Friday Nite Retro

Welcome once again to Friday Nite Retro here at Left in Aboite. Tonight I'm reintroducing you to one of my favorite '80's alt bands. Headed up by Andy Partridge, they are more famously known as "XTC". Influenced by the emerging New York punk scene, Partridge and bassist Colin Moulding played glam rock with homemade costumes and slowly built up a following. Drummer Terry Chambers joined in 1973. Keyboard player Barry Andrews followed in 1976, and the band finally settled on the name XTC.

By this time, the punk rock movement was in full swing, and XTC had found their style, a unique brand of hyperactive pop mixed with funk, punk, ska, reggae, and art rock. The boys were signed by Virgin Records in 1977 and produced two disappointing albums before hitting on a more traditional rock sound that resulting in the following breakthrough hit in 1979:

Making Plans For Nigel


Their 1980 LP, Black Sea spawned the hit singles "Sgt. Rock (Is Going to Help Me)" and "Generals and Majors". The song "Sgt Rock" namechecks the comic book character of the same name and reflects Partridge's lifelong obsession with American comics, particularly the work of Steve Ditko.

Generals and Majors


The last major hit of XTC's 1977-1982 touring phase was "Senses Working Overtime", the first single from their double album English Settlement and a top 10 hit in 1982. At the peak of their popularity, the band embarked on a major tour, but Partridge suffered a breakdown on stage during one of the first concerts of the tour in Paris on March 18, 1982.

Senses Working Overtime


Andy Partridge's breakdown, which manifested itself as uncontrollable stage fright, was reportedly precipitated by his wife throwing away his supply of Valium. Andy had become dependent upon the drug after it was prescribed to him as a teenager during his parents' divorce. He reportedly was never withdrawn from the drug and became dependent on it.

Concerned about her husband's dependence on the drug, Partridge's wife ill-advisedly threw his tablets away — without seeking medical advice — just before the Paris concert. Not surprisingly, Partridge suffered anxiety attacks of such severity that he was soon forced to withdraw from touring permanently. The European and British dates were cancelled and after one show in San Diego the whole US leg was also abandoned. Since then, XTC has been exclusively a studio band, although they have given occasional live-to-air performances from radio stations, and have made a handful of TV appearances as well.


Short vid of Andy leaving stage for the last time in Paris


In 1986, the band travelled to Todd Rundgren's studio-in-the-woods in Woodstock, New York to record Skylarking. The album revived the band's commercial fortunes, earning critical accolades and spawning the controversial hit "Dear God":

Dear God


The band's follow up,"Oranges and Lemons", was their biggest seller yet, with "Mayor of Simpleton" and "King for a Day" getting heavy airplay on MTV. During this period, Partridge began a relationship with an American fan, Erica Wexler, niece of famed American record producer Jerry Wexler. Wexler and Partridge are happily together to this day.

The Mayor of Simpleton


King For a Day


Their 1992 album, "Nonsuch" (named after Henry VIII's fabled palace), united them with famed UK producer Gus Dudgeon and drummer Dave Mattacks. The album featured the US and UK hit tune "The Ballad Of Peter Pumpkinhead" which brought the band perhaps its greatest success after the early 1980s. (The video for the song drew intriguing parallels between the deaths of Jesus Christ and John F. Kennedy.)

In spite of the LP's success, soon after it was released a contractual dispute with their label, Virgin Records, saw XTC go "on strike" from 1992 through 1998, finally resulting in the termination of their contract. They issued no new material during this time, although two compilations were released: "Upsy Daisy Assortment" and the 2-CD set Fossil Fuel: "The XTC Singles 1977-1992", which featured remastered versions of their singles, including many tracks not issued on CD before.

The Ballad of Peter Pumpkinhead


From their 2000 album "Wasp Star" comes a personal favorite of mine. Listen carefully to the lyrics on this one:

Man Who Murdered Love


Andy also wrote and performed the them to one of my favorite, albeit short-lived, TV shows. The networks kill great shows like this despite protest from fans, and run reality tv 24/7 - that's why I've tuned out. But I digress. . .from Wonderfalls:

Theme from "Wonderfalls"


Thanks for joining me tonight on FNR! It's my sincere hope this evening's memories left you in XTC. . .=)