Though never receiving loads of commercial attention during its existence from 1976 to 2005, the English band XTC is widely regarded as one of the more seminal bands to have emerged out of the new wave movement. Formed by the core duo of guitarist/singer Andy Partridge and bassist/signer Colin Moulding, XTC would not properly be solidified until drummer Terry Chambers and keyboardist Jonathan Perkins joined. After gigging around the UK during its formative years, the band was quickly signed by Virgin Records, a label that released its debut album, White Music, in 1978. Because the album didn't win XTC a whole lot of listeners, the group took to the road and played a number of gigs in an attempt to build a solid fan base. Constant touring would help warrant some popularity for the group, but Partridge was never comfortable as a performer due to severe stage fright, and he'd eventually suffer a mental breakdown whilst on stage during a Paris concert in 1982. XTC would never tour again after this incident, although because of its commitment to stay off the live circuit, the group would go on to create extremely polished albums that were typically lauded by many music critics.
