XTC formed in Swindon, England in 1972, evolving from angular new wave into some of the most melodically rich English pop ever put to tape, led by songwriters Andy Partridge and Colin Moulding. After stage fright ended touring in 1982 they became a studio-only band — Skylarking (1986) and English Settlement (1982) are the places to start. Shop XTC vinyl, CDs, and reissues at Wax Trax Records.
XTC formed in Swindon, England in 1972, coming to prominence during the new wave era of the late 1970s. The band was led by the songwriting partnership of Andy Partridge and Colin Moulding, with Dave Gregory a key longtime member. After Partridge developed severe stage fright, the band stopped touring in 1982 and reinvented itself as a studio-only outfit, producing some of its most acclaimed work in that period.
XTC began with angular, energetic new wave and post-punk and matured into sophisticated, melodically rich English pop drawing on the Beatles, Kinks, and British pastoral traditions. Their intricate arrangements, clever lyrics, and studio inventiveness, especially on Skylarking (produced by Todd Rundgren), earned them enduring critical acclaim and a devoted following.
XTC's Virgin catalog has been reissued in remastered, surround-sound, and colored-vinyl editions, with Skylarking and English Settlement popular collector titles. Original pressings and the band's Dukes of Stratosphear psychedelic side project are also of interest.
Listeners new to XTC often start with Skylarking (1986) or English Settlement (1982). For related listening, see and .
