What Do You Call That Noise? The XTC Podcast

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 an...

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...

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 shar...

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 Wha...

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...

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 co...

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...

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 talk...

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...

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 b...

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 J...

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. Photogra...

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...

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.   W...

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 o...

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 Conventi...

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 (...

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...

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 th...

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, s...

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,...

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...

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 S...

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...

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 disc...