As they prepare for one last run around the block, the members of Fossil Fools, the UK's longest running tribute to XTC, talk about their origins, their famous fans and their appearance at the XTC Convention 2022. Under Mark Fisher's intense questioning about their final set list, Terry Arnett (drums), Ed Percival (guitar), Dan Farmer (keyboard) and Matt Bell (bass) stay tight-lipped. XTC Convention, Friday 16–Sunday 18 September 2022 The Water Rats, Gray's Inn Road, London, 29 October 2022 The ...
Sep 02, 2022•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 33
It takes seven musicians to reproduce the sound of XTC when the fantastic Scarecrow People take to the stage. In this episode of What Do You Call That Noise? The XTC Podcast , we talk to three of them about keeping the XTC flame alive in Australia. As they prepare for their next gig at Camelot Lounge, Marrickville on 29 October 2022, Les Rankin (guitar), John Encarnacao (guitar) and Rob Child (bass) talk about set lists, musicianship and last-minute line-up changes. More about Scarecrow People M...
Aug 05, 2022•53 min•Ep. 32
In this episode of What Do You Call That Noise? The XTC Podcast , we dig deep into the centre of the songs of XTC with a celebration of some of the band's best middle eights – and there are a lot to choose from. The musically minded XTC fans picking their favourites are: Crawford "Me and the Wind" Blair Kavus "Jason and the Argonauts" Torabi Sarah "I Can't Own Her" Palmer Laurie "I Wonder Why the Wonderfalls" Langan David "No Language in our Lungs" White Mark "Pale and Precious" Fisher Supplying...
Jul 08, 2022•1 hr 27 min•Ep. 31
What was it like being the eight-year-old asked to sing on XTC’s landmark album? Thirty-five years after recording Dear God , Jasmine Veillette looks back at the making of Skylarking with studio manager Ralph Legnini . And, in a podcast exclusive, the two of them reveal their plans to re-record Dear God with the support of a crowdfunding campaign (details to follow). Asking the questions in this month's episode of What Do You Call That Noise? The XTC Podcast are Leslie Gooch and Mark Fisher . Su...
Jun 03, 2022•1 hr 26 min•Ep. 30
In this month's episode of What Do You Call That Noise? The XTC Podcast, we reassess XTC's most frequently neglected album in the company of some of its biggest fans. Mummer is the eleventh in a series of XTC classics to be issued on 200g vinyl. Joining in the celebrations are sound engineer Crawford Blair, who was briefly a member of the XTC cover band X-sTatiC, Sean McGhee , who is a singer, songwriter and Alison Moyet's musical director and Tim Bowness , who as well as being a musician, is co...
May 06, 2022•1 hr 32 min•Ep. 29
In this month's episode of What Do You Call That Noise? The XTC Podcast, we're thinking about XTC music played live – in the past and the present. Bass player Matt Hughes talks about joining EXTC and discovering the XTC catalogue, as he hits the road with Terry Chambers' band. Margaret Brown and Julie Matthews ask the questions. Julie also talks about the forthcoming XTC convention. Meanwhile, John Heath recalls seeing XTC in 1979 and Kevin Chanel describes their very last gig in San Diego in 19...
Apr 01, 2022•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 28
It was 18 March 1982 at La Palace in Paris when Andy Partridge left the stage for the last time, overwhelmed by the pressures of relentless touring and Valium withdrawal. Until that point, XTC were one of the hardest working live bands on the circuit and in this episode of What Do You Call That Noise? The XTC Podcast , music journalists David Nolan and Mick Middles remember what it was like to see them. They are joined by Brenna Ehrlich , senior news editor at Rolling Stone magazine, and Mark Fi...
