Date: Thu, 14 Mar 96 01:00:03 CST From: numan@cs.uwp.edu Reply-To: numan@cs.uwp.edu (Gary Numan) Subject: Gary Numan Digest V1 #209 Gary Numan Digest Thu, 14 Mar 96 Volume 1 : Issue 209 Today's Topics: "THE DIGEST ASKS GARY - FEBRUARY 1996" (2 msgs) And He's Off! A rather interesting thing that happened to me... Bad seat in London C4 Teletext Interview Cars and the tour Cover Version Musings Dates Deadline extended for Numan compilation tape Gary No. 17 Gary Numan & ME Gary Numan Digest V1 #208 Good News Introductions Living Ornaments CDs will not be 79/8O Melody Maker / Page 50 Numan charts Numan concert ticket available NuWORLD credit card update Personal profile of new mailing list member Possible Obscure Numan Tour Link? Replicas CD URGH Various ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Date: Wed, 13 Mar 1996 09:53:31 -0800 From: dlangs@sunstroke.sdsu.edu (Derek Langsford) Subject: "THE DIGEST ASKS GARY - FEBRUARY 1996" To: numan@cs.uwp.edu THE DIGEST ASKS GARY - FEBRUARY 1996 ------------------------------------ As usual, info on how to send questions are at the end of the session. Gary's responses to this month's was delayed a few days but considering his schedule I was surprised to get them at all. Of course, next month's will be delayed later still as the Premier Tour continues through the first week of April. Maybe some of you can ask questions about the tour after seeing it? ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Martin Wagner of Austin, Texas, USA asks: Q1. I was out at a car wash the other day and a car pulled up into the stall next to mine, driven by a black gentleman with hip-hop blasting out of his speaker system. I like to crank my stereo too, so this sort of thing doesn't bother me--however, imagine my surprise when the next song to come up had a sample of the "Cars" hook! Are you aware of "Cars" being sampled by any hip-hop or rap group and is there anything you could do about it legally if they did? A1. I am aware of some of it. I suppose I could even try to get a bit heavy and legal about it if I wanted to but I don't. If something did really well and sold a lot of copies I might be a bit more interested in getting my share but I'm not prepared to go through all that legal unpleasantness for mickey mouse money. ---- My name is Clive Jones I live in Slough, Berkshire, UK. Gary - it seems we have at least two things in common now - my OBX-a just packed up! Q2. I find that when I'm writing / building songs - I get sick of them half way through, probably because I'm doing it on my own - do *you* feel that you often need someone there with you when writing/ building songs to bounce ideas off or to push you along when your about to give a track up? A2. Never when I'm writing and only on rare occasions when I'm working on adding parts to songs, especially now. I also get sick of things quite often or just don't feel that they are up to scratch and so I junk them before I lose too much time. That's why I have very few unused tracks on the shelf, I abandon things long before they are finished. Q3. The 1979 John Peel sessions have versions of Cars and Airlane that used slightly different arrangements and patches to what finally appeared on the "Pleasure Principle" album - when did you decide that the arrangement was right for recording? (by the way - I thought the "liquid" oscillating patch used in the start of "Films" should have stayed). A3. I've not listened to the John Peel sessions since the day I did them so I can't remember what the differences were between them and the final recorded versions. I'm often messing about with the arrangement of songs during the final mix, and sometimes after that using hard disc recorders to re-edit tracks in different ways. In those days it was probably decided on the day we recorded the songs, during the recording itself I would imagine. Q4. Do you find that the technology you use to make music actually stifles creativity when writing because there's so much to deal with? A4. Sometimes but not often. If you are reasonably familiar with the equipment you use, or at least the parts of the equipment that you use regularly, then those technofear problems can be kept to a minimum. I've just got the "Dream Corrosion" video - the first since I purchased "Micromusic" in 1982 - excellent (only wish I'd been there!). Thanks - don't give it up! Clive ---- Andy McHaffie in Reading, Berkshire, UK asks: Hi Gary. Q5. I was wondering how much control you have over your ticket prices, as 12 pounds plus a booking fee does seem rather a lot to pay for a gig at The Astoria? A5. I didn't personally sit down and discuss it apart from agreeing that they should be the same as the last tour in 1994 which I thought would have made most people happy. You must bear in mind that the Astoria is not the same gig as LA2 which we played last time and so, although not a flash and luxurious theatre, is quite a good place for a show. The people going to the Astoria will get exactly the same light show, music, and performance that they will get anywhere else and will be able to get closer to the band which a lot of people actually prefer. The booking fee is nothing to do with me and I certainly don't get any of it. I believe that the booking fee can be avoided by buying tickets direct from the box office but I won't swear to it, certainly some box offices don't tack on a booking fee. I'm sorry if you feel that =A312 is too much as I've always rather prid= ed myself on the good value of my ticket prices. ---- Vanessa Chesterton of Birmingham, UK Hi Gary. I've been a fan since 1979, and although I've had a bit of a lapse in listening to the most recent stuff, I'm catching up quickly. I've seen you tour and my claim to fame is that I touched your hand once at the Odeon in Birmingham (I'll never wash again!). Q6. After listening to your more recent work, it seems all your beat, rhythm sequences are so complex and involved, whereas when I listen to the old songs that you wrote, the rhythm, the lyrics, the melody seem so much simpler and uncomplicated. Was it a conscious decision on your part to move into more technically challenging sounds and beats, and do you ever look back at the old stuff and think "yeah that worked, try that again", or don't you look back? A6. I look back at the older songs whenever I tour as I have to decide what to play. I nearly always think how dated and empty the old rhythm sequences sound compared to the more recent things and try to build them up to a better and more interesting standard. I wouldn't actually agree that they are all more complex although they are bigger in sound. Take 'The Seed Of A Lie' on Sacrifice for example, that is a quite simple drum pattern but a big sound nonetheless. Q7. Would you ever consider using more conventional