Colin Moulding - unsung hero

[Rayman]

Absolutely my all time favourite player, and he rarely gets any credit….. the bass lines for XTC on Drums and Wires or Black Sea, are absolutely outstanding and completely original. Nobody sounds like that…. go and listen to Roads Girdle The Globe from Drums and Wires, and give your ears a treat.

[wolfninefingers]

Totally concur.

[Dad3353]

Well, I gave it four minutes. 

[12stringbassist]

Colin Moulding is an unbelievably excellent player. XTC were fantastic at times. Some of their music is quite polarising, but at their best they were untouchable. Much missed.

[tubbybloke68]

He and Geddy Lee my biggest influences by far.XTC, a totally unique , eccentric band that sounded like no other. Amazing stuff. 

[kwmlondon]

I play Mayor Of Simpletown most days as a practise track to improve coordination between my left and right hands. I've been at it for years and still not nailed it. AND he played it on a fretless for flip's sake!!!

[lowdown]

16 hours ago, Dad3353 said:

Well, I gave it four minutes. 

 

 

 Four minutes. Blimey, how did you manage that long? Drugs?

 

[Dad3353]

17 minutes ago, lowdown said:

 Four minutes. Blimey, how did you manage that long? Drugs?

 

 

Will-power. Lots and lots of will-power. I regret it now; I won't ever get those four minutes back. 

[BassTractor]

18 hours ago, Dad3353 said:

Well, I gave it four minutes. 

IMHO, XTC are a fantastic band, and I'd expect you (with your Schubert and Magma sensitivities, a.o.) to to be more positive. 'That said, Roads Girdle the Globe', with its angularity and dissonance, may not be the best first song to hear  -  what do I know.

How about a prettier song like 'The Loving' off 'Oranges & Lemons', which is a later album?

 

 

 

or 'River of Orchids' off one of their last albums, 'Apple Venus Volume 1' ?

 

 

Edited Friday at 15:20 by BassTractor

[Dad3353]

25 minutes ago, BassTractor said:

...

or 'River of Orchids' off one of their last albums, 'Apple Venus Volume 1' ? ...

 

Better; much better. The sort of composition that makes sense to me; no idea concerning lyrics, though, as I'd have to follow along with the sleeve notes. I listened to the end, and will listen again with the lyrics. I hope that they're worth it. 

Edit : Acceptable, in context. Shades of 'Sting'.

Edited Friday at 15:43 by Dad3353

[Jean-Luc Pickguard]

The Dukes of Stratosphear stuff is pretty damn good as well

[musicbassman]

Here's a rare insight into XTC - a lengthy documentary from 1980 showing XTC recording at The Manor. (Warning: -  may contain Richard Branson now and then) Also, extra points for vintage recording equipment.

Yes, Colin Moulding was an extremely creative bass player, and I'm a big fan 👍

 

 

[NancyJohnson]

I'm in contact with Colin, been trying to get him in for the 2025 SE Bass Basheroonie.  He's declined - which is a huge shame - and I get the distinct feeling he finds the adoration a bit uncomfortable and bothersome.

 

XTC are a weird one for me.  I loved the singles back in the day, but they were more a guilty pleasure as musically my head was elsewhere.  Sadly it was only after they called time that I really got into them; I suppose it was great to just go through the entire catalogue over a short period of time and appreciate how they evolved.

 

It kind of saddens to read a comment like @Dad3353 giving the four minutes.  While people obviously cite The Beatles as being the quintessential British band, XTC should also be seen as a national treasure, there's so much depth in the writing and arrangements, from the quirky angular punk/pop of White Music and Go 2 through to the majesty of Apple Venus and Wasp Star.  The band were lyrically and musically smart.

 

Andy Partridge once remarked something along the lines of the band being 'clever and from Swindon' which aptly characterised the struggle they were always going to face for exposure.  Had it been New York, another story.  The whole backstory is fascinating (try an watch the This Is Pop documentary for a quick deep dive to the withdrawal from touring, which just adds to the enigma).

 

@Dad3353The whole catalogue is on Spotify; get yourself a coffee and listen to the Fossil Fuel collection; it's a decent entry point.  Identify the tracks that light your candle and do an album - I'm not going to say you won't be disappointed (even though I just did), because you possibly will.  Each to their own.  They really were (and still are) a fantastic, fantastic band.

 

 

[Dad3353]

1 hour ago, NancyJohnson said:

... 