Mar 04, 2022•1 hr 24 min•Ep. 27
On 12 February 1982, XTC's English Settlement was released. Forty years on, What Do You Call That Noise? The XTC Podcast reunites guitarist Dave Gregory and co-producer Hugh Padgham to look back at the recording of one of the greatest ever double albums. They talk about favourite songs, hanging out at the Manor and Andy Partridge's after-hours tomfoolery. Asking the questions are Mark Fisher and Sue Charles . Musical interlude by Ed Stainsby. Further reading in What Do You Call That Noise? An XT...
Feb 04, 2022•1 hr 21 min•Ep. 26
What does the Bishop of Leeds think of All of a Sudden ? What does Pat Kane of Hue and Cry make of Leisure ? What can classicist Charlotte Higgins tell us about Jason and the Argonauts ? It's the 40th anniversary of XTC's English Settlement and, in the first of two special birthday episodes, What Do You Call That Noise? The XTC Podcast asks the experts to guide us through the album track by track. Every guest is a specialist in the theme of each song – and every one of them responds with enthusi...
Jan 07, 2022•1 hr 45 min•Ep. 25
What is the holy grail for the XTC completist? Is it the 7in Science Friction with picture sleeve? Or is it the 7in Wrapped in Grey that was never officially released? Or perhaps it's a one-of-a-kind poster from the days of Star Park. In this episode of What Do You Call That Noise? The XTC Podcast , dedicated collectors Darryl Bullock and Per Aronsson show each other their XTC treasures and discuss their most prized possessions. What is the rarest of them all? Mark Fisher and Leslie Gooch get to...
Dec 03, 2021•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 24
Nick Heyward first saw XTC at the Croydon Greyhound in 1978, two days after the release of White Music . The Haircut 100 frontman has been a fan ever since. Thomas Walsh has written with Andy Partridge and collaborated with Dave Gregory. He also appeared on Colin Moulding's Say It. The two musicians talk about meeting their heroes, the collaborations that nearly happened and those that might happen yet... Mark Fisher and Kevin Birt ask the questions. Florrie Thomas gives the drink recommendation...
Nov 05, 2021•1 hr 19 min•Ep. 23
After being delayed 18 months by the pandemic, Terry Chambers is finally out on the road, giving XTC classics the live airing they deserve with his new band EXTC. The drummer is our very special guest on this episode of What Do You Call That Noise? The XTC Podcast along with bandmate, frontman and all-round multitasker Steve Tilling . We also hear from fans who caught the band's gig at the Wedgewood Rooms in Portsmouth on 7 September 2021. Drink recommendation from Karen Neill . Mark Fisher's re...
Oct 01, 2021•1 hr 23 min•Ep. 22
Headphones at the ready as audio-guru Steven Wilson talks to What Do You Call That Noise? The XTC Podcast about his stereo mixes and 5.1 surround versions of XTC classics. Quizzed by three Marks – Fisher, Reed and Smotroff – the Porcupine Tree musician takes a deep dive into Drums and Wires, Black Sea, Skylarking, Oranges and Lemons and Nonsuch – not forgetting the Dukes of Stratosphear. In a fascinating conversation, Wilson also reflects on his remixing work for Tears for Fears, Yes, King Crims...
Sep 03, 2021•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 21
To mark the release of My Failed Songwriting Career Volume One, XTC's Andy Partridge talks about writing to order, the collaborations that work – and those that don't – and the perils of being a songwriter for hire. As well as sharing insights into the four songs on the first EP, the XTC frontman gives a sneak preview of the four that follow on Volume Two. Mark Fisher asks the questions and Rachel Treffry provides the drink recommendation. My Failed Songwriting Career is available from shops inc...
Jul 30, 2021•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 20
To mark the release of The Hardest Battle (2 July 2021), the mighty Colin Moulding talks about being true to himself, avoiding cliches and fighting off being beige. The XTC bassist and songwriter reveals the inspiration behind his first solo single since 1980's Too Many Cooks in the Kitchen to Mark Fisher , Sarah Palmer and Peter Mills, who ask: · Who are his favourite poets? · What makes him cry? · Analogue or digital? As well as The Hardest Battle , Colin remembers Say It, Bungalow, Boarded Up...