instruments again, or do you see modern technology as the only way forward in music-making? A7. Although I use a lot of modern technology it's actually not what it seems. In the old days synthesisers did just that, they made synthetic versions of known instruments. These days you are, by and large, listening to a real instrument being replayed by a synth. In many ways the name synthesisier no longer applies. I use synths to replay genuine piano's, strings, bass, guitars (as well as an actual guitar of course) plus many other conventional instruments. I know I may be stretching my point a little bit but the truth is that I am using conventional, and genuine, instrument sounds, I just get them in a different way. Thanks for listening. ---- Cliff Doerksen of Princeton, New Jersey ask= s: Dear Gary: Q8. What can you tell us about that great little car that appeared in the film sequence of your stage show that appeared in "URGH! A Music War"? You drove it around onstage while performing "Down in the Park" as I recall (I've tried to rent the video to see it again but it isn't locally available). Who built the car and what became of it. What was the motive power of the car; how did it handle and how fast would it go? A8. It was an electric wheel chair with a specially made top casing built on to it. It was powered by large batteries, went about 2 mph, was steered by a small joystick and I think was given away to a fan many years ago as a prize. Q9. Is there a collection of all the various stage props you have used over the years? A9. No, Most things were stored for a while until we realised that it was costing a fortune to store things that we were unlikely to ever use again. Most of it was broken up. ---- Michael Zitaglio <102545.641@compuserve.com> of Barnegat New Jersey, USA as= ks: Hi Gary. I'm glad you liked the aviation badges and such. I just bought the Sacrifice CD and I honestly think it's your best work to date. What an enigma you are! I see a man who writes these songs which drone and question our very existence. Yet, you express your own freedom and love of life with your flying and daredevil antics. You write a song like Deadliner, yet you write a song like You Walk In My Soul (which is beautifully written). Q10. I hope I'm not misinterpreting you but you seem to almost contradict yourself. Is this a personal sense of "Balance" you have where life is concerned? Or are you as confused as the rest of us! A10. A bit of both I guess. I think it comes down to fine detail. I do think that, on many occasions, I have appeared to contradict myself but that's because it isn't always possible to explore every tiny avenue of something in a single song, or even an album, or perhaps even in an entire career. I would need to explain the very subtle differences between one feeling or belief and another apparently contradictory one to make it make sense to listeners and that is rarely possible. On the other hand I can sometimes write things that do take opposing points of view, either for the sake of it or because an opinion, feeling or belief has simply changed. It's no easier trying to explain it now than it ever has been through music I'm afraid. Q11. Not that I was offended, but what do you mean when you wrote about living the "great American lie?". John Wayne asked me to ask you. A11. I'm sorry but I can't remember. I can't even remember what song I used the line on. Q12. Glad to hear you are a Babylon 5 fan. Have you ever considered going online ( Cserve) and letting Joe Strazcynski (the creator) know how much you like the show? I think Joe would love that kind of support. Just a thought. A12. No to be honest. I may give him a try when I get back from the tour. Is it really as easy as just sending him an e-mail? Thanks for your time, Gary. mike ---- Dan Coffey of of Princeton, New Jersey, USA as= ks: Hi Gary. Looking forward to seeing you back in The States touring again...you have more supporters here than you probably think..since I have had many friends throughout the years that still listen...i suppose we have record companies and stale (w/ a capital S) radio to blame....anyway, enough kissin butt :) Good luck. Q13. How much creative input have your bands had into the recording of your albums... has it changed much since the early days? A13. Very little actually. In the early days I wrote everything and just got the band to play their instruments within guide lines that I felt suited the song and these days I write everything and play pretty much everything as well. Whenever I do get someone in to work on stuff I already have a very clear idea as to what I want from them. I hardly ever use band members in the studio. Q14. One of my favorite songs has always been M.E.....why was it abbreviated like that? any significance? A14. It stands for Mechanical Engineering. I had read a lot of things at the time about what the last man on earth would be thinking and feeling and I wondered what the last machine would be thinking given that machines would be capable of though when the end of the world was upon us. The song was from the machines point of view. Q15. Alot of people who like your music also like Kraftwerk. And, I have heard you were influenced by Kraftwerk and David Bowie...Was it a strong influence? Did they share information on electronics with you or something? A15. In truth Kraftwerk were never an influence although they were, for a while, a name to attach yourself to which may be where this influence thing came from. I've never actually liked them very much. Bowie was never an influence for electronic music as the electronic stuff that he did was, in the main, more grandiose than anything I ever did and had more to do with than Bowie anyway. I truly feel that the piano piece to Down in the Park is amongst the most beautiful pieces that I have ever heard..... Q16. Can you please tell me how it came about, who played it, (Chris Payne?) and how I can get some sheet music for it? A16. Denis Haines played it when I asked him to. I don't believe that sheet music for it exists now or ever did. I do think it was a lovely version though. thanks as always, dan ---- Derek Langsford of San Diego, California, USA: Gary, Q17. I was looking through the ASCAP and BMI web pages (http://www.ascap.com and http://bmi.com) and noticed that you are registered to receive royalties for cues in two movies: "Ski School" and "In the Heat of Passion". We know that some of your music was used in a film titled "Ski Patrol" but that wasn't listed. Do you know about these ("Ski School" used 'Devious'). Were you involved with the decisions to make these pieces available for use? A17. I'd heard about 'Ski School' but not the others. I had nothing to do with them being used and only found out about 'Ski School' when someone told me they had heard