I have never heard anyone describe the drumming of Tony Williams so well. Very colorful. The decades off both the road and Valium have been good for Andy Partridge.
The drums on Complicated Game to me, are absolutely BRILLIANT, they are what Andy had in his head IMO with Jailhouse Rock, I would love to hear how Terry recalls recording the drums for that track. I listened to that one song on repeat 50 straight times on day. Crazy it was recorded in 79' and no one in America knew anything about it to my knowledge.
Personally I regard Andy as my BIG friend (but he doesn't know that... I need to tell him that). He helped me when I gone through so bad times... he said: "Filip, now you are in the dark place, but soon the sun will come up. Give your love in everyday actions and you will feel much better!" and I will never forget that words. That meant so much for me and helped me a lot. And so it was like that, now I feel happy . I would like to meet him in life some day or just to talk with him for just 5 minutes on call or video call it would be like dream come true. I want him to know how much respect I have for him. Andy if you read this (I know you are reading comments of some of your songs he he ) never stop making music, there are many things left to be said, you know it ;)
You have an unorthodox interviewing style (not a criticism) which seems to have brought out of Andy such thoughtful and interesting insights into his ways of thinking. Bravo.
This is great. I knew Andy was into comic books but i didn't know he was this much into it. Made me laugh how nerdy the conversation got at end. I hope you don't stop doing this podcast, mr bendian, even after the whole corona thing blows over. This is important stuff for music fans and the type of thing that I've been hoping someone would do on youtube for years now.
I really appreciate that. It will go for as long as I can juggle this with my music, AND as long a musicians want to open up about their artistic interiors. I feel free to make these fairly nerdy (we artist-types by nature, have to be), but I'd say the fanboy/musicologist mindset is a definite aim in the podcast and my Yale oral history work. The comic book thing could go on to be an entire broadcast. Since my Kirby project, I've always been fascinated my how many music fans are also comic fans. Or Sci-fi.
Thank you Gregg and thank you Andy. This is such a joy to revel in. I completely agree with Gregg's assessment of XTC's influence on so much of the artier rock and pop of the early eighties. Check out Shudder to Think in the nineties among others (Pavement et al). I think the absorption and regurgitation of it happened as organically as any other sound. I'd love to hear what Belew would say about it.
Great interview! I am always interested in what he has to say. I always learn something from him. I’m sure I will be listening to this series of interviews a number of times. Thank you for posting.
I thought Adrian Belew's singing was very similar to David Byrne's at the time. Which isn't surprising as he had been playing with the Talking Heads. That would be similar to Phil Collins sounding like Peter Gabriel when he over as front man in Genesis. Or Jeff Lynne sounding quite a bit like Roy Wood.
I've read Weymouth and Frantz wanted to replace David with Adrian at one point. Unfortunately I think they actually had issues with David Byrne's autism which is shitty on their part.
Loved all the parts of this interview. It’s always great to hear Andy talk about music and art. Um glad he talked about Ollie Halsall, loved his playing and he was a lefty like me too and Jack Bruce who is one of my favorite artists too.
11:36 - wonder if this test pressing still exists somewhere. Wouldn’t be amazing to own a Peter Gabriel test pressing with the physically modified vinyl into of Respectable Street?
In the band "Count Erik and the Loosers" in which I, the bass player and least skilled musician in, we wanted to sound like XTC, KC "Discipline" time, The Police and Talking Heads. These were definitely the hip bands in our view with XTC being the towering influence.
Gregg makes the strongest case that, in the 80s, even if the general public wasn't strongly aware of the genius of XTC, you can be absolutely sure that every rock musician, producer, and engineer in the UK was because many of them copied aspects of their work.
I respect Mr. Partrige, nonetheless, I cringed when I heard him using a famous stock preset from Roland XV series on his guitar synth on the Harold Budd album. Sometimes these marquee artists take the easy lazy way out. My theory for the lack of cymbals in some 80s records is drum machines didn't have a realistic analog of these neither did the Simmonds. Another thing they forgot to mention is the ever-present influence, Tony Visconti had on 80s drum sounds. And yeah cymbals muddle the intelligibility of individual tones.
I think his approach towards sounds and composing is very intuitive and borne out of very limited sonic possibilities (like very basic early synths); he's probably stumbled upon something good when switching presets and there was no point changing that
@@georgesonm1774 On a personal note the metallic/gamelan/Mbira patch he chose was the same one I used on a demo. I always felt guilty of showing that song to anyone.
![[LP Live] Sal Salvador Quintet, 1954 Original US 10-inch MONO (Blue Note BLP 5035)](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/G7QBAFJTNVI/mqdefault.jpg)
I have never heard anyone describe the drumming of Tony Williams so well. Very colorful. The decades off both the road and Valium have been good for Andy Partridge.
Mermaid smile is one of my favorite XTC songs. There's no way to ever get tired of it.
It is stunning, indeed. Don't hear it mentioned too often.
True!!
I hear early XTC in Bowie’s Scary Monsters album too...
The drums on Complicated Game to me, are absolutely BRILLIANT, they are what Andy had in his head IMO with Jailhouse Rock, I would love to hear how Terry recalls recording the drums for that track. I listened to that one song on repeat 50 straight times on day. Crazy it was recorded in 79' and no one in America knew anything about it to my knowledge.
Personally I regard Andy as my BIG friend (but he doesn't know that... I need to tell him that). He helped me when I gone through so bad times... he said: "Filip, now you are in the dark place, but soon the sun will come up. Give your love in everyday actions and you will feel much better!" and I will never forget that words. That meant so much for me and helped me a lot. And so it was like that, now I feel happy . I would like to meet him in life some day or just to talk with him for just 5 minutes on call or video call it would be like dream come true. I want him to know how much respect I have for him. Andy if you read this (I know you are reading comments of some of your songs he he ) never stop making music, there are many things left to be said, you know it ;)
I wholeheartedly agree.
