Gary Numan Digest Sun, 4 May 97 Volume 1 : Issue 327 Today's Topics: A new remix album? A new remix album? - answering my own question Back in the saddle again....... Dross & Thaemlitz foreign languages Gary Numan Digest V1 #326 (2 msgs) Introduction Message Numan Article Spotted Numannoid conflict Where is my music played? ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Date: Sat, 3 May 1997 13:20:33 -0700 (PDT) From: Derek Langsford Subject: A new remix album? To: numan@cs.uwp.edu Hi all, Long time no post. If you lived my life you'd understand why. Paul Mayer, a Numan fan in Connecticut with the no email access but with ties to film studios and the music industry, called to say he had seen an interview with Gary in a New York based magazine called "The Paper". In it the article mentioned a sofar unmentioned project on the Digest - a remix album of some of Gary's Beggars Banquet material. No, this is not "Random" as it was mentioned separately in the article, nor was it "TechnoArmy". Before I ask Gary, does anyone here know anything about it? Derek -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Derek H. Langsford dlangs@sunstroke.sdsu.edu San Diego, California, USA -------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 3 May 1997 14:06:18 -0700 (PDT) From: Derek Langsford Subject: A new remix album? - answering my own question To: numan@cs.uwp.edu >From Nuzone 2 May 1997 Random The two Random albums have been put back again. The main "Random" double album has been moved back to 9 June. The "Random 2" album of techno remixes was originally scheduled to be ready just before the main album. However, there are still three tracks to record for that - and so the release looks like being around eight weeks after Random. The promotion for Random is still being agreed. The main London event looks like being on June 12 with a signing by Gary followed by a party with the industry reps, some of the Random acts and hopefully - fans. It could take the form of a disco where Random is played - merging into Random 2 and then finally full techno with the Eurobeat 2000 night. Venue and times are embargoed until full agreement has been reached. Gary is also doing a signing in Birmingham on June 10, followed by a similar gathering. ----- It must have been the 2nd Random album talked about in "the Ppper". Just goes to show how wonderful the net resources are for info. Kudos to Matthew et al. for all the Numan web sites. Derek -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Derek H. Langsford dlangs@sunstroke.sdsu.edu San Diego, California, USA -------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 1 May 1997 09:42:15 -0500 (CDT) From: m.r.p.@ix.netcom.com Subject: Back in the saddle again....... To: numan@cs.uwp.edu Just a few comments from the last digest (or two, or three.....) >From: Andy >For your interest, Foo Fighters have rereleased "Down In >The Park" on the 2nd part of their new "Monkey Wrench" >single. Not only is it on the B side, its on the CD and not bad at all. I myself had NEVER heard anything from them until seeing them on David Bowies 50th Birthday concert doing Hello Spaceboy. I was VERY impressed with their energy and musical skills. They REALLY did a wonderful job on HS. This is one band that could be around for a long time if they continue the way they are, not they way most go. >There's an old saying: "Always back the horse called self-interest. It >always comes first" > >>>Since becoming a fan in 1979, I watched Gary's sales go steadily down, >>>yet in interviews he never seemed too bothered. Some good >collaborations >would have been worthwhile, plus (as Nick said) having a >weather eye >>>on current and upcoming trends. It never did Bowie any >harm. > >Gary Numan, like any long-term artist, is now in a position where he >needs to push out in new directions while still bringing with him what >remains of his, what you quite rightly pointed out, was his once >substantial fanbase. I don't think he can take his core of "loyalist" >fans for granted, and I don't think he is, quite frankly. Gary tried to >keep a weather eye on trends by emulating Prince etc., and look at the >bucketing he copped on that score (refer to Premier Hits sleeve notes). >Now with the release of Sacrifice and Exile he's turning back in on >himself to his '79 days but with added ingredient of 90s technology >injected to boost things along. As for Bowie, well I personally can't >stand his latest incarnation/prodigy imitation and as for the Pet Shop >Boys collaboration, Hello Space Boy - what a transparent ruse. Numan's >career is always going to be tricky but thanks to his management, he >will endure, if not thrive in the style that he had so early in his life >become accustomed. In the end, Numan is an artist who tempers his >creativity with harsh commercial realities. Two points need to be made here. First is David Bowie is without a doubt the person most responsible for MANY music trends. Unlike others who copy, he invents and molds music styles. True he has some bad albums (Outside was really bad!) But some more good than bad. I myself really like Earthling. Going along in this direction, Until I bought SAC Extended, the last album I bought by Gary and liked was Pleasure Principle. I bought the rest but never really liked them. What I do like about Gary is his live