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| − | {{about|the band XTC|other uses|XTC (disambiguation)}} | + | {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2016}} |
| − | {{Infobox musical artist | + | {{Use Indian English|date=November 2016}} |
| − | | name = XTC | + | {{Infobox person |
| − | | background = group_or_band | + | | name = Ashmitha |
| − | | image = XTC bandphoto.jpg | + | | image = |
| − | | image_size = | + | | caption = |
| − | | landscape = yes | + | | birth_name = Ashmitha Subramaniyam |
| − | | caption = XTC after a show in Toronto, October 1978{{break}}From left: [[Andy Partridge]], [[Colin Moulding]], [[Terry Chambers]], and [[Barry Andrews (musician)|Barry Andrews]] | + | | birth_date = |
| − | | alias =
| + | | birth_place = [[Chennai]], [[India]] |
| − | * Star Park
| + | | residence = |
| − | * Helium Kidz
| + | | other_names = |
| − | * [[The Dukes of Stratosphear]]
| + | | occupation = Actress |
| − | | origin = [[Swindon]], [[Wiltshire]], England | + | | years_active = 2013–present |
| − | | genre = {{flat list| | + | | imagesize = |
| − | *[[Art rock]]<ref name="Trakin1981">{{cite magazine|last1=Trakin|first1=Roy|title=The New English Art Rock|magazine=[[Musician (magazine)|Musician]]|date=February 1981|issue=30|url=http://chalkhills.org/articles/Musician198102.html}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Billboard|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EQoEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA13|date=August 22, 1998|publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc.|page=13|issn=0006-2510}}</ref>
| + | | homepage = |
| − | *[[New wave music|new wave]]<ref name="AMG">{{cite web|first=Stephen Thomas|last=Erlewine|authorlink=Stephen Thomas Erlewine|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/xtc-mn0000678339/biography |title=XTC | Biography |website=[[AllMusic]] |date= |accessdate=2014-02-01}}</ref><ref name="PMSkylarking">{{cite web|last1=Mendehlson|first1=Jason|last2=Klinger|first2=Eric|title=XTC’s 'Skylarking'|url=http://www.popmatters.com/post/192717-counterbalance-xtcs-skylarking/|website=[[PopMatters]]|date=April 24, 2015}}</ref>
| + | | notable role = |
| − | *{{nowrap|[[post-punk]]}}<ref name="PMSkylarking"/><ref name="BennettStratton2013">{{cite book|last1=Bennett|first1=Andy|last2=Stratton|first2=Jon|title=Britpop and the English Music Tradition|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ts-hAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA81|year=2013|publisher=Ashgate Publishing, Ltd.|isbn=978-1-4094-9407-2|page=81}}</ref>
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| − | *[[art punk]]<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Crandall|first=Bill|title=NO EXIT: XTC's Andy Partridge|url=http://chalkhills.org/articles/BAM19970808.html|magazine=Bam|date=August 8, 1997}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|last1=Klinge|first1=Steve|title=The Natural History - Beat Beat Heartbead|magazine=[[CMJ New Music Monthly]]|date=May 2003|issue=112|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wSoEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA53&dq="art+punk"+"xtc"|issn=1074-6978}}</ref>
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| − | *[[progressive pop]]<ref>{{cite web|last1=Burdick|first1=John|title=The Best Guitarist in the World at Bearsville|url=http://www.hudsonvalleyalmanacweekly.com/2015/07/23/the-best-guitarist-in-the-world-at-bearsville/|website=[[Almanac Weekly]]|date=July 23, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Leone|first1=Dominique|title=Coat of Many Cupboards|url=http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/8834-coat-of-many-cupboards/|website=[[Pitchfork Media|Pitchfork]]|date=April 3, 2002}}</ref>
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| | }} | | }} |
| − | | years_active = 1972–2006
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| − | | label = [[Cooking Vinyl]], [[Geffen Records|Geffen]], [[Idea Records|Idea]], [[Virgin Records|Virgin]], [[Caroline Records|Caroline]]
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| − | | associated_acts =
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| − | | website = {{url|ape.uk.net}}
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| − | | past_members = [[Andy Partridge]]<br/>[[Colin Moulding]]<br/>[[Terry Chambers]]<br/>[[Barry Andrews (musician)|Barry Andrews]]<br/>[[Dave Gregory (musician)|Dave Gregory]]
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| − | }}
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| − | '''XTC''' were <!-- Per WP:ENGVAR, UK English uses the plural form for bands, groups, etc. Do not change "were" to "was". --> an English [[rock music|rock]] band formed in [[Swindon]] in 1972 and active until 2006. Led by songwriters [[Andy Partridge]] and [[Colin Moulding]], the band emerged from the late 1970s [[punk rock|punk]] and [[new wave]] explosion, later playing in a variety of styles that ranged from angular guitar riffs to elaborately arranged [[pop music|pop]]. Partly because the band did not fit into contemporary trends, they failed to maintain popular success in the UK and US, but still attracted a [[cult following]].<ref name="AMG" />
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| − | Under the name Star Park, the group began as a trio with drummer [[Terry Chambers]], then changing their name to Helium Kidz. As the punk movement took off, they settled on the name XTC, debuting on [[Virgin Records]] in 1977. In 1982, the group stopped [[concert tour]]ing and became a studio-based project centred on Partridge, Moulding, and guitarist [[Dave Gregory (musician)|Dave Gregory]] with various [[session musician]]s. A spin-off group, [[the Dukes of Stratosphear]], was invented as an outlet for the band's excursions into 1960s [[psychedelic music]]. For most of the 1990s, XTC were mired in record label difficulties.<ref name="AMG" /> The band ceased activity following the disintegration of Partridge and Moulding's creative partnership.