it in the film. Q18. Another movie "Midnight Tease" used 'Love Isolation' in its soundtrack yet is not listed by BMI or ASCAP. Any knowledge of that? A18. None whatsoever but that news is even more interesting so I would like to see the film and check up on my royalty statements. Q19. The Foo Fighters are to record a cover of 'Down in the Park' for the and album of music from and inspired by the X-Files TV show. Do you watch/like the X-Files? A19. I like it very much although I'm not a great fan of horror films which I think X Files gets a bit close to sometimes. I'm easily scared by stuff like that and don't enjoy the tension of waiting for things to happen at all. Gemma loves it though and is a huge X-Files fan. Q20. The transition from "Strange Charm" to "Metal Rhythm" was big in many ways. You signed to a new label and your sound changed substantially. Whereas SC had long songs exploring rhythms and textures, MR was far more conventional - a collection of short, straigtforward songs (all good I might add). Was this your desire or did IRS want a more conventional album from you? A20. It was nothing to do with IRS as the album was already written before IRS came along. It wasn't a concious decision to do something differenr to 'Strange Charm', it just worked out that way. Q21. I just acquired a Japanese pressing of the New Anger CD (thanks Jim). "New Anger" and "Devious" were remixed by Andy Piercy and William Orbit remixed "My Dying Machine" with added guitar. Did you have any input on this remixing? What do you think of them? A21. A little but it was really Miles Copelands idea. I went along to the mix of one of them, can't remember which, and adjusted a few levels but it was probably changed back as soon as I left anyway. I don't approve of taking album racks and remixing them and then putting them back on to the album. It's a bit like taking a bit off one car, reshaping and respraying it and then putting it back on. It's easy to make something seem out of place. Wondering how you get all your necessary vitamins :-) , Derek ---- Robert Trousdale asks: Hello from Seattle Washington! I have enjoyed your music for sixteen years, and wish you all the best for your comeback in 1996! I really like the new graphics for NU-WORLD and am eager to hear the rest of EXILE. Q22. I know from several accounts that you spent some time in Los Angeles. I wonder, given your taste in food, if you ever happened by The Sunset Grill (Immortalized by Don Henley) and if so, what did you think of the Burgers? Once again, best wishes! And don't crash the plane(s) :-) A22. I actually lived on a street off of Sunset but I don't remember going to a place called The Sunset Grill. I will if I ever get back there though. Robert ---- Hi again! More questions from Matthew Tamea (mtamea@caci.co.uk) of London, UK... Q23. Have you built any snowmen recently?!?! [Gary missed this one - I think he can be excused with his schedule as it is :-) ] Q24. With your interest in the Blade Runner film, have you read the recently released 'Blade Runner 2 - The Edge of Human'? I have almost finished it and thoroughly enjoyed it. It tied up a lot of loose ends and opened a few others! A24. No. Didn't even know that such a book existed. I'll go and get it. Q25. After the 'incident' with Radio Heart and what happened with the album release, what made you decide to get involved with David and Hugh Nicholson again for 'Like A Refugee'? A25. That was all my dads idea, Radio Heart and Refugee, and he's a forgiving man. Looking forward to seeing you on tour. I'm sure it'll be as brilliant as always. All the best - Matthew. ---- Richard Paiement (ac925@freenet.carleton.ca) in Hull, Quebec, Canada (evenings) and Ottawa, Ontario, Canada (weekdays) - I cross the river :-) Q26. I wonder if Canada has any special status on the Numan album/single release plan. I ask this because over the years, we have seen a variety of releases which came out in Canada but not in most other countries. This is the case for the Warriors LP, the Change Your Mind 12" as well as its PROMO version (yea, I have it), the Exhibition double LP and double CD (which both have different track listings than the UK release), etc. Is it because Polygram (or whoever) feels there is a market in Canada? Should I think that Canada has a special place in your heart? A26. The releases you mention are all non Numa releases and so I was unaware of them being released overseas in any country so I can't claim a special feeling for Canada or anywhere else. I'm deeply and fanatically English. I have nothing against most countries, particularly Canada and the States where I have had some quite amazing experiences, but the only special place for me is here amidst the quite and beauty of the English countryside. A suggestion... whenever you make your way back to North America, please don't forget to include Canada in your schedule. We have two very good music television stations, MuchMusic and MusiquePlus, which I am sure would be more than happy to have you in their quarters, possibly even have you play a number or two (or a whole set) in their studios for live broadcast. ---- Dan Coffey of of Princeton, New Jersey, USA as= ks: Q27. I really enjoyed the Dream Corrosion CD...what exactly are you singing in the live version of Me, I Disconnect from You? It is reminiscient of the 'Wakareyo' from This Wreckage... A27. I used to make up stuff every night for some reason and it was nearly always complete nonsense. I think that night I sang ' I won't be a falling star' or some other similar sounding crap. That's what it sounds like to me anyway. ---- John Stubblefield of Sharon Hill, Pennsylvania, USA asks: Q28. Looking back, if you were able to make a video album of only one of your albums, which one would you chose and why? A28. Sacrifice without a doubt. It is by far the most interesting and mature album lyrically, in my opinion of course, and one that would be easy to translate into a video of great power and menace. ---- Michel Lafontaine <102162.2077@compuserve.com> of Montreal, Quebec, Canada asks: Hello Gary, Thanks again for so much enjoyment over the years. I haven't seen you live since 1980 when you played here in Montreal twice in 10 months. But that will change soon since I'm crossing over for the '96 tour and will be there for the last show. Q29. A while back you indicated to a fellow fan to get back to you as the tour dates got closer to get more details as to how to meet you after the show(s); so I'm asking...I'd love to get an autograph and maybe a few minutes to chat. Are there by any chance back-stage passes I could get? Would I be allowed to videotape parts of the show *for my own personal souvenir*? (I don't intend to produce a bootleg,I promise! I'll sign a release if needed) A29. Back stage passes are never given out to anyone other than crew, band and the occasional wife or girlfriend. To be honest there is very little to see backstage. Most places are dirty and grim, there are no wild sex orgies or mad drug taking parties, just a lot of pressurised busy people running around. A video for a personal souvenir is also not possible as how can we know for sure that you're genuine. And if we let you how can we stop someone else with the same idea or story. People are welcome back to the hotels afterwards but they are not welcome if they try to video me as I find that a great infringment of my privacy. Talking to fans is one thing but having it recorded is another thing entirely. I don't want to have to be careful about my every word or nose picking episode at the after gig parties. I want to chat, relax and have a good time. You are more than welcome to be a part of any after show get together in the hotel but personal souvenir videos are out, sorry. Bye, Gary Numan. