Post by Jeff Truzzi on Feb 6, 2015 3:24:49 GMT
The Last XTC Gig: San Diego, April 3, 1982
By Jeff Truzzi
Two versions, the oldest and the newest.
oldest - Idea Forum - Oct 25 2003:
(my second post ever on the Internet.)
Hello, Pellepennan and Youie. Thanks for the welcome. I'm happy to expand on the last XTC live show EVER at the California Theater in San Diego California, in early April of 1982, that I feel extremely fortunate to have attended. I had JUST moved back to my hometown from Montana a few weeks earlier, so I almost missed it.
This was supposed to be the beginning of the American leg (Stage 3 of 3) of their worldwide tour supporting "English Settlement," which I had not heard until purchasing it the day after their performance.
I can't recall who the warm-up act was (they are generally ignored here in Southern California anyway) but the theater (balcony and all) erupted in pandemonium when XTC took the stage. Everyone was on their feet throughout, with hands in the air half of the time.
I was EXTREMELY impressed at how faithful the group was to their recordings on all of the familiar songs from Black Sea and Drums & Wires. The English Settlement songs were amazing! I remember virtually perfect renditions of Runaway, Senses Working Overtime, Jason & The Argonauts, Snowman, Ball & Chain and No Thugs In Our House.
Melt The Guns was extended in the middle for Andy to chastise my fellow countrymen's predilection for firearms in a pointed but entertaining way. At that point a number of people jumped up onto the stage. As security slowly escorted them off, one of the interlopers handed Andy a copy of some anarchist newspaper that was being distributed in front of the theater (and subsequently littered the entire area.) He took it and opened it as if to briefly read it. Then he dropped it and resumed the song. The interaction with the stage crowd seemed natural, not stilted or ominous.
Andy's veins in his forehead and hand were bulging and quite noticeable, but he was in fine voice and delivered a flawless and (seemingly) inspired performance. Colin was solid both vocally and instrumentally, his distinctive moving bass lines filling the theater. Dave Gregory constantly shifted back and forth between guitar and keyboards, rounding out the group's sound and re-creating everything from the records. Terry Chambers was rock-solid, and played with both power and finesse. He didn't seem to have a problem with the more percussion oriented newer songs, and moved comfortably back into the heavier oldies like This Is Pop and Are You Receiving Me.
Andy didn't seem ill, but he definitely seemed hyper. I gather this was actually anxiety. He apparently was having issues with stage fright. I understand this was long-standing, and he actually had to be pushed out onto the stage that evening. But once out there, he seemed to OWN the stage! Andy was definitely the group's front man.
The concert was fabulous. I was as shocked as everyone to hear they cancelled Los Angeles the next day - due to "illness" - and soon after, the entire tour. My sadness about this, and the "downer" vibe of Murmur and The Big Express was eventually dispelled by the joys of the Dukes, Skylarking, Oranges & Lemons, etc. It worked for the Beatles. It worked for Steely Dan. And, obviously, it worked even better for XTC.
I've gotta say, though: they were a HELL of a live band!
newest - APE forum - Aug 13 2010:
I only saw XTC live once.
But it was their last gig ever, which I doubt Andy remembers fondly.
At the time (early 1982) I thought it was great, and I didn't notice mistakes on their unfamiliar new material -
I bought the (US single LP version of) "English Settlement" the next day.
"Jason & The Argonauts" sounding particularly good, as did "Snowman" and the extended "Melt The Guns" where Andy chided our American fixation with deadly weapons.
I remember them doing justice to the tunes I WAS familiar with:
"Senses" (just being played on radio)..."Nigel"..."Respectable Street"..."Cuba"..."This Is Pop"..."Are You Receiving Me."
Local punks and anarchists invaded the stage during "Melt The Guns."
I'd never seen a stage invasion, and was quite shocked.
But Andy appeared to take it in all stride, even briefly perusing the anarchist newspaper that littered the California Theater.
I was surprised he appeared almost casual about it, and figured that he must be used to it. I wasn't.
And their stagehands didn't beat up the interlopers, they merely escorted them off the stage.
I noticed the blood veins on Andy's hands and forehead prominently bulging out, which I thought was unusual and strange.
I'd been to a lot of concerts - rock, jazz, folk, classical - and never seen that on a performer before.