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| − | XTC's best-known album, ''[[Skylarking]]'' (1986),<ref>{{cite web|last1=Dahlen|first1=Chris|title=Andy Partridge - Fuzzy Warbles Collector’s Album|url=http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/9785-fuzzy-warbles-collectors-album/|website=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]|date=January 19, 2007}}</ref> is generally regarded as their finest.<ref name="diffuser">{{cite web|last1=Zaleski|first1=Annie|title=30 Years Ago: XTC Finds Pop Perfection with ‘Skylarking’|url=http://diffuser.fm/xtc-skylarking/|website=Diffuser.fm|date=27 October 2016}}</ref> Their only records that placed within the UK top 20 were the singles "[[Making Plans for Nigel]]" (1979), "[[Sgt. Rock (Is Going to Help Me)]]" (1980) and "[[Senses Working Overtime]]" (1982), as well as the albums ''[[Black Sea (XTC album)|Black Sea]]'' (1980) and ''[[English Settlement]]'' (1982).<ref name="AMG" /> In the US, they are also known for the songs "[[Dear God (XTC song)|Dear God]]" (1986) and "[[The Ballad of Peter Pumpkinhead]]" (1992),<ref name="Zaleski2016">{{cite web|last1=Zaleski|first1=Annie|title="Music is so abused these days": XTC’s Andy Partridge opens up about songwriting, painting and developing the "cruel parent gene" toward your own art|url=http://www.salon.com/2016/03/20/music_is_so_abused_these_days_xtcs_andy_partridge_opens_up_about_songwriting_painting_and_developing_the_cruel_parent_gene_toward_your_own_art/|website=[[Salon magazine|Salon]]|date=March 20, 2016}}</ref> while "[[Mayor of Simpleton]]" (1989) was their highest charting US single.
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| − | ==History==
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| − | {{multiple issues|section=yes|
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| − | {{BLP sources section|date=March 2008}}
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| − | ===1972–76: Formation===
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| − | | video1 = {{youtube|i5otbMcdjRk|"The Road to Oranges & Lemons"}}
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| − | First coming together in 1972, [[Colin Moulding]] (bass & vocals) and Terry Chambers (drums) asked [[Andy Partridge]] (guitars & vocals) to join their new band and went through many band names (including The Helium Kidz and Star Park) over the next five years. As the Helium Kidz, they were featured in a small ''[[NME]]'' article as an up-and-coming band from Swindon. Drawing influence from the [[New York Dolls]], particularly the "Jetboy" single,<ref name="RundgrenRadio-Colin">Doug [http://www.blogtalkradio.com/runt/2008/12/07/Rundgren-Radio Interview of Colin Moulding] ''Rundgren Radio'' (fansite), 7 December 2008, Retrieved 9 December 2008</ref>{{better source|date=August 2016}} and the emerging New York punk scene, they played [[glam rock]] with homemade costumes and slowly built up a following. The band recorded a set at the Swindon Viewpoint studio in 1975. Keyboard player [[Barry Andrews (musician)|Barry Andrews]] joined in 1976, and the band finally settled on a name: XTC.{{citation needed|date=August 2016}}
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| − | ===1977–82: Touring===
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| − | ====''White Music''–''English Settlement''====
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| − | {{Quote box
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| − | | quote = I really didn’t like the phrase 'punk'—it just seemed kind of demeaning. I didn’t like 'new wave' either, because that was already the phrase used for French cinema of a certain period. ... <nowiki>[</nowiki>[[the Sex Pistols]]'] '[[Anarchy In The UK]]' came on. And I thought, 'Is that it? Is that what all the fuss is about? It just sounds like a slower version of the [[Ramones]], or [[the Monkees]] with a bit more fuzz.' ... That sort of spurred me on—watching this stuff that I thought was rather average
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| − | | source = —Andy Partridge elaborating on the song "This Is Pop"{{sfn|Partridge|Bernhardt|2016}}
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| − | In 1977, XTC were signed by [[Virgin Records]]. They recorded the ''3D - EP'' that summer, and followed it up with their debut LP ''[[White Music]]'' in January 1978. These and future XTC releases found Partridge writing and singing about two-thirds of the material, while Colin Moulding would write and sing approximately one-third. (''White Music'' also featured a version of [[Bob Dylan]]'s "[[All Along the Watchtower]]", sung by Partridge.) ''White Music'' received favourable reviews and entered the British [[top 40]], but lead single "Statue of Liberty" was banned by the BBC<ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/h2g2/approved_entry/A3100285 |title=H2G2 |publisher=BBC |date=1970-01-01 |accessdate=2014-02-01}}</ref> because of its supposedly
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| − | "lewd" reference to the famous statue ("in my fantasy I sail beneath your skirt"). The group also picked up a cult following in Australia thanks to the support of community radio (4ZZZ, 3RRR), the Sydney rock radio station 2JJ (now [[Triple-J]]) and the nationally broadcast weekly music TV show ''[[Countdown (Australian TV series)|Countdown]]'', which screened all of the band's early videos (beginning with their first Australian single release - "This Is Pop"); thanks to this interest, the group made two well-received tours there in 1979 and 1980.{{Citation needed|date=August 2011}} Their second album ''[[Go 2]]'', released later in 1978, featured a [[typewriter]]-text cover (designed by [[Hipgnosis]]) and early pressings were accompanied by a bonus disc ''[[Go 2|Go +]]'', a collection of dub mixes of songs from the album.