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- PLEASE NOTE! Send your questions via email to: Derek Langsford with a subject line of: Gary's Qs Include your real name and the town/city, county/province/state and country where you are located. Please follow these directions carefully and DO NOT post your questions to the Digest. Use a question from a posted session as a guide to the best format to use. Please write out fully the name of your state or province. I doubt if Gary would know the difference between MA, ME, MI and MO. It'd be really nice if you could copy the format of the questions as presented here. That would allow me to simply copy and paste questions into my email to Gary rather than spend an hour or so formatting them all. Questions are collated and sent to Gary at the end of each month and Gary's answers are posted ASAP after he responds. I reserve the right to delete and edit questions for content or length. Thanks to all who participated. Derek __________________________________________________________________________ Derek Langsford "Numanews" dlangs@sunstroke.sdsu.edu The Gary Numan Digest SDSU Dept of Biology email numan-request@cs.uwp.edu San Diego, CA for information or to subscribe __________________________________________________________________________ ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 11 Mar 1996 00:57:05 -0500 From: Numanfan1@aol.com Subject: To: (null) ol I have somehow lost issue #207. Would someone please forward me a copy?. Thanks. In the past few issues there has been plenty of talk concerning the quality of Numanmusic. My comments are as follows. First I can't believe that Gary does not realize this. He is and has been a brilliant musician. However, he must not have the resources to do the job right. This is his fault. He has chosen to leave the real world and attempt to run his own label with studios and such. He has no one to work with, no one to critisize him, no one to say anything different (unless they wish to lose thier job). As I stated before he is a brilliant musician and should remain that way. Sign a deal with a wellknown record label (if he can?) and let them produce the material. The sound quality will be an automatic improvement. This will allow him to concentrate on the music. I have been two both tours in the United States and to two tours in Great Brittian and his live performances are spectactular. If you have had the pleasure you know what I mean. I have also been saying for about 13 years now that he needs to come to America. I'm begining to believe he stays in the U.K. because he has enough fans to keep him financially supported. He has a comfort level income and he see's no need to take his show on the road. This has been his downfall. I lost almost all interest in him since the Exhibition tour and until recently I did not know he was still alive. I have moved to the country about four years ago and when I went to southern california to go to Disneyland I stopped at my old record shop. The record shop that carries almost everything numan had a nice sample of NU stuff. I was shocked! I had no idea that he was still making records. In 14 years he has never made a trip to America. Why ? Would he not expand his followings and respectability? Just some fan frustration, no harm intended. Anyway, if anyone hears anything regarding a U.S. tour please E-Mail me out here!. He is and always will be the BEST!. (I'm also a big fan of Peter Murphy and any news of him touring would be appreciated) C-YA NuRuss. Anyone know NuJeff Encinas of NuMike Hash? ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 13 Mar 1996 12:28:18 -0500 (EST) From: "Christopher H. Blenkinsop " Subject: To: Numannews If anyone has it, could they please send me any replies to my previous letter regarding the value of my 'Living Ornaments' box? My mail all got deleted accidentaly and I didn't get to read it. Please send to s318295@liberty.mohawkc.on.ca Thanks. ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 10 Mar 96 10:34:33 MST From: numanoid@netway.ab.ca (Joey Lindstrom) Subject: And He's Off! To: numan@cs.uwp.edu Well, my life is complete - I can die happy. My copy of Berserker finally arrived in the mail last week, which (grin!) makes me one of a small minority lucky enough to have ALL of his studio albums on compact disc. I'll dispense with my long-winded review of the disc for the time being, except to say two things: 1) The sound-quality problems that have been plaguing some recent releases do not seem to have affected this recording. (Similarly, _Human_ also sounds great) 2) I'll be honest - I wasn't expecting a great album, owing to the fact that I wasn't impressed with the Berserker tracks I'd heard on various compilation discs - the only one I'd truly loved was "Child With The Ghost" (for example, "Berserker" is INCREDIBLE on the _White Noise_ live album but sounds dull and lifeless in the studio version). Suffice it to say, I was MOST pleasantly surprised, even though only one of the songs was actually new to me. This is a great album, it WORKS, and was an immediate smash-hit with the customers in my taxi whom I occasionally inflict Gary upon. (grin!) If you ain't got it yet, get it! Did I say I could die happy? Hold that thought... better wait until *AFTER* the Premier Tour. Boy oh boy oh boy... I'm just *SO* excited. EIGHT DAYS FROM NOW, I jump on a plane to Heathrow for the vacation of a lifetime, which includes at least SIX concerts on the tour. YEE HAW! (As we say out here in the West). I can't WAIT until the 18th!!! I'd like to publicly thank Robert Eggleston, "Mags" from Scotland, and (most especially) Matthew Holbrook for their INVALUABLE help in organizing many of the crucial details of my trip - I'm quite certain that I couldn't have done it all without them. For those