there on stage anymore. I have to say, though, that I was really shocked when I read a few years later that XTC would no longer be touring, since I had found their live show to be quite charged up. News back then was slow to nonexistent, so no one really knew what the score was.

[@firebladeclements]

Where did you guys see them? I saw them in London Ontario on their own, then in Toronto the next night with the police where I think Andy gave Sting a shave on stage while he was singing. Then went to Detroit the next night where they both played. My favorite band back then for sure! Fantastic live!

[@KingfisherTalkingPictures]

So strange to see “Where are they now?” From 20+ years ago.

[@jordancooperlalala]

Euughhh yeah

[@tomallen5837]

means we ain't gettin' any younga

[@youandwhosearmy6339]

Next you'll be telling me it's 1990.

[@kevinstables5944]

I think Andy's problem is that he's got 5 senses working overtime

[@GenialHarryGrout]

He certainly couldn't afford Love on a Farm Boys Wages, not with 2 kids to support

[@maximusindicusoblivious180]

@@GenialHarryGrout Yea, he'd have to kick them out and say No Thugs In Our House.

[@gnatgnat3295]

This and the comments are so under rated 😭😭

[@gerardodoherty9178]

@@GenialHarryGrout i guess the asked if he'd be able to "earn enough for us"

[@magnetodan]

I wonder if he would be willing to perform for a Yacht Dance?

[@roberttschaefer]

I only wish Andy could lighten up and see himself from his fans perspective; that as far as we are concerned he could just show up and play the kazoo on stage and we’d be over the moon with joy. Alas, I know it isn’t that easy...

[@jordancooperlalala]

Couldn't agree more...

[@TheGodParticle]

You totally nail it sir.

[@spookerz35]

Geniuses don't have the same thought process as us mere mortals... 😔

[@richalderson6069]

I can't understand why in this pandemic era he doesn't bless us with some nice acoustic performances online complete with a little song explanation beforehand. I think his fans would adore him for that.

[@benglassman]

Wow. Never in accordance with 4 replies before to this degree. I guess there is some hope for the Human Race after all. Cheers !

[@edwardcarloni6356]

One of the best band Ever.

[@richarddoyle3420]

Amazing to watch Andy do interviews knowing his stage-fright. He has such a wit and charm about him!

[@jordancooperlalala]

I think the stage fright is tied to like the massive tours they would do. He was able to play on Letterman pretty well and a few other acoustic performances too.

[@danbrockettDOP]

@@jordancooperlalala "Stage Fright" is an inaccurate term for what Andy actually went through and there is a lot more to it. It also gets into the Steely Dan model of "Why only play live and only record what can be reproduced with a four piece lineup when there is a whole other paintbox of instruments, styles and sounds that can only be achieved in the studio and not on the stage?" The rest of the band did want to tour, the label obviously did, but after his withdrawl, coping with substance dependency episodes, Andy didn't. Thank goodness I say. If XTC had only stayed a touring band, we would have all lost out on at least half of their collective musical genius with strings, orchestra, layering, arrangements, vocal layering and harmony. We wouldn't have had Skylarking, Apple Venus, most of NonSvuch, The Dukes if they would have stayed a touring band. We would have just had more GO 2, Black Sea, Drums & Wires, etc. which are GREAT albums but they needed to evolve musically and they did.

[@jordancooperlalala]

I mean, Andy himself has used the term "stage fright" so I'm not doing the textbook definition of the term, one could simply take Andy at his word that whatever you want to call it, it felt like "stage fright", being afraid to go on stage. Colin actually did not want to keep touring either. In fact all of his songs on Go 2 were already about hating playing live. Terry wanted to keep touring, which is one reason why he quit the band shortly after. I agree, the band evolved at a more rapid pace than if they had kept touring, however I think they still would have explored similar territory. Personally I've never understood the idea that you can only make albums you could play live or only make albums you can't play live (and then don't try)...No other band I am a fan of has this issue. They all do whatever they want on their albums, and play the songs live in new ways or pick and choose which ones work the best on stage. Colin recently did a bunch of their "impossible to play live songs" with Terry at a show, and tons of XTC tribute bands prove these songs are incredible live. I saw a fantastic performance by Loser's Lounge that was at least half songs from Skylarking, Oranges and Lemons, etc, even a few Apple Venus songs. And the acoustic tour through radio stations they did for Oranges and Lemons is fantastic...the fans don't need a 40 piece orchestra or layers of tracks...we're just happy seeing the songs come to life in new ways. But if Andy isn't having fun then it isn't worth it.

