EXTC – TERRY CHAMBERS AND FRIENDS
@ HEINEKEN STAGE, CLASSIC BOWL, MISSISSAUGA
MAY 5, 2024
Fact: the English new wave pop band XTC famously stopped making live concert appearances in 1982, and became a studio-based entity. For fans, this effectively killed the prospect of ever hearing a member of XTC perform these songs live.
Or, so we thought.
Flash forward to 2019, when Terry Chambers, XTC’s original drummer, embarked upon a live performance project to take the music of his old band to the masses. This new endeavour received the blessing of XTC’s creative heart, Andy Partridge, who also gave the band its cheeky new name: “EXTC”.
EXTC – Terry Chambers and Friends – rolled into Mississauga on a cloudy Sunday night. The fact that the concert space was a bowling alley bar in a suburban strip mall did not deter fans. They had come to see the legendary drummer at work, and to enjoy music from a bygone era – and EXTC did not disappoint.
In addition to Chambers, the band is rounded out by Steve Hampton (lead vocals and guitar) and Terry Lines (bass and vocals). Both are superb musicians, who skillfully showcased the songs. Hampton’s guitar work was excellent, as he copped licks made famous by Partridge and Dave Gregory, and put enough of himself in there to make the songs his own. His voice was more gruff than expected, but he added so much to the show with his impassioned performances and front-man chops. Line’s vocals were sweeter, and more akin to XTC’s Colin Moulding (as was his fluid bass playing). Both Lines and Hampton took turns on lead vocals, though Hampton sang the lion’s share. Together, their vocal blending was inspired, filling out the sound, and evoking the original recordings.
For his part, Terry Chambers was incredible. Unsurprisingly, the drum sound was in the forefront of this show, and the 68-yr-old Chambers has lost none of his power. As a founding member of the original XTC, he created these drum parts, and still executes them with precision, style and character.
The setlist mined songs from throughout XTC’s career, and it was incredible to hear them in a live setting. As much of the set came from XTC’s studio-based era, the EXTC shows mark the first time many of these songs have been performed in concert. Some, like “The Ballad Of Peter Pumpkinhead” from 1992 have an energy that transfers easily to a live performance. Others, like “Summer’s Cauldron” and “Grass” (both from the 1986 Skylarking album) are moody, musically lush pieces. Still, EXTC performed them well in their stripped-down configuration, giving them new life for the live audience.
Since the band delivered two sets and an encore, there were plenty of high points in the show. The raw guitar power pop of “Towers Of London” came off well. Both “Senses Working Overtime” and “Generals And Majors” became audience sing-along songs, as did “Making Plans For Nigel”. The latter song was a fine vehicle for Chambers, as he brought the thunder to “Nigel” with his signature upside-down drum rhythm.
The band put in two solid sets and came back for an encore that featured “Stupidly Happy”, and “Life Begins At The Hop”. After a quick meet-and-greet in the Classic Bowl foyer, they were off to the next town, leaving nothing but love in their wake. Even though they have only one original XTC-er in their ranks, this band is the real deal. Try to catch an EXTC show, if you can!
SETLIST
SET 1
This Is Pop
Statue Of Liberty
There Is No Language In Our Lungs
Love On A Farmboy’s Wages
Real By Reel
Towers Of London
Paper And Iron (Notes and Coins)
Senses Working Overtime
Jason And The Argonauts
Ball And Chain
The Ballad Of Peter Pumpkinhead
SET 2
Summer’s Cauldron
Grass
No Thugs In Our House
Sgt. Rock (Is Going To Help Me)
Rocket From A Bottle
Respectable Street
Living Through Another Cuba
Generals And Majors
Making Plans For Nigel
ENCORE
Stupidly Happy
Life Begins At The Hop
Artist Links
SPILL LIVE REVIEW: MIDGE URE @ CLASSIC BOWL, MISSISSAUGA