of you making the trip, my "Exile" web page is still online and will remain there until I get back, the address is: http://www.netway.ab.ca/numanoid/exile.html There's a potpourri of valuable information there - give it a look-see. If anyone wants to get in touch with me while I'm over (March 20th to April 15th), email me and I'll send you the telephone number. /--------------------------------------------------------- / Joey Lindstrom / numanoid@netway.ab.ca / http://www.netway.ab.ca/numanoid/wwwebb.htm ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 13 Mar 1996 22:29:10 +0100 (MET) From: Anders Wahlbom Subject: A rather interesting thing that happened to me... To: numan@cs.uwp.edu Hi all - First of all, a request: something like nine or ten months ago, I offered the following records for sale: Radio Heart: Radio Heart (CD, Swedish pressing) Radio Heart: Radio Heart (LP, Swedish pressing) Bill Sharpe: Famous People (CD, German pressing) I got some replies, but I lost touch with them as I accidentally deleted their addresses... Could the involved parties please mail me? (I had a different address back then: engh9401@stratus.hgs.se - that's why you might not recognize me at once...) Now for the thing that happened to me this weekend: Last Saturday, I and a number of friends arranged a synth disco and a double-bill concert in Uppsala, Sweden. The bands were two Swedish synth pop bands, who had accepted to play for free... Anyway, I was one of the DJs - first time I'd ever done anything like that - and had to bring my own CD and record player... (Not professional equipment, just my rather cheap stereo components.) So when the stuff is hooked up, we test it to see if it sounds OK; the CDs are tested with And One and Cassandra Complex, but since I'm the only one to bring any vinyl, I test the record player with the "Where Do The Boys Go?" 12" by Men Without Hats. What happens next is that one of the staff from the venue (a kind of youth centre - not the hippest place in town, but it didn't cost us anything) comes rushing down from the second floor and approaches the DJ booth, whereupon the following conversation takes place (reconstructed from my memory and translated from Swedish): Magnus, for that is his name (gasping): Did someone just play Men Without Hats?? I (surprised): Well... yeah... this one... (indicating sleeve) M: F***ing incredible! I thought I was the only one who liked them! (smiling from ear to ear, extends hand, which I shake) Tell me, do you like Gary Numan as well? I (even more surprised): Er... I *love* Numan, he's brilliant! M: He's a genius, that man is! Bloody hell, I didn't think anyone knew about him! This rather made my evening, as the disco turned out to be a disaster... 25 paying guests, most of the time none of them were dancing - not even when I played them DAF's "Der Mussolini"... I did get to play "A Question Of Faith" and "My Dying Machine", though. Later (probably *much* later, considering how often I contribute to the list), ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Anders Wahlbom - awahlbom@krille.update.uu.se http://www.update.uu.se/~awahlbom/ --------------------------------- NOW PLAYING: Einstuerzende Neubauten: "Tabula Rasa" ------------------------------ Date: 10 Mar 96 11:10:33 EST From: Simon Bone <70324.1340@compuserve.com> Subject: Bad seat in London To: Numan News Numanoids: I'm flying to London for the Hammersmith show on 7 April. While this is cause for great celebration, I was only able to get a ticket far from the stage, seat Z55. Since a) I'm busting my budget to see the show, b) by so doing I turned down an opportunity to go to Buenos Aires, and c) this will be my first Numan show in eighteen years of fandom, I was wondering if there was a way to get a better seat. Has anyone up front bought one ticket too many? Or, are there likely to be people selling better tickets at the show? Thanks, Simon Simon G Bone * Potsdamer Str 63 * 10785 Berlin * GERMANY Tel: (+49 30) 261-5625 Email: 70324.1340@compuserve.com Unofficial WWW: http://www.wln.com/~bensonj/sgbwrit.html ------------------------------ Date: 10 Mar 96 18:10:37 EST From: Andy Westwood <100771.653@compuserve.com> Subject: C4 Teletext Interview To: Numan Digest Hi, Sorry if this is the 20th post of this, but for those who've not seen it here's the text from the UK Channel 4 teletext interview with Gary. The interviewer is Paul Goddard. [BTW if the copyright man is reading, my real name is Fred Bloggs :-) ] >Back in '79 he was a huge star with a revolutionary brand of synth pop that would have fitted perfectly in Star Trek. Are Friends Electric and Cars were No1 singles, and by the early 80s he'd had three No1 albums. But then the bubble burst and the fans and the media shunned him. Now he's back with a remixed Cars, also being used in a TV lager ad. HOW DOES IT FEEL TO SUDDENLY BE THE CENTRE OF ATTENTION AGAIN? I'm really pleased, really flattered, although it's a bit of a double-edged sword - it would have been nice to have the attention for my new stuff. But it's great to have a second chance, and I couldn't have wished for anything more. I just hope it keeps going, although the attention means I have to work on my tact and diplomacy - something I'm not known for. SO HOW DID THE USE OF CARS IN THE ADVERT COME ABOUT? I don't know. I didn't know about it until two days before it came out - it came out of the blue. I had my own plans for a new LP, exile, this month, and a tour, but it all got shelved for the Cars revival and the Premier Hits album which will follow - but I'm still touring. I'm grateful, cos so many people didn't even know I was still alive. HOW HAVE YOU CHANGED SINCE YOU WERE LAST IN THE SPOTLIGHT? I'm a bit more thoughtful - I'm 38. I've had an interesting life and had so many bizarre experiences most new acts haven't had the chance to try. Lyrically I'm more experienced - I've been doing it a long time. But I would never dream of saying I was better than before - just older, I have a different view on life and now I'm not so naive. I UNDERSTAND THERE'S A GARY NUMAN TRIBUTE LP BEING PLANNED. I've been told to say it's not a tribute album, but an album of my songs done by other artists. In my opinion it's the most exciting thing of the year so far. It's very flattering. Jesus Jones are doing a track, Nine Inch Nails are in there - and no matter how they interpret the songs, it's cool. YOU'RE TOURING REGULARLY NOW - BUT I REMEMBER YOU "RETIRING" FROM THE STAGE, SAYING YOU HATED DOING GIGS. I did my farewell in 1981, came back in '83, but I was still unhappy. Until five or six years ago I wasn't comfortable on stage, I preferred studio work. I worried about things going wrong, but over the years it's all gone wrong, so I've learned to handle it. There's nothing better than being