On this date in 1980, XTC released their fourth studio album BLACK SEA (September 12, 1980). Coming off the success of the previous year's Drums and Wires and its hit single "Making Plans for Nigel," Black Sea saw the band continue to hone their songcraft while expanding their sound. Propelled by the gated drums of Terry Chambers and the inventive pop songwriting of Andy Partridge and Colin Moulding, Black Sea was arguably the peak of XTC's early phase as a touring band. Though they would not fi

XTC Live on Rockpalast, WDR, Markthalle, Hamburg, Germany - TV 2.10.1982！ ---- 01.Respectable Street 02.Towers Of London 03.Runaways 04.Jason And The Argonauts 05.Burning With Optimism's Flames 06.Snowman 07.Ball And Chain 08.Sgt. Rock (Is Going To Help Me) 09.No Thugs In Our House 10.Senses Working Overtime 11.Making Plans For Nigel 12.Living Through Another Cuba 13.Generals and Majors 14.Real By Reel 15.Life Begins At The Hop | Rock'n'Roll Relaxin

On this date in 1980, XTC released the single GENERALS AND MAJORS, (Aug 9, 1980) NOTE: I've upscaled and framed this 1980 clip taken from the Australian TV show 'Countdown'. XTC's fourth and fantastic album Black Sea saw the band challenging for wider recognition with another edition of imaginative sounds and words that cast a quizzical eye on the ‘quiet desperation’ of life in Britain. These multi-layered tales of wit and elegance were some of the band’s finest to date. The album had the critic