@Dad3353 ... listen to the Fossil Fuel collection; it's a decent entry point...

 

I shall do, following this enthusiastic recommendation. Much music is, I believe, of its time, by which I mean the time of the listener. Stuff heard and enjoyed in one's formative (y...)ears has a much more lasting effect; hearing the same music later has a quite different impact on the listener. Memories, souvenirs, experiences have been formed, of which the music played a part. There is music for the occasion, too; styles one may not usually choose to listen to could be very suitable in different circumstances. In general, I would say that I have quite wide tastes, but, still in general, I usually need to make some 'sense' of what I'm hearing (not to be confused nor conflated with 'understanding'...). I get auditively bored with much hyper-repetitive 'funk' (I'm not a dancer, so that aspect escapes me...), and, as a drummer, the Big Beat 'Disco' 'One-One-One-One' lasts barely a few seconds before the Off-switch is thrown. I'm not phased, either by novelty for novelty's sake; something 'new' has no particular advantage over past offerings per se (but are not excluded either, if I find merit...). Gimmicks, gadgets, hooks... have their place, but need to be pretty darned solid to gain a repeat audition. OK, enough... I'll dive into the Fossil Fuel (topical, being an old Fossil myself..!) and put it down to experience if I come to regret it. Back later... 

 

(But that Roads thing was quite far 'out there', musically, and reading through the badly-'sung' lyrics did nothing to endear it to me  ...)

 

Edit : OK, to be kind, I'll just say 'Unimpressed', and leave it there. 

Edited 9 hours ago by Dad3353

[Norris]

57 minutes ago, NancyJohnson said:

While people obviously cite The Beatles as being the quintessential British band, XTC should also be seen as a national treasure, there's so much depth in the writing and arrangements, from the quirky angular punk/pop of White Music and Go 2 through to the majesty of Apple Venus and Wasp Star.  The band were lyrically and musically smart.

Absolutely! You can't sum up XTC in one track because they are so musically diverse.

 

At least listen to the sublime bass line on Mayor of Simpleton before writing them off 😉😂

[Cairobill]

Yup, XTC are titans in my book. Moulding is a legend as a player and a writer. He might not like the adulation but that doesn’t alter the fact that he’s totally brilliant. 

[Cairobill]

18 minutes ago, Norris said:

Absolutely! You can't sum up XTC in one track because they are so musically diverse.

 

At least listen to the sublime bass line on Mayor of Simpleton before writing them off 😉😂

I particularly like their ‘evil beach boys’ avatar. Best demonstrated in the amazing ‘Miniature Sun’. They’re top tier. 

[Norris]

1 minute ago, Cairobill said:

I particularly like their ‘evil beach boys’ avatar. Best demonstrated in the amazing ‘Miniature Sun’. They’re top tier. 

Just so many great basslines - and there's another!

[NancyJohnson]

30 minutes ago, Dad3353 said:

 

I shall do, following this enthusiastic recommendation. Much music is, I believe, of its time, by which I mean the time of the listener. Stuff heard and enjoyed in one's formative (y...)ears has a much more lasting effect; hearing the same music later has a quite different impact on the listener. Memories, souvenirs, experiences have been formed, of which the music played a part. There is music for the occasion, too; styles one may not usually choose to listen to could be very suitable in different circumstances. In general, I would say that I have quite wide tastes, but, still in general, I usually need to make some 'sense' of what I'm hearing (not to be confused nor conflated with 'understanding'...). I get auditively bored with much hyper-repetitive 'funk' (I'm not a dancer, so that aspect escapes me...), and, as a drummer, the Big Beat 'Disco' 'One-One-One-One' lasts barely a few seconds before the Off-switch is thrown. I'm not phased, either by novelty for novelty's sake; something 'new' has no particular advantage over past offerings per se (but are not excluded either, if I find merit...). Gimmicks, gadgets, hooks... have their place, but need to be pretty darned solid to gain a repeat audition. OK, enough... I'll dive into the Fossil Fuel (topical, being an old Fossil myself..!) and put it down to experience if I come to regret it. Back later... 

 

(But that Roads thing was quite far 'out there', musically, and reading through the badly-'sung' lyrics did nothing to endear it to me  ...)

 

I'd concur with music from our formative years having a lasting effect on us, which us why I continue to enjoy certain periods of Japan, Queen, Sparks, Mott The Hoople, Sweet, Rich Kids, Cheap Trick etc.