on stage and having the fans go mad for your songs. WHAT MUSIC ARE YOU LISTENING TO AT THE MOMENT? The last Depeche Mode LP is brilliant, probably my fave LP of all time. The last Mission LP, the last Jesus Jones - I know very little of what's current. WHAT'S THE NEW LP, EXILE, LIKE? Much darker than before, very heavy but not depressing, but very up and moving. It's brooding and menacing, not all slow and ponderous. --------- I'm sure you all know by now that Cars (Premier Mix) entered the 'official' UK singles chart at no.17, but Channel 4's teletext chart show him entering at no.8! They're even listing all his tour dates. Is this really a revival happening??? Do you dream? /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\ \ Andy Westwood 100771.653@compuserve.com / / BUY CARS BUY CARS BUY CARS BUY CARS BUY CARS BUY \ \/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/ ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 11 Mar 1996 08:12:39 +0000 (GMT) From: Andy Subject: Cars and the tour To: numan@cs.uwp.edu Cars has entered the UK charts at #17 this week which is pretty good. Also, Does anyone know if Cuban 8 are the same band as Cubanate ? If so, they'll be a support band worth seeing, as are Sheep On Drugs, who Ive probably seen about 12 times now ! But Let Loose in Manchester ? Oh dear oh dear !!! Andy ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 12 Mar 1996 17:32:45 -0500 (EST) From: Al Crawford Subject: Cover Version Musings To: numan@cs.uwp.edu I've been following some of the discussion on the list regarding the current flood of Numan covers, and particularly the comments of some list subscribers that bands should at least cover something different rather than the usual "Cars" and "Are 'Friends' Electric?". My thoughts on this particular topic are mixed. Yes, I can certainly see why we'd want these bands to cover some of the lesser-known but still great tracks from Gary's back catalogues rather than contributing to the growing heap of "Cars" (or "AFE") covers. However, I see one possible problem with this. It's best summed up by my experience this weekend when I turned on the car stereo prior to slotting "Replicas" into the CD player. The local station (WHFS) that my radio is tuned to by default (for no good reason - I don't really listen to the radio much) was playing the Foo Fighters cover of "Down In The Park". The track ends, the DJ comes out with "and that's 'Down In The Park', a great new song by the Foo Fighters". Is my problem with obscure covers becoming more apparent now? Large, well-known band covers one of Gary's songs -> large numbers of people associate the song with *that* band rather than Gary. Fifteen years from now, the airwaves'll be filled with covers of Numan songs that the majority of people attribute to other bands (well, slight exaggeration, perhaps, but the principle stands). It's not as if it hasn't happened before - how many people still think Soft Cell wrote "Tainted Love"? Or that After The Fire wrote "Der Kommissar"? At least if these currently popular bands produce Yet Another Cover of "Cars" it'll be recognized as such, rather than going down in history under the wrong name. While I'm intrigued by the thought of the NIN cover of "Metal" on the forthcoming covers comp, I hate to think what'll happen should it find its way into more general release, as a B-side on a future NIN single, for example. Al -- Al Crawford - awrc@access.digex.net http://www.access.digex.net/~awrc "Art/Empire/Industry" ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 12 Mar 1996 05:44:37 EST From: "Colin Edwards" Subject: Dates To: numan@cs.uwp.edu I will be attending the following dates of the forthcoming tour:- Sunday 24th March at London Astoria Tuesday 2nd April at Southampton Guildhall Wednesday 3rd April at Guildford Civic Hall Sunday 7th April at London Hammersmith I have already made some arrangements to meet outside each venue 1 hour before doors open, I will wear my Digest T-shirt at both London Dates, and carry a copy of the Times and wear a red rose at the others!!!!! Seriously, I will wear a digest T-shirt each time, but may well change it for others later. Therefore at the Astoria we will meet at 6pm, outside and wait a few minutes before finding a pub nearby. If you would definitely like to meet up, reply personally to either of the Email Addresses below, and we will wait longer if you haven't shown up yet. Southampton meet-up time will be 7pm. Guildford will be 6.30pm and Hammersmith will be at 6.30pm. These arrangements are subject to change if other arrangements have already been made and look better........ Reply to 100025.463@compuserve.com (personal address for reply at any time) or colin_edwards@ibm.uk.com (for reply during office hours) Regards, Colin Edwards......the strangest living boy....... ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 12 Mar 1996 18:04:02 -0500 From: Subject: Deadline extended for Numan compilation tape To: numan@cs.uwp.edu Deadline for submissions for the Numan Digest covers compilation tape (Songs that came in from the Digest)(?!?#?!) has been extended to everyone's favorite U.S. holiday, April 15th. Submissions have been coming in, but I still need more to put this together. Contact Tony R. Boies, PO Box 2602, Winchester, VA 22604. Thanks for your help! Tony R. Boies - http://www.shentel.net/nutmusic/tony/tony.html Check out the Nut Music Home Page: http://www.shentel.net/nutmusic/nutmain.html ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 11 Mar 1996 09:39:11 +0000 (GMT) From: "J. Garland" Subject: Gary No. 17 To: numan@cs.uwp.edu For those that haven't heard, 'Cars' entered the charts at Number 17 last night: perhaps not as high as we had all hoped, but should be sufficient to guarantee a "Top of the Tops' appearance this Thursday! The further success of the single depends to a large extent on Radio 1, who have achieved a degree of controversy recently by refusing to play the Beatles' new single. Anyone know if their policy towards Gary has changed? Jon Garland ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 13 Mar 1996 09:59:50 +0000 From: ash@enterprise.net Subject: Gary Numan & ME To: numan@cs.uwp.edu Hello Thanks for adding me to your Gary Numan Mailing List. My name is Julian Ashcroft, I'm a 32 year old Company Director (sounds good dosn't it) and I live in Douglas, on the Isle of Man, which is in the Irish Sea halfway between England and Eire. I have been lisenting to Numan, since 1980, My first record was 'This Wreckage'. I now just about have every UK release he has ever done, plus various coloured vinyls from around the world. So far I have been to see Numan three times in concert, once in Liverpool and twice at Hammersmith. This Easter I will be going down to London to the Hammersmith Final