XTC's Dave Gregory - A Breakdown of Dave's Guitar Parts

[@Al-iv3mb]

Dave seems such a lovely chap, one gets the impression he genuinely doesn't realise how incredibly talented he is.

[@DarrellGregory]

One good thing to come out of the pandemic is the number of zoom interviews Dave has done. He is a wonderful interviewee.

[@ChananHanspal]

👍

[@B2Unit]

agreed. seems very giving with his time for these sorts of things and always has plenty of interesting stuff to say

[@roberthunter3048]

Jesus christ!...imagine a world full of 7 billion Dave Gregorys.. such a humble man..to share the "secret sauce" in some of these XTC songs is a real treat..hard to imagine that he could still remember all the nuances of them...I cant even remember shit I payed 3 months ago...and he's doin' it from 40-45yrs ago...unreal

[@Ted_James]

Dave seems like a truly wonderful person who lives to play guitar, and it shows. He should receive more recognition than he gets for his soloing. Those songs are so much better because of him.

[@amico78]

He scares me! Absolute brilliant! I love his Pink Thing solo and "Love on the farmer's boy" in the acoustic sessions...feel some gipsy influence in his style. Always a song in a song! Dave is a master.

[@mattmichael6792]

That Melt the Guns guitar part is unbelievable 🤯

[@paulconnelly4050]

It would impossible to dislike Dave Gregory. He's like the ultimate gentleman of the rock/pop industry. Amazing guitarist (thank you for the awesome sounds you have created) and just an all round nice chap.

[@ianhenderson9491]

What a great interview. And how refreshing to have an interviewer who really knows his subject and asks the right questions.

[@duncaninglis3806]

When I had only been playing guitar for 4 years a friend of mine asked me if I could play Respectable Street. I looked at him and shook my head No. Even then I knew that the guitar chops in that band were way advanced. The way they used dissonance as a harmonic ally while still producing "pop" songs still amazes me today. Great interview, thank you!

[@tapstring2]

House chores, dog-walking and mitral valve replacement surgery can all wait. I have to sit down in front of my computer for the next two weeks and transcribe Dave's guitar parts. Best Christmas present ever!

[@BassByTheBay]

C'mon, don't be crazy -- you _must_ walk the dog! 😉

[@stoppropaganda2573]

Dave's work with XTC is brilliant but Big Big Train during their live sets would give him the floor and Dave's playing would leave the band and audience speechless ... he is just that great a player!

[@kelvinwilson9217]

Dave Gregory thank you for your uniqueness of musicianship with your sincere humbleness. You encapsulate what song writing and playing is all about.

[@stevepower1372]

I haven't clicked on a video so fast since, well, since the Andy Partridge ones 😂. Thanks to you, and Dave, for more great insight.

[@ChananHanspal]

You're welcome and thanks for watching.

[@moseskelly19]

Me to so excited 😊

[@sspbrazil]

Dave has been making the internet interview rounds these days, I’m glad you got him on to explain these parts Chanan, he’s one of my favorite guitar plays and too self-deprecating, I’m glad you let him know how brilliant he is.

[@ColinBaugh]

Blown away. Dave is such a humble genius. Tears of joy!

[@BMXOPHY]

I've been living XTC's music for a long time. Since the 80's. If you were to have a Lovescope you would know that my love for their music is immense. I keep thinking to myself, if they would want to, there could be a reunion concert, just one. With everyone quiet to not bother Andy. If they would only want to. Soon somebody will physically die and it won't be possible no more. Thank you XTC.

[@BassByTheBay]

Oh, so well said. Totally share your sentiments. Seems highly unlikely, but we can dream.🤞

[@perromanchado]

Dave's solo on Scarecrow People is also wonderful! ♥

[@nudnick]

That’s an underrated one for sure, considering how great it is

[@xs10tl1]

Orchestrator and arranger on par and beyond with the Beatles, and he is so humble. Good role model.

[@dooleyfan]

I am ecstatic that this video exists. I’ll probably spend the next few weeks studying this on guitar. Much appreciation to Dave for being so generous with his knowledge, and to Chanan for assembling this and other XTC videos. As a guitarist, it gives me some relief that even Dave is struggling to play his original parts, because I have been struggling with them since he originally recorded them!

