Also known as Dukes of Stratosphear, Terry and The Lovemen, Star Park, The Helium Kidz
XTC were an English rock band formed in Swindon in 1972. Fronted by songwriters Andy Partridge (vocals, guitars) and Colin Moulding (vocals, bass), the band gained popularity during the rise of punk and new wave in the 1970s, later playing in a variety of styles that ranged from angular guitar riffs to elaborately arranged pop. Partly because the group did not fit into contemporary trends, they achieved only sporadic commercial success in the UK and US, but attracted a considerable cult following. They have since been recognised for their influence on Britpop and later power pop acts.
Key facts
- Musical artist.name
- XTC
- Musical artist.background
- group_or_band
- Musical artist.image
- XTC bandphoto.jpg
- Musical artist.alt
- XTC standing in a row in a black-and-white photo
- Musical artist.landscape
- yes
- Musical artist.caption
- XTC backstage in Toronto, Canada in October 1978, from left: Andy Partridge, Colin Moulding, Terry Chambers and Barry Andrews
- Musical artist.alias
- Star Park (1972–1974) The Helium Kidz (1974–1975)
- Musical artist.origin
- Swindon, Wiltshire, England
- Musical artist.works
- Discography
- Musical artist.years_active
- 1972–2006
- Musical artist.past_members
- Andy Partridge Colin Moulding Terry Chambers Barry Andrews Dave Gregory See members section for others
via Wikipedia infobox
Wikidata facts
- Official website
- www.ape.uk.net
- Image
- XTC bandphoto.jpg
Show 3 more facts
- inception
- 1972-00-00
- Commons category
- XTC
- start of work period
- 1977-00-00
Sources (3)
via Wikidata · CC0
~74 min read
Article
33 sectionsContents
- 1972–1982: early years and touring
- Formation
- Local popularity, rise of punk and label signing
- ''White Music'' and ''Go 2''
- ''Drums and Wires'' and ''Black Sea''
- ''English Settlement'' and Partridge's breakdown
- 1982–1992: studio years
- Financial issues and start of managerial litigation
- ''Mummer'' and faltered popularity
- ''The Big Express'' and ''25 O'Clock''
- ''Skylarking'' and ''Psonic Psunspot''
- ''Oranges & Lemons'' and ''Nonsuch''
- 1993–present: legal entanglement, return and breakup
- Strike period
- ''Apple Venus'' and ''Wasp Star''
- ''Fuzzy Warbles'' and disintegrated partnership
- Reissue programme and TC&I
- Musical style and development
- Group dynamic
- Partridge and Moulding
- Andrews, Gregory and drummers
- Genres and influences
- Lyricism and English culture
- Recognition and influence
- British reception
- Awards and nominations
- Members
- Discography
- Filmography
- Notes
- References
- Bibliography
- External links
XTC were an English rock band formed in Swindon in 1972. Fronted by songwriters Andy Partridge (vocals, guitars) and Colin Moulding (vocals, bass), the band gained popularity during the rise of punk and new wave in the 1970s, later playing in a variety of styles that ranged from angular guitar riffs to elaborately arranged pop. Partly because the group did not fit into contemporary trends, they achieved only sporadic commercial success in the UK and US, but attracted a considerable cult following. They have since been recognised for their influence on Britpop and later power pop acts.
Partridge and Moulding first met in the early 1970s and subsequently formed a glam outfit with drummer Terry Chambers. The band's name and line-up changed frequently, and it was not until 1975 that the band was known as XTC. In 1977, the group debuted on Virgin Records and were subsequently noted for their energetic live performances and their refusal to play conventional punk rock, instead synthesizing influences from ska, 1960s pop, dub music and avant-garde. The single "Making Plans for Nigel" (1979) marked their commercial breakthrough and heralded the reverberating drum sound associated with 1980s popular music.