What Do You Call That Noise? The XTC Podcast

The special guest in today’s episode of What Do You Call that Noise? The XTC Podcast is Steve Lillywhite who, in 1979, was the 24-year-old producer of Life Begins at the Hop , XTC’s first single featuring Dave Gregory, followed by Drums and Wires and then 1980’s Black Sea . All these years later, he still looks back at it as a charmed period of his life. The six-time Grammy Award winner has also worked on the first three albums by U2, Peter Gabriel’s third solo album, Fairytale Of New York with The Pogues and the first and only album by The La’s. Music from Ashley Smith. What Do You Call that Noise? The XTC Podcast is sponsored by Burning Shed, the online home for all XTC CD, vinyl and official merchandise. What Do You Call That Noise? An XTC Discovery Book available from 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 ★

Published on 16 July 2026, Record Collector presents… XTC is a whole magazine dedicated to Swindon’s finest. If features interviews with Andy Partridge, Colin Moulding, Dave Gregory and Terry Chambers, as well as insights from Steve Lillywhite, John Leckie, Hugh Padgham, Nick Davis and Mike Batt. To mark the occasion, this episode of What Do You Call That Noise? The XTC Podcast brings together editor Jeremy Allen and contributors Imogen Bebb , Huw Thomas and Mark Fisher to go behind the scenes on this special magazine. Song courtesy of Paulcito . Record Collector presents… XTC Paulcito on Bandcamp What Do You Call that Noise? The XTC Podcast is sponsored by Burning Shed , the online home for all XTC CD, vinyl and official merchandise. What Do You Call That Noise? An XTC Discovery Book available from 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 ★

In this episode of What Do You Call That Noise? The XTC Podcast , author Jon Woolcott talks about The Tattooed Hills , his new book about the chalk figures of southern England, including the Uffington White Horse, cover star of XTC’s English Settlement . “It’s timeless, simple and classic,” Andy Partridge tells him in the final chapter of the book. With fellow XTC fan Chris Badley , we talk about the culture of the countryside and the influence of the landscape on everything from Chalkhills and Children to The Wheel and the Maypole . Music from Matthew Caleb Flamm The Tattooed Hills What Do You Call that Noise? The XTC Podcast is sponsored by Burning Shed , the online home for all XTC CD, vinyl and official merchandise. What Do You Call That Noise? An XTC Discovery Book available from 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 ★

Exactly 50 years after XTC last played the Town Gardens Bowl in Swindon, drummer Terry Chambers is returning to the open-air art deco venue with EXTC. In this episode of What Do You Call That Noise? The XTC Podcast , Terry talks about celebrating his 21st birthday in 1976 and his 71st birthday in 2026 – and the many gigs he has played in between. The all-day event on 18 July at the Town Gardens Bowl features Chris Cobbson & Roi Geyari, Mickelson and Jim Blair before EXTC take to the stage. Gayle Ramage and Mark Fisher ask the questions. EXTC Music from Dave Beale and Darrell Roberts of Age of Freedom What Do You Call that Noise? The XTC Podcast is sponsored by Burning Shed, the online home for all XTC CD, vinyl and official merchandise. What Do You Call That Noise? An XTC Discovery Book available from 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. What Do You Call That Noise? The XTC Podcast is sponsored by the online record shop, Burning Shed , which is the only place to get official XTC merchandise. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

