Amazingly, I am now in the privileged position of actually getting to speak with Andy Partridge from time to time. Here are the news items I've extracted from our conversations so far, interspersed with news from other sources (noted where applicable).
It is not possible, however, for me to keep on top of fast-breaking news so for the very latest information, make Chalkhills your next stop...
Saturday, 30 June 2001
Homegrown, a Homespun for Wasp Star, was released last month, and there is also talk from Virgin of a quality re-release programme.
Friday, 21 October 2000 - Leila Attari mailed to say that...
"...we had XTC here in our studios last May. Soundbreak.com is a dynamic music based website with live, 24-hour global webcasts hosted by professional DJs. I thought that you and your readers might be interested in checking the interview out. Here is a direct link to our "Sweetspot" ( Archives of Performances and Interviews): http://www.soundbreak.com/events/index.php3
Hope you can stop by"
Thanks Leila
Tuesday, 4 July 2000 - Jason Marchant passed on some news about the...
Thanks Jason
Saturday, 24 June 2000 - Ken Cruikshank mailed me to say :-
"1803hrs, Sat 24.06.00, BBC1 Euro 2000 coverage. Turkey V Portugal half time summary included a two minute video of the tournament so far. The accompanying music was not, Fat Les, The Verve, Chumbawumba or any other football related anthem. It was, surprisingly, XTC`s Stupidly Happy. Prime time TV, how refreshing, how XTC."
Thanks Ken!
Thursday, 1 June 2000 - Leah Webb of Sonicnet Wrote to say:-
Sonicnet.com Listening Room
Tuesday, May 30 - Tuesday, June 6
Andy Partridge and Colin Moulding paced the rise of alternative music with songs like "Dear God" and "Mayor of Simpleton." For over 25 years, XTC, has been creating uniquely uncategorizable pop music. Their newest release, Wasp Star: Apple Venus Volume 2 is a true XTC record -- bright as sunshine and crisp as rain with a wide rangeof textures. Top to bottom this is a pop masterpiece that will stagger fans and signal the return of XTC. The sonicnet.com com Listening Room features Andy and Colin's thoughts on the new release as well full tracks from the CD.
Sunday, 28 May 2000 - John McCormick writes to say:-
Thought you'd be interested: National Public Radio's (USA) Liane Hansen interviewed Colin & Andy. The interview aired on the program Sunday Weekend Edition on Sunday morning, 28 May 2000. The interview was about 20 minutes. Transcript/cassette tape info is available at http://www.npr.org they also have an on-line audio archive.
Friday, 19 May 2000 - From Spin
(Contributed by Jessica
Kashiwabara}
This is big news indeed. Last week, during a video interview with Guitar.com in New York, the notoriously bashful Andy Partridge of XTC surprised the hell out of everyone by unexpectedly tearing through a handful of songs off the band's upcoming Wasp Star (Apple Venus Volume 2) (out Tuesday). Basically, Partridge was fiddling with his guitar and demonstrating fingering techniques for the camera. But then, my friends, he proceeded to tear shit up. Word. Without warning, Andy began playing entire chunks of new songs. This is all captured on film! The video interview will be posted on Guitar.com Monday, and should be on the site for about a week. Now if this were, say, Jon Bon Jovi or maybe Santana, we would not think twice about it. But this is Andy Partridge of XTC, and they have not played a proper live show since 1982, due to Andy's severe stage fright. Do you realize that this band has not played live for like 20 years? Appreciate greatness, dammit! Partridge reportedly played "Playground," "Stupidly Happy," "Church of Women," and "I'm The Man Who Murdered Love," all off of Wasp Star. A spokesperson for XTC said he's sure this will fuel speculation from fans about a possible tour for XTC (which includes Colin Moulding, as well), but that there are no plans for that as of yet. Who knows, though? Dreams can come true. That's www.guitar.com
Monday, 8 May 2000 - From MTV News
After wowing fans with last year's "Apple Venus Volume 1" record, legendary British pop act XTC has put the finishing touches on a second collection culled from the same sessions, titled "Wasp Star (Apple Venus Volume 2)," due out on May 23.
Songs and material for both albums were recorded when XTC's Andy Partridge and Colin Moulding headed back into a studio after settling a seven-year dispute with the group's previous label, Virgin Records.
Originally intended as a double album project, XTC eventually opted to keep the electric material off the first "Apple Venus" volume, which contains mostly acoustic and symphonic-based songs.
When it came time to release the plugged-in tracks, the band decided that the new album needed a more distinctive title than "Volume 2," and Partridge says that he found inspiration in an Aztec tome.
"We were thinking we need to make a fresh start to some extent," Partridge said. "We needed something shorter and more electric sounding. We were mixing the album and in a bit of a panic because we did not have a title.
