Gary Numan Digest Sun, 23 Mar 97 Volume 1 : Issue 315 Today's Topics: "THE DIGEST ASKS GARY - February 1997" FOR SALE Gary's Qs Gary Numan back in the charts... sorta Metal Rhythm CD Molly Half Head More Gary in the media - sorta MTV's WWW News Renewing Acquaintance Sister Ray Subscribe ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Date: Wed, 19 Mar 1997 21:37:01 -0800 (PST) From: Derek Langsford Subject: "THE DIGEST ASKS GARY - February 1997" To: numan@cs.uwp.edu Another month gone by. The tardiness for this month's answers is jointly my and Gary's fault. We've both been very busy. Past Q & A sessions are at Joeys Lindstrom's World Wide Webb site http://www.netway.ab.ca/worldwidewebb/ in the Confession section. Instructions to ask Gary questions are at the end of the Q&As. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- First a message from Gary: ----------------------- 'EXILE'. THE DELAY, AND WHY IT'S NECESSARY. Dear all, The vast majority of fans have been very cool about the 'Exile' delay and for that understanding I am extremely grateful. However, a few, a small few thankfully, still don't seem able to grasp the importance of this album to my future and so this explanation is for them. It seems that this 'small few' are unhappy with me and so I feel that I have to try just one more time to explain the situation to them. Everyone else can just skip to the Digest answers further on. So then. If anyone thinks that I'm any less frustrated by the lack of new material being released than some of you appear to be, you are very much mistaken. I know a new album is long overdue and I understand your frustration but I genuinely believe that my future hangs on 'Exile'. This period is the 'second chance' that I've been dreaming of and I'm growing tired of armchair experts telling me what I should and shouldn't be doing with it. I have no patience with people who talk about the delay in releasing 'Exile' as though it's some big game to me and that I'm being awkward, teasing, foolish or any of the other hurtful and, to be frank, idiotic things that have been said over the past few months. It's even been suggested that I, somehow, OWE fans an album within a certain time period. One person has even written in to call me a 'greedy fucking bastard' because he seems to think I'm making money out of this delay. That's unbelievably stupid. I try to keep fans informed about what's going on because I'm extremely grateful for your interest and support and I want you to be as aware as possible about the decisions I make with my career. That however is my point exactly. It's MY career. I don't knowingly interfere in anybody elses life and you must leave me to make the big, and small, decisions that affect me and mine. I won't be treated or talked to as though I've broken some kind of sacred promise when those plans don't come together. If plans don't work out, if albums aren't ready or don't come out when they were expected then I'm sorry but welcome to the real world. This is a hard business that changes almost daily and I, more than most, and probably more than any of my fans, know just how hard it can be. I also know exactly what I need to do now and that's what I'm attempting. For you, hopefully, the new album will be a few hours of listening pleasure but for me it's probably the most important album of my life and I WILL do the right thing. I will NOT release the album, if I can possibly help it, on an inappropriate label, with too little money to properly promote it, without worldwide tour support, and in too few countries. That's what I've been doing for years and I've seen too many Numan albums sink without trace to do it yet again. I WILL NOT waste one of the most creative and innovative periods of my career. If the price I pay for waiting for the right deal is to lose a few fans who think they know better than me then, no offence intended, but that's a price I'm quite prepared to pay. Gary Numan. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- David Klipple My sister and I have been huge fans of yours since 1980. Our favorite by far of your material is the music made between 1977-1980 and of this Replicas being the best. We like and miss the electro-rock sound, dark image, futuristic view point, perfect blend of guitars and keyboards, and high energy and "fast music" of this time. I've seen that alot of others feel this way too. Q1. Whould you consider making another cd similar to Replicas? A1. No. The production is sparse and empty and totally unnacceptable to the 90's, or at least to me in the 90's. The 'Replicas' songs were written by a very young (Nu)man with an isolated and unworldly point of view that can never be repeated because I've had such a full life since then and I no longer have those interests, opinions or points of view. The music is poorly played, as judged by my current standards anyway, and so seems simplistic to me now. If a lot of others do indeed feel as you do about repeating 'Replicas' again then I suppose they will remain unhappy with my future music. I genuinely believed that with 'Sacrifice' I had taken the key elements of those early albums and made them viable for now. It is dark with a dark image and it mixes synths and heavy guitars but it has much more 'content' and awareness running through it. As for 'Replicas' being 'fast music' I would have to point out that many songs on that album were far from fast, 'I Nearly Married A Human', 'The Machman', 'Replicas' and a few others were all medium to slow in pace and yet 'Sacrifice' included some quite fast tracks with 'A Question Of Faith' and 'Love And Napalm'. I've heard this 'Replicas was best' point of view, off and on, since the day it was first released. I thank you for liking the 'Replicas' album but it seems, I'm afraid, that I can offer you nothing for the future. I'm relieved that, while many may agree with you, many others don't or else I would have given up long ago. Q2. Also have you ever and would you ever work with John Foxx? A2. No to the first part of your question and unlikely to the second. I have no problem with John Foxx but I have no idea what he's into now musically so I'm not looking in his direction for any collaboration. ---- Alyssa Jaraba, Riverside, California, USA Hi Gary, Q3. With Kinsman possibly on the shelf, do you think you'll put the acting lessons to use in a video? A3. Possibly, if I ever make another video. That depends on getting a decent deal but then again so does almost everything at the moment. ---- From: David P Brezniak, Millbury, Massachusetts, USA Gary, First, let me say, your day is long overdue here in the USA, and I'll be first in line for a tour. Q4. Do you see a US tour anytime in the future, since you are seeking a contract in the US?! A3. Rumours of a July '97 US tour seem to grow stronger each day, with a second even larger US tour possible for later in the year. I now have American representation and things are really starting to move at last. Also, let me just say thanks for over 15 years of listening pleasure for me, a 25 year old, and let's hope you can get another 40 years! Q5. Do you see retirement or even think about it? A5. From time to time. Sometimes I can't even imagine such a thing, other times I would welcome doing nothing for a while. I hope not! Thanks for the time, and best wishes to you and your family. ---- Hello Gary, I have been a long time fan of yours now (since 1979) and have always enjoyed the Living Ornaments LPs. I heard a whisper that BB were finally going to reissue the lot again only complete sets on CD. Q6. Any news ?? A6. No sorry, I don't really have regular info from Beggars but I would be surprised if 'Living Ornaments' doesn't come out on CD soon. Q7. How about reworking the track 'Observer' for the next tour. One of my favourites A7. Ah, but not one of mine. I am thinking about reworking many songs that I've not touched before, especially after listening to some of the 'Random' album, but I doubt that 'Observer' will be amongst them. Still, you never know. I didn't think I would ever play 'That's Too Bad' live either. Thanks Peter Falkus ---- Martin Wagner, Austin, Texas, USA Hello, Gary. I was wondering if you'd been paying attention to the current upswing in electronic/techno music, by the likes of Prodigy, Orbital, Chemical Borthers, Massive Attack, Future Sound of London, et al. FSOL in fact have a track on the Dead Cities album that reminds me of "Question of Faith" in some respects. ("We Have Explosive") Q8. What do you think of this stuff, and do you have an opinion of whether or not this techno trend could make it comparatively easy for a pioneer such as yourself to secure a record deal? A8. I don't think it will make it any easier to get a deal. Record labels are far from romantic when it comes to signing people because they may have a 'place in history'. To them I'm probably just history, that's why my new material has to speak for itself. I like some of the stuff that the bands you mention have put out, dislike a lot of it, but I am beginning to see that innovation is alive and well amongst many of these people which