In a Record Store Day exclusive, XTC are releasing Live Boots , a double-LP recording of their gig at Emerald City, New Jersey, on 17 April 1981 – exactly 45 years ago. Sitting behind the sound desk for that gig was Gary Bradshaw , this month’s guest on What Do You Call That Noise? The XTC Podcast . In a revealing interview, Gary talks about graduating from guitar tech to sound engineer and onwards to some of the biggest bands in the world, including Alison Moyet, George Michael, Pink Floyd, ELO and Take That. He also talks about jumping aboard the Police’s tour bus, the shock of seeing Andy Partridge collapse on stage and why he still rates XTC as among the finest bands there ever was. Record Store Day, 18 April 2026 Music from Allan Knox and The Kettle Zone What Do You Call That Noise? An XTC Discovery Book available from 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. What Do You Call That Noise? The XTC Podcast is sponsored by the online record shop, Burning Shed, which is the only place to get official XTC merchandise. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Fireball XL5, All Along the Watchtower, Cut It Out, Go+, Take Away/The Lure of Salvage, Living Through Another Cuba … There are more – and they’re all examples of XTC’s early experiments with dub. In this special two-hour edition of What Do You Call That Noise? The XTC Podcast , we are exploding together as we go on a deep dive into XTC’s fascinating adventures in sound. Sharing their love of dub are Tom Morley, the original drummer of Scritti Politti, stand-up comedian Mark Thomas, and songwriter and broadcaster Paul Myers , plus dedicated XTC fans Jeff Farris and Kevin Chanel. Mark Thomas: https://markthomasinfo.co.uk/ Paul Myers: https://pulmyears.substack.com/ Jeff Farris: https://soundcloud.com/jefffarris Kevin Chanel and Groove Records: https://groovesrecords.com/ Tom Morley: https://tommorley.com/about/ What Do You Call That Noise? An XTC Discovery Book available from 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. What Do You Call That Noise? The XTC Podcast is sponsored by the online record shop, Burning Shed , the only place to get official XTC merchandise. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

The first episode of What Do You Call That Noise? The XTC Podcast of 2026 includes not one but two interviews. The first is with photographer Kathleen Hiraga , who took pictures of XTC at Hurrah! in New York City on 16 January 1980 – a gig that wound its way onto The Rhythm bootleg album. On her website , she is selling copies of her favourite images. The second is with Tom Morley , the original drummer of Scritti Politti, who, along with his bandmates, Green Gartside and Nial Jinks, was a regular at XTC’s gigs at the Rochester Castle in London in 1977, even before they were signed. What Do You Call that Noise? The XTC Podcast is sponsored by Burning Shed , the online home for all XTC CD, vinyl and official merchandise. Music courtesy of Jean-Paul Vest and Last Charge of the Light Horse Kathleen Hiraga Tom Morley What Do You Call That Noise? An XTC Discovery Book available from 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 ★

Twenty-five years after its release, Wasp Star remains XTC’s final statement. So how does the album stand up? Is it underrated? Is it neglected? Is it eclipsed by Apple Venus ? And is it in need of some more love? In this month’s episode of What Do You Call That Noise? The XTC Podcast, we head to the west of Scotland where Glasgow-based XTC fans Stephen Hope, Lorraine Lee, Alison Eales and David McGuinness show their love for a fascinating album. What Do You Call that Noise? The XTC Podcast is sponsored by Burning Shed , the online home for all XTC CD, vinyl and official merchandise. Music courtesy of Daryl Bean – with a very special guest guitarist… What Do You Call That Noise? An XTC Discovery Book available from 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 ★

In this month’s episode of What Do You Call That Noise? The XTC Podcast we return to the 2025 XTC Fan Festival to hear Ian Gregory who, under the pseudonym of EIEI Owen, was the drummer in XTC’s psychedelic alter ego the Dukes of Stratosphear. He is also the brother of Dave Gregory. What Do You Call that Noise? The XTC Podcast is sponsored by Burning Shed , the online home for all XTC CD, vinyl and official merchandise. Music courtesy of Jack Calvesbert and Spider Noises What Do You Call That Noise? An XTC Discovery Book available from 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. Picture courtesy of Tim Bourne ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

In this month’s episode of What Do You Call That Noise? The XTC Podcast we return to the 2025 XTC Fan Festival to hear engineer and producer Hugh Padgham remembering his work on Drums and Wires, Black Sea and English Settlement , not to mention his time with Brian Wilson, the Police, Phil Colins and many others. The episode also features a review by Jonathan Jacques of the new Atmos remix of Drums and Wires by Steven Wilson. I’m delighted to announce that What Do You Call that Noise? The XTC Podcast is now sponsored by Burning Shed , the online home for all XTC CD, vinyl and official merchandise. Music courtesy of Mick Marston and the Minor Ailments What Do You Call That Noise? An XTC Discovery Book available from 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. Picture courtesy of Tim Bourne ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