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| − | [[File:XTC live.jpg|thumb|left|Gregory (left) and Partridge (right) performing live]]
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| − | Following the release of ''Go 2'', in January 1979 Barry Andrews left the group (joining [[Robert Fripp]]'s [[The League of Gentlemen (band)|League of Gentlemen]] and subsequently co-founding [[Shriekback]]). XTC initially sought a new keyboard player - [[Thomas Dolby]] was among those considered<ref name="autogenerated1"/> - but [[Dave Gregory (musician)|Dave Gregory]], guitarist and long-time friend of Partridge's, was eventually selected as Andrews' replacement. Gregory's 1960s-influenced guitar style steered the band on a path towards a more traditional rock sound; he would also contribute occasional keyboards (and later, string arrangements).
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| − | {{Listen
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| − | |filename=Making Plans for Nigel.ogg
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| − | |title="Making Plans for Nigel" (1979)
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| − | |description= In 2016, "[[Making Plans for Nigel]]" was ranked number 143 on [[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]'s list of the 200 best songs of the 1970s.<ref name="P4kSongs2016">{{cite web|author1=Pitchfork Staff|title=The 200 Best Songs of the 1970s|url=http://pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/9935-the-200-best-songs-of-the-1970s/?page=3|website=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]|date=August 22, 2016}}</ref>
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| − | Coinciding with Gregory's arrival, XTC scored their first charting single in the UK with "[[Life Begins at the Hop]]", which was also the first XTC single penned by Colin Moulding. Their third album ''[[Drums and Wires]]'' contained the band's first major hit single "Making Plans for Nigel" (another Moulding composition).<ref>[http://chalkhills.org/reelbyreal/s_Making.html ] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120621234637/http://chalkhills.org/reelbyreal/s_Making.html |date=21 June 2012 }}</ref> ''Drums and Wires'' also marked their first sessions at London's [[Townhouse Studios]]. The studio was at the time much sought after for its highly reverberant "live" drum room, and it was greatly favoured by their producer [[Steve Lillywhite]] and his engineer [[Hugh Padgham]], who were at that time also creating influential recordings with [[Peter Gabriel]] and [[Genesis (band)|Genesis]]. The Lillywhite-Padgham connection also led to Dave Gregory contributing to Gabriel's [[Peter Gabriel (1980 album)|third solo album]].
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| − | During this period, Partridge released an LP of [[dub music|dub]] in 1980 under the name 'Mr Partridge'. The album, ''[[Take Away / The Lure of Salvage]]'', featured dub reconstructions of music from the preceding XTC albums. Later the same year Moulding and Chambers released the "Too Many Cooks in the Kitchen" single under the name "The Colonel". In March 1980 XTC released a non-album single, the reggae-styled "Wait 'Til Your Boat Goes Down", but it failed to chart. Hoping to crack the American market, they undertook a gruelling US-Canada tour which included numerous support spots with [[The Police]]. The band opened three shows for [[The Cars]] at [[Madison Square Garden]] and the [[Nassau Coliseum]] between their own headline gigs at smaller area venues.
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| − | Their fourth LP ''[[Black Sea (XTC album)|Black Sea]]'' (Sept. 1980) featured the singles "[[Sgt. Rock (Is Going to Help Me)]]" and "Generals and Majors", both of which made the UK Top 40, with the album reaching No. 1 in Australia.<ref name="autogenerated1"/> In the film clip of "Generals and Majors" (directed by [[Russell Mulcahy]]), Virgin Records founder and chair [[Richard Branson]] has a cameo role as one of the 'majors'.
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| − | The last major hit of XTC's touring phase was "[[Senses Working Overtime]]". This was the first single from their double album ''[[English Settlement]]'' (February 1982) and their only top 10 hit in the UK.
| + | '''Ashmitha''' is an Indian film actress who has appeared in Tamil language films. After making her debut in the Tamil film ''[[Veeram (2014 film)|Veeram]]'' (2014), she has been in films including ''[[Ninaithathu Yaaro]]'' (2014) and ''[[Atti (film)|Atti]]'' (2016). |
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| − | ==== Withdrawal from touring ==== | + | ==Career== |
| − | [[File:XTC UK.jpg|thumb|right|Moulding, Partridge, and Gregory photographed with fans in 1980]] | + | Born in Chennai, Ashmitha attended [[Don Bosco matriculation school]] in [[Vyasarpadi]], Chennai. In 2014, Ashmitha worked on four films, with her first release being the [[Ajith Kumar|Ajith]]-starrer ''[[Veeram (2014 film)|Veeram]]'', where she portrayed the small supporting role of the daughter of [[Thambi Ramaiah]]'s character. She was also subsequently seen in [[Vikraman]]'s family drama ''[[Ninaithathu Yaaro]]'' and then as a rape victim in Ramakrishnan's ''Pongadi Neengalum Unga Kadhalum'', though neither film did well at the box office. The first film she had shot for, Yuvan's ''Athiyayam'', also had a low-profile release during the year.<ref>https://twitter.com/Vinayak4709/status/406642700910215168</ref><ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXYriWcC5fI</ref><ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHqdu_-_6bw</ref> |
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| − | In early 1982, while at the peak of their popularity, XTC embarked on a major tour. This was abruptly cut short when Partridge suffered a [[mental breakdown]] on stage during one of the first concerts of the tour in Paris on 18 March 1982.
