EXTC — Write-Up — Cardiff Live

2 June 1981, one of UK’s finest bands to evolve from Punk/New Wave XTC played what was to be the band’s final UK live appearance at Cardiff’s Top Rank, promoting their Black Sea album.

It proved a fateful day for fans of the band after the prolific and influential singer/songwriter Andy Partridge’s well documented breakdown meant the band were never to play live in the UK ever again.

Fortunately it didn’t affect the flow of brilliant recordings as the band, almost Beatle-like, transformed into a studio band, that have been a major influence to many of those who followed.

Then a few years ago fans were treated to the rarest of occasions when the returning powerhouse of a drummer Terry Chambers, after relocating to the UK from Australia, hooked up with bassist Colin Moulding for a series of gigs in their hometown of Swindon.

It was a wonderful, but brief encounter as, quickly as he reappeared on the scene, Moulding disappeared back into the shadows after a job well done.

Thankfully, drummer Chambers decided to stick around and with his band of talented brothers, set about more live work leading to a long-awaited return to Cardiff, back to where it all fizzled out many years ago giving fans both young, and now, quite old, a chance to relive what a glorious sound the four Wiltshire chaps helped create.

Along with guitarist and vocalist Steve Hampton and bassist Terry Lines, TC and friends lovingly recreate the sound of XTC with a set pack full of songs that featured in such a long and very creative time for one of UK’s finest ever bands.

Chambers certainly has lost none of the power that helped drive the songs of Partridge and Moulding, proving what an essential part of the sound his drumming helped produce. Certainly with Moulding in tow, the pair where undoubtedly one of the best rhythm sections to come out of new wave, and British music generally.

Opening with the classic no 1 that never was “This Is Pop” and swiftly followed by the classic “Statue of Liberty” the band moved swiftly on to the front foot, dipping into and featuring songs from most of the group’s recorded work through the years.

Hampton in particular took centre stage replicating much of Partridge’s eccentric guitar riffing whilst holding down much of the show vocally. Terry Lines on bass wonderfully reproduced the melodic and quirky Moulding bass lines plus, when required stepped up to the microphone on a few tunes to take the lead, all the while providing backing vocals.

There certainly wasn’t any let up in the pace and following a short break, the band came back with a clutch of songs that blew away the very appreciative audience.

“Sgt Rock”, “Respectable St” and a superb “Living Through Another Cuba / Generals and Majors” lead not unsurprisingly to the bands biggest and best remembered hit “Making Plans For Nigel” .

One of group’s later songs “Stupidly Happy” featured one of the evening’s highlights as one chap kicked off his shoes to perform a David Byrne-like dance performance that beautifully synced with the music, so good that the group would be well-advised to take him on tour with them !

Ending the evening with another single that should have been a massive hit “Life Begins at the Hop” it was a terrific finish to a night of perfection and smile-induced nostalgia. Even the missing members would agree that XTC lives on in the very capable hands of Terry Chambers and EXTC.

By Tony Woolway