And he seemed almost 'hyper' hyperactive.
Now - in retrospect - that all makes total sense.
By Jeff Truzzi
Two versions, the oldest and the newest.
oldest - Idea Forum - Oct 25 2003:
(my second post ever on the Internet.)
Hello, Pellepennan and Youie. Thanks for the welcome. I'm happy to expand on the last XTC live show EVER at the California Theater in San Diego California, in early April of 1982, that I feel extremely fortunate to have attended. I had JUST moved back to my hometown from Montana a few weeks earlier, so I almost missed it.
This was supposed to be the beginning of the American leg (Stage 3 of 3) of their worldwide tour supporting "English Settlement," which I had not heard until purchasing it the day after their performance.
I can't recall who the warm-up act was (they are generally ignored here in Southern California anyway) but the theater (balcony and all) erupted in pandemonium when XTC took the stage. Everyone was on their feet throughout, with hands in the air half of the time.
I was EXTREMELY impressed at how faithful the group was to their recordings on all of the familiar songs from Black Sea and Drums & Wires. The English Settlement songs were amazing! I remember virtually perfect renditions of Runaway, Senses Working Overtime, Jason & The Argonauts, Snowman, Ball & Chain and No Thugs In Our House.
Melt The Guns was extended in the middle for Andy to chastise my fellow countrymen's predilection for firearms in a pointed but entertaining way. At that point a number of people jumped up onto the stage. As security slowly escorted them off, one of the interlopers handed Andy a copy of some anarchist newspaper that was being distributed in front of the theater (and subsequently littered the entire area.) He took it and opened it as if to briefly read it. Then he dropped it and resumed the song. The interaction with the stage crowd seemed natural, not stilted or ominous.
Andy's veins in his forehead and hand were bulging and quite noticeable, but he was in fine voice and delivered a flawless and (seemingly) inspired performance. Colin was solid both vocally and instrumentally, his distinctive moving bass lines filling the theater. Dave Gregory constantly shifted back and forth between guitar and keyboards, rounding out the group's sound and re-creating everything from the records. Terry Chambers was rock-solid, and played with both power and finesse. He didn't seem to have a problem with the more percussion oriented newer songs, and moved comfortably back into the heavier oldies like This Is Pop and Are You Receiving Me.
Andy didn't seem ill, but he definitely seemed hyper. I gather this was actually anxiety. He apparently was having issues with stage fright. I understand this was long-standing, and he actually had to be pushed out onto the stage that evening. But once out there, he seemed to OWN the stage! Andy was definitely the group's front man.
The concert was fabulous. I was as shocked as everyone to hear they cancelled Los Angeles the next day - due to "illness" - and soon after, the entire tour. My sadness about this, and the "downer" vibe of Murmur and The Big Express was eventually dispelled by the joys of the Dukes, Skylarking, Oranges & Lemons, etc. It worked for the Beatles. It worked for Steely Dan. And, obviously, it worked even better for XTC.
I've gotta say, though: they were a HELL of a live band!
newest - APE forum - Aug 13 2010:
I only saw XTC live once.
But it was their last gig ever, which I doubt Andy remembers fondly.
At the time (early 1982) I thought it was great, and I didn't notice mistakes on their unfamiliar new material -
I bought the (US single LP version of) "English Settlement" the next day.
"Jason & The Argonauts" sounding particularly good, as did "Snowman" and the extended "Melt The Guns" where Andy chided our American fixation with deadly weapons.
I remember them doing justice to the tunes I WAS familiar with:
"Senses" (just being played on radio)..."Nigel"..."Respectable Street"..."Cuba"..."This Is Pop"..."Are You Receiving Me."
Local punks and anarchists invaded the stage during "Melt The Guns."
I'd never seen a stage invasion, and was quite shocked.
But Andy appeared to take it in all stride, even briefly perusing the anarchist newspaper that littered the California Theater.
I was surprised he appeared almost casual about it, and figured that he must be used to it. I wasn't.
And their stagehands didn't beat up the interlopers, they merely escorted them off the stage.
I noticed the blood veins on Andy's hands and forehead prominently bulging out, which I thought was unusual and strange.
I'd been to a lot of concerts - rock, jazz, folk, classical - and never seen that on a performer before.
And he seemed almost 'hyper' hyperactive.
Now - in retrospect - that all makes total sense.