What Do You Call That Noise? The XTC Podcast

Latest Episodes:

XTC's English Settlement with Dave Gregory and Hugh Padgham Feb 04, 2022

Show notes

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 XTC Discovery Book available from https://www.xtclimelight.com

If you've enjoyed What Do You Call That Noise? The XTC Podcast, please show your support at https://www.patreon.com/markfisher

Thanks to the Pink Things, Humble Daisies and Knights in Shining Karma who've done the same.

★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

XTC's English Settlement: The Expert View Jan 07, 2022

Show notes

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 enthusiasm and insight. Essential listening!

Featuring:

Runaways: Sarah Smith, CEO, Link Living
Ball and Chain: Noel Ponting, writer, Swindon Heritage
Senses Working Overtime: James Wannerton, president, UK Synaesthesia Association
Jason and the Argonauts: Charlotte Higgins, journalist and author, Greek Myths: A New Retelling
No Thugs in our House: Nigel Fielding, emeritus professor and author, The National Front
Yacht Dance: Helen Horsfall, Royal Forth Yacht Club
All of a Sudden: Rt Revd Nick Baines, Bishop of Leeds, and author of Finding Faith: Stories of music and life
Melt the Guns: The Gun Control Network
Leisure: Pat Kane, writer, musician and futurist, author of The Play Ethic
It’s Nearly Africa: Carl Honoré, writer, broadcaster and TED speaker, author of In Praise of Slow
Knuckle Down: Lucy Robinson, professor in collaborative history and founding organiser of the Network for Subcultures, Popular Music and Social Change
Fly on the Wall: Shahrar Ali, Green Party spokesperson policing and domestic safety
Down in the Cockpit: Pat Thane, professor in contemporary British history and author of Sinners? Scroungers? Saints? Unmarried Motherhood in Twentieth-Century England
English Roundabout: Jane Milner-Barry, Swindon Borough councillor, opposition spokesperson for climate and transport, and parish councillor
Snowman: Sue Charles, BBC Wales journalist, weather presenter and DJ

Further reading in What Do You Call That Noise? An XTC Discovery Book available from https://www.xtclimelight.com

If you've enjoyed What Do You Call That Noise? The XTC Podcast, please show your support at https://www.patreon.com/markfisher

Thanks to the Pink Things, Humble Daisies and Knights in Shining Karma who've done the same.

★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

XTC Collectors: from Science Friction to Wrapped in Grey Dec 03, 2021

Show notes

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 top collecting tips and Chez Preston gives the drink recommendation.

This episode is available in video and audio formats.

See more of Darryl Bullock's XTC collection here: https://www.instagram.com/my_xtc_collection

Further reading in The XTC Bumper Book of Fun for Boys and Girls (nearly sold out) and What Do You Call That Noise? An XTC Discovery Book available from https://www.xtclimelight.com

If you've enjoyed What Do You Call That Noise? The XTC Podcast, please show your support at https://www.patreon.com/markfisher

Thanks to the Pink Things, Humble Daisies and Knights in Shining Karma who've done the same.

★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Nick Heyward and Thomas Walsh: Haircut 100, Pugwash and XTC Nov 05, 2021

Show notes

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.

Nick Heyward's website

Thomas Walsh and Pugwash

Further reading in The XTC Bumper Book of Fun for Boys and Girls (nearly sold out) and What Do You Call That Noise? An XTC Discovery Book available from https://www.xtclimelight.com

If you've enjoyed What Do You Call That Noise? The XTC Podcast, please show your support at https://www.patreon.com/markfisher

Thanks to the Pink Things, Humble Daisies and Knights in Shining Karma who've done the same.

★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Terry Chambers and Steve Tilling: From XTC to EXTC Oct 01, 2021

Show notes

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 review of the gig is here

Follow EXTC on Facebook

Further reading in The XTC Bumper Book of Fun for Boys and Girls and What Do You Call That Noise? An XTC Discovery Book available from https://www.xtclimelight.com

If you've enjoyed the XTC Podcast, please show your support on Patreon

Thanks to the Pink Things, Humble Daisies and Knights in Shining Karma who've done the same.

Picture: Lou Dommett Young

★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Steven Wilson remixing XTC Sep 03, 2021

Show notes

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 Crimson and Jethro Tull.

This episode's drink recommendation comes from Marianna Silva.

Further reading in The XTC Bumper Book of Fun for Boys and Girls and What Do You Call That Noise? An XTC Discovery Book available from https://www.xtclimelight.com

If you've enjoyed the XTC Podcast, please show your support at https://www.patreon.com/markfisher

Thanks to the Pink Things, Humble Daisies and Knights in Shining Karma who've done the same.

★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

XTC's Andy Partridge – My Failed Songwriting Career Jul 30, 2021

Show notes

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 including Burning Shed

Further reading in The XTC Bumper Book of Fun for Boys and Girls and What Do You Call That Noise? An XTC Discovery Book available from https://www.xtclimelight.com

If you’ve enjoyed the XTC Podcast, please show your support at https://www.patreon.com/markfisher

Thanks to the Pink Things, Humble Daisies and Knights in Shining Karma who’ve done the same.

★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Colin Moulding: The Hardest Battle Jun 25, 2021

Show notes

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, Scatter Me and Dying, not to mention playing live with Terry Chambers.

Drink recommendation from Kate Catalina.

The Hardest Battle is available here

The Monkees, Head and the 60s by Peter Mills is available here

Fassine featuring Sarah Palmer hang out here

Kate Catalina does stuff here

Further reading in The XTC Bumper Book of Fun for Boys and Girls and What Do You Call That Noise? An XTC Discovery Book available from https://www.xtclimelight.com

If you've enjoyed the XTC Podcast, please show your support at https://www.patreon.com/markfisher

Thanks to the Pink Things, Humble Daisies and Knights in Shining Karma who've done the same.

★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Oranges and Ladybirds – part two Jun 04, 2021

Show notes

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 of Sarah Palmer and Lotte Fisher, who also provides the episode illustration. Drink tips from Donna Rees.

Further reading in The XTC Bumper Book of Fun for Boys and Girls and What Do You Call That Noise? An XTC Discovery Book available from https://www.xtclimelight.com

If you've enjoyed the XTC Podcast, please show your support at https://www.patreon.com/markfisher

Thanks to the Pink Things, Humble Daisies and Knights in Shining Karma who've done the same.

★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

XTC: This Is Power Pop? with Brian Vander Ark and Paul Myers May 07, 2021

Show notes

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 You Call That Noise?, Vander Ark joins co-editor Paul Myers and power-pop fan Melanie (@mixtape64) to talk about harmony, songwriting and their love of XTC. Mark Fisher is the host.

Find out more at:

If you've enjoyed the XTC Podcast, please show your support at https://www.patreon.com/markfisher

Thanks to the Pink Things, Humble Daisies and Knights in Shining Karma who've done the same.

★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

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