Night Concert on the 7. April. I have met Gary once on the Isle of Man, about nine years ago, when he came over in his Harvard to fly at a local air display and I managed to get him to sign my Are Fiends Electric? German Maxi 12" single (with photo's to prove it!) Other than Numan, most of my music tastes lie in the early 80's, with artists such as Visage, A Flock of Seagulls, OMD, Depeche Mode. Present day music is slowly getting better with the so called 'Brit-Pop' scene. I must confess I do like the Pet Shop Boys, mostly their early stuff. I did like David Bowie a great deal but his latest stuff isn't to my taste much (except Spaceboy - done with the Pet Shop Boys). I can't play any musical instruments (I did play the recorder at School if that counts!), I a listener and not a player I'm afraid. Cheers Julian Ashcroft - (Ash) ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 10 Mar 1996 08:54:51 -0800 From: tgould@alumni.caltech.edu Subject: Gary Numan Digest V1 #208 To: numan@cs.uwp.edu I'm leaving town for a while. Could you please temporarily unsubscribe me? I'll e-mail when I get back. Thanks a lot! Tim tgould@alumni.caltech.edu ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 11 Mar 1996 11:34:52 +0000 From: econec@vax.ox.ac.uk Subject: Good News To: NUMAN@cs.uwp.edu Dear Numanoids, I tend to lurk here, but I was in the Oxford, UK HMV Shop over the weekend, a pretty big store, and the CD single of the Premier Mix of Cars was sold out. There were two copies of the 7" picture disc left. This has to be a good sign and if ABBA and THE HUMAN LEAGUE can be reclaimed, why not GN? All the best, Edmund ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 13 Mar 96 21:09:02 GMT From: dhughes@tbass.demon.co.uk (David J. Hughes) Subject: Introductions To: numan@cs.uwp.edu Greetings! >Please send an introduction message to the mailing-list (numan@cs.uwp.edu >In this message, please let us know who you are, who some of your favorite >artists are, how long you have listened to Gary Numan. Let us know if you >play any instruments or anything else that might come to mind. As requested, here is our introduction message: Hi. My name is David J. Hughes and I'm writing this on behalf of myself, my young lady, Julie Coomber, and Kathy Smith, a friend who lives just over the road. We are all Numan fans based in the North East of England. We've been listening to Numan since 1979 - the very first album I bought was 'Tubeway Army's Replicas' - and, at the moment, my favourite artists are the likes of Tangerine Dream and the recently revived Ultravox. However, we'll usually listen to any old thing as long as it isn't rap. I also front the band 'Tranquility Bass'. We have recently released our first CD 'The Infection Of Time' on our own 'Thinking Metal' label. (Spot the names?) The music is synth-based rhythmic instrumental with good solid tunes and groovy licks (i.e. not ambient!) and it has enjoyed some good reviews in the UK. No surprises for guessing who the influences were. Best Wishes to all David J. Hughes Tranquiltiy Bass ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 13 Mar 1996 16:58:16 -0800 From: dlangs@sunstroke.sdsu.edu (Derek Langsford) Subject: Living Ornaments CDs will not be 79/8O To: numan@cs.uwp.edu In #208 Guavabarry@aol.com asked >I thought the live double album was Living Ornaments 79/80, why am I seeing >79/81 on recent posts? The original release was 79/80 i.e. The Touring Principle and Teletours, but Beggars Banquet couldn't find the original '80 tapes for their planned 2x74min CD "Living Ornaments" release. So they are taking the 81 Wembley Farewell Concert recording and using 74 mins of that for disc 2. It would be more accurate to call this release "Living Ornaments 79/Wembley 81". Hope that clarifies things for you. Derek -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Derek H. Langsford dlangs@sunstroke.sdsu.edu Dept. of Biology Tel. (619) 594 2885 San Diego State University Fax (619) 594 7831 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 12 Mar 96 19:56:46 +0100 From: na468@fim.uni-erlangen.de (Markus Dietrich) Subject: Melody Maker / Page 50 To: numan@cs.uwp.edu Hello Numanoids, Lately I glanced over the new Melody Maker here in the railway station of Nueremberg/Germ. (note I dont by the Melody Maker, I only glance over it in the store in order to find any remarks on gary). And I saw the very very dirty article in the MM on page 50. I think You brits have seen it too. But Fans, there is a positiveness from the dirt. THEY sense the coming back of Gary - and THEY hate it !!! So let us laugh over them (the frustrated idiots)! by, M a r k u s ------------------------------ Date: 11 Mar 96 20:03:51 GMT From: Ashley Pomeroy Subject: Numan charts To: numan@cs.uwp.edu Too soon to tell about the proper singles charts, but both HMV and Virgin have Cars entering at... number 17. If it doesn't climb any higher it'll be a bit of a disaster, really- he's been on a television advert (the newish Levi jeans campaign shot 'Spaceman' by total unknown Babylon Zoo to number one for ages), he's been on a popular television programme (Noel's House Party), a good television music programme (The White Room), and it's a proven, well-known song that even non-Numanoids like. Last weeks Melody Maker had a little segment on him in the humour pages- accompanying a photo of Numan standing astride a taxi cab was a 'Where are they now..' style piece of text imagining what it would be like if he were a taxi driver. 'I shall prevail over the worthless pursuits of these tiny people', that kind of thing. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- These are the days Impossible oat Would it get some my friends these a You say? wind for the sailboat ---------------------------------------------------------------------- http://area51.upsu.plym.ac.uk/~arp/ Einstein on the Beach ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 11 Mar 1996 18:31:44 -0500 From: teel@is.nyu.edu (Kay Teel) Subject: Numan concert ticket available To: numan@cs.uwp.edu A friend in England has an extra ticket available for the March 26 Numan concert in Cambridge. Unfortunately, I can't go, but maybe someone on the list can? E-mail me at: teel@is.nyu.edu for info. My friend has no e-mail and I don't know his phone #, so get in touch soon! --Kay teel@is.nyu.edu ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 13 Mar 1996 09:59:15 -0800 From: dlangs@sunstroke.sdsu.edu (Derek Langsford) Subject: NuWORLD credit card update To: numan@cs.uwp.edu I asked Gary about the Credit card set up with NuWORLD as I know several are chomping at the bit to order stuff. He said: >On NuWorld the credit card system has now been delivered but we will not >activate it until after the tour. Probably around the 12th although it may >be a