“I think someone should – or I hope someone will – take a genre of music that isn’t known for guitar and apply guitar to it”: Andy Partridge thinks you can be a great player or a great writer, but not both

Andy Partridge performs onstage with XTC in 1980.

Andy Partridge says he doesn’t consider himself a guitar player – but he hasn’t given up searching for unique sounds to inject into his music.

With a 1975 Ibanez Artist in hand, Partridge was the catalyst for XTC’s seamless blend of art rock, new wave, post-punk, and progressive pop. Even if he’s not a technical wizard, his songcraft is first rate, as evidenced by his enviable catalog.