In this episode of What Do You Call That Noise? The XTC Podcast, we join Alfredo Marziano , the author of the newly published XTC: Skylarking – A Life in A Day, the Making of a Pop Classic. This 152-page book draws on archive material and original interviews to go on a deep dive into the record that many XTC fans regard as the band’s finest. As well as setting the scene, describing where the band was in 1986 and the background to working with producer Todd Rundgren in Woodstock and San Francisco...
Jul 04, 2025•55 min•Ep. 63
It’s fan festival time again. Coming up on 20–22 June at the Mecca in Swindon, the sold-out 2025 XTC Fan Festival is a chance for friends old and new to come together and share in their love of all things XTC. On the line-up, as well as a trip to the Uffington White Horse, and interviews with Dave Gregory and Hugh Padgham, are performances from several cover bands. They include our guests in this episode of What Do You Call That Noise? The XTC Podcast: Dan Barrow, who is opening the festival wit...
May 30, 2025•1 hr 20 min•Ep. 62
Twenty-five years after their final album, XTC continue to inspire new generations of musicians. In this episode of What Do You Call That Noise? The XTC Podcast , Grammy Award-winning songwriter Madison Cunningham talks about finding inspiration in River of Orchids, 1000 Umbrellas and Easter Theatre . The musician also talks about her love of a riff, lyrical ambiguity and following her musical instincts. Madison Cunningham Madison Cunningham, Jacob Collier and Chris Thile covering XTC's River of...
May 02, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 61
How much further up the charts would Senses Working Overtime have climbed if the sleeve had been made of heavier material? What does the finish on the cover of Wait Till Your Boat Goes Down tell us about its sales? In this edition of What Do You Call That Noise? The XTC Podcast , we explore the fascinating relationship between XTC and cardboard in the company of Professor Penelope Letterhead… Oh, and it is also 40 years since the Dukes of Stratosphear released 25 O’Clock . You have been listenin...
Apr 01, 2025•59 min•Ep. 60
To commemorate the death of Rick Buckler on 17 February 2025, this episode of What Do You Call That Noise? The XTC Podcast features an interview the drummer did with a group of XTC fans and fellow musicians in March 2018. Buckler recorded Sound Affects with the Jam at the same time as XTC were working on Black Sea and, indeed, he joined in with the clapping on Don’t Lose Your Temper . Recorded for What Do You Call That Noise? An XTC Discovery Book , the conversation ranges from musicianship to s...
Mar 07, 2025•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 59
Darryl Bullock was a massive fan of XTC, an avid record collector and one of the tireless organisers of the online and in-person XTC fan conventions. He died, way too young, on 23 December 2024. He was such a pillar of the fan community that this month’s episode of What Do You Call That Noise? The XTC Podcast is dedicated to him – with thoughts especially for his husband Niall Milligan. As well as tributes from those who knew him, the podcast features a previously unreleased interview Darryl did...
Jan 17, 2025•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 58
In this edition of What Do You Call That Noise? The XTC Podcast , we go behind the scenes to see how deals get signed, press releases get written and records get released. Joining us are Ronnie Gurr , who went from producing a punk fanzine to working in the Virgin press office; Mike Smith, who signed Andy Partridge to Warner Chappell Music as a songwriter; Ben Wardle, who paved the way for one of the collaborations between Andy and Stephen Duffy; and Youie Mourra , who got tantalisingly close to...
Dec 06, 2024•1 hr 33 min•Ep. 57
In the second of a special two-part edition of What Do You Call That Noise? The XTC Podcast , supporters on Patreon ask questions they had always wanted Andy Partridge to answer that he never gets asked. The challenge was to come up with questions that would surprise, delight and generally intrigue the XTC frontman. They do not disappoint! The results take us on a fascinating journey from the Beatles to broccoli, from Fireball XL5 to The Last Balloon – and beyond. Music from Chris Badley and Foo...
