XTC - A People's History

Formed in 1972 in Swindon, XTC had ten Top 40 UK albums & six Top 40 singles, including ‘Life Begins At The Hop’, ‘Making Plans For Nigel’, ‘Generals And Majors’, ‘Towers Of London’, ‘Sgt. Rock (Is Going To Help Me)’ and ‘Senses Working Overtime’.

Often considered ‘The Modern Beatles’, and acclaimed by fellow musicians (Bill Nelson, Robyn Hitchcock, Nick Heyward, Rick Buckler), producers (John Leckie, Steve Lillywhite, Paul Fox) and stand-up comedians (Joanna Neary, Stewart Lee), their highly individual approach to arrangement and exquisite songwriting culminated in the Todd Rungren-produced 1986 album Skylarking. From their formation in 1972 until their demise in 2006, Messrs Andy Partridge and Colin Moulding ensured that XTC were to be a band like no other.

With more than 200 fan contributions from around the world, this book sheds light on XTC’s background and the continued popularity of a band that stopped touring in 1982.