XTC

On this day in music history: August 17, 1979 - “Drums And Wires”, the third album by XTC is released. Produced by Steve Lillywhite, it is recorded at The Townhouse Studios in London from June - July 1979. Working with producer Lillywhite (U2) and engineer Hugh Padgham (Genesis, Phil Collins), it features the bands first big UK single “Making Plans For Nigel” (#17 UK) which also provides the band with their initial exposure in the US. The album is issued with differing track listings in various countries, with the first 20,000 copies coming with a two or three track 7" single featuring the songs “Chain Of Command”, “Limelight”, and/or “Life Begins At The Hop”. The initial US pressing of the LP (initially released on RSO Records and later reissued on Geffen Records) features the single version of “Ten Feet Tall”, while other pressing include the first recorded version. In 2014, the album is remastered and reissued in the UK on CD, DVD-A and Blu-Ray disc, with a newly remixed 5.1 surround mix. “Drums And Wires” peaks at number thirty four on the UK album chart, and number one hundred seventy four on the Billboard Top 200.

Well, good I have been waiting for some XTC but starting at the third album is a shame and I followed them from the beginning and pretty much bought everything from the first singles prior to the first album all their VHS videos (ask your grandparents) and then right up to Andy P' s solo incarnations and more experimental stuff; Fuzzy Warbles, Monstrance, Wasp Star and of course The Dukes of Stratosphear (XTC and Partridge fans google them if you haven't heard any of these & you won't be disappointed?*!) This track is chosen largely because I imagine it was their biggest hit and most successful album but to me there are much better songs and much better albums 'Drums and Wires' a favourite and 'Skylarking' probably my top favourite closely followed by English Settlement but hey, glad to post this. They still stand as the loudest band I ever heard at Oxford's New Theatre and my ears rang for three days afterward although to be honest guys it HURT!