Nov 01, 2024•1 hr 25 min•Ep. 56
Ace remixer Steven Wilson has already given XTC’s 1986 album Skylarking a 5.1 surround sound makeover and now he has gone one step further with a mix in whizzy new Dolby Atmos, which means those glorious sounds come at you from every direction – including above. This episode of What Do You Call that Noise? The XTC Podcast heads to the L-Acoustics studio in North London for a playback session of the new mix in the company of XTC guitarist Dave Gregory and Steven Wilson . Additional commentary fro...
Oct 04, 2024•1 hr 38 min•Ep. 55
In the first of a special two-part edition of What Do You Call That Noise? The XTC Podcast , supporters on Patreon ask questions they had always wanted Andy Partridge to answer that he never gets asked. The challenge was to come up with questions that would surprise, delight and generally intrigue the XTC frontman. They do not disappoint! The results take us on a fascinating journey from the Beatles to broccoli, from Fireball XL5 to The Last Balloon – and beyond. Music from Terry Arnett and Plan...
Sep 13, 2024•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 54
From handing a tape to John Peel to encouraging Colin Moulding to write songs, Steve Warren is a key part of the XTC story. In a fascinating interview, he recalls befriending Andy Partridge as a child, working as a roadie for the Helium Kidz and touring the world with XTC. Also in this episode, Gaz Barrett describes how he commissioned a mural of English Settlement in the centre of Swindon. Artist Dayna Baxter on Instagram Music from Garry Perkins on Soundcloud What Do You Call That Noise? An XT...
Jul 05, 2024•1 hr 25 min•Ep. 53
XTC fans were out in force at the Neo-Ancients festival in Stroud, Gloucestershire on Saturday 4 May 2024 when producer Hugh Padgham joined festival co-director Ben Wardle to talk about XTC’s English Settlement. Your dedicated podcast host, Mark Fisher, was on hand with his trusty tape recorder to share it with you. Hugh talks about drunken jam sessions, Andy Partridge as a sumo wrestler and creating the flange effect on Jason and the Argonauts, as well as taking questions from the audience. Mus...
May 17, 2024•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 52
Terry Chambers and EXTC are back on the road and they are sounding fantastic. In this episode of What Do You Call That Noise? The XTC Podcast , we catch up with Terry, Steve Hampton and Terry Lines at the start of a tour that will take in more than 20 dates in the USA, from Philadelphia to Virginia, and further gigs and festivals in the UK throughout the summer. EXTC website Music from Felix von Boxberg What Do You Call That Noise? An XTC Discovery Book available from www.xtclimelight.com If you...
Apr 12, 2024•1 hr•Ep. 51
In the 50th episode of What Do You Call That Noise? The XTC Podcast , we go back to the formative years of XTC in the company of Ian Doeser and Lee Moulding . As well as being front man with the Hamsters from Hell, Ian was in Swindon’s first punk band, the Aggravators, and has been sharing his memories of XTC and others in a book, A Big Fish in a Small Puddle . As well as being Ian’s drummer, Lee has a lifetime of memories growing up as a child of XTC. Music courtesy of Beth Link. A Big Fish in ...
Mar 29, 2024•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 50
To celebrate the 25th anniversary of XTC’s landmark album Apple Venus Volume I , producer Haydn Bendall talks to What Do You Call That Noise? The XTC Podcast about the fraught recording sessions that nonetheless resulted in such majestic songs as River of Orchids, Easter Theatre and Greenman . “The songs were fabulous,” he says. “I loved the songs.” Fellow producer Guy Sigsworth joins Mark Fisher to ask the questions. The Real Numbers Haydn Bendall Guy Sigsworth What Do You Call That Noise? An X...