[@nosuchperson284]

I get what you mean, but little of it sound like any kind of struggle. Dave is too humble and only given a week to relearn some really intricate and sometimes not obvious parts after sometimes 40 years? Yeah, I am sure it was some work to get it back under his fingers. It was a blast hearing him play them. Give him a couple of months of those 7 hour days as they used to do and I am sure he'd be able play them forward and backwards with all his extra years of experience. What an excellent musician! Even his off the cuff living room singing was spot on; he really has a good voice as well. Also there wasn't much time talking about his keyboard parts and solos. I just finished listening to what I assume was his brilliant synthesizer solo on The Smartest Monkeys. That's another conversation in itself. Plenty of brilliance there. Rock on Mr. Gregory!

[@johnponder5973]

What a great interview! Dave Gregory is a gem in so many ways. Since you've interviewed Andy and Dave now, are you considering an interview with Colin, as well?

[@ChananHanspal]

Many thanks. I'd love to interview Colin, we'll see...

[@windyhillbomber]

@@ChananHanspaldon’t forget Terry. I think his drumming was immense in that incredible run of Drums and Wires, Black Sea and English Settlement. I would be fascinated to hear his take on the band giving up touring as clearly it was an important factor in his leaving the group

[@dave-jk6en]

Brilliant interview. XTC are one of the greatest bands in the last 50 years. I’m glad they’re starting to be recognised more now. It’s so obvious listening to bands from the 90’s to now, that they have influenced so many musicians

[@Fog99horn]

Thanks Chanan. This is public service broadcasting. Just fantastic. So great to see Dave, and with guitar in hand. He don't look a day over thirty! Can't wait for the next episode...

[@dalethedippa5822]

You are doing such a service to us XTC fans!

[@BlackRoomProductions]

Dave's Met the Guns input is priceless

[@nucleusmedicalmedia]

Chanan and Dave: thank you for the amazing interview/history/guitar lesson! Dave and Andy are the musicians who inspired me and my friends to pick up guitars back in the early 80s.

[@bradsmith7311]

When Black Sea came out I was in high school ,paying guitar for 5 or 6 years and OMG,when I heard those oh so quintessential British, burnished guitar sounds. I was in heaven.Thanks Dave and Andy for the chops, writing, rhythms and tones.just the best .the best of British.Cheers from the Colonies.

[@indieguy81]

Dave is such a wonderful human being, and so generous with his time to be willing to sit down and explain the creation and evolution of these timeless songs. What a gentleman. Thank you so much for this interview!

[@redfordgrange3507]

Roads Girdle the Globe sounds very Beeheartian to my ear. Excellent track.

[@Svatopluk]

Next time Dave does one of these, have him drop me a line and I'll pop over set him up with a sound-card interface, a decent mic and camera. Apart from that, magical stuff. Also, I can now finally play his strange (!) guitar part during the verse of 'Melt the guns'. Thanks!

[@Pallie25]

Holy smokes, I'd have paid a handsome sum for this. Dave is the one guy I wanted a one on one session with for guitar skills.

[@gioacme7321]

Only these words I can say : thank you God for the XTC. And thank to Chanan for the couple of gems, Andy and Dave speaking and explaining their secrets. Would be great hear even Colin and Terry...

[@robin_holden]

YEEEEESSSS!! I actually worked out Roads Girdle the Globe by ear and I was right! God, these are all amazing guitar parts. Thank you Dave and Chanan.

[@brturner]

I love how knowledgeable Dave is about the music theory!!! It’s refreshing to see someone I admire who understands what they are doing and it’s not just “I just discovered it” it’s a bit deflating to hear sometimes!

[@andrewconde4865]

Thanks for this interview, Chanan. Dave Gregory is an incredible musician whose playing has a unique voice and added so much to XTC’s songs. Deep respect for these videos!

[@ChananHanspal]

You're welcome and thanks for watching.