"I had bought a book about Aztec art, and there was the phrase 'wasp star,' and it's actually the Aztec phrase for the planet Venus, and I thought, 'Oh, that's lovely.' Wasp star is a great pair of words."
"I'm The Man Who Murdered Love" is the first single from XTC's "Wasp Star," and the track will be released to alternative and college radio in the next few weeks.
Meridith Gottlieb
Monday, 20 March 2000
Jason Marchant of the The Neta Dance Company asked me to pass on the following information:-
"I am writing to you to let you know of a special project that the Neta Dance Company will premiere in NYC (June 15-18, 2000). The Orchid Show, is a unique collaboration of the Neta Dance Company and XTC, featuring music by XTC (who donated their music for this show). Information about the project, the dance company and The Orchid show could be found in our website: www.netacompany.org (including a press-release for the show). We are a small modern dance company based in New York City that is thrilled to be working with the music of XTC for our Orchid Show."
Thank you, Jason.
Monday, 6 March 2000
XTC's Andy Partridge Clears Up McCartney Tribute Rumor writes Carrie Borzillo (CDNow News)
After online magazines reported last week that XTC, Brian Wilson, Owsley, and other major acts are contributing to a Paul McCartney tribute album, many of the publicists for the artists were a bit puzzled. It seems that the bulk of the acts "confirmed" have actually heard nothing about the project.
The album, Listen to What the Man Said: A Tribute to Paul McCartney, was said to have featured -- among many other artists -- XTC covering McCartney's "Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey" with John Cleese of Monty Python fame as a guest.
But, XTC's Andy Partridge tells allstar that, "We really like McCartney and he's been enormously influential, but we really don't want to mangle one of his songs. My opinion is that if someone's song affects you so much that you want to cover it, that's nature's way of saying 'Don't' because you might ruin the magic of that song for yourself."
Spokespeople for Brian Wilson and Owsley -- who were also said to be contributing tracks -- have also denied any involvement. The Foo Fighters are considering contributing a cover of "Jet" to the compilation, but it's not a done deal yet. As previously reported at least one band is confirmed: Sloan.
In other XTC news, the group's Apple Venus Volume 2 will be in stores on May 23 via TVT Records.
Friday, 3 March 2000
Peter Fitzpatrick mailed me the following news (thanks Peter!)
"Having heard in a record store yesterday more stuff about the upcoming McCartney tribute album I thought I'd give Andy a call to get the lowdown on it.
XTC were approached (they received a letter), but haven't replied and won't be doing so. " I wouldn't touch a tribute album with yours " he said. He really admires Macca and said he was very influenced by him but really wants to drive as far away from more Beatles comparisons thank you very much.
Perhaps of more interest is this :
The New Album : was mastered and approved yesterday. It is titled "WASP STAR" and subtitled "Apple Venus Volume Two". Why ? Well, the radio stations didn't play the last album "because it had strings on it". So they wanted to ensure that the idiots in radio didn't immediately figure that "Volume II" meant "more strings". It will be out in the 3rd week of May. Promo copies are due in a week or two (and he promised to send me one ! Yippee "!!)
What else is new ? Well, no promo activity lined up (yet).
He got another guitar from Dennis Fano and was very delighted with it - apparently Dennis made it for him on a whim. So Andy wrote and recorded a jingle for him to put onto his website !!!! He played it to me and it's very cool ! Kinda "My Brown Guitar" - like. I said to him " it sounds like something but I can't quite put my finger on it " to which he replied " that's my whole career ! ". I don't know when it'll be on the Fano website but I'm sure we'll be hearing about it when it gets there.
Conversation turned to the book+CD that appeared recently "a school guide to XTC". Andy had not heard of it and wasn't exactly pleased because they (XTC) weren't asked about it. I read him the list of songs and he audibly cringed on the 'phone. He reckoned the tapes are from a PYE or DECCA audition session. I promised to send him a copy in return for the promo copy of WASP STAR. We talked a little about the sources of these pre-XTC tapes though I'd better not mention where Andy thinks the tapes got to the bootleggers.
All in all he was in good form - about to go out to the shops to get some food in (the kids were coming around today)"
Thursday, 24 February 2000
BBC Radio Scotland proffer this news about Dave Gregory's subsequent career.
Louis Philippe - 'A Kiss in the Funhouse' (XIII Bis Records) (LP)
Yet another classic, and relatively unknown, songwriter who has however been active throughout the '80's and '90's, making outstanding pop records. This is a collection of some highlights from his '90's output with collaborations with such luminaries as Sean O'hagan (The High Llamas), Dave Gregory (XTC), Cathal Coughlan (The Fatima Mansions) and Momus amongst others, that is saccharine-sweet, 'Brian Wilson' and 'Scott Walker' - influenced blustery, grandiose tunesmithery par excellence! Welcome to the house of fun (...... erm........)!!
