— Musings —05.11.2016 06:56 AM
All lined up, battery brides
For reasons I do not fully ken, these two Eighties gems popped into my head this morning. I am a sucker for a weirdo bass line.
Useless facts: one guy was in both bands. Can you name him?
I interviewed XTC a million times. They are great guys.
Barry Andrews of course.
I like “My spine is the base line.”
I was fortunate to XTC at the Commodore in Vancouver in March 1980. Barry Andrews had left by then – but oh what a show. I went with a classmate of mine who was dating one of the members of the “Young Canadians” who was the opening act. We went backstage and met the band – and if you have been backstage at the Commodore you know it is dark, danky crowded and sticky – and had a great time. A really nice group of guys and oh so talented. I still mourn their passing.
The Setlist was:
1. Bushman President (Homo Safari No. 2)
2. Beatown
3. Real by Reel
4. When You’re Near Me I Have Difficulty
5. Life Begins at the Hop
6. The Rhythm
7. Meccanik Dancing (Oh We Go!)
8. Scissor Man
9. Heatwave
10. Helicopter
11. This Is Pop
12. Battery Brides
13. Instant Tunes
14. Crowded Room
15. Are You Receiving Me?
16. Complicated Game
17. Making Plans for Nigel
18. Outside World
19. Dance Band
20. Statue of Liberty
Nice! And the Young Canadians were led by none other than Art Bergman!
Absolutely correct – and they were as enthralled as I was to be hanging out with Andy Colin Davey and Terry.
Whew…thought I was alone veering toward lunacy having XTC in high rotation the last few weeks! Give ‘Travels in Nihilon’ (Black Sea) a fresh listen for some very intense bass/drums…unlike anything else they ever did. Smart guys…their best stuff still sounds fresh.
You might want to check our “It’s Nearly Africa” from English Settlement and “Train Running Low on Soul Coal” from The Big Express