is cool. Q9. Also, would it appeal to you to work with FSOL or any of these artists? A9. I would need to be more familiar with their stuff to answer truthfully. I'd like to work with Trent Reznor though and Gravity Kills, people like that. ---- Hello from Oz Q10. If you do another world tour (which we all hope for) would you include Canberra, Australia in the itinerary? A10. It's more down to regional promoters than the artist actually. We go where we're told we have an audience by people whose business it is to know such things. I hope that I go everywhere, I love touring. The reasons that I ask this are: (1) Although Canberra is the capital of Australia, most of the major bands don't go here (2) I LIVE in Canberra :) There are many fans here and I have 'converted' many of my friends with 'Sacrifice' which is the BEST album that you have ever done. All the best for Exile, Kinsmen and the Future Random Access ---- Jeff Tolva (The Machman), Elgin, Illinois, USA: Q11. Do you have a working title for the live album from the 1996 Premier tour? What is it? Is it still to be released sometime in March 1997? Will it be a Numa release? A11. No I don't have a title for it and no it's not going to be released in March now. Boy did I get some shit over that idea:-( It would appear that another live album is NOT what you want. Another idea will be announced any day now on NuWorld. Q12. Do you know about how many tracks will be on the album? Can you tell us which tracks yet? I've heard four tracks are from the upcoming Exile album. A12. It will be the entire set that we played that night. I can't remember the tracks off hand but they do include four songs from 'Exile'. Many thanks, Gary! ---- Tony R. Boies from Winchester, Virginia asks: Q13. What do you plan to do on your birthday this year? A13. Oops, It's gone already. I must be late getting these answers back to you. I stayed in and had a quiet night as I had a major TV the day after. After that TV though we had a mega party back at my house that went on for about 3 days or so. ---- Jane Yorke asks: After seeing you at V96 at Chelmsford last year, which I thought you were great, I would like to ask the following Q14. Is there a possibility of you doing V97 this year, or if not, any of the other festivals? A14. Not this year no as too much else is going on touring wise. Well, it looks as though a lot will be going on anyway. Just one more question Q15. As the film 'Kinsmen' now looks unlikely, but you have undertaken all those acting lessons, do you think that acting will be something you persue in the forseable future. A15. I don't think I'll persue an acting career but I won't run away from it anymore. Actually the 'Kinsmen' film is now very much back on again so hopefully a few things will come my way over the next year or two. Thanks Jane ---- Derek Langsford, San Diego, California, USA I think fans are starving for new material. This is the longest period without newly released material in your career, if I'm not mistaken. Q16. Do you ever plan to make the demo version of Exile you sent out to record companies available to fans, perhaps via the Fan Club? I'm sure many fans would relish a demo version, release version and extended version of your albums. A16. If I have a deal it won't be my album to make decisions about anymore. If it stays with Numa I guess that it would be a good idea but I doubt I would put that out plus an extended version. Q17. After the excitement and prospects for a big breakthrough last year faded with a less than anticipated chart performance for "Premier Hits" do you think "Random" will supply the needed boost this year, especially as you have a new album to launch soon thereafter? A17. Possibly. It pays not to expect too much of anything though doesn't it? Especially if you don't want to be crushed under the weight of so much disappointment. I think the breakthrough is coming but it's fragile and precarious at the moment. Why do people think I'm being so cautious with 'Exile'? Q18. Have you had any response yet to your looking for a record deal from UK or US companies? A18. Nothing good. Lots of interest from the US but nothing solid yet. The UK just sucks. Things are happening but I daren't say what in case I get another barrel load of 'do this, do that, we know best' messages from people who don't. Q19. I heard a cover version of "Everyday I Die" by a guy in Australia which has not been committed to anything but tape at the moment. I was very impressed by the way it updated the song but kept the essential Numanness intact. It knocked the socks off anything Techno Army did. Do you ever listen to tapes of covers fans send you and have you been impressed by any if you do? A19. I find much of the 'Random' album very impressive. I've liked some others that have come in over the years. Q20. Any progress made on Babylon 8 of late? A20. It's a bit of a back burner project at the moment but it's on the top of the back burner pile. Still can't find a particular missing track so I have a decision to make soon about the final track listing. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Gary's Questions" is made possible by the kindness of Gary Numan and Derek Langsford whose job it is to keep Gary's email address from all rabid fans on the Numan Digest. To ask Gary a question, email it to: dlangs@sunstroke.sdsu.edu with a subject line of: Gary's Qs Don't forget your name, town/city, state/county/province and country with your questions, even those I know where they live. PLEASE FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS PRECISELY. THIS IS AN INTELLIGENCE TEST!!!! I reserve the right to edit or return questions for rewording or withdrawal. No questions will be dropped without the author being given the opportunity to reword their question. Have nice day! Derek ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Derek H. Langsford "Numanews" San Diego, California, USA The Gary Numan Digest email numan-request@cs.uwp.edu to subscribe -----------------------------------------------------------------------------wp. ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 18 Mar 1997 12:38:09 -0500 (EST) From: Andyscobra@aol.com Subject: FOR SALE To: numan@cs.uwp.edu Hi All, I have for sale 1x 24 track recording studio tape spool which was apparently used in Numans studio for recording his albums.The tape spool is 9" accross and 1.2" deep.It is signsd by Gary Numan and was presented to me by Warren Cann from ULTRAVOX at a Numan video disco.The price is #40+postage.Postage will be #6 in the uk and #15 overseas. Write soon to avoid disapointment. Cheers ANDY>8~0 ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 19 Mar 1997 11:00:58 +0000 From: "E.Stein" Subject: Gary's Qs To: numan@cs.uwp.edu Erik Stein from Stratford, London asks; Gary, do you have any thoughts on the tragic death of Billy Mackenzie? Were you/are you a fan, or did you know him at all? ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 20 Mar 97 04:21:47 From: "Joey Lindstrom" Subject: Gary Numan back in the charts... sorta To: "numan@cs.uwp.edu" Just checked in with www.canoe.ca, aka "Canadian Online Explorer", and took a peek at this week's top ten "alternative" song chart. #7 on the list is the Foo Fighters' cover of Gary's "Down In The Park". Cool.... but still none of my local stations will play it. :-( /--------------------------------------------------------- / Joey Lindstrom numanoid@netway.ab.ca lindstrj@cadvision.com / http://www.netway.ab.ca/worldwidewebb/ / "There's a reason 'Wheel Of Fortune' is on right after 'Jeopardy'. Once / you've been forced to choke down the foul-tasting tequila shot of your / own abject ignorance, it's nice to be able to bite into the refreshing / lime wedge of other people's incredible fucking stupidity." / - Dennis Miller ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 16 Mar 1997 12:29:51 -0500 (EST) From: SteelHanky@aol.com Subject: Metal Rhythm CD To: numan@cs.uwp.edu Is there any particular rarity to this CD? Someone offered 35 pounds for one a couple digests ago, and another gave me a good deal in trade for one. Is this as elusive as "Automatic"? Thanks, JAD... ... ------------------------------ Date: 20 Mar 97 13:14:28 EST From: Matthew Roberts <101360.507@CompuServe.COM> Subject: Molly Half Head To: "INTERNET:numan@cs.uwp.edu" Mark, I have in front of me a copy of 'Shine' by M.H.H., which includes their cover of Are 'Friends' Electric? It's a CD single produced in 1995 on the Columbia label (part of Sony), cat. no. 662073 2. It's a fairly standard cover, not very exciting. Personally I prefer Replicants' or Nancy Boy's versions. ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 20 Mar 97 04:28:14 From: "Joey Lindstrom" Subject: More Gary in the media - sorta To: "numan@cs.uwp.edu" Just found this interesting quote on Canadian Online Explorer (www.canoe.ca), in a film review for the Matthew Perry movie "Fools Rush In": (excerpted) "Perry, of course, tries to tackle the big screen with varied results. Certainly, he proves that he's better at being nice than delivering nuance. And is Perry wearing eyeliner in Fools Rush In, or am I confusing him with Gary Numan in the Cars video?" Talk about yer basic OBSCURE Dennis-Miller-like reference... /--------------------------------------------------------- / Joey Lindstrom numanoid@netway.ab.ca lindstrj@cadvision.com / http://www.netway.ab.ca/worldwidewebb/ / "There's a reason 'Wheel Of Fortune' is on right after 'Jeopardy'. Once / you've been forced to choke down the foul-tasting tequila shot of your / own abject ignorance, it's nice to be able to bite into the refreshing / lime wedge of other people's incredible fucking stupidity." / - Dennis Miller ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 19 Mar 1997 23:28:49 +-100 From: Markus Dietrich Subject: MTV's WWW News To: "'numan@cs.uwp.edu'" Hello Numanoids, unbelieveable but true, MTV has added Gary Numan in the News Gallery = Section on its WWW-Site. You can directly jump to it by: http://www.mtv.com/news/gallery/n/numan970313.html For those without WWW access here the message: -------------------------------------------------------------------------= ---------- Synth Pioneer Gary Numan Gets His Due March 13 [14:00 EST] -- A mere seven years after they wrapped up, the = 80s are back in a big way. Now Gary Numan is the latest icon of that = decade to be revisited in a new collection from Beggar's Banquet Records = called "Tubeway Army: Premier Hits." The album, due March 25, features such pioneering synthesized ditties as = "Are 'Friends' Electric," "Down In The Park" (which the Foo Fighters = have covered), and, of course, "Cars." Numan's influential early 80s work will also resurface on "Random," a = tribute album featuring takes on Numan songs by Bis, Magnetic Fields, = The Orb, Pop Will Eat Itself, St. Etienne, and Jesus Jones. The tribute = should turn up on May 20. For those who either weren't around or weren't paying attention in the = early 80s, Gary Numan built a sound from buzzing synthesizers and = clacking drum machines that has influenced artists from Kraftwerk to = David Bowie to Nine Inch Nails to The Rentals. -------------------------------------------------------------------------= ----------- It's a great time for Numan fans. Almost every day a good news. = Sometimes things have its own dynamic !!! By, Markus P.S.: Sorry, but NuWays is now offline. Uptonow I have no idea how long. ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 16 Mar 1997 16:52:16 -0800 From: zigi@teleport.com (Pythoness) Subject: Renewing Acquaintance To: numan@cs.uwp.edu (Gary Numan) Hey, all-- I'm really just writing to the digest so people can see my name; I haven't posted anything in eons, but as always, I'm glad it and you all are there. Thanks to all who posted the Times article. :-) It does sound like things are afoot--the '80's revival is a very, very weird animal to me, being a child of that decade (I was a child of the '70's too, but I *hated* them :-), but if it works out well for Gary and some of the other fabulous artists of that time (as if they're not artists now, hm?) I'll put up with it. Bit weird, though, to have one of my young cousins enthusiastically talking about doing Numan covers in his "eighties" band... I never managed to *see* Gary, and the thought of him actually doing a US tour and hitting cities within airshot of where I live (Seattle and SF--maybe both!) is pretty damned exciting! Who else out there is a West Coast dweller? No matter how long a shot this may really be, could we dialog a little...? Drop me a line. And incidentally--I had the abrupt reality check that when I was a little susceptible Numanoid and had serious fantasies about him, he seemed quite a bit too old for me, really--now I'm dating a man almost exactly his age, and he's marrying a woman *younger* than me! Faugh! ;-) Zig Ziggy's House O' Vermin zigi@teleport.com --------------------------- Everything will be all right, everything will turn out fine Some nights I still can sleep, and the voices pass with time... --sisters o' mercy ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 18 Mar 97 17:38:33 UT From: "Urban Lundqvist" Subject: Sister Ray To: numan@cs.uwp.edu Rec this shop Bought two Numa Cd:s for 9.99 Sister Ray 9 Berwick Street Soho London W1V 1PP England I´ts the BEST TIA U "Home Is Where The Hurt Is" ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 21 Mar 1997 22:18:15 -0500 (EST) From: SmileySmak@aol.com Subject: Subscribe To: MWPRECEPTOR@newlifebegins.com, mwpreceptor-approval@newlifebegins.com, Subscribe ------------------------------ End of Gary Numan Digest ******************************