 

Coming to XTC at 40 years old made things a little different; the music doesn't etch itself into your psyche like it would have done when you're 15 years old, so it's genuinely harder work.  The beauty here is also the wealth of additional content available if you want to do a deep(er) dive; Steven Wilson's curated reissues (and 5.1/Atmos mixes) are sublime.

 

 

[Beedster]

53 minutes ago, Dad3353 said:

 

I shall do, following this enthusiastic recommendation. Much music is, I believe, of its time, by which I mean the time of the listener. Stuff heard and enjoyed in one's formative (y...)ears has a much more lasting effect; hearing the same music later has a quite different impact on the listener. Memories, souvenirs, experiences have been formed, of which the music played a part. There is music for the occasion, too; styles one may not usually choose to listen to could be very suitable in different circumstances. In general, I would say that I have quite wide tastes, but, still in general, I usually need to make some 'sense' of what I'm hearing (not to be confused nor conflated with 'understanding'...). I get auditively bored with much hyper-repetitive 'funk' (I'm not a dancer, so that aspect escapes me...), and, as a drummer, the Big Beat 'Disco' 'One-One-One-One' lasts barely a few seconds before the Off-switch is thrown. I'm not phased, either by novelty for novelty's sake; something 'new' has no particular advantage over past offerings per se (but are not excluded either, if I find merit...). Gimmicks, gadgets, hooks... have their place, but need to be pretty darned solid to gain a repeat audition. OK, enough... I'll dive into the Fossil Fuel (topical, being an old Fossil myself..!) and put it down to experience if I come to regret it. Back later... 

 

(But that Roads thing was quite far 'out there', musically, and reading through the badly-'sung' lyrics did nothing to endear it to me  ...)

 

Edit : OK, to be kind, I'll just say 'Unimpressed', and leave it there. 

 

I don't think it's just about formative years, it's more about emotional attachment in one way of another, even to songs that you first hear way past your formative years (although I think all years are formative, so let's say 'youth'). In June we gigged an album that I had listened to a few times and generally disliked, Beck's Odelay. It was a tricky one to play and we rehearsed it for around five months, about three months longer than it usually takes us to get an album down. I hadn't listened to it since, but I put in on yesterday and it felt like coming home in the same way as the music of my youth does, I heard all the magical nuances that I'd never noticed before we learned iit, and realised that the album had moved into 'that' space for me 👍  

[Beedster]

...and funnily enough Drums and Wires has been mentioned as a future album for the us 👍

[NancyJohnson]

If anyone wants to read further, here's a copy of Complicated Game - Inside The Songs of XTC by Andy Partridge and Todd Bernhardt.  This came to me from a music writer pre-publication.  It's in ePub format, so you'll need to download an ePub reader (Microsoft Store etc.).

 

Obviously, it goes without saying, the book is still in print.

 

Complicated Game - Inside The Songs Of XTC.epub

[NancyJohnson]

OK kids.  I've uploaded the 'This Is Pop' documentary to my Google Drive.  It's 2GB, MP4 format and a joy to watch.  I'll leave the link active until I need the space.

 

Obviously files are prone to have download issues, if the link is on the wonk, let me know.  You should just be able to click and download.

 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1__xzmx6z_hz4sSVieht-5NQVLRkImfgN/view?usp=sharing

 

 

 

Edited 5 hours ago by NancyJohnson

[Misdee]

Colin Moulding? Where do you want to start!

 

What a brilliant musician, bass player, songwriter, you name it. If he weren't such a self-effacing chap he would have a very different profile.

 

I  honestly believe he could have had a career as a top session musician if he had wanted. I cannot think of a better bassist that any record producer  or artist could hire to interpret and compliment their music in a novel and interesting way. Colin's such a creative bass player without ever conspicuously drawing attention to himself. He could have done the same job Pino Palladino has done for so many artists, albeit in his own inimitable way. The way he plays the bass is so exciting and quite fascinating. XTC were just breaking through around the time I started playing and Colin Moulding has always been a major role model for me. It seems like such a waste he's not out there making music much anymore because he's a unique talent.

Edited 31 minutes ago by Misdee

[Dad3353]

1 hour ago, NancyJohnson said:

OK kids.  I've uploaded the 'This Is Pop' documentary...

 

An excellent, well-filmed and apparently honest documentary; thanks for sharing.