This episode of What Do You Call That Noise? The XTC Podcast features a fascinating conversation with Stu Rowe recorded at the 2025 XTC Fan Festival in Swindon. Stu talks about working with Andy Partridge, Colin Moulding, Terry Chambers, Barry Andrews, Peter Blegvad and Jen Olive on everything from the 3 Clubmen to Gonwards . XTC-inspired music comes courtesy of Callum Wilson and Nick Lacey Callum Wilson and the Hemp Queens Nick Lacey and Model Worker What Do You Call That Noise? An XTC Discovery Book available from 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 ★

This episode of What Do You Call That Noise? The XTC Podcast features a highly entertaining conversation between XTC guitarist Dave Gregory and fellow musician Thomas Walsh (Pugwash) recorded at the 2025 XTC Fan Festival in Swindon. The interview covers everything from facial hair to inspirational guitarists. The episode also includes a round-up of the weekend’s events from first-timers Gayle Ramage and Alison Eales who loved every minute of it. XTC-inspired music comes courtesy of Jeff Norman, aka Monkey Typing Pool. Thomas Walsh Monkey Typing Pool What Do You Call That Noise? An XTC Discovery Book available from 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. Pictures courtesy of Tim Bourne ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

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, Alfredo gives a track-by-track breakdown of the album and its associated B-sides and outtakes to create a comprehensive overview. XTC: Skylarking – A Life in A Day, the Making of a Pop Classic Music from Dave James What Do You Call That Noise? An XTC Discovery Book available from 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 ★

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 with a one-man rendition of The Big Express in its entirety, and Peter Mills and Martin Malone , two of the members of Innocents Abroad, who will be working their way through the XTC songbook on Sunday afternoon. Music from Jeff Farris Further listening at Innocents Abroad What Do You Call That Noise? An XTC Discovery Book available from 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 ★

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 Orchids This month’s song is by Stephen Dahill What Do You Call That Noise? An XTC Discovery Book available from 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 ★

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 listening to: Boy:48 The Ephemera David Feltham Fog99horn (Ed Stainsby) Innocents Abroad Pond Yacht (James Hollingworth) Simon Russell XTeeHee What Do You Call That Noise? An XTC Discovery Book available from 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 ★

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 studio techniques, from session drummers to formative influences, from home-made kits to ride cymbals. Joining Buckler around the table in 2018 were Mark Fisher, Mark Thomas, Andy Rankin, Laurie Langan, Sarah Palmer, Rohan Onraet, and Louis Barfe. Music by Keith McTaggart. What Do You Call That Noise? An XTC Discovery Book available from 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. Photograph: © Allison Burke ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

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 with the artist Ken White at the XTC fan convention in Swindon in 2022. Ken painted several murals around Swindon, including the much missed Swindon celebrities mural, as well as painting the backdrop for the cover of XTC’s Black Sea. Music from Dan Barrow. Darryl Bullock links: Love and Fury: The Life, Death and Legacy of Joe Meek is published in the UK by Omnibus on 13 March 2025 Blog The World’s Worst Records XTC collection On collecting Interviewing John Leckie On XTC from an LGBTQI+ perspective Dan Barrow and The Florida Recounts Ken White: Muralist and Painter , Amberley Publishing What Do You Call That Noise? An XTC Discovery Book available from 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 ★

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 releasing a series of XTC retrospective collections. Music from Jordan Cooper XTC photos in Hanging Around Books What Do You Call That Noise? An XTC Discovery Book available from 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. Illustration of Andy Partridge by Mike Smith ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

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 Foolish Men . What Do You Call That Noise? An XTC Discovery Book available from 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 ★