[@randallkeller6146]

Thanks for doing this, cannot wait to watch. Oranges & Lemons has some of the best recorded 12 string guitar riffs/playing of all time IMO.

[@laurencehogg6010]

Seconded. Just about to post a comment asking about O&L songs.

[@ChananHanspal]

👍

[@moseskelly19]

Thank you so much chanan what a dream this is spent the weekend with 3 friends listened to the whole catalog of the amazing xtc

[@BlackRoomProductions]

You and your friends should come to the XTC Convention next year in Swindon!

[@iaind]

Amazing interview! As a fan from the beginning (61 now) it was very exciting when Dave joined the band. I know he came down to Carmarthen in south Wales to buy a Vox teardrop from a man I knew who worked in the spares department at a garage. That brightened up a very dull day. Brilliant guitarist! Thank you 🙏

[@mickeymarquez]

Thank you so much for this,. Really, thanks so much.

[@ChananHanspal]

You're welcome and thanks for watching.

[@chrismannion3418]

Pure pleasure. What a band and what musicians. Thank you Chanan, for such thoughtful and interesting videos.

[@sims774]

Great great great interview. As a huge XTC fan since the first time I hear Nigel in 1979, this exchange is a pure marvel, memorable. Dave Gregory is such a lovely and far too humble man. He is an exemple for every musician, an exemple for humanity. I agree with other comments, Andy's interview was great, this one is great, we wait for Colin 😉. Excellent job Mr Hanspal, thank you 🙏, and thanks to Mr Gregory, for having greatly contributed (even if he downplays his participation far too much), to what XTC was, is, and will be forever : an exceptional band. 🙏🙏

[@JohnLloydDavis]

So glad you were able to get this interview/clinic with Dave. It's the companion piece to the video of the guitar parts Andy was playing in those songs. Fantastic :)

[@ChananHanspal]

Thanks for noticing, yes you're right, this is the companion piece.

[@teddownum7428]

Along with being a brilliant and criminally underrated guitarist, Dave might also be the nicest man in the world.

[@lemokolyon]

Thanks for this interview. I was a fan of the early hours, and i loved Barry Andrews play. Black Sea is a fabulous album, and English Settlement is still a masterpiece. Dave was the perfect musician for XTC. So many great things done together... Thanks for this vidéo.👍

[@ChananHanspal]

You're welcome and thanks for watching.

[@jdeck650]

He's a wonderful player, one of my faves when I was young.

[@wesfolkerth1174]

Thank you both so much for doing this! And for the focus on English Settlement!

[@ChananHanspal]

You're welcome and thanks for watching.

[@TwoOnions275]

I've really enjoyed your interviews with Andy and Dave - hopefully you can bag Colin too (not literally)? I have a small list of musical artists that I am borderline obsessive about: the Beatles, the Zombies, Costello and Xtc. I think Xtc's records have the most replay-ability, I'm still discovering new things even now. These interviews have been a real insight - thanks!

[@RGRIMOWEN]

XTC are timeless. So glad you are giving them the opportunity to flesh out their process and air themselves... Thank you for this, its of great value to lovers of a band that deserves much more recognition for the music they created. Keep on keeping on...

[@ChananHanspal]

You're welcome and thanks for watching.

[@RH-of5cr]

Dave is a great, humble chap and a talented guitarist. So glad they all got together and did what they did.

[@stevenswift7263]

Glorious! Joins up so many dots. Dave, an utterly ego-free and grateful guitar genius

[@WilliamSilva-dq6zj]

Sorry Dave, you are an artist. Inspiring to this day 2023.

[@jayTheMightyRoadflower]

... brilliant- thank you for such a fantastic interview with the great gentleman of Rock Dave Gregory, one of the most inventively melodic players in the classic pantheon, showing us all how he works his magic! sending gidvibes aplenty to one & all...

[@ChananHanspal]

You're welcome and thanks for watching.

[@BlackRoomProductions]

Chanan bringing another great XTC interview!

[@ChananHanspal]

👍

[@alisoneales]

What a fantastic and fascinating interview this is. Dave seems a great bloke, and the more I dive into XTC the more I suspect it's his contributions that make me love the band so much. Really enjoyed the AP videos too. It's such a joy to watch people nerding out about these great songs.