| + | Both of her initial films as the lead actress had long-delayed releases in December 2016. Despite beginning work in 2014, ''[[Pazhaya Vannarapettai]]'' released first followed by ''[[Atti (film)|Atti]]'' opposite [[Ma Ka Pa Anand]], where she portrayed a speech therapist.<ref>http://www.deccanchronicle.com/160105/entertainment-kollywood/article/ma-ka-pa-anand-turns-solo-hero</ref><ref>http://www.indiaglitz.com/atti-tamil-movie-review-19210.html</ref><ref>http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movie-reviews/Pazhaya-Vannarapettai/movie-review/55744097.cms</ref> |
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| − | On 4 April 1982, XTC were scheduled to play at a sold-out show the [[Hollywood Palladium]] in Los Angeles, with opening act [[Jools Holland]],<ref name="Holland">{{cite book| first= Jools| last= Holland| year= 2007| title= Barefaces Lies and Boogie-woogie Boasts| edition= 1st| publisher=[[Penguin Books]] | location= [[London]], England| isbn=9780718149154| page= 165}}</ref> but the packed club was told that the show would not take place due to the "illness" of one of the band members (later revealed, in Chris Twomey's book ''XTC: Chalkhills and Children'' as Partridge's ongoing [[stage fright]], manifested as leg paralysis).{{full citation needed|date=March 2016}} The previous day, the band had performed one unsuspecting last concert at the California Theatre in [[San Diego, California|San Diego]], but then never played another tour date.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://chalkhills.org/articles/MOJO199903.html |title=The Strike and Rebirth Years 1993-1999 |publisher=Mojo Magazine |accessdate=2015-04-25}}</ref>{{self-published source?|date=March 2016}}
| + | ==Filmography== |
| | + | {| class="wikitable" |
| | + | |- style="background:#cccccf; text-align:center;" |
| | + | | '''Year''' || '''Film''' || '''Role''' || '''Notes''' |
| | + | |- |
| | + | |rowspan="4"|2014 || ''[[Veeram (2014 film)|Veeram]]'' || Savarimuthu's daughter || |
| | + | |- |
| | + | | ''[[Ninaithathu Yaaro]]'' || || |
| | + | |- |
| | + | | ''Pongadi Neengalum Unga Kadhalum'' || Sameera || |
| | + | |- |
| | + | | ''Athiyayam'' || || |
| | + | |- |
| | + | |rowspan="2"|2016 || ''[[Pazhaya Vannarapettai]]'' || || |
| | + | |- |
| | + | | ''[[Atti (film)|Atti]]'' || || |
| | + | |- |
| | + | [[Niram Maaratha Pookkal (TV series)|Niram Maaratha Pookkal]] |
| | + | |} |
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| − | Partridge's breakdown, which manifested itself as uncontrollable stage fright, was reportedly precipitated by his wife throwing away his supply of [[valium]]. According to the band's biography, valium was prescribed to him as a teenager, but he was never taken off the drug and became dependent on it. Concerned about her husband's dependence, Partridge's wife threw his tablets away — without seeking medical advice — just before the Paris concert. Partridge particularly needed valium to cope with the grinding monotony of concert touring, which he had always disliked but endured for the good of the band.<ref>Twomey, Chris, ''XTC: Chalkhills and Children''. Omnibus Press, 1992. P. 2.</ref> In addition to "memory loss and limb seizures", the sudden withdrawal of medication brought on anxiety attacks of such severity that he was soon forced to withdraw from performing permanently.<ref>{{cite tweet|user=xtcfans|author=XTC|number=446225652065517568|date=19 March 2014|title=THE CORRECTOR-Much is made of my 'stage fright',that was only one symptom of withdrawal,the memory loss and limb seizures were worse}}</ref>{{better source|date=March 2016}} The European and British dates were cancelled and after completing that show in San Diego, the whole US leg was also abandoned. After this XTC became exclusively a studio band (apart from occasional live-to-air performances from radio stations, and a handful of TV appearances).
| + | ==Television== |
| − | | + | {| class="wikitable" |
| − | ===1982–2005: Studio years===
| + | |- style="background:#cccccf; text-align:center;" |
| − | ====''Mummer''–''25 O'Clock''====
| + | | '''Year''' || '''Film''' || '''Role''' || '''Channel''' |
| − | [[File:Andy Partridge comic book).jpg|thumb|Partridge in the studio, circa 1980s]]
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| − | | + | | 2017-Present || [[Niram Maaratha Pookkal (TV series)|Niram Maaratha Pookkal]] || Venmathi |
| − | Adapting to their new studio-based existence, XTC recorded the album ''[[Mummer (album)|Mummer]]''. Released in 1983, it took the group's music away from the more performance-friendly new wave rock of their earlier years in favour of a consciously pastoral direction (and songtitles such as "Love on a Farmboy's Wages").
| + | | [[Zee Tamil]] |
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| − | Terry Chambers left the band during the ''Mummer'' sessions (his last recording was on the track "Toys"). Chambers had always preferred touring over working in the confines of a studio, and was uncomfortable with the band's desire to experiment with new rhythmic possibilities such as [[drum machine]]s and found percussion.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://chalkhills.org/articles/Limelight_Chambers.html |title="The Departure of Terry Chambers", Limelight, Spring 1983 |publisher=Chalkhills |date= |accessdate=2014-02-01}}</ref> The main reason for his departure was a desire to be with his Australian girlfriend; they subsequently married and Chambers migrated to Australia,<ref name="Holland"/> and settled in [[Newcastle, New South Wales]]. There, Chambers joined the band [[Dragon (band)|Dragon]] from 1983 to 1985, drumming on their 1984 album ''[[Body and the Beat]]'' and associated hit single "Rain" (#2 AUS, #88 US). He has since withdrawn from the [[music industry]].<ref>{{cite web|author= |url=https://www.moderndrummer.com/site/2005/08/terry-chambers/#.Ur7zk2RDuYc |title=Terry Chambers |publisher=Moderndrummer.com |date= |accessdate=2014-02-01}}</ref> Rather than finding a replacement, XTC used a series of session drummers over the years, including [[Peter Phipps (drummer)|Peter Phipps]], [[Prairie Prince]] of [[The Tubes]], [[Dave Mattacks]] of [[Fairport Convention]], [[Pat Mastelotto]] (of [[Mr. Mister]], and later of [[King Crimson]]), Chuck Sabo, and in their "Dukes of Stratosphear" incarnation, Dave Gregory's brother Ian (credited as "E.I.E.I. Owen").
| + | |} |
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| − | XTC's next album, 1984's ''[[The Big Express]]'' marked a return to the harsher and more abrasive sounds of their early albums, but the combination of the group's 'no touring' status and the growing disenchantment of their label made it their poorest selling LP to date. The album was nonetheless a personal high point for Partridge, who ranks songs such as "The Everyday Story of Smalltown" and "Train Running Low on Soul Coal" amongst his best work.
