Dateline – FERNDALE, MI
EXTC: Terry Chambers & Friends
The Magic Bag Theater
7 May 2024
I was introduced to XTC after they had already pulled the plug on touring in 1982, due to Andy Partridge’s stage fright and general anxiety. Consequently, I wore out my CD copy of XTC – BBC Radio 1 Live in Concert 1980, resigned to the fact that I would never see these guys play live.
Then recently, I saw “EXTC” on the marquee at The Magic Bag theater here in Ferndale. I figured it was a tribute act. A quick internet search revealed that, in fact, this is the very best possible XTC tribute act – one that includes the legendary Terry Chambers on drums. Terry is one of my top 5 all-time drummers (check the full list here), so I got right back in the car and went back to buy tickets.
The show pleasantly exceeded my expectations, and I’ve put together a live-performance clip compilation of that 7 May 2024 show at The Bag. There are about a dozen songs in the compilation, beginning with “Towers of London” off 1980’s Black Sea:
Terry hasn’t lost a thing. He’s remained active, playing in bands in his adopted home of Australia, as well as a recent touring and recording project with fellow XTC alum bassist Colin Moulding, called TC&I. He was locked in on the classic tunes he helped create, as well as on material released after his departure from the band.
Let’s not forget Terry’s friends. Steve Hampton on guitar and vocals, and Terry Lines on bass and vocals. These geezers do a better-than admirable job of interpreting the XTC material, staying true to the original arrangements the fans expect, while putting their own stamp on the proceedings. The crowd of mostly old-school punk and new wave fans were enthusiastic, singing along to all the classics.
Not surprisingly, they emphasized the early records on which Terry played. They ran through almost the entire Black Sea album, for instance. A surprising highlight for me was “Rocket from a Bottle,” a deep cut from side one of Black Sea. But my unquestioned highest-light was “Senses Working Overtime,” from 1982’s English Settlement. My daughter loved this song when she was little little, and we used to love to count and air-drum to the “1-2-3-4-5” bit (yeah, I cried a little).
After retiring from the road, being a studio-only project seemed to suit bassist/vocalist/”writer of singles” Colin Moulding, guitarist/multi-instrumentalist Dave Gregory not so much, and it sure as hell took the jam out of Terry’s doughnut. Terry didn’t write and received no songwriting credit. Therefore, he only got paid when the band toured. In the 2017 documentary XTC: This is Pop, Terry states his position that a proper working band should perform live:
[Andy] never really wanted to pursue the live thing again, which went against everything I stood for, really. If you’re a musician, to me, playing is what it’s all about.
So, I’m glad Andy gave his blessing to this project (even coming up with the name “EXTC”). Judging by this night in Ferndale, absence of XTC live shows seems to indeed have made hearts grow fonder. I hope Terry continues to bring his mates ’round. It was a thrill to hear him live, and I’m more than happy to help my man get paid.
Find out when the lads are coming to your village on their website extc.band
