So, where does XTC fit into the mix?

[pikeprof]

Lately I've been thinking about some of the handy-dandy categories we use for music on this site: synthpop-garage-psych-punk-new wave-power pop-

Where on earth do Mr. Partridge and Company fit into the mix? Especially since their still doing stuff.

Any thoughts?

[nowhere girl]

XTC kind of defies categorization, in my opinion. In the eighties, they were called new wave by the local radio station, though some considered them more jangle pop like the Bangles, and they did a lot of more psychedelic music for a while. I recorded a

[pikeprof]

Well-that was really my point-I like Andy Partridge and I think he's a genuine english eccentric-I think they got tagged "new wave" as a flag of convenience.

[ekahob]

Anybody who didn't fit in were tagged with "New Wave" just because it WAS convenient and the industry needs labels. That's why there were so many sub-genres. What makes it difficult to label XTC is that they have been around for so long and have made ma

[EchoBeachBunnyBoy]

I agree with nowhere girl. XTC is one of those bands that get the "alternative" labeling, which can be very generic.
I liked the low key "Dear God" as much as the fast paced "Generals & Majors". [;)]

[devildog]

Well you have to remember that when they first formed in the 1970's, they were not considered AOR! So they were new wave in the beginning. But like other bands that survived the early 80's and continued to record into the 90's and beyond, they evolved.