Andy Partridge Interview. Magazine unknown, 1992

While their records have sold well in Europe and America, the UK. seems to have relegated XTC to the 'where are they now file'. On the release of their latest album 'Nonsuch', ANDY PARTRIDGE tells ANTHONY NOGUERA why they won't let the traditional British apathy get to them.

Any Partridge, XTC's bespectacled frontperson is frothing at the mouth over the minimal interest from this country on the release of his band's latest album 'Nonsuch', an eighteen song affair of traditional XTC wordy values. Especially when he's just got off the phone from a German magazine who were interested in every Freudian gym-slip in his lyrics!

"I'm pretty disgusted at the response here actually. I just thought, you know, why bother?"

XTC bother because although in their home country new albums are greeted with the same expectation and warmth as a visit from the local God Squad, in America both of their last two albums sold more than half a million copies each.

"Over here we're dead and we've split up!" Partridge laughs with just a hint of bitterness.

In that case then you should at least have one of your hit singles from the late Seventies included on one of those crass "Sounds Of The Suburbs / Three Minute Heroes compilations populated by long dead semi-Punk outfits?"

"We have," he affirms. "That's another thorn in my side for Christ's sake! You know, they've put us in the dead and gone history box and they're advertising one of those records using a bit from on of out songs; our 'Satisfaction', 'Making Plans For Nigel.'."

'They' as Andy Partridge likes to refer to those whom XTC's post 1982 output means nothing, come in for considerable abuse even though their identity is never ascertained. 'They', however, are doubtlessly behind Partridge and his fellow band members Dave Gregory and Colin Moulding's startling lack of success in this country in the last decade or so.

"In this country it's just rock bottom. The press seem to think that we have no worth at all," he says. "We're viewed as a cross between something like Kenny, Fisher Z, A Flock Of Seagulls and those bizarre Irish Folk records you can only get on television orders. Which is surreal in it's misconception."

And which 'Nonsuch' amply proves, if indeed the point ever did need proving. Partridge does remember a time when they were, to some degree, in favour.

"It was for about three minutes apparently. Then because of England's pretentiously fickle attitude you are dispensed with immediately."

Even though on paper Andy Partridge may seem like a bitter and twisted Pop star reject, in reality it couldn't be further from the truth.

"I'm past caring," he admits honestly. "I write music because I have to, because I need to or else I'd explode. So it's to satisfy myself and if other people get something from it then that is a bonus. I hope people would buy us because they like the songs, that's all."

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