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| − | Later in 1984, the members of XTC created their alter-ego, "[[The Dukes of Stratosphear]]" (a suggested band name that the group had considered when they first formed). With this project, they reunited with original producer [[John Leckie]] to record a series of affectionate [[parody|parodies]] that indulged their love of classic 1960s [[psychedelia|psychedelic]] music. The first Dukes release was the EP ''[[25 O'Clock]]'', issued on April Fools' Day 1985.
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| − | In 1984 the band were the subject of the documentary ''Play at Home'' for [[Channel 4]]. Filmed in July 1983 and broadcast on 16 October 1984, the programme documented the band in their native town of Swindon and included a live acoustic version of "Train Running Low on Soul Coal", as well as six promotional video clips:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://chalkhills.org/reelbyreal/i_video.html#PlayAtHome |title=XTC Reel by Real: XTC Video |publisher=Chalkhills |date=2014-06-03 |accessdate=2015-08-10}}</ref>
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| − | ====''Skylarking''–''Nonsuch''====
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| − | [[File:Todd-utopia-atlanta-77 (Todd cropped).jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.8|''Skylarking'' producer Todd Rundgren, pictured in 1977]]
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| − | In 1986, the band travelled to [[Todd Rundgren]]'s rural studio in [[Woodstock, New York]] to record ''[[Skylarking]]''. Although the pairing of XTC and Rundgren was highly anticipated by fans, the sessions were less than enjoyable for the band. Rundgren had been hired to trim the band's studio excesses and return them to commercial success. Prior to the recording sessions, Rundgren listened through demos of the songs, chose 15 for the record and worked out a sequence for the album. Being accustomed to creative independence in the studio, Partridge resisted Rundgren's decision-making role as producer. Rundgren and Partridge clashed frequently during the recording of ''Skylarking'' and when it was finished Partridge said that he was not at all happy with the resulting product. Partridge has since softened his view, describing the album as "a summer's day baked into one cake."
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| − | ''Skylarking'' spawned the controversial track "[[Dear God (XTC song)|Dear God]]", which was originally issued as the B-side of the album's first single, "Grass". Interest in the song saw the US album re-pressed with "Dear God" included and the new version of the LP sold 250,000 copies in the US, reviving the band's commercial fortunes and earning critical accolades. "Dear God" replaced "Mermaid Smiled" on the American version of the album and the latter track was finally reinstated for the remastered reissue of ''Skylarking'' CD in 2000.
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| − | Temporarily returning to work as Dukes of Stratosphear, XTC released the LP ''[[Psonic Psunspot]]'' in 1987. Although it was a full-length album, it was not intended to be the follow-up to ''Skylarking''. The tracks from this album and the ''25 O'Clock'' EP were combined for the CD ''[[Chips from the Chocolate Fireball]]'', which also came out in 1987.
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| − | |title="Mayor of Simpleton" (1989) | |
| − | |description= "[[Mayor of Simpleton]]", lead single from ''[[Oranges & Lemons (album)|Oranges & Lemons]]''. It became their highest charting single in the US. | |
| − | }}
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| − | | |
| − | The band released their official follow-up to ''Skylarking'' in 1989. This album, ''[[Oranges & Lemons (album)|Oranges & Lemons]]'', produced by [[Paul Fox (producer)|Paul Fox]], was their biggest seller yet, with the videos for "The Mayor of Simpleton" and "King for a Day" getting heavy airplay on MTV and other international music TV programmes. Sonically lush and tightly produced, the album continued along the psychedelic influence of ''Skylarking'' while drawing from the energetic pop sound of their earlier work. Like its predecessor, it was also well-received critically.
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| − | | |
| − | XTC's 1992 album ''[[Nonsuch (album)|Nonsuch]]'' (named after [[Henry VIII of England|Henry VIII's]] [[Nonsuch Palace|fabled palace]]), united them with UK producer [[Gus Dudgeon]], known for his 1970s work with [[Elton John]], and with drummer [[Dave Mattacks]] ([[Fairport Convention]]). The album featured the US and UK hit tunes "Dear Madam Barnum" and "[[The Ballad of Peter Pumpkinhead]]", the latter bringing 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]].) Despite the LP's success, soon after its release a contractual dispute with their label, [[Virgin Records]], saw XTC go "on strike" from 1992 through 1998, which finally resulted in the termination of their contract. They released no new material during this time (aside from the track "The Good Things" on the tribute CD "A Testimonial Dinner", credited to Terry and the Lovemen), although Virgin did issue two compilations - the US-only greatest hits collection ''[[Upsy Daisy Assortment]]'', and the 2-CD set 'Best Of' collection ''[[Fossil Fuel: The XTC Singles 1977-1992]]'', which featured remastered versions of their singles, including many tracks not previously issued on CD.
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| − | | |
| − | Management and contractual problems had dogged the band throughout their career, and around the time of the recording of ''Nonsuch'' they had to make a legal settlement with their former manager. Although most fans assume (and the lyrics of "I Bought Myself a Liarbird" from ''The Big Express'' imply) that there was some financial impropriety involved, the terms of the settlement imposed a "gag" on the band and have prevented them from speaking publicly about the matter.
