XTC Reaction - No Thugs In Our House Song Reaction!

[@johnmavroudis2054]

I have worked at records stores. I have DJ'd at college and professional radio stations. I have been a music fanatic for my entire life... buying hundreds and hundreds of albums... and listening to thousands... and XTC are my favorite band of all-time. Their catalog is up there with anyone's (AND they went on strike against their record company...not releasing anything... for SEVEN YEARS!)... I think a convincing case can be made that they are the best pop band since The Beatles. Their music runs the gamut from loud and heavy ("No Thugs," "Complicated Game," "Travels In Nihilon," "Reign Of Blows") to shimmering beauty ("Harvest Festival," "Then She Appeared," "Wrapped In Grey")... they talk about every subject under the sun... politics, religion, home life, love, hate, and beyond. They also put out some music under the pseudonym of "The Dukes Of Stratosphear" that is the greatest 60s homage ever recorded (all original songs, too!). They had some hits like "Making Plans For Nigel," "Sense Working Overtime," "Mayor Of Simpleton," "Dear God," and "The Ballad Of Peter Pumpkinhead"... but mainly they flew under the radar. Lyrics... Music... They're the whole package. Here's my list (for whatever it's worth) of songs you might check out (The journey with them is VERY rewarding): 12. Playground 11. Mayor Of Simpleton 10. Paper & Iron (Notes and Coins) 9. Sacrificial Bonfire 8. Snowman 7. Complicated Game 6. Love On A Farmboy's Wages 5. This World Over 4. Senses Working Overtime 3. Chalkhills and Children 2. Wrapped In Grey 1. Harvest Festival DUKES OF STRATOSPHEAR 5. Little Lighthouse 4. Collideascope 3. What In The World 2. Your Gold Dress 1. 25 O'Clock THANK YOU for checking them out and for your thoughtful reaction!! You pretty much nailed it. Graham was basically in a right-wing, racist gang called The National Front which was menacing a lot of England at the time. I keep coming back to you and your dad, because you're such intelligent reactors... and your words truly come from the heart! ...and so I became a patron. (wish I could afford more... but it's something) Cheers!

[@MacSvensson]

One of my favorite bands of all-time too. Amongst my personal favorites you didn't include already (like the supermagnificent 'Complicated Game' and 'Senses Working Overtime') are: - Train Running Low On Soul Coal - Seagulls Screming "Kiss Her, Kiss Her" - My Weapon - Helicopter - When You're Near Me I Have Difficulty - The Everyday Story of Smalltown - You're The Wish You Are I Had - Another Satellite - Hold Me My Daddy And maybe it's not bad to check out their 'hits' (let's call them more mainstream pop songs) first: - Dear God - King For A Day - The Mayor Of Simpleton But the one that really, really hooked me into their catalogue was undoubtedly 'Complicated Game'. This song is so different, so clever, so haunting, it blew my mind when I first heard it. Thanks!

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

Wow thanks so John for taking the time to share all that. High praise from someone of your background so we will definitely check out your suggestions! Also really appreciate the kind words and appreciate the Patreon support! Stay safe!

[@harripalomaki8796]

Complicated Game is one of a kind. Scary, intense.

[@kevinm4138]

John Mav check this out , pretty impressive, IMO. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pqGtlHeOa9eNjJI

[@johnmavroudis2054]

@@kevinm4138 Thanks, Kevin!!

[@32INCHSTRIPER]

As with every XTC song, listen to it two or three more times and it'll become a 9.

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

Thanks for Watching!

[@peterhawkins2880]

I adore XTC. They are the greatest British band that no one's heard of. If they had managed to tour more, they would have been huge. A back catalogue of beautifully observed slices of British pop. Genius.

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

Thanks Peter!

[@MrNaKillshots]

Explore the albums. They're full of masterpieces. Listening to individual tracks is only a glimpse.

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

Thanks

[@jpbliss1]

XTC - Where do I begin? I have all of their albums and have listened to them since 1982. Lyrics are definitely a high point...their songs span a range from social commentary to religion to unbridled optimism to ... ?? The music often takes more than one listen (as others have said) because it is a little like jazz: lots going on and the presentation accomplished by talented folks. I'm enjoying the banter about XTC vs. the Beatles. I've heard that before and have engaged in debate with others about it. In my rock experience, the most ardent fans seem to embrace Pink Floyd, Rush, and the Beatles. For me, I include XTC in that group and encourage everyone to explore further. Thanks for the review!

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

Thanks for all the insight and for watching! Stay safe!