[@RoofLight00]

I love Dave’s playing and his contribution to the band. Big influence. What a fantastic player he is. Wish there had been more about the Dukes though….

[@robinjones6999]

Oh yes- brilliant. DG is such a gent and amazing talent

[@CONSIDERABLYMORE1]

Looking forward to watching this over the weekend. One of my all time favourite musicians and a bloody nice bloke to boot!👍👏👏

[@ChananHanspal]

👍

[@donwershba2319]

These interviews are a treasure... thanks so much for going deep with one of the finest bands of the 20th century

[@gfarris1]

Just amazing! And he says he’s not an artist?! I find his originality very artful. His ability to come up with so many great parts is mesmerizing. Keep up the great work!

[@TheArthing]

Well, I never left XTC behind. In my retirement, I've picked up guitars again and these guitar parts are slowly getting into my hands and my mind. I'm thankful that Chanan is tweezing the parts and stories apart and giving me (us) entry into the DNA of this work. I can't stop listening and playing. Thank you CH and DG. Fabulous.

[@kieronbowker9983]

Dave is such a lovely guy and the interviewer is very good. Well done both. Love it.

[@paulflynn6169]

Two fine craftsmen. Thank you so much for this , Chanan,

[@ChananHanspal]

You're welcome and thank you for watching.

[@ianredmond9014]

Thanks for this. Fascinating insight into how Dave and his fellow XTC members created such classics. Genius.

[@julianmarley9776]

That was a wonderful interview! I love XTC!❤ Thank you so much to Dave for sharing his beautiful guitar parts, his guitars and Chanan for such appreciative and empathic interviewing. 😊

[@BassByTheBay]

Wow... this was just wonderful! Thank you _so_ much for doing it. I love the questions you asked and the space you gave Dave to answer. He's really too humble sometimes. I especially liked your remark to him about the fact that he played well when it was _necessary_ -- such a great point and a generous way to remind one of our heroes that it doesn't matter if he can't play like he used to; his recordings are beautiful and inspiring, and we get to listen to them for the rest of our lives. I'm glad "That Wave" came up because it's in my top 5 fave XTC songs, and Dave's solo is absolutely perfect, period (or "full stop", as you Brits say 😊). I didn't realize how much I appreciated Dave's contributions till he left the band. His absence on Wasp Star was glaring, IMO. The album just lacked the depth and finesse that Dave had always brought to the songs. Anyway, thank you for this treasure! Time to listen to your interview with Andy now. 😊

[@snod7598]

What you do is priceless! Thank you!

[@ChananHanspal]

You're welcome and thanks for watching.

[@Egurenkone]

This is fascinating to watch. Dave is so humble despite being such an amazing guitar player… or maybe because he is

[@Al_Murdoch]

Amazing insight and interview, thanks for this ❤

[@VeruccaAssulte]

Dave Gregory.... monster ❤

[@thorsprovoni2525]

Thank you Chanan, for interviewing this gentleman genius... aka Lord Cornelius Plum.

[@strings2wood]

12 string guitar just sounds so beautiful. I'd always loved the 'idea' of playing one. (I play guitar-how hard could it be? ( famous last thought of Sgt. Naive Arrogance?) I tried once. The demands were a revelation from another universe of unreality. Dave's mastery and creativity is an 'idea' seldom if ever attained by any mere mortal foolish enough to believe what he does is actually possible. As many have commented, he is a prince of charm, wisdom and humility. I would sit and listen in silence and awe and hope he doesn't need to do something else, go anywhere or sleep. All cups of tea and biscuits happily made as he needs them.

[@peterbrusch1493]

Dave Gregory ist the equivalent third in the triangle Prtridge-Moulding-Gregory. Always love to hear him play!

[@cosmicdrifter287]

Great vibes here,right away.Dave looks great for his age!Keep up the good work,much appreciated!

[@ChananHanspal]

You're welcome and thanks for watching.

