The XS Noize Podcast

The Boxer Rebellion join Mark Millar on the XS Noize Podcast to talk about The Second I'm Asleep, their first full-length studio album since 2018.
In this episode, Nathan Nicholson and Piers Hewitt discuss the six-year gap between records, the reset the band needed, and how the new album came together through a more instinctive, less overthought creative process.
They talk about writing quickly, trusting the songs sooner, and why The Second I'm Asleep feels more immediate, spacious and human. The conversation also explores lyrical themes on tracks like "Flowers in the Water" and "Hidden Meanings," alongside wider reflections on self-doubt, growth, and the passing of time.
Elsewhere, Nathan and Piers look back on key albums including Exits, Union and Ghost Alive, speak about long-term independence, family life, and the realities of keeping a band together for 25 years.
In this episode:
– The Second I'm Asleep – the six-year gap between albums – songwriting and lyrical evolution – independence and longevity – family life, touring, and staying creative – key memories from Exits, Union and Ghost Alive


About The XS Noize Podcast
Hosted by Mark Millar, the XS Noize Podcast features in-depth conversations with some of the most influential artists in modern music.
With over 270 episodes, guests have included Steve Lillywhite, Matt Berninger, Gary Numan, Peter Hook, Bernard Butler, The Charlatans, Sleaford Mods, Snow Patrol, Elbow, Travis and many more.
New episodes drop weekly.

In this episode of the XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar sits down with Courtney Taylor-Taylor — frontman of The Dandy Warhols — to talk about Pin Ups and the real story behind the Dig! documentary.
Pin Ups brings together a collection of covers spanning the band's journey — but as Courtney explains, it feels less like a traditional covers album and more like a "3D map of the band's DNA," shaped by instinct, influence, and reinterpretation.
But this conversation goes much further.
Courtney opens up about the Dig! era — and why he describes the film as an "assassination piece" — reflecting on how it reshaped public perception of the band at a crucial moment, and what it took to rebuild from it.
He also talks about the difference between art and entertainment, the instinctive way The Dandy Warhols create music, and how a song can evolve to the point where it becomes entirely your own.
Along the way, he reflects on the influences that shaped the band's sound — including The Cult — the breakthrough of 13 Tales From Urban Bohemia, and how they've managed to stay true to themselves over time.
This is an honest conversation about creativity, perception, and reclaiming your narrative.


About The XS Noize Podcast
Hosted by Mark Millar, the XS Noize Podcast features in-depth conversations with some of the most influential artists in modern music.
With over 270 episodes, guests have included Steve Lillywhite, Matt Berninger, Gary Numan, Peter Hook, Bernard Butler, The Charlatans, Sleaford Mods, Snow Patrol, Elbow, Travis and many more.
New episodes drop weekly.

In this episode of the XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar sits down with Roy Stride — frontman, songwriter and driving force behind Scouting For Girls — to talk about the band's uplifting new album These Are The Good Days.
The album follows 2023's The Place We Used To Meet, which became the band's highest-charting record in eight years. This time, the focus is on perspective — and finding joy in the present moment.
Much of the album was shaped by Roy's move to Los Angeles to focus on songwriting — a long-held ambition that took a dramatic turn when he and his family were caught in California's wildfire season and forced to evacuate, expecting to lose everything. That experience became the emotional core of both the album and its title track.
During the conversation, Roy reflects on how that period changed his outlook — leading him to reframe difficult moments as the ones that ultimately define and shape us.
In this wide-ranging conversation, he discusses writing and producing the album himself, recording across California, Dublin and the UK with Greg Churchouse and Pete Ellard, and how bringing in guitarist Connor McDonald added a new dimension to the band's sound.
The record itself captures that balance — from the high-energy immediacy of Get What You Give to the orchestral closer Alright In The End, alongside more reflective moments like Stars Never Fade and Don't You Go Solo. Across it all runs a clear theme: optimism, gratitude, and living in the moment.
The conversation also looks back at the band's journey — from their 3x Platinum, chart-topping debut through a run of hits including This Ain't A Love Song, She's So Lovely, Elvis Ain't Dead and Heartbeat — and how they've sustained that connection with audiences over nearly two decades.
Along the way, Roy shares insights into his songwriting process, the role of collaboration, and why his children have become his most honest critics.
Whether you've followed Scouting For Girls from the start or are discovering them now, this is an honest, uplifting conversation about perspective, creativity and making the most of the time you have.


