Q. Hello Andy,
I'm a Dutchman (& in my forties) and you guess: in possession of a lot XTC - and Fuzzy Warbles records. Unfortunately I was planning to see XTC in 1982 (PinkPop) but it never happened, alas.


At the time there were a few live shows on radio from the last XTC performances in Paradiso (Amsterdam) and in Brussels. I heard you play a wonderful version of All Along The Watchtower. It never ended on any record.


Did you ever try to bring out material like this on CD at your own label? And how about video performances?


I once saw a photograph of you performing as a priest in a Dutch TV program 'Popkaravaan' (late seventies or early eighties). Or is it all too embarrassing? I hope not & to find some video (DVD) material of the group anytime (Youtube is a poor alternative). And do you (still) have any connections to the Netherlands at all?


Hans en Erica

A. To Hans the mans and his little speculaas Erica. XTC's mangling of Dylan's Watchtower ended up on our first album White Music, but be careful, it's not a dish to everyone's delight. Bit like Marmite. Yes we did play Varas Popkaravaan but it sounds like you've got to lay off the Gouda, I wasn't dressed as a priest, I simply had a black suit and black wide brimmed hat on. Do Dutch priests go for that high plains drifter look then?


As for "is it all embarrassing?", sure, of course it all is but I wouldn't want it any other way. Isn't everyone on earth embarrassed by what they did in their 20s? They'd have to be or they wouldn't have any great memories for when they get old.


Regarding videos, Virgin records own them all, so address all complaints etc to Virgin records, which are now housed inside the magnificent soaring structure that was once Richard Branson's denture case.


Andy