XTC | Artist

XTC was an English art-rock band formed 1972 in Swindon, UK, by songwriters Andy Partridge (vocals, guitar) and Colin Moulding (bass, vocals). The duo formed a band called Star Park and recruited Terry Chambers as drummer. After Star Park opened for Thin Lizzy in May 1973, the band renamed themselves the Helium Kidz and NME ran a small profile on the "up and coming" band. This version of the group lasted until 1975, when the Helium Kidz decided to rebrand themselves and change their music to "three-minute pop songs that were fast and inventive". They decided once again the band needed a new name and settled on "XTC" after rejecting "The Dukes of Stratosphear" as too "flowery" and "psychedelic". They would later record under the alias The Dukes of Stratosphear in the late '80s. XTC became popular at the height of the punk and new wave movements of the late 1970s, but their sound was always distinctive for its angular guitar riffs and elaborate pop arrangements. Partly because the group didn't fit into contemporary trends, they achieved only limited commercial success in the UK and US, but built a large cult following. They have since been recognised for their influence on Britpop and Power Pop acts. From 1972 to 2006, when they disbanded, XTC released sixteen consistently excellent studio albums. The absolute standouts among these are Drums and Wires, Black Sea, English Settlement, Skylarking, Oranges & Lemons, Nonsuch, and Apple Venus Volume 1. Also highly recommended are the 2002 archival release Coat of Many Cupboards, and BBC Radio 1 Live in Concert from 1992.

Artist Website: chalkhills.org

Featured Albums: XTC

Related Artists: The Dukes of Stratosphear