[@i_love_rescue_animals]

Same! They just second to The Beatles for me. ❤

[@garyking2622]

I would place Andy Partridge above the Beatles as far as songwriting

[@catsteinhilb2880]

They are Effn brilliant.

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

Thanks for Watching!

[@burtonmediaprod]

Senses Working Overtime is a good one. Also, their alter egos The Dukes Of Stratosphere is AMAZING!!!

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

Will check it out. Thanks Clark

[@malibustacy3606]

The thumbnail is the sleeve from the British import single (I'm from Canada) which is a cardboard theatre stage with little cut out characters featured in the song, like the insect headed worker wife, the young policeman, the pipe smoking husband etc.

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

It is a fantastic one, so much stuff going on!

[@a.k.1740]

Everything is great on English Settlement! even the leftovers from the same sessions relegated to the B sides of the different singles taken from the album. Try the excellent "Blame the Weather" (B-side to the single "Senses Working Overtime") which could've been an A-side !

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

Will check some of those out. Thanks A.K.!

[@kevinm4138]

Thanks Trey. You’ve already had some great comments that accurately describe XTC. I think you’ll find most people will rate “Black Sea”, English Settlement “ or “skylarking “ as the top 3 XTC albums to check out. After English Settlement I’d recommend Drums and Wires from Earlier in their career. They have a deep discography to get into.

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

Really appreciate the suggestions and thanks for watching Kevin!

[@frangarcia7774]

Great group. Lots of songs worthwhile checking out

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

Thanks Fran!

[@sylvanm4216]

A few XTC tracks I'd recommend to new listeners: "Generals and Majors", "Love on a Farmboy's Wages", "Mayor of Simpleton", "Easter Theatre" Nearly every great long-lasting band has a "prime era" (think Yes from 71 to 74, or Fleetwood Mac from 75 to 79) and everyone pretty much acknowledges that if you step outside of that it gets dicey. XTC is maybe the only band I know of that kept up that kind of quality for a 20+ year period. Incredible run of great albums. "No Thugs" is an excellent song that has unfortunately felt as relevant as ever lately, but not one of my personal faves from them, just cause the pool is so deep.

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

For sure planning on checking out more. Thanks for the suggestions!

[@youandwhosearmy6339]

No thugs in our house We made little Boris promise us he'd be a good boy

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

Thanks for watching youandwhosearmy?!

[@WarrenCromartie2]

Incredible band, with a very diverse and musically progressive catalogue. This song is one of my personal XTC faves. It's a a song about a violent nationalist, probably inspired by the British National Front, a prominent and violent right wing movement active in the UK, in the 70's and 80's. Musically, the song does nod back a little to their 'post punk' era of the late 70's, in terms of the tracks aggression and energy, but it benefits from their maturity and experience as songwriters by this time. It's interesting you say that you can't really categorize this band and their sound. I think the music press had the same problem back in the day, which is partly the reason they weren't as big as they clearly deserved to be. One minute they were borderline punk, the next they're arty pop, then there's an element of folk and later on it was almost 60's psych with elements of prog, but all with one constant throughout; they were excellent! Music journo's hate this kind of band, because they don't now how to review the music. Also, being a music hack was considered a 'cool' job back then, so one wanted to make sure they were giving props to the 'correct' artists who played to the 'cool' crowd. Journo's didn't know where they stood with XTC. To artsy and intellectual, to quote a psycho... ;-)

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

Great insight! SO many fantastic bands back in the day didnt get their due.

[@jamesdignanmusic2765]

You got the meaning pretty spot on - and yes Colin's bass is often a great feature of XTC's music. "Generals and Majors", "Senses Working Overtime", and "Towers of London" are three classic XTC tracks from this "transition" period. For their earlier, punkier sound, try "Statue of Liberty" or "This is Pop", and for their later, proggier sound, try "Chalkhills and Children" or "Green Man".

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

Appreciate all the suggestions! Thanks James!

[@famccormick]

Like all great poetry, lyrics can be taken both literally as well as metaphorically. When taken literally, it's the story of a young skinhead. Taken metaphorically, lots of folks at the time took it to be an indictment of the British government excusing the behavior of brutal dictatorships who were politically expedient allies.

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

Great insight. Thanks for sharing and watching Frank!

[@sherylF5610]

7 and a half! First time on your channel so I have no clue about what music makes you push it to 11. Will have to find out. I love XTC. I have at least four of their records. Thanks for the suggestion.

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

haha Sheryl! 7 1/2 is pretty good for us on 1st listen. You will find we do not artificially pump up grades or enthusiasm. We are always honest, that said this is a nice track. Thanks for checking it out we really appreciate it. Stay Safe!