[@danbrockettDOP]

@@jordancooperlalala Yes, I know. I think even Andy has had to to use that term, in press interviews, simply because it's shorthand for a pretty long and complex story involving his insane mother, childhood, drug dependency, a dysfunctional marriage and how his then wife took it upon herself to "cold turkey" Andy. "Stage fright" is more like the conclusion/result of a more complex situation, and in other interviews and press, he's termed it things like almost having a nervous breakdown, a meltdown, etc. Looking at XTC as a live band pre-that whole incident, Andy seemed to have been pretty cocky, confidant and having fun on stage as a live performer. Even post that incident, in the one off late night and BBC appearances, years later, overall, Andy seemed much more at ease on stage for a song or two at least and he's an excellent interview on camera. But it's such a different experience to world tour for months or even years versus doing a one off live on Letterman. Andy has definitely put out multiple times in press and social media too though that he took NOT performing live as a band anymore as a gateway to making XTC's songcraft much more complex and sophisticated so I think that may have at least subliminally played a part too in deciding to no longer be a live band. I think the "Not doing songs that are difficult or impossible to play live" thing is a remnant of the 80s and early 90s. The technology the last decade and a half has made reproducing almost anything done in the studio live without a huge ensemble possible but at the time, I bet Andy, Colin and Dave were being purists too. If they used 95 tracks to create a song, how could they re-create it live properly with ten tracks of backing vocals? I have seen some bands that did tracks they recorded in studio with an orchestra, replaced with cheesy synth patches and it is painful. I agree with your idea of re-imagining songs done differently, more minimally and sparse but well executed over trying to make live sound "just like the album" but I think all musicians have different views and beliefs about how to translate studio cut songs live. Interesting too about Colin.

[@richarddoyle3420]

@@danbrockettDOP Thank you for the deeper insight. We'll never know the full reasons for the lack of live performances, but this gives substantial info!

[@cosmicmusicreynolds3266]

Amazing band I followed XTC through the 1998s and 90s ,and as the jukes of stratosphere too. Thanks boys I got a lot of pleasure from your music.

[@mc76]

The Dukes record, parody or not, is my favorite XTC record. I am a sucker for psychodelia, even faux psychodelia.

[@cosmicmusicreynolds3266]

@@mc76 same here, I also recommend psychedelic folk including the incredible string band.the hangman's beautiful daughter 1967. They had a mythical mystical flavour to the music . perfect for the day.

[@lesliegooch7565]

💜💜💜XTC💜💜💜

[@tinfoilhatter]

are they the best, or are they the alltime greatest-of-all-time, right?

[@lesliegooch7565]

@@tinfoilhatter They were the best, then they bestest their best. How'd they keep doing that? They are mind-bogglingly fantastic! 😊

[@tinfoilhatter]

@@lesliegooch7565 their secret weapon, must have been bein' the modern beatles! inexplicable, they were and still are! well , the anti-beatles, but beatle-appreciators, i would be tempted to ascribe to 'em, i know nuthin'! but i know it was so fun, buggin' andy on the twitter thing, he actually spoke to me! a few times, i was embarrassed but who cares!

[@lesliegooch7565]

@@tinfoilhatter he actually replied to me quite a few times on Twitter and it was so thrilling! I miss that interaction. He is semi involved on a Facebook group now, has had a couple of Q and A threads via one of the moderators. I know a lot of folks don't do Facebook but if you are interested I'll send you the group name

[@tinfoilhatter]

@@lesliegooch7565 facebook! how lovely! if this were ten years ago, it still would be too late , i guess! send him our love and our best! from the bit-chutes, the you-tubes, and the brand-new-tubes, what a mess! we'll-be-'round, god-willing, ha ha~~ you're very kind!

[@magnetodan]

One of my favorite bands, They had a great run from White Music through English Settlement!

[@jordancooperlalala]

My three favorite XTC albums are Skylarking, Nonsuch and Apple Venus...

[@danbrockettDOP]

@@jordancooperlalala Right there with you. same here. I like early XTC, but mid to late is so much more interesting if not as rocking.

[@spookerz35]

You mean a Great Run from White Music to Wasp Star, with a 2 album detour as the Dukes of Stratosphear! You're Welcome...😁

[@jasonlefler3456]

I’m a U2 fan and an XTC fan. A diehard fan of both groups. I’ve met Andy Partridge as well as Bono and Edge. Just one question. Why the fuck is U2’s One playing in the midst of a segment on XTC?!?

[@jordancooperlalala]

I think someone in post production actually thought they were the same band

[@donny2327]

good f question

[@willmoore8708]

It's VH1. They're assholes. What'd you expect? They're dumber than Mtv.

[@sratus]

Are you gonna go my way? by Lenny Kravitz is also playing at one point.

[@bellinghammond]

I was a huge fan (I predicted XTC-Mania when they burst on the "New Wave" scene) even got to meet Andy after a gig in the late 80's. He'd just come sweating off stage yet was gracious enough to show a random New Wave teen guitarist some of the spiky chords he was using on things like "This is Pop" (as Colin sat scowling at me ;). The only thing I can figure is that XTC were just "too smart" for a world that even then was being rapidly 'dumbed down'. But bless 'em, they did *well*

[@ericambler486]

Absolute rubbish. They stopped playing live in 82, you coouldn't have seen them in tge late 80s!

