In a podcast first, we have two hosts with friend of the show Joshua Batten co-pilot this episode of the podcast as we speak with the wonderful Dave Gregory from XTC/The Dukes of Stratosphear, Big Big Train, Tin Spirits and a sought after session player to acts like Steven Wilson, Porcupine Tree, Peter Gabriel, Aimee Mann. We discuss with Dave about his many music ventures over the years, rediscover some stories that both Joshua and I have been interested to hear such as his involvement to Big Big Train, Touring with Aimee Mann in 1993 and convincing one Andy Partridge to belt out a Dukes song at a show in NYC I thank both Joshua Batten for choosing to co-pilot this episode with me as i gave him an opportunity like this and the star of the show Dave for sharing and recalling some great stories.

Topic Timestamps:

00:00 A Day in the Life 01:56 Swindon 03:25 Guitar Influences 04:26 The Beatles 06:03 Jeff Beck 08:11 Piano Training 09:30 Christmas 1966 10:28 Strings vs Brass 12:00 XTC Tribute Bands 14:50 Scarecrow People 15:34 Terry Chambers 17:04 Mummer 18:50 Pete Phipps 20:02 Great Fire 20:54 Different Drummers & Producers 22:21 Pat Mastelotto 23:47 Big Big Train 25:52 Dave's Guitar Demo 29:05 Guest Musician Dave Gregory 33:58 Thomas Walsh Pugwash 34:42 Working on Peter Gabriel's Melt 39:31 Top of the Pops calling 40:30 Touring with Aimee Mann of Til Tuesday 42:00 Andy Partridge's Encore 43:52 Dukes of Stratosphear fantasy 44:32 Steven Wilson 5.1 remixes 46:48 Sound Engineers vs Musicians 47:32 Meeting Steven Wilson 49:22 Arranging for In Absentia & Lightbulb Sun 51:04 XTC's Australian Tour 55:10 Melbourne Crystal Ballroom 56:34 This Is Pop documentary 58:21 Loreley Festival 2018 1:00:21 Summer Shall Not Fade 1:01:19 Reflection on David Longdon 1:03:20 Is Melt the Guns a drum loop? 1:05:11 Hammersmith Odeon 1:06:58 1980 Touring 1:07:25 Liverpool after John Lennon's murder 1:08:57 Could XTC exist today? 1:10:04 Jacob Collier 1:11:11 Virgin Records