[@sherylF5610]

@@ReactionsToTheClassics I will be paying attention now. Thanks for the reply.

[@32INCHSTRIPER]

Listen to Senses Working Overtime, Generals & Majors or Helicopter.

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

Really appreciate the suggestions and thanks for watching 32INCHSTRIPER!

[@imamusikluva]

Graham was a hooligan! Like the live (live in studio) version of this a bit more....more raw and energetic.

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

Thanks for watching imamusikluva!

[@michaelscarface]

Not sure they would! XTC albums got better with every single album and the best two were their final two - Apple Venus and Wasp Star.

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

Thanks

[@shane7776777]

I like the sound of this one. Great band name as you alluded to lol

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

Thanks Shane!

[@krollpeter]

The song is on the English Settlement album. It is an excellent album but the other songs there are quite different. If you like the style of this, I recommend The Black Sea to you. Energetic playing and great songs a full album long. A near masterpiece.

[@actorJSB]

Not big on XTC but have seen guitarist Dave Gregory a couple of times with The Tin Spirits (mostly a prog covers band), as well as guesting with Marillion when they used Senses Working Overtime to represent X in their A-Z set for their 2011 conventions (what they did for Z was more fun for me, but that's a story for another day).

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

The ever-present Marillion tie. Love it haha thanks Joseph!

[@backbeat44]

a really interesting, immensely creative band - i love this album & Skylarking as well as Apple Venus Volume 1

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

We are going to check out more of them in 2021 for sure. Thanks BMac!

[@jimkee7988]

Odd choice for an XTC. I love it, but it’s not the first track I’d have someone listen to. XTC are one of those bands that kept evolving through the years. Colin is a criminally underrated bassist. Good watch!

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

Going to check out some more of their stuff in 2021. Thanks Jim!

[@jimkee7988]

@@ReactionsToTheClassics honestly a great place to start is with “Dear God” & the album Skylarking. That’s where I got my start in 86 and I devoured their back catalog and eagerly awaited anything new.

[@stuartharrison165]

Cool song but they literally have dozens better , check out White Music , GO2 , Drums&Wires , Black Sea (1st 4 LPs ). XTC were always a bit too inventive to be as huge as they should have been. Live in 1979 they were wild. Nice review, like the Jam it's interesting to get a US view. And do your folks know you're soloing ?

[@sherylF5610]

I thought it interesting that this was the pick. Lots of really great songs. Love The Jam.

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

haha Stuart we know. We are doing all song reactions solo from now on just for time purposes but will still pull in others from time to time!

[@harripalomaki8796]

I tend to agree. This is about my 64th favourite XTC song, if that.

[@mattjohn4731]

Do you find his voice particularly English sounding? I do. It's cool. Same applies to the other XTC singer Colin Moulding

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

Yes and agree with it being cool! Thanks MJ!

[@poetgb]

Trey, I agree it is interesting wordplay on the title of this band.You said they formed in 1972? That is quite a lot of years ago.This song has a rocking sound and tempo. It is a straightforward Rock song. You are right in your comments on the vocals and guitar playing. As I listen I notice you are very good at analyzing the meaning of the lyrics. Your rating of 7.5 is solid. I would rate this a 7.0. I think it's a cool song.

[@krollpeter]

A precursor to XTC, same line-up (at least 3 of them), but really different style. They had no foil about songwriting and later became masters. In particular Mr. Partridge, I would rate him as the same league as Mr. McCartney. In their best moments they do rival or even better than the Beatles. Every album is somewhat different and knowing them all you could easily see the development they took from a punky, edgy sound with square head ideas to exquisite top-compositions, refined lyrics and elaborate work such as Easter Theatre or Greenman kzbin.info/www/bejne/p5uwoIqurLxrqrM .

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

Thanks poet and high praise Peter for sure!

[@poetgb]

@@ReactionsToTheClassics Yes, Peter gave high praise for this band. Everybody has their preference.

[@poetgb]

@@ReactionsToTheClassics From your comment I can see you have passion for this band, and they do have an edgy sound that is high quality, but McCartney along with Lennon were the most celebrated songwriters in music history, and for good reason. They were years ahead of their time.

[@johnmavroudis2054]

@@poetgb If you check out the XTC catalog, it's not an idle comparison. Andy Partridge and Colin Moulding's musical output and quality is quite stunning. Cheers!

[@MrNaKillshots]

Try complicated game, if not convinced.

[@ReactionsToTheClassics]

Will check it out!