albums! I know that when I buy a live album I will get something I will listen to over and over and not be upset by its contents. The second is that Gary does need to change, and has done so as he feels fit. His SAC album was totaly different and his Exile should be along the same line. If he continues though it will probably kill his following. The reason no one picked up his Exile album is that there is nothing playable on it. True most of the new groups out there are crap, they at least have one or two 'playable' songs on it. Thats what made him in the first place, air time. He NEVER had a chance if CARS never happened, because its 'playable', its a sorry fact but its true. If he wants to come back like Duran-Duran, or Adam Ant he needs to put one or two 'playable' songs on Exile. Gary ALSO needs to stop re-releasing his past glories. He fills the market with past hits and cannot give any new ones. If the masses can only buy the new album, and want to buy something new, his name will ring a bell while they are pawing the CD's and they have a better chance of buying it. Course this is my 2 cents. But since I work in music every day, all day, its a better 2 cents than most. > So he is fed up with his fans craving the retro sound. Am I the only one >that feels that this may be one of the last few chances we will have to see >his show live? Like I've said all along, I am still on for the trip from >the US to the UK to catch a couple of shows. I hope that I am not alone in >this. I'm sure that some new faces in the crowd would do a world of good >for Gary. I urge the US fans waiting on a US tour to give it a rethink. >The worse that could happen is that you spend some money getting yourself >to England to see Gary and then having to see him all over again in the US. Actually I disagree. I think the best thing is for fans to stay away from his tour. This just might make him sit back and wonder what happened and what can he do to correct it (ie. Change his style to fit what the people want, not what he he wants them to want). But knowing Gary he'll just cop an attitude and then its spin control. I also think that Garys outdoor's fest last year was good for him and he should think about doing it over here. There are music fests here in the US damm near every week somewhere over here that would use him. Heck we have SUMMERFEST here that runs 14 days with 15 music stages. I'm sure that Gary could get some stage time since ELO, BTO, Adam Ant and others do. But you know Gary, his standards for a stage show are so high that he would rather not do that. A good manager though would be booking him in as many as he could. Well thats all for now. As I said, its just my 2 cents worth. Mike They kneel down, praise god shout allelujah, lift up their eyes when they pray. When children kill children don't it make them wonder? don't it make them question their faith? ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 1 May 1997 08:47:39 +0100 From: "S.B.Davenport" Subject: Dross & Thaemlitz To: numan@cs.uwp.edu Joey Lindstrom wrote: > My good buddy Racey Sealock spotted this article in the April 21st > edition of "Alberta Report", a right-wing conservative > politics-oriented newsmagazine published within the province of > Alberta (that's "Canada" for those of you in Rio Linda). Not sure > what the original source for this snippet is, but it makes a > reference to Q Magazine and definitely seems written by a Brit > (exactly what does "dross" > mean?) Think of a cleaning or purifying process, and then think of the scuzzy crap that gets left behind. That's pretty much what "dross" implies. Thanks for typing up the article. It must be said that admitting you liked Thatcher during the 80's was a remarkably brave/foolish thing to do, when large portions of the populace thought that she was evil incarnate. On a lighter note I was scanning through a list of ambient music artists at hypereal.com and found Gary's name there. I looked it up and there was a letter by another artist (called Terre Thaemlitz) pointing out how parts of Dance (particularly Cry, The Clock Said) and the occasional track on I, Assassin were fine examples of ambient music!! Bruce ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 3 May 1997 19:45:27 -1000 From: Terminator Subject: foreign languages To: numan@cs.uwp.edu I'm not sure if this is the right E-mail address to send messages/queries to other fans. At any rate, I've been a fan for years and, having just discovered this site, I'd like to pose a couple questions which I've been wondering about for years and which reflect my career interests (I'm a language teacher). What is Mr. Numan's degree of interest in foreign languages? Does he speak any and/or which ones does he have the greatest interest in. How about foreign literatures? In what non-English speaking countries are his record sales the greatest? Looking forward to a reply, Eric (enash@hawaii.edu) ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 01 May 1997 08:43:08 +0000 (GMT) From: Andy Subject: Gary Numan Digest V1 #326 To: numan@cs.uwp.edu Cos its fun! (And funny!) No management can stop an artist saying something ridiculously stupid in an interview! Exactly ! Can I just say that that is the best name I have EVER heard ! :) <(exactly what does "dross" mean?)