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| − | | |
| − | By now, XTC's relationship with their label had almost totally broken down; the final straw was Virgin's scuttling of their 1992 single "Wrapped in Grey". Vinyl 7" singles, CD singles and a few cassette singles were pressed but the vast majority were recalled and destroyed by the label, who unilaterally decided it had no prospect of charting: the few copies that made it into circulation are now highly prized collector's items. The band asked that Virgin either allow them to re-negotiate their contract or release them from it, but the label stalled for years until finally agreeing to release them after a change of management at the company.
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| − | | |
| − | ====''Apple Venus'' duology====
| |
| − | {{unreferenced section|date=July 2016}}
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| − | | |
| − | After leaving Virgin, Partridge had the band's accounts audited and it was discovered that the company had withheld substantial royalty payments from them. The settlement of the accounts provided the group with much-needed cash flow, allowing Partridge and Moulding to install fully equipped studios and work comfortably at home.
| |
| − | | |
| − | Though able to record the majority of their work themselves, they also used major commercial studios (including [[Abbey Road Studios]] in London) for some sessions. Finally released from Virgin, they formed their own label, [[Idea Records]], and embarked on the recording of the ambitious "Apple Venus" project, a collection of the best material written during the band's dispute with Virgin. The band's initial plan had been to record a double album, featuring one disc of acoustic and orchestral songs and one of electric songs. Financial constraints forced the band to abandon the double album plan and finish and release the first volume (released 1999) before completing the second (2000).
| |
| − | | |
| − | During the recording sessions for ''[[Apple Venus Volume 1]]'', Dave Gregory left the band after 20 years' service. Ostensibly, this was due to "musical differences"—Gregory was unhappy with the plan to record an album whose arrangements relied largely upon orchestral instruments and keyboards rather than guitars.
| |
| − | | |
| − | In the end, Gregory was credited as a session musician rather than as a band member on the finished album, as he left before it was completed. Partridge later claimed in a press interview that he and Colin were going to sack Gregory anyway because of his sullen attitude during the recordings, and that they had waited for him for six years to write the orchestral arrangements, and had finally told him that they would not let him stop the project.
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| − | | |
| − | The band's next record, ''[[Wasp Star (Apple Venus Volume 2)]]'' was the guitar-heavy collection Gregory would have preferred. Partridge and Moulding then released instrumental and demo versions of the two Apple Venus albums. In October 2005, the two original albums and the demo versions of the albums were reissued together in the four-CD ''Apple Box'' collection.
| |
| − | | |
| − | Having left Virgin, relations between XTC and their former label improved and Partridge released a series of albums of demos of his songs (mainly from the Virgin years) under the title of ''[[Fuzzy Warbles]]'' beginning in 2002, on a new label imprint APE. Colin Moulding declined to contribute his demos to the series. The [[Fuzzy Warbles]] series eventually included eight volumes, which were collected in a boxed set (designed to look like a stamp collector's album) that also included a bonus CD of demos called ''Hinges.''
| |
| − | | |
| − | A four-CD compilation—''[[Coat of Many Cupboards]]''—spanning the band's time with Virgin was also released in 2002. Timed to coincide with the release of remastered CDs of their back catalogue, the set included remastered album and single tracks along with voluminous demos, live tracks, unreleased songs, and alternate versions, culminating in the Partridge and Moulding recording of "Didn't Hurt A Bit", built from the studio reference recording of Moulding's composition (with drums and percussion intact, played by Dave Mattacks), taped during the Nonsuch sessions.
| |
| − | | |
| − | Gregory reunited with Partridge and Moulding when the three got back together for a charity reunion of their Dukes of Stratosphear alter-egos in 2003. Though Gregory would not rejoin XTC, he was once again an official member of the Dukes, who recorded and issued the track "Open a Can (Of Human Beans)" that year for a charity project. In late 2006 Partridge revealed that he and Gregory had rekindled their friendship.
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| − | | |
| − | ===2005–present: Post-breakup===
| |
| − | | |
| − | The 2005 inclusion in ''Apple Box'' of the first new XTC tracks in five years ("Spiral", written by Partridge and "Say It", by Moulding), offered hope that the band might continue. These songs were available to purchasers of the box set in digital format only, with the use of a special download code. A follow-up internet-only single, Moulding's "Where Did the Ordinary People Go?", was issued in December.