[@cosmicdrifter287]

@@ChananHanspal I Thoroughly enjoyed this conversation.Well conducted interview and so great to see Dave analyse these classic tracks.

[@Svatopluk]

Dave should know that Robert Plant is a fan! Great stuff Dave, love your playing and your musical ideas.

[@SF-cq6bg]

YEAH!!! Love me some XTC since mid-80s!!! Roads Girdle the Globe!!!!!!!!!!

[@scottsebben889]

Somehow I got DG's email address right after XTC split around Apple Venus. I emailed him begging him to keep the band together and telling him how much his playing on Black Sea had affected me. He got back to me light heartedly saying that he would not be returning to the band and thanking me for my interest. As a young superfan, I was blown away.

[@spottedliver]

I love this interview. I would be grinning from ear to ear as well, talking 🎸 with him.

[@dreyescope6926]

Absolutely loving all your XTC videos. Just beautiful stuff.

[@ChananHanspal]

Many thanks.

[@chrisandersen5635]

These interviews are fantastic. Thanks so much for doing these. I love how Dave and Andy both really seem to enjoy themselves while speaking with you, and they’re both so relaxed.

[@musicbybackinnyc1]

Loved the yaucht dance segment

[@qualaup]

Awesome guitar player !!! Gentle interview!

[@guitarolm]

thanks so much for this! thanks to Dave, too

[@dimsump6049]

this is a gold mine - thanks. But I really wanna hear about DG's gorgeous solo on 'That Wave'!

[@almada1113]

There’s a lovely little riff Dave does at 3.02 of The Loving, seven or eight seconds, spirals right up to the ceiling. So many subtle and magical moments in the mix of XTC songs, not just Dave-although loving this vid!-each member of this band brought a unique presence.

[@subschool5]

thank you Chanan and Dave!!! we love you

[@fredhamilton1701]

Thanks Chanan! Great interview - Dave has to be one of the nicest guys ever to have strolled around on this earth (and his guitar playing and solo construction isn't bad, either). However I got my hopes up after you played a clip of "No Thugs" (at 1:35:55) that Dave would show us exactly how to play the riff - then it didn't happen! (I think a friend of mine finally figured it out, though - I'll make a video of that soon.)

[@gf301]

As a direct result of listening to this Dave might be pleased to know I immediately bought the latest remix, I already have the original. Fascinating interview, the kind you only find on this channel, and hopefully will help the band find some new fans. Sounds like that is happening, that makes me happy. I don't think Colin is keen on interviews unfortunately.... that's a shame.

[@101Volts]

Colin has occasionally been OK with interviews. It seems like it's not as often, though.

[@craigwinn]

One of my favorite musicians ever. So glad to see this interview!

[@chikkipop]

Invaluable, Chanan! Your following will grow! 😀

[@Armakk]

Absolute goldmine OMFG 😃

[@moseskelly19]

What a humble man

[@woodyblakemore8401]

Outstanding interviews with Dave and Andy.❤

[@theshivers1967]

Ohhh!!! This is so wonderful. Thank you both!!! To Dave’s amazement of fans’ adulation, it was XTC that had me feel like a “mere mortal” could write songs that were on the level of the Beatles.

[@drgreyhound]

Thank you, Dave. And thank you Chanan for your insightful videos. Love the channel. As a previous commenter said - go get Colin! :)

[@ChananHanspal]

I'll try. Many thanks!

[@stephanleo]

Thank you so much Chanan! This interview is an eye (and ear-) opener on so many levels.

[@ramalcole782]

This is amazing. Thank you for making this happen. Cheers🎉

[@chrisdorr5786]

Can't wait to dive into this!! Thanks so much for some of the best and most engaging interviews ever with these lads.

[@ChananHanspal]

You're welcome and thanks for watching.

[@reversefulfillment9189]

Really loving these interviews. Thanks guys.

[@tudorevans9306]

Dave absolute legend

[@tomnelson5815]

"Supergirl" solo is fascinating; I've obsessed over it for decades, as I have Dean Parks's "Peg" solo on "Aja". Your characterization of it as uplifting is exactly right.

[@rogerbroad456]

XTC are amazing