[@jeffdawson2786]

To me, one of the best English bands of all time.

[@P-Nisse]

The crowd left when they realized it was XTC 😄 They're in good company it was said once, how do you know it's Ornette Coleman playing in there? well the audience is outside the club 😄 It just means that the musicians are far in front of the audience, a mark of quality.

[@darrylwiggins1156]

I agree with,baron.moulding and partridge are a good team worthy of the beatle comparison.

[@TheGodParticle]

Its so strange that Andy suffered from that when he chose a profession that would require a lot of stage and interview work.

[@jordancooperlalala]

Well I'm the same way. I'm a musician and played live a million times...but I have horrible stage anxiety and can't eat before a show and feel stomach sick and yell at people and etc...however the difference for me is once I'm on stage I'm in a great mood and I feel kind of on top of the world, usually

[@cardigansarecool]

Andy had been taking Valium since he was 12 and his wife threw out his tablets during his one tour. He had been able to manage until that point

[@joanbull9066]

Why is a U2 song playing during this?

[@billbrillford7883]

bless Andy Partridge #OnlyMakingPlans4Nigel

[@ManchesterBlackSheep]

A song which Colin wrote :D

[@ericsilberstein667]

Great alt band.

[@goctagonrecovery3270]

Can someone explain to me why people didn’t like seeing these guys perform? They were an incredible live band, what did people not like??

[@jordancooperlalala]

You must have gotten your wires crossed (no pun intended) somewhere. Everyone loved watching XTC perform and have been dying for them to play again for decades. The band refused to do it though, citing several reasons. Currently the drummer is performing with musicians as EXTC and there's a lot of people at the shows and it's had a great response. I saw them a few weeks ago, a lot of fun.

[@williamwalsh4013]

Aside from the very real matter of Andy's panic attack issue, their really layered, fantastic production approaches would have been exhausting to compensate for in live shows, IMHO. Nowadays, laptops and backing tracks are used, but it's not a real 4-piece show at that point. It's a stage show. But if you watch their early shows it is stand-and-deliver reality and gutsy LIVE parts. I love their music and salute them for manning-up as long as was realistic. They all did and do great work since.

[@alone-xz7dx]

I might add Difford and Tillbrook to that list too

[@mikehersh6192]

Bigly

[@BixLives32]

Eight years on strike. Brave lads.

[@Hiterally_Litler]

Why are they playing u2's "ONE" as a music bed for XTC?

[@jordancooperlalala]

Not a bad question

[@alone-xz7dx]

Yep, genius wordcrafters

[@davidneal9368]

If a band forms themselves even if went on strike from a record company. They keep their name . They write the songs. they are there song's not record companies.

[@thewordlove4316]

ahh, those pesky contract clauses: without them, we would have never heard of Robert Plant or John Bonham ...

[@1silvervespa]

Record companies the worst PIMPS .....

[@DouglasLippi]

What's up with Lenny Kravitz music in there? lol

[@josephlawson9950]

Find more ebert and roeper episodes

[@jordancooperlalala]

I've only got a few tapes left, we'll see

[@tinfoilhatter]

@@jordancooperlalala nice! what else ya got!!

[@jordancooperlalala]

In terms of ..?

[@tinfoilhatter]

@@jordancooperlalala cool recordings, tapes, glad i found the channel, i'll check it out--thanks!

[@thewordofgord]

Little out of date this one.

[@guitarlusteuphoria4507]

"Jerky pop" ???

[@jordancooperlalala]

? It's an apt description for XTC's early albums, and used pretty commonly.

[@stepheng8779]

@@jordancooperlalala maybe in Americaland, not here

[@davebartholome2924]

Well, they’ve got to call it something, don’t they? Quick, come up with a better two-word description of XTC’s music! If I had to do it, I’d just use the same phrase Donald Fagen uses to describe Steely Dan’s music-“sophisticated pop.” As different as XTC and Steely Dan are, I think it fits. It’s pop music, but lyrically and musically, it’s several cuts above most of the pop out there.

[@danbrockettDOP]

@@davebartholome2924 I'm a huge XTC and Dan fan and I couldn't agree more. Even though their music output is miles apart, XTC and the Dan share a lot of music career parallels with a live band becoming a studio band, musical sophistication and a penchant for extremely literate and sophisticated lyrics.

[@ericsilberstein667]

Jerky pop noisy pop post-punk. It’s all Alternative.

[@davidbowman4259]

One of the all-time great bands. Partridge/Moulding are right up there with Lennon/McCartney.