| |
| − | | |
| − | In November 2006, Partridge told several interviewers that Moulding no longer had any interest in writing, performing or even listening to music. Partridge has said he would not continue XTC without Moulding, and that therefore he has been forced to regard XTC "in the past tense," with no likelihood of a new project unless Moulding should have a change of heart.<ref>[http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/news/41069/Andy_Partridge_XTC_Well_and_Truly_in_the_Fridge ] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090114055305/http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/news/41069/Andy_Partridge_XTC_Well_and_Truly_in_the_Fridge |date=14 January 2009 }}</ref> In an interview on a Todd Rundgren fansite in February 2008, Partridge revealed that Moulding had moved and changed his phone number, effectively ending all contact between the two and reducing their correspondence to emails exchanged via their manager to discuss the division of the band's assets. Partridge also said he and Gregory — their differences now resolved — had considered working together again.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blogtalkradio.com/runt/2008/02/17/rundgren-radio/ |title=Rundgren Radio with XTC's Andy Partridge 02/17 by Rundgren Radio | Music Podcasts |publisher=Blogtalkradio.com |date=2008-02-17 |accessdate=2014-02-01}}</ref>
| |
| − | | |
| − | On 30 July 2008, Partridge summed up the status "Yes I believe my musical partnership with Colin Moulding has come to an end. For reasons too personal and varied to go into here, but we had a good run as they say and produced some real good work. No, I won't be working with him in the future."<ref>{{cite web | title = What's happening with Colin? | author = Andy Partridge | url = http://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/leisure/music/andysanswers/3558640.What_s_happening_with_Colin_/ | publisher = The Swindon Advertiser | date = 30 July 2008 | accessdate =12 October 2008 | authorlink = Andy Partridge}}</ref> In December 2008, Moulding resurfaced to confirm his recent disillusionment with music, but revealed that he was thinking of working on solo material. His given reasons for the break-up were financial discord, disagreement over the extent of the [[Fuzzy Warbles]] project, and a "change in mindset" between him and Partridge. He also stated that he and Partridge were once again communicating directly by email.<ref name="RundgrenRadio-Colin" />
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| − | | |
| − | In 2010, Partridge announced that a follow-up to 'Rag And Bone Buffet' entitled 'Bric-a-Brac Breakfast' was in the pipeline and he asked XTC fans via his own APE Blog which tracks should be considered for inclusion on this new compilation.<ref>[http://www.slicingupeyeballs.com/2010/02/05/xtc-bric-a-brac-breakfast-rag-bone-buffet-andy-partridge/] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141208092440/http://www.slicingupeyeballs.com/2010/02/05/xtc-bric-a-brac-breakfast-rag-bone-buffet-andy-partridge/ |date=8 December 2014 }}</ref> As of 2017, this collection has not yet appeared, but a new re-release campaign was announced that would involve their entire catalogue being mixed in 5.1 surround sound by [[Steven Wilson]] and released in expanded editions beginning with their 1992 album ''[[Nonsuch (album)|Nonsuch]]'' in 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/Nonsuch-Xtc/dp/B00EG0MVOI/ref=pd_sim_15_2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=9NFJXAB8XNJ9YX7X45D2 |title=Nonsuch remastered and expanded |accessdate=2017-01-29 }}</ref>
| |
| − | This was followed by ''Drums and Wires'', ''Oranges & Lemons'', ''Skylarking'', and ''Black Sea'', released yearly.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ape.uk.net/ |title=Ape House |accessdate=2017-01-29 }}</ref><ref>{{cite tweet|user=xtcfans|author=XTC|number=889799688349782016|date=25 July 2017|title=Just passed all the new stereo mixes by Steven Wilson, now to next stage, the surround mix.
| |
| − | Oh, forgot to mention, it's BLACK SEA}}</ref> In 2016, Andy Partridge announced an XTC documentary featuring interviews with all band members apart from Barry Andrews.<ref>{{cite tweet|user=xtcfans|author=XTC|number=807296972675760129|date=9 December 2016|title=@SongIsKing Being made now.Interviews with all band,bar Barry, HOPE HOPE it's going to be good.Same fella did 10cc one, see that?}}</ref> It was shown on Sky Arts on October 7, 2017.<ref>{{cite tweet|user=xtcfans|author=XTC|number=903314641497063424|date=31 August 2017|title=XTC TV doc THIS IS POP will be broadcast on Sky Arts on Saturday Oct. 7th at 9pm GMT. Date for your diary.}}</ref>
| |
| − | | |
| − | Moulding marked his return to music with a four-song EP in 2017. For the project, Moulding partnered with Terry Chambers, who returned to the UK in 2016 after living in Australia for over 30 years.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://mobile.twitter.com/xtcfans/status/786272239394041858?lang=en |title=@xtcfans Twitter |accessdate=2017-10-01 }}</ref> The EP, ''Great Aspirations'' by TC&I, was released in October 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://burningshed.com/store/ape/artists-ape/xtc/tcandi_great-aspirations_cd |title=Burning Shed |accessdate=2017-09-30 }}</ref>
| |
| − | | |
| − | ==Timeline==
| |
| − | <timeline>
| |
| − | ImageSize = width:900 height:200
| |
| − | PlotArea = left:120 bottom:60 top:15 right:10
| |
| − | Alignbars = justify
| |
| − | DateFormat = mm/dd/yyyy
| |
| − | Period = from:01/01/1972 till:12/31/2005
| |
| − | TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal format:yyyy
| |
| − | Legend = orientation:vertical position:bottom
| |
| − | ScaleMajor = increment:2 start:1972
| |
| − | ScaleMinor = increment:1 start:1972
| |
| − | | |
| − | Colors =
| |
| − | id:vocals value:red legend:Vocals
| |
| − | id:guitar value:green legend:Guitars
| |
| − | id:keys value:purple legend:Keyboards
| |
| − | id:bass value:blue legend:Bass
| |
| − | id:drums value:orange legend:Drums
| |
| − | id:lines1 value:black legend:Studio_Albums
| |
| − | | |
| − | BarData =
| |
| − | | |
| − | bar:Andy text:Andy Partridge
| |
| − | bar:Colin text:Colin Moulding
| |
| − | bar:Terry text:Terry Chambers
| |
| − | bar:Barry text:Barry Andrews
| |
| − | bar:Dave text:Dave Gregory
| |
| − | | |
| − | PlotData=
| |
| − | | |
| − | width:11 textcolor:black align:left anchor:from shift:(10,-4)
| |
| − | | |
| − | bar:Andy from:01/01/1972 till:12/31/2005 color:guitar
| |
| − | bar:Colin from:01/01/1972 till:12/31/2005 color:bass
| |
| − | bar:Terry from:01/01/1972 till:11/01/1982 color:drums
| |
| − | bar:Barry from:01/01/1976 till:11/01/1978 color:keys
| |
| − | bar:Dave from:04/01/1979 till:04/01/1999 color:keys
| |
| − | | |
| − | width:3 textcolor:black align:left anchor:from shift:(10,-4)
| |
| − | | |
| − | bar:Andy from:01/01/1972 till:12/31/2005 color:vocals
| |
| − | bar:Colin from:01/01/1972 till:12/31/2005 color:vocals
| |
| − | bar:Dave from:04/01/1979 till:04/01/1999 color:guitar
| |
| − | | |
| − | LineData =
| |
| − | | |
| − | at:01/20/1978 color:lines1 layer:back
| |
| − | at:10/06/1978 color:lines1 layer:back
| |
| − | at:08/17/1979 color:lines1 layer:back
| |
| − | at:09/12/1980 color:lines1 layer:back
| |
| − | at:02/12/1982 color:lines1 layer:back
| |
| − | at:08/30/1983 color:lines1 layer:back
| |
| − | at:10/15/1984 color:lines1 layer:back
| |
| − | at:04/01/1985 color:lines1 layer:back
| |
| − | at:10/27/1986 color:lines1 layer:back
| |
| − | at:08/01/1987 color:lines1 layer:back
| |
| − | at:02/27/1989 color:lines1 layer:back
| |
| − | at:04/27/1992 color:lines1 layer:back
| |
| − | at:02/17/1999 color:lines1 layer:back
| |
| − | at:05/23/2000 color:lines1 layer:back
| |
| − | | |
| − | </timeline>
| |
| − | | |
| − | Following the band's cessation of touring and the departure of Terry Chambers in November 1982, the band continued with a variety of session drummers on studio recordings.