bit sooner. The reason for this is that we won't be there until around >that time anyway and won't be able to do anything about the orders that may >come in. We don't want to start the service with things being late and >backlogged. So in a month things should be in full swing. Outrageous conversion charges will be a thing of the past. He also told me he's 5' 8". I hope the large shirt I have sent fits better. Can't believe I forgot to wish him happy birthday [I remembered while out of town and unable to get on-line :-( ] Derek -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Derek H. Langsford dlangs@sunstroke.sdsu.edu Dept. of Biology Tel. (619) 594 2885 San Diego State University Fax (619) 594 7831 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 12 Mar 1996 18:26:54 -0500 From: delongr@morgan.com Subject: Personal profile of new mailing list member To: numan@cs.uwp.edu Dear Numan fans: My name is Rob DeLong and I've been listening to Numan since 1979, when he made his first appearance on Saturday Night Live. I'm the biggest fan of his earlier music, up to and including "Berserker". I've attended one concert on the "I Assassin" tour. My favorite Numan songs include "Are 'Friends' Electric?", "Complex", "We Take Mystery To Bed" and "Subway I Called You". I played keyboards in a band when I was in high school (1979-1983) and currently play some drums. I play once a year with my old high school band, as a sort of reunion, and we continue to play some Numan covers. Other bands I like include Eno, Dolby, Tangerine Dream and Mike Oldfield. I'd love to know if there are any other Numan fans who are also big Pino Palladino fans. He's the best bass player I've ever heard and gets very little recognition despite working with a wide variety of groups. I haven't found any sites on the web which talk about him; some of his finest work was definitely with Numan on "I Assassin". That's all for now. Please keep me updated. - Rob ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 12 Mar 1996 17:36:47 -0500 (EST) From: Al Crawford Subject: Possible Obscure Numan Tour Link? To: numan@cs.uwp.edu I was interested to see in the recent posting of Numan support acts on the forthcoming tour that two of the acts involved were Cubanate and Cyber-Tec. Both of these bands are associated with the Cyber-Tec label in the UK. If my memory serves me correctly, the guy behind the Cyber-Tec label is one Paul Green. Anyone know if this is the same Paul Green that used to run a Numan tape 'zine? It'd certainly explain their being chosen as support acts. Al -- Al Crawford - awrc@access.digex.net http://www.access.digex.net/~awrc "Art/Empire/Industry" ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 12 Mar 1996 22:30:19 -0600 From: machman@interaccess.com (Jeff Tolva) Subject: Replicas CD To: numan@cs.uwp.edu I just bought the MCI Music copy of Replicas on CD. As far as I know, this is the only label which has put out all 10 tracks from the Replicas album on CD (without other Numan material added on). They must have copied the label right off the album cover because it has the 1979 copyright on it as well. To anyone else who also owns a copy of this CD, can you tell me when this was really released on CD? I know it wasn't in 1979 when the album itself came out. I imagine it was in recent years that it was actually put on CD. Who knows what input Beggars Banquet had in the release of it on CD as well? Any help would be appreciated -:) Jeff Tolva (The Machman) ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 11 Mar 1996 15:32:05 -0500 From: Astronif2@aol.com Subject: URGH To: numan@cs.uwp.edu I have the soundtrack to this video awards film. Unfortunately, the quality is extremely poor. I would be interested to find an original copy of this soundtrack (the film would be interesting to see). On another note, I have tried several times to connect to NuWorld and been denied. I'm working with AOL :>( at the present time, soon to be on a direct Internet carrier. Any suggestions? Thanks! ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 12 Mar 1996 07:32:58 EST From: "Colin Edwards" Subject: Various To: numan@cs.uwp.edu A few thoughts on recent happenings........ Sound Quality. I am no expert on this, my only comment is that the quality on the Extended version of Sacrifice is so bad that I no longer play it, it is particularly bad when played on my personal CD. TV Appearances. The appearance on Noels's House Party was slightly embarassing, he was in a competition against The Manfreds from the 60s and Showaddywaddy from the 70s (Gary was supposed to represent the 80s and mimed to Cars a hit in 1979!!!!!). However the White Room later that night was much better, although other acts appearing on the same show were allowed to perform new material, but Gary was forced to do Cars and AFE as usual. Rumours persist that he also recorded a track from Exile, apparently Prophecy, which was not used. Maybe as the White Room has ended now, there might be a a compilation show at some stage, and the new track could yet be seen!!!! Gary was also featured on VH-1, a satellite channel and was interviewed by Richard Jobson (ex Skids). Brilliant interview, Jobbo was very sympathetic, and apparently Tubeway Army and the Skids nearly toured together at one stage. I was really looking forward to seeing the new video, which comprises excerpts from the Carling advert and live footage from the Dream Corrosion tour, but at the end they showed the original 1979 Cars video!!!!!!!! Best news is that Gary is on Top Of The Pops this Thursday 14th March, which hopefully will see Cars climb from 17 into the top 10. I am compiling a video tape of all these TV appearances, but do not have the facilities to make copies at the moment. However if anyone can help I am prepared to offer my tape for copying.......maybe!! Radio 1 Interview. Did anyone record this and/or have they made a transcript? Compuserve. Regarding problems with Compuserve I have been a subscriber for well over 4 years now, and apart from some current problems with the software reading WWW pages with counters in, have no problems with access speed etc. I have successfully used Compuserve as a POP, and use Netscape for WWW access. I have a DX3/75, 8mb RAM, and compared with AOL which has a nearest access point over 40 miles from where I live and is often too busy, Compuserve is good. Finally. Elsewhere I mention the Tour Dates I will be attending. I incorrectly specified one of my Email address, it should be:- colin_edwards@uk.ibm.com I can be contacted on this or 100025.463@compuserve.com at any time, although the IBM addressed mail I can only read whilst at work. Colin Edwards.....the strangest living boy....... ------------------------------ End of Gary Numan Digest ******************************