Feb 16, 2024•1 hr 40 min•Ep. 49
In this month’s episode of What Do You Call That Noise? The XTC Podcast we hear from Jason Repantis who works as a manager at the Universal Music Group archives. It was his job to dig out the original tapes of The Big Express for the recent Steven Wilson 5.1 Atmos remix – as well as to locate the original recordings of the 3D EP which has just been released in limited-edition vinyl. Jon Jacques and Mark Fisher ask the questions. We also join Todd Bernhardt to pay tribute to Wes Long , creator of...
Dec 17, 2023•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 48
Peter Pumpkinhead proclaims that "Any kind of love is alright" and gets nailed to a chunk of wood for saying so. What does that tell us about XTC's attitude to love and human relationships? In particular, how welcoming does this heterosexual band seem to those who aren't heterosexual themselves? This episode of What Do You Call That Noise? The XTC Podcast looks at XTC from an LGBTQI+ perspective. Guest host Darryl Bullock is joined by Keeley Moss, Tim Kendrick and Soizic De St John Rosse to talk...
Nov 10, 2023•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 47
Steven Wilson has returned to XTC's 1984 masterpiece and given it not only a stunning 5.1 surround remix but also, for the first time with XTC, a Dolby Atmos mix. Released on 29 September 2023, The Big Express comes complete with a two-disc digipack sleeve and 16-page booklet. Mark Reed, Mark Smotroff, Jon Jacques, David White and Steve Cox have enjoyed an early preview of the new mixes. They share their excitement on What Do You Call That Noise? The XTC Podcast . Music courtesy of Nigel Collyer...
Sep 15, 2023•1 hr 23 min•Ep. 46
Chris Braide , one of the most successful songwriters of his generation, talks to What Do You Call That Noise? The XTC Podcast about his collaborations with Andy Partridge , including Goodbye to You (Sister Shame) on Celestial Songs , the latest album by the Downes Braide Association, and the six-track Queen of the Planet Wow! EP expected out in 2024. Chris Braide Music courtesy of Chris Carry What Do You Call That Noise? An XTC Discovery Book available from www.xtclimelight.com If you’ve enjoye...
Aug 04, 2023•1 hr 17 min•Ep. 45
As Steve Conte releases his Fourth of July single, the guitarist and singer talks about writing songs with his XTC hero, joining the New York Dolls and playing on stage with Chuck Berry. He also gives tantalising pointers to his forthcoming album of co-writes with Andy Partridge. This episode of What Do You Call That Noise? The XTC Podcast also includes comments from Andy Partridge himself, plus sad news about Ian C Stewart. Music courtesy of Don Kerr and Communism. Steve Conte Limited edition F...
Jul 07, 2023•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 44
Andy Partridge and Stu Rowe have been working together since the recording of Monstrance in 2006. Andy then produced Jen Olive's album Warm Robot in 2009 and Stu produced Jen's album The Breaks in 2013. Somewhere in between all that they laid down a series of improvisatory ideas that have become The 3 Clubmen EP. In this third episode, XTC's Andy Partridge talks about the unexpected joys of collaboration, the secret origins of Meccanik Dancing and his latest songwriting partnerships. The 3 Clubm...
May 19, 2023•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 43
Ten years ago Stu Rowe, Jen Olive and XTC's Andy Partridge started working on material which, after all these years, is finally – and gloriously seeing the light of day. To celebrate the arrival of The 3 Clubmen, we're talking to each of the brilliant musicians in turn. This week, Jen Olive talks about the genesis of the 3 Clubmen EP as well as working with Andy Partridge on her album Warm Robot and with Stu Rowe on The Breaks. The 3 Clubmen EP is released 30 June 2023 and available from Burning...
May 12, 2023•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 42
It's the music we've been awaiting for a decade – and now it's out! Stu Rowe, Jen Olive and Andy Partridge have gone public with The 3 Clubmen and their very wonderful eponymous four-track EP is released at the end of June. But with three such gifted musicians to choose from, what's a humble podcaster to do? There can be only one answer: three weekly podcasts! In the first episode, Stu Rowe talks about working with XTC's Andy Partridge, Colin Moulding, Terry Chambers, Barry Andrews and Dave Greg...