| |
| − | | |
| − | ==Discography==
| |
| − | {{main article|XTC discography}}
| |
| − | *''[[White Music]]'' (1978)
| |
| − | *''[[Go 2]]'' (1978)
| |
| − | *''[[Drums and Wires]]'' (1979)
| |
| − | *''[[Black Sea (XTC album)|Black Sea]]'' (1980)
| |
| − | *''[[English Settlement]]'' (1982)
| |
| − | *''[[Mummer (album)|Mummer]]'' (1983)
| |
| − | *''[[The Big Express]]'' (1984)
| |
| − | *''[[25 O'Clock]]'' (1985, as the Dukes of Stratosphear)
| |
| − | *''[[Skylarking]]'' (1986)
| |
| − | *''[[Psonic Psunspot]]'' (1987, as the Dukes of Stratosphear)
| |
| − | *''[[Oranges & Lemons (album)|Oranges & Lemons]]'' (1989)
| |
| − | *''[[Nonsuch (album)|Nonsuch]]'' (1992)
| |
| − | *''[[Apple Venus Volume 1]]'' (1999)
| |
| − | *''[[Wasp Star (Apple Venus Volume 2)]]'' (2000)
| |
| | | | |
| | ==References== | | ==References== |
| − | {{Reflist|30em}} | + | {{Reflist|2}} |
| − | | |
| − | ==Bibliography==
| |
| − | {{refbegin|normalfont=yes}}
| |
| − | * {{cite book|last1=Partridge|first1=Andy|last2=Bernhardt|first2=Todd|authorlink1=Andy Partridge|title=Complicated Game: Inside the Songs of XTC|date=2016|publisher=[[Jawbone Press]]|isbn=978-1908279781|ref=harv}}
| |
| − | {{refend}}
| |
| − | | |
| − | ==External links==
| |
| − | *{{Dmoz|Arts/Music/Bands_and_Artists/X/XTC/}}
| |
| − | * [http://chalkhills.org/ Chalkhills: XTC fan site]
| |
| − | * [http://www.chrishunt.biz/features16.html Andy Partridge interview: 1989] by [[Chris Hunt]]
| |
| − | * [http://www.blogtalkradio.com/runt/2008/02/17/Rundgren-Radio/ Andy Partridge 2 hour interview on RundgrenRadio.com]
| |
| − | * [http://www.blogtalkradio.com/runt/2008/03/09/rundgren-radio/ Dave Gregory 2 hour audio interview on RundgrenRadio.com]
| |
| − | * {{youtube|1xlH9eyyZ0M|X is for... XTC}} at John Peel Archive
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| − | | |
| − | {{XTC}}
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| − | {{Use dmy dates|date=August 2011}}
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| − | | |
| − | {{Authority control}}
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| | | | |
| − | {{DEFAULTSORT:Xtc}} | + | {{DEFAULTSORT:Ashmitha}} |
| − | [[Category:XTC| ]] | + | [[Category:Indian film actresses]] |
| − | [[Category:Art rock musical groups]] | + | [[Category:Tamil actresses]] |
| − | [[Category:English new wave musical groups]] | + | [[Category:Living people]] |
| − | [[Category:English post-punk music groups]] | + | [[Category:Actresses in Tamil cinema]] |
| − | [[Category:Musical groups established in 1977]]
| + | [[Category:Actresses from Chennai]] |
| − | [[Category:Musical groups disestablished in 2005]] | + | [[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]] |
| − | [[Category:Musical quartets]]
| + | [[Category:21st-century Indian actresses]] |
| − | [[Category:Musicians from Wiltshire]]
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| − | [[Category:Progressive pop musicians]] | |
| − | [[Category:Caroline Records artists]] | |
| − | [[Category:Geffen Records artists]]
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| − | [[Category:RSO Records artists]]
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| − | [[Category:Virgin Records artists]]
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Both of her initial films as the lead actress had long-delayed releases in December 2016. Despite beginning work in 2014, Pazhaya Vannarapettai released first followed by Atti opposite Ma Ka Pa Anand, where she portrayed a speech therapist.[4][5][6]