> Dross ? Dreadful - crap - awful etc etc ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 01 May 1997 23:04:55 +0000 From: "Michael G. Tressler" Subject: Gary Numan Digest V1 #326 To: Gary Numan E-mailers, I don't want to preach, but why should Gary apologize for his views, and call himself an "ex-conservative" just to please the mainstream? Has he EVER done anything for that sole purpose? I don't think so. Yet, here we are, thousands of us fans, supporting him and his music, years after his break into the music world. Gary, be whoever you want to be. Do what YOU want to do. Bending over backwards to please not only your followers but the media and general public will certainly do you in. I know that your fans simply want worldwide recognition of your talents (which, if I may interject this, are gifts from God), as do I. But, be your own person, and all will fall into place. Don't fall into the big liberal trap. As for the "cream" being all on the left, while the dross inhabits the right (from the article which mentions Q magazine)... this isn't the time or place to debate that issue. Let me just say that I'm a "converted" conservative who, after years of being liberal and full of hate and envy and jealousy, finally saw the light and am much happier now than I've ever been. The "right" isn't called "right" for nothing. "Remember, Love Needs No Disguise" Michael Tressler Connellsville PA USA ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 1 May 1997 18:32:17 -0700 From: "Rich Godsil" Subject: Introduction Message To: Hi Fellow Numan Fans, One of my reasons for purchasing a PC was to keep current with music and the many different artists that I've listened to over the years (I'm forty). Back in the late 70s/early 80s, my roommate and I began checking out new artists (especially British) as we were fascinated by the early alternative movement at that time. We stumbled upon "Tubeway Army" and instantly were hooked. Living in New York City gave us access to import albums, cutouts, and new bands touring the U.S. and we saw Gary Numan live at the Academy of Music/Palladium in 1980? which was a great show. Somewhere around 1984/85 my musical tastes drifted and lost touch with Gary Numan. While visiting one of the music websites to find information about musicians, I searched for Numan and thinking it would be interesting to see if any info would be out on the Internet about him. I'm stunned! I assumed that he faded off sometime in the mid 1980s and I moved from NYC to Spokane, WA in 1986 where no alternative market existed (even Seattle's alternative scene was non-existent here until Nirvana and Pearl Jam became MTV hits). The last Numan album I purchased was "I, Asassin" so I'm wondering what CD (I don't have a turntable set up any more) is his best work since then? His first 3 albums are all quite good and a sound bit that I've heard on one of the Numan websites sounded excellent so I'm interested in revisiting Gary Numan. Other musical interests include David Bowie, Brian Eno, King Crimson, Pink Floyd, Genesis (especially the Peter Gabriel era), The Talking Heads, Devo, U2, The Psychodelic Furs, The Cure, Depeche Mode, Live and Nine Inch Nails to name a few spanning the last 25 years. Thanks for adding me to the mailing list and I look forward to hearing more about Gary Numan. Rich Godsil ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 3 May 1997 19:44:44 -0400 (EDT) From: Hpcraft@aol.com Subject: Numan Article Spotted To: numan@cs.uwp.edu Greetings Digesters! My friend Paul Mayer spotted a brief article on Gary Numan called "Car Wars" in the April 1997 issue of _Paper_ which is an artsy-cultural scene type of publication for the New York City area. Haven't gotten a copy yet but hope to do so soon. Paul said the article focused on the up-coming "Random" release and made reference to Beggar's Banquet also releasing a collection of remixed Numan songs sometime this year. This is the first I've heard of this remix project. Can anyone shed any more light on this? As Paul said, given all the time and effort Beggar's Banquet has put into the "Random" project and the possible remixes mentioned above, why don't they just sign Numan to a contract again? Can anyone explain why this hasn't been pursued more intensely by either Numan or Beggar's Banquet. It's not like his music doesn't fit a certain Gothic market. It would seem logical to me to follow up "Random" with an actual album of his and see what kind of mommentum they get. If there's anyone who either knows someone at Beggar's Banquet or frequents their web-page, perhaps the question should be asked. I'm just concerned because having "Exile" released on Numa will probably - unless a miracle happens - doom it to obscurity and might spell the end of Numan's career. Me! I Disconnect From You ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 3 May 1997 06:44:17 +0100 From: "nick" Subject: Numannoid conflict To: In reply to David Brezniak Ref: Vol 1 issue 326 of digest. >> Will everyone tell me why you are so infatuated about Gary's hair? I >> feel if Gary likes it the way it is, Great!! Iam not infatuated by Gary or his hair. But since you ask the ask the question :) >> It's time for Gary to do what he feels is right. Since when has he ever done anything other than that. >> Let's leave the hair >> thing alone unless someone can give me a real good reason. >> Criticism