Caropop Ep225-Dave Gregory, pt2, on XTC's different permutations & the likelihood of a reunion

It’s time for Part 2 of our fantastic conversation with XTC guitarist/multi-instrumentalist Dave Gregory. In Part 1 we discussed XTC at the peak of its powers playing fast and furious—perhaps too fast for Gregory’s tastes—on the tour behind the powerhouse Black Sea album. One of those performances is captured in the ‪@recordstoreday‬ release and upcoming CD: Live Boots: Emerald City, Cherry Hill, New Jersey, 17th April 1981. Gregory picks up here with XTC’s ill-fated trip to the U.S. behind its next album, English Settlement, singer-songwriter Andy Partridge’s breakdown and the end of the band’s touring days. Not long afterward drummer Terry Chambers was out of the band and living in Australia, and the musicians were dealing with the fallout of that canceled tour, including the confiscation of their instruments. When Chambers was on Caropop, he related how it took him many years to dig out from that debt. How did Gregory deal with this financial predicament? Was the studio Gregory’s happy place, or did he long to be back on stage? Was it necessary for XTC to stop touring to reach the creative heights that followed? How did Gregory balance virtuosity vs. trying to play the perfect part for each song? Which XTC songs did he most regret not being able to play live? Could he still get up on stage now and play a frenetic song like “Scissor Man”? Are more “Live Boots” recordings coming? Why are so few professionally recorded XTC shows in existence? Gregory also revisits his departure from the band amid what became Apple Venus and Wasp Star. And he relates the current state of XTC and grudge-holding, with all four members living in Swindon, England, yet still not communicating much. Would Gregory be up for a group chat? Did he see Colin Moulding’s and Chambers’ TC&I project or Chambers’ EXTC tribute band? And has Gregory checked out the XTeeHee YouTube channel? That consists of Rutles-like parodies of XTC songs, and many think these are being created by Andy Partridge himself. Does Gregory? There may be nothing more inspiring and entertaining than relaxed, candid conversations among creative people. Mark Caro, a relentlessly curious journalist and on-stage interviewer, loves digging into the creative process with artists and drawing out surprising stories that illuminate the work that has become part of our lives. Caropop is for anyone who wants to dig deeper into the music, movies, food and culture that they love. #DaveGregory #XTC #ColinMoulding #AndyPartridge #TerryChambers #recordstoreday #bbc #Caropopcast #MarkCaro Subscribe & donate at https://www.caropop.com/caropopcast