May 05, 2023•53 min•Ep. 41
Oh we do like to be beside the B-sides. In this month’s episode of What Do You Call That Noise? The XTC Podcast , Mia Rankin, Ashley LeCron, Crawford Blair and Mark Fisher pick their favourite non-album songs , ranging from She's So Square to The World Is Full of Angry Young Men . Music provided by Jeff Nicholson. The episode was inspired by Mia’s ranking of all XTC B-sides on her Dead Letter Offices substack What Do You Call That Noise? An XTC Discovery Book available from www.xtclimelight.com ...
Apr 07, 2023•1 hr 24 min•Ep. 40
What happens when a Christian, a Humanist and a Buddhist congregate to talk about the songs of XTC? Will they give praise? Or will they be torn asunder? David White , Belinda Blanchard and Ash Jñānagarbha share a pew with Mark Fisher to discuss Dear God, Dying, The Ballad of Peter Pumpkinhead, Easter Theatre, The Man Who Sailed Around His Soul, Scatter Me and Senses Working Overtime . Music by Christopher Underwood and 5 Guys Named Lars Ash Jñānagarbha Belinda Blanchard in Dear God David White's...
Mar 03, 2023•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 39
In the second of a two-part conversation for What Do You Call That Noise? The XTC Podcast , five fans, journalists and photographers recall what it was like to witness XTC explode onto the scene. On 20 January 1978, XTC released their debut album, White Music, setting our radios in motion for the next 45 years. Tony Mitchell, editorial staffer on Sounds , followed XTC to Hamburg, Amsterdam and Japan. Photographer Jill Furmanovsky was on the same trip to Hamburg in 1978 and subsequent publicity s...
Feb 03, 2023•59 min•Ep. 38
On 20 January 1978, XTC released their debut album with its defiant cry of This Is Pop! In the first of a two-part conversation for What Do You Call That Noise? The XTC Podcast , five fans, journalists and photographers recall what it was like to witness XTC explode onto the scene with White Music. Tony Mitchell, editorial staffer on Sounds, followed XTC to Hamburg, Amsterdam and Japan. Photographer Jill Furmanovsky was on the same trip to Hamburg in 1978 and subsequent publicity sessions. Bever...
Jan 06, 2023•59 min•Ep. 37
Illustration: Ashley LeCron In October 2020, we handed over What Do You Call That Noise? The XTC Podcast to a bunch of fans in their 20s. Time has passed and we're ready to hear from an even newer generation of XTC fans who are as wise and articulate as the last. In a lively conversation, Ashley LeCron, Lexie Ward, Lee Saunders and Lewis Wilkinson share their enthusiasm not only for XTC but also the bands that led them to discover XTC. And because it's that time of year, they are in party spirit...
Dec 02, 2022•59 min•Ep. 36
Picture © Lou Dommett Young What was it like to be on the road with one of the hardest working bands of the late 70s and early 80s? We find out from four veterans of XTC's touring years: drummer Terry Chambers , journalist Allan Jones and roadies Pete Dewhirst and Steve Warren . Many thanks to Mike Smith and Steve Manning and the other XTC Convention organisers for making it all possible. What Do You Call That Noise? An XTC Discovery Book available from www.xtclimelight.com If you’ve enjoyed Wha...
Nov 04, 2022•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 35
Picture © Lou Dommett Young One of the many highlights of the 2022 XTC Convention in Swindon was an in-depth interview with producer John Leckie . Talking to co-organiser Darryl Bullock , he recalled his formative studio experience working with former members of the Beatles and the excitement of going into the studio with XTC for their first two albums. After that came the sonic experiments of Go+ and Take Away/The Lure of Salvage and, of course, 25 O’Clock and Psonic Psunspot for the Dukes of S...
Oct 07, 2022•1 hr 19 min•Ep. 34