Jun 25, 2021•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 19
In this second deep dive into XTC's lyrical references, we talk about the flora and fauna of River of Orchids , the one-way traffic of English Roundabout and the coastal retreat of Bungalow . In a lively and, above all, morally uplifting discussion, we swing from the suburban angst of New Town Animal to the assembly-hall nostalgia of Harvest Festival . Comparing notes are Mark Fisher, Belinda Blanchard, Peter Mills , Sandy Leffew and Ami Parkerson . The fabulous musical soundtrack comes courtesy...
Jun 04, 2021•57 min•Ep. 18
After enjoying a stateside hit with The Freshmen in 1997, Brian Vander Ark of the Verve Pipe got the chance to write with his hero Andy Partridge. His band had already recorded a cover of Wake Up (and an unreleased Blue Beret ) and now he'd fly to Swindon to co-write Blow You Away . It's a story he tells in Go Further: More Literary Appreciations of Power Pop (Rare Bird Lit, 2021), an anthology of essays about everyone from Squeeze to Teenage Fanclub and the Ramones. In this episode of What Do Y...
May 07, 2021•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 17
With their allusions to town and country, chalkhills and steam trains, XTC have deep Swindon roots. But how well do their references travel? In the first of two episodes exploring XTC's Wiltshire worldview, we look at the influence of British nursery rhymes on songs ranging from Ladybird to We're All Light, Ballet for a Rainy Day and Brainiac's Daughter . Sharing their UK expertise are Belinda Blanchard and Peter Mills , while our American cousins Sandy Leffew and Ami Parkerson talk about Britis...
Apr 02, 2021•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 16
"You think they're going to zig and they zag," says Ami Parkerson about XTC. In this multinational episode, our guest presenter introduces fellow fans Orit Friedland, Ondine PM, Ursula Marie and Leslie Randall to talk about Ladybird, Church of Women, Take This Town, The Last Balloon and The Mayor of Simpleton – not to mention The Woman's Encyclopedia of Myths and Secrets . Elsewhere, Cathy Forster shares a top drinking tip, while young XTC fans Esther and Arthur talk about the wide range of XTC ...
Mar 05, 2021•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 15
Guest presenter Kevin Winser discovers XTC are as good to read about as they are to listen to as he chats to three of the authors who have put the band in print. This episode features Chris Twomey , author of XTC: Chalkhills and Children , "the definitive biography", Todd Bernhardt , co-author with Andy Partridge of Complicated Game: Inside the Songs of XTC , and Mark Fisher , editor of Limelight , the 1980s fanzine, The XTC Bumper Book of Fun for Boys and Girls and What Do You Call That Noise? ...
Feb 05, 2021•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 14
More than 40 years after its release, Making Plans for Nigel is still haunting the imagination. In this episode , Tom Clarke , formerly of The Enemy, explains why he has brought Colin Moulding's character into the 21st century on The Chronicles of Nigel . He's joined by Laurie Nankivell who talks about the influence of XTC on Squid, whose song Houseplants namechecks Making Plans for Nigel . This episode also features Alex Parkinson introducing Making Pints for Nigel, a beer by Alphabet Brewing. ...
Jan 01, 2021•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 13
The festive fun continues with the second Yuletide episode of What Do You Call That Noise? The XTC Podcast . The conversation continues as Andy Partridge and Chris Butler take us through some of their favourite seasonal songs. Amid the sleigh bells and trumpets, you can hear about a Captain Beefheart song that never was, the secret of the Zippy zither and John Leckie's outrageous story about being in the studio with Phil Spector. Questions from Mark Fisher, Mark Reed and David White . Listen alo...
Dec 04, 2020•51 min•Ep. 12
Prepare for a feast of seasonal excess with the first of two festive episodes of What Do You Call That Noise? The XTC Podcast. First up is Martin Newell talking about Christmas in Suburbia and his fantastic Flowers in December EP. Then comes Chris Butler of the Waitresses talking about Christmas Wrapping to Andy Partridge who names the XTC song it influenced. This episode also features a Christmas song from Robert Lawlor and a visit from Rainer Fielder and his children Arthur and Esther . Questi...
