XTC – LIFE BEGINS AT THE HOP 7″ – Nr MINT 1979 UK PVC SLEEVE

XTC – Life Begins At The Hop
(Virgin Records  1979  VS259)
UK Pressing

Vinyl in Nr MINT condition
(there are some surface marks visible on the vinyl when held up to the light but they don’t affect the sound quality)

PVC Sleeve & Sleeve in Nr MINT condition

XTC were a new wave rock band from Swindon, England, led by songwriters Andy Partridge and Colin Moulding and active between 1976 and 2005. The band enjoyed some chart success, including the UK and Canadian hits “Making Plans for Nigel” (1979) and “Senses Working Overtime” (1982).

XTC were a performing and touring band up until 1982. For the remaining twenty-three years of XTC’s existence they were a studio-based project involving session players around a nucleus of Partridge, Moulding and Dave Gregory.

“Life Begins at the Hop” is a single by XTC released in 1979 and their fifth single. Keyboardist Barry Andrews was replaced by second guitarist Dave Gregory prior to its recording. The song title references the 1950s’ rock ‘n’ roll classic “At the Hop”.

The song was bassist Colin Moulding’s first A-side composition for the group.

“Homo Safari”, the B-side, was the first in Andy Partridge’s “Homo Safari Series”, a six-part series of ambient, impressionistic instrumentals.

Track listing

1. “Life Begins at the Hop” (Colin Moulding) – 3:46
2. “No.1 Homo Safari” (Andy Partridge) – 2:14