Install command line IRC to run in Terminal

I am trying to install the following command line IRC client:

http://www.bitchx.com/faq.php

I follow the instructions listed there:

$ wget www.bitchx.com/download/ircii-pana-1.1-final.tar.gz

$ tar xvfz ircii-pana-1.1-final.tar.gz

$ cd BitchX

$ ./configure

$ gmake

$ gmake install_local

I figured out to use curl instead of wget and besides that everything went fine untill I ran the configure script. It apparently tries to compile the gmake program that I was to call next however I got an error:

"checking for gcc...gcc" (which seems fine but then the next line)

"checking for C compiler default output...configure: error: C compiler cannot create executables"

And so I am stuck at that point. I'll note that I have XCode installed. Also I am open to any command line IRC client so if you have a better one to suggest please feel free.

Thanks!