In this episode of the XS Noize Podcast, Mark Millar sits down with Courtney Taylor-Taylor — frontman, songwriter and creative force behind The Dandy Warhols — to talk about the band’s latest release Pin Ups, and the lasting impact of the Dig! documentary. Watch the full XS Noize Podcast conversation below.
Pin Ups brings together a collection of covers that span the band’s journey — featuring songs by The Cure, Bob Dylan, The Clash, The Beatles and more. But as Courtney explains, the album feels less like a traditional covers record and more like a “3D map of the band’s DNA,” shaped by instinct, influence, and reinterpretation.
While the album provides the starting point, the conversation quickly opens into something broader.
Courtney reflects on the Dig! era — a defining period for The Dandy Warhols — and how the documentary reshaped public perception of the band at a crucial moment in their career. Describing it as an “assassination piece,” he discusses the long-term impact it had on their trajectory, reputation, and the years it took to rebuild.
During the conversation, he explores the tension between art and entertainment, and the importance of staying true to creative instincts — even when the narrative around you is no longer in your control.
The discussion also looks at how The Dandy Warhols approach recording and reinterpretation, from their instinctive method of covering songs to the point where a track stops belonging to the original artist and becomes something entirely their own.
Along the way, Courtney reflects on the influences that shaped the band’s early sound — including The Cult — as well as key moments in their career, such as the breakthrough success of 13 Tales From Urban Bohemia.
Beyond the music, the conversation touches on identity, perception, and longevity — what it takes to build something real, and how to hold onto it over time.
Whether you’ve followed The Dandy Warhols since the beginning or are discovering them through Pin Ups, this is an honest and revealing conversation about creativity, resilience, and reclaiming your story.
Prefer audio? Listen here.
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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 Scouting For Girls, The Twilight Sad, 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.
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