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Artwork for What Do You Call That Noise? The XTC Podcast

What Do You Call That Noise? The XTC Podcast

Mark Fisher
XTC
Apple Venus
English Settlement
Wasp Star
Black Sea
Skylarking
Punk Music
Music Industry
Swindon
Blur
XTC Skylarking
Patreon
Virgin Records
Darryl Bullock
Dukes Of Stratosphear
Brian Wilson
Dolby Atmos
Apple Venus Volume I
The Big Express
Music Production

Interviews and discussions about XTC, from White Music to Wasp Star and beyond

PublishesMonthlyEpisodes77Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Music InterviewsMusicMusic Commentary

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Artwork for What Do You Call That Noise? The XTC Podcast

Latest Episodes

27 October 2026 is the 40th anniversary of XTC’s Skylarking and a big birthday deserves a big celebration. Joining us at the party for this episode of What Do You Call That Noise? The XTC Podcast are XTC’s Colin Moulding, Blur’s drummer Dave Rowntree... more

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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 ... more

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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 ... more

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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... more

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Recent Guests

Colin Moulding
XTC bassist and songwriter
XTC
Episode: Skylarking at 40 with XTC’s Colin Moulding, Blur’s Dave Rowntree, MP Rupa Huq and presenter Samira Ahmed
Dave Rowntree
Drummer for Blur
Blur
Episode: Skylarking at 40 with XTC’s Colin Moulding, Blur’s Dave Rowntree, MP Rupa Huq and presenter Samira Ahmed
Rupa Huq
MP for Ealing, Central and Acton
UK Parliament
Episode: Skylarking at 40 with XTC’s Colin Moulding, Blur’s Dave Rowntree, MP Rupa Huq and presenter Samira Ahmed
Steve Lillywhite
Producer of XTC's Drums and Wires and Black Sea, and other major acts
Independent music producer
Episode: Steve Lillywhite on producing XTC
Jeremy Allen
Editor of Record Collector XTC special
Record Collector
Episode: XTC Record Collector special: behind-the-scenes
Imogen Bebb
Contributor to What Do You Call That Noise and editor for the XTC special
Various music media
Episode: XTC Record Collector special: behind-the-scenes
Huw Thomas
Contributor to the XTC special and journalist
Shindig Magazine
Episode: XTC Record Collector special: behind-the-scenes
Jon Woolcott
Author of The Tattooed Hills; travel writer; editor
The Tattooed Hills (book) / Real Dorset / Going to Ground
Episode: Chalkhills and geoglyphs: the landscape of XTC
Chris Badley
XTC fan with interest in history and landscape; bookshop worker and local tour guide
Book House Bristol; Bristol ferries tours
Episode: Chalkhills and geoglyphs: the landscape of XTC

Host

Mark Fisher
Host of What Do You Call That Noise? The XTC Podcast

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 102 ratings
  • Raised the bar - AGAIN!

    I have loved this podcast for a long time, but the latest Andy Partridge interview (part 1) of questions he hasn’t heard before is fantastic! Well done Mark and the imaginative questioners. Can’t wait for part 2!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Smallface11
    United Kingdom2 years ago
  • Xcellent

    Very well thought out podcast about the best band ever!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    gtdriverdave
    United States3 years ago
  • A famous XTC fan!

    Mark, I understand on good authority that Adrian Durham, top Talksport presenter, is a mad XTC fan. It would be well worth getting him on your terrific podcast.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Disgruntled Samsung User
    United Kingdom4 years ago
  • Joyous

    The book was wonderful and this podcast follows suit. Fills my heart and mind with positive beams of energy. The myriad restorative effect s of one single bands - XTC- art and music on people from all walks of life is life affirming and restores my somewhat shaky faith in humanity and the power of music

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    rawheadtex
    Ireland5 years ago
  • XTC forever!

    Proud Patreon member. Thank you for this!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    SueJ1961
    United States6 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

The production quality and passion for XTC come through in every episode.
Fans value the behind-the-scenes access to archives and live histories.
Listeners praise interview depth and fresh questions that uncover new details.
Guests are consistently described as knowledgeable and engaging.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Steve Lillywhite on producing XTC
Q: Joan Armatrading collaboration—how did Andy Partridge come to play on The Weakness in Me, and what was the dynamic like with Joan?
Lillywhite explains that Joan Armatrading was private and clear in her requests, and Andy played on The Weakness In Me for a specific part, highlighting the balance between artist direction and the producer's role in assembling the right musicians.
Steve Lillywhite on producing XTC
Q: Was it a big opportunity for you when you started working with XTC, and did you feel like this was just another gig or something more special?
Mark asks about the significance of the XTC gig, and Lillywhite responds that he was fearless and truly humbled by the music, aiming to make the band's records the best they could be rather than pursuing fans or trends.
Chalkhills and geoglyphs: the landscape of XTC
Q: What draws you to the idea that the chalk figures are more than mere symbols and can be a living part of the landscape?
The chalk hill figures have survived and shifted with generations of people who cared for them; they illuminate how time collides in place, blending archaeology with living culture, myth, and modern art, making the landscape feel continually reinterpreted.
Chalkhills and geoglyphs: the landscape of XTC
Q: Jon, you've introduced me to the word geoglyphs. Tell us what a geoglyph is.
A geoglyph literally means pictures made from the ground, used to refer to chalk hill figures; it's a general term often employed by archaeologists and historians, a catch-all for large ground artworks, including Nazca lines in Peru.
XTC's Wasp Star at 25
Q: Do you accept the premise and have you been persuaded that this is a more interesting album than you thought it was an album a quarter ago?
Alison reflects that while she didn't think it was underrated, it may be more neglected, recognizing the album's hidden complexities that are easily missed at first listen.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A deep, UK-centered music interview series that concentrates on XTC, its history, associated acts, and the broader context of their era. Episodes pair insider perspectives—from producers and engineers to photographers and journalists—with thoughtful explorations of recording techniques, live shows, surrounding landscapes, and archival projects. The show often weaves in archival material, fan culture, and ongoing projects, producing a rich narrative around XTC's evolving sound and its wider cultural footprint. Noteworthy is its consistent access to original band members, production veterans, and regional history figures, which helps listeners get nuanced, behind-the-scenes glimpses into how XTC and related scenes happened and why they still ... more

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1. Word In Your Ear
2. Rockonteurs with Gary Kemp and Guy Pratt
3. Sodajerker On Songwriting
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5. The Bunker – News without the nonsense

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this podcast launched 7 years ago and published 77 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on this podcast?

Recent guests on this podcast include:

1. Colin Moulding
2. Dave Rowntree
3. Rupa Huq
4. Steve Lillywhite
5. Jeremy Allen
6. Imogen Bebb
7. Huw Thomas
8. Jon Woolcott

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