About The XS Noize Podcast
Hosted by Mark Millar, the XS Noize Podcast features in-depth conversations with some of the most influential artists in modern music.
With over 270 episodes, guests have included Steve Lillywhite, Matt Berninger, Gary Numan, Peter Hook, Bernard Butler, The Charlatans, Sleaford Mods, Snow Patrol, Elbow, Travis and many more.
New episodes drop weekly.

In this episode of the XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar sits down with James Graham and Andy MacFarlane — the creative core of Scottish band The Twilight Sad — to talk about their powerful sixth album It's The Long Goodbye.
Written across a seven-year period, the album became the band's most personal and emotionally direct record to date. Much of it was shaped during a difficult chapter in James Graham's life as he navigated his mother's illness, his own struggles with mental health, and the weight of grief and loss.
During the conversation, James and Andy reflect on the long journey behind the record — from early demos developed during lockdown to the moment the songs finally came together as a cohesive album.
They also discuss their close relationship with Robert Smith of The Cure, who contributes guitar and six-string bass to several tracks after years of friendship and touring together.
Along the way, the band look back at their early years, the evolution of their sound over two decades, and how songwriting helped transform personal experiences into music that connects deeply with listeners.
Listen to the XS Noize Podcast: https://linktr.ee/xsnoizemusicpodcast

In this episode of the XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar sits down with Damon Minchella — founder of Ocean Colour Scene, longtime bass player for Paul Weller, and collaborator with Richard Ashcroft — to talk about his candid and often hilarious memoir You'd Look Good on a Donkey.
Across a musical life that has ricocheted between some of the biggest names in music — from Paul McCartney and Jimmy Page to Diana Ross, Dr. John and The Who — Minchella has built a career full of extraordinary stories, unlikely encounters, and a deep love of music that runs through everything he does.
During the conversation, Damon reflects on the creation of You'd Look Good on a Donkey, a memoir that captures the highs, chaos, humour and survival instincts required to navigate life in the music industry.
In this wide-ranging conversation, Damon opens up about the early days of Ocean Colour Scene, the Birmingham music scene that shaped the band, and how their sound developed during the Britpop era.
He also shares memories of working closely with Paul Weller — one of Britain's most influential songwriters — and what he learned from being inside Weller's musical world for so many years.
The conversation explores the realities of band life, the strange rhythm of touring and recording, and the delicate balance between personal life and the pressures that come with a career in music.
Along the way, Damon discusses the process of writing the book itself — revisiting decades of experiences that range from hilarious and absurd to deeply personal — and explains why honesty and self-reflection were essential to telling the story properly.
Whether you're a fan of Ocean Colour Scene, interested in the behind-the-scenes realities of the music industry, or simply enjoy a great rock memoir, this conversation offers an entertaining and revealing look at a life spent in and around music.
Related topics: Ocean Colour Scene, Paul Weller, Richard Ashcroft, Britpop, rock memoirs, British rock history, You'd Look Good on a Donkey



About The XS Noize Podcast
With more than 270 episodes, the XS Noize Podcast has become a trusted home for music's legends, innovators, and trailblazers — a place where real conversations meet real stories.
Hosted by Mark Millar, the show has featured an extraordinary lineup including Steve Lillywhite, Paul Draper, Sleaford Mods, The Charlatans, Gary "Mani" Mounfield, Glen Matlock, Miles Kane, Matt Berninger, Saint Etienne, D:Ream, Gavin Rossdale, The Farm, Snow Patrol, John Lydon, Will Sergeant, Ocean Colour Scene, Gary Kemp, Doves, Gavin Friday, David Gray, Anton Newcombe, Peter Hook, Razorlight, Sananda Maitreya, James, Crowded House, Elbow, Cast, Kula Shaker, Shed Seven, Future Islands, Peter Frampton, Bernard Butler, Steven Wilson, Travis, New Order, The Killers, Tito Jackson, Simple Minds, The Divine Comedy, Shaun Ryder, Gary Numan, and Michael Head — among many more.
Explore the complete XS Noize Podcast archive.
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