Dec 04, 2020•43 min•Ep. 11
Between 2002 and 2005, X-sTatiC performed 61 XTC songs in the course of eight gigs. Along the way, they picked up famous fans and paved the path for the Fuzzy Warblers and now Fossil Fools. Now, for the first time in over ten years, Dan Barrow (guitar), Ed Percival (bass), Adrian Ogden (drums) and Mick Casey (guitar) come together to talk about being unofficial XTC ambassadors as they remember the songs that challenged them and the ones that raised the roof. More about the band at X-sTatiC and F...
Nov 06, 2020•1 hr 18 min•Ep. 10
All the guests in this episode of What Do You Call That Noise? The XTC Podcast are in their 20s. None was even born when Nonsuch was released. Yet all talk with passion and insight about XTC's enduring legacy. So what does XTC mean to a young generation of music lovers? From England, Scotland, Wales and the US, Margaret Brown, Myles Parsons, Huw Thomas, Rachel Treffry and Laura Wade come together to talk about music, art, creativity and the biggest question of all: how to pronounce the word Nihi...
Oct 02, 2020•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 9
What Do You Call That Noise? The XTC Podcast brings together fans and musicians alike to celebrate the enduring music of XTC. Every month, we take a fresh look at the band, from the singles to the albums, from the visuals to the personalities. It is witty, surprising and fun. In this podcast trailer, host Mark Fisher gives a flavour of the episodes as well as introducing The XTC Bumper Book of Fun for Boys and Girls and What Do You Call That Noise? An XTC Discovery Book, both available at https:...
Oct 01, 2020•6 min
In this special edition of What Do You Call That Noise? The XTC Podcast , recorded live as part of the online XTC Convention on 19 September 2020, author Mark Fisher talks to leading stand-up comedians about their love of XTC. He also gets them to join in some games and make up some nonsense – or do they? On the panel are: · Joanna Neary , who once performed a pastiche XTC song called Human Farm · Stewart Lee , who once met Andy Partridge before a gig in Swindon · Paul Putner , who befriended XT...
Sep 25, 2020•47 min•Ep. 8
"I still think XTC are one of the best bands ever," says Hugh Padgham – and he should know: he's worked with everyone from David Bowie to Brian Wilson, Kate Bush and The Police. Having enjoyed his earliest successes as sound engineer on Drums and Wires and Black Sea , and co-producer on English Settlement , he says XTC continue to hold a special place in his heart. To celebrate the 40th anniversary of Black Sea on 12 September 2020, Padgham joins guitarist Dave Gregory for a special 90-minute ed...
Sep 04, 2020•1 hr 31 min•Ep. 7
Illustrator and graphic designer Andrew Swainson has been collaborating with Andy Partridge for over 20 years. As well as working on XTC and Dukes of Stratosphear re-releases, such as Skylarking and The Complete and Utter Dukes , he helped create the distinctive look of records including: Powers, Partridge's tribute to abstract electronic artist Richard M Power, made to look like an early 60s paperback book Warm Robot by Jen Olive, with its sci-fi fold-out sleeve Gonwards , by Peter Blegvad and ...
Aug 07, 2020•56 min•Ep. 6
Guitarist and keyboard player Dave Gregory talks about his contribution to the sound of XTC. In conversation with musician Hugh Nankivell, he reflects on the smell of guitars, playing an idolised instrument on Skylarking and the joy of making music with Colin Moulding and Andy Partridge. Recorded at home in Swindon in March 2018, the interview appears in full in What Do You Call That Noise? An XTC Discovery Book available from https://www.xtclimelight.com If you've enjoyed the XTC Podcast, pleas...
Jul 03, 2020•59 min•Ep. 5
