Song:Senses Working Overtime
Album:The Compact XTC: The Singles 1978-1985
XTC had some commercial success with songs like Senses Working Overtime. But they were more of a cult band than anything else. Fortunately, their music holds up very well. Their success was short lived due to personal and legal problems. XTC was from Wiltshire, England. Lead singer and guitarist Andy Partridge, bassist Colin Moulding and drummer Terry Chambers first called themselves Star Park in 1976. Then they changed the name to Helium Kidz and added Barry Andrews on keyboards. At this point, they were heavily influenced by the current punk scene. After failing to get a record deal at CBS, the group name was changed to XTC and they signed with Virgin Records. They released an EP and then their first album White Music. It did OK but there were no hits. Andrews left to form League Of Gentlemen with Robert Fripp. Guitarist David Gregory replaced him. They finally charted with Life Begins At The Hop and Making Plans For Nigel. XTC started gaining momentum and this continued with the album English Settlement. Senses Working Overtime was their biggest hit to date. But then Partridge collapsed on stage while on tour. He was diagnosed with an ulcer caused by stage fright. XTC announced they would stop touring but would continue to record in the studio. Chambers quit over this. Though XTC continued to have modest success, they were never the same after that. They also had legal problems with a former manager and with Virgin. This CD of singles is a good intro to their music. XTC left Virgin and started their own label in 1998. They split up in 2005. Here's the video for Senses Working Overtime by XTC.
No comments:
Post a Comment