XTC were an influential rock band (starting out as a post-punk outfit but eventually developing into a sound that was a mix of new wave and alternative/college rock) which formed Swindon, England in 1972. For most of their career, the band consisted of Andy Partridge (vocals, guitar), Colin Moulding (vocals, bass) and Dave Gregory (guitar, keyboards). Gregory replaced founding keyboardist Barry Andrews in 1978 and left himself in 1999. After co-founding drummer Terry Chambers left in 1983, the band did not hire a drummer to replace him and instead hired session drummers on an album-to-album basis.
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First coming together in 1972, the core duo of Andy Partridge (guitars, vocals) and Colin Moulding (bass, vocals) went through numerous band names (including The Helium Kidz and Star Park ) over the next five years. Drawing influence from the New York Dolls and the emerging New York punk scene, they played glam rock with homemade costumes and slowly built up a following. Drummer Terry Chambers joined in 1973. Keyboard player Barry Andrews followed in 1976, and the band finally settled on a name: XTC. By this time, the punk rock movement was in full swing, and XTC had found their style, a unique brand of hyperactive pop mixed with funk, punk, ska, reggae, and art rock.
The touring years, 1977"82
In 1977 XTC was signed by Virgin Records. They recorded the 3D EP that summer, and followed it up with their debut LP White Music in January 1978. White Music received favorable reviews and entered the British top 30, but lead single "Statue of Liberty" was banned by the BBC for making supposedly lewd references to the famous statue.
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