Me too. XTC has helped me through some rough times. And then when I’m doing okay the songs take me into a state of ecstasy.
As someone who was deeply enamored of XTC and Discipline at exactly the same time-Gregg's theory makes absolute sense to me.
Summer Cauldron is, lyrically, one of the most beautiful songs ever written
Word.
It is musically gorgeous as well. It is a gem through and through.
I love the buzzing insect right after the first vocal phrase.
You have an unorthodox interviewing style (not a criticism) which seems to have brought out of Andy such thoughtful and interesting insights into his ways of thinking. Bravo.
Thanks for listening.
As soon as he started talking about open tunings I instantly went and tuned my acoustic to Open G. Ideas are pouring out
Exactly the same here
This is great. I knew Andy was into comic books but i didn't know he was this much into it. Made me laugh how nerdy the conversation got at end.
I hope you don't stop doing this podcast, mr bendian, even after the whole corona thing blows over. This is important stuff for music fans and the type of thing that I've been hoping someone would do on youtube for years now.
I really appreciate that. It will go for as long as I can juggle this with my music, AND as long a musicians want to open up about their artistic interiors. I feel free to make these fairly nerdy (we artist-types by nature, have to be), but I'd say the fanboy/musicologist mindset is a definite aim in the podcast and my Yale oral history work. The comic book thing could go on to be an entire broadcast. Since my Kirby project, I've always been fascinated my how many music fans are also comic fans. Or Sci-fi.
@@TheProgCast Hopefully that's a long time. Thanks again.
What a marvelous interview. Thank you men
Discipline! Waw, I'd never noticed how XTC that album sounded. Awesome.
Thank you, Gregg.
This stuff is fireworks for the Soul.
Agreed.
Thank you Gregg and thank you Andy. This is such a joy to revel in. I completely agree with Gregg's assessment of XTC's influence on so much of the artier rock and pop of the early eighties. Check out Shudder to Think in the nineties among others (Pavement et al). I think the absorption and regurgitation of it happened as organically as any other sound. I'd love to hear what Belew would say about it.
Also Dismemberment Plan
Great interview! I am always interested in what he has to say. I always learn something from him. I’m sure I will be listening to this series of interviews a number of times. Thank you for posting.
37:14 my fairground had De La Soal but it had a similar nostalgic sound effect on me too…
Holy shit that's the first time I've heard Andy play Mayor of Simpleton since 1989...
Wow. That's heavy.
I thought Adrian Belew's singing was very similar to David Byrne's at the time. Which isn't surprising as he had been playing with the Talking Heads. That would be similar to Phil Collins sounding like Peter Gabriel when he over as front man in Genesis. Or Jeff Lynne sounding quite a bit like Roy Wood.
Adrian admires Andy very much and had actually hung out at Andy's house a couple times.
I've read Weymouth and Frantz wanted to replace David with Adrian at one point. Unfortunately I think they actually had issues with David Byrne's autism which is shitty on their part.
I agree Steve Horan. Should be added to that discussion. Thanks!
Loved all the parts of this interview. It’s always great to hear Andy talk about music and art. Um glad he talked about Ollie Halsall, loved his playing and he was a lefty like me too and Jack Bruce who is one of my favorite artists too.
The Mayor of Simpleton is the greatest pop bass line ever written… especially the end riff section… genius.
Very enjoyable to listen to you guys geek out together.
11:36 - wonder if this test pressing still exists somewhere. Wouldn’t be amazing to own a Peter Gabriel test pressing with the physically modified vinyl into of Respectable Street?
In the band "Count Erik and the Loosers" in which I, the bass player and least skilled musician in, we wanted to sound like XTC, KC "Discipline" time, The Police and Talking Heads. These were definitely the hip bands in our view with XTC being the towering influence.
I think you are a great communicator and you paced the conversation perfectly.Thank you
Again, nails it on failure, mistakes, trying new things.
That was awesome
Gregg makes the strongest case that, in the 80s, even if the general public wasn't strongly aware of the genius of XTC, you can be absolutely sure that every rock musician, producer, and engineer in the UK was because many of them copied aspects of their work.
Wonderful
Russ Manning drew Magnus, Robot Fighter, Andy!
damn
John Kongas put the African sound in pop music in the 70s with he’s gonna step on you again and tokoloshe man.
Actually Fripp hated playing with Barry Andrews!
Would love a link on that...
It had something to do with drinking beer onstage...
Love the slur on Kenny Morris from the banshees lol...
I respect Mr. Partrige, nonetheless, I cringed when I heard him using a famous stock preset from Roland XV series on his guitar synth on the Harold Budd album. Sometimes these marquee artists take the easy lazy way out.
My theory for the lack of cymbals in some 80s records is drum machines didn't have a realistic analog of these neither did the Simmonds.
Another thing they forgot to mention is the ever-present influence, Tony Visconti had on 80s drum sounds. And yeah cymbals muddle the intelligibility of individual tones.
I think his approach towards sounds and composing is very intuitive and borne out of very limited sonic possibilities (like very basic early synths); he's probably stumbled upon something good when switching presets and there was no point changing that
@@georgesonm1774 On a personal note the metallic/gamelan/Mbira patch he chose was the same one I used on a demo.
I always felt guilty of showing that song to anyone.
So Andy married Erica?
OMG… I should’ve checked the description first; I despise comic books, Lichtenstein, and Warhol. Peter Max, yes, but there’s always part 3…
I’ve been writing music for fifty years and I hate cymbals!
Clearly, you were not alone.
Ha! They do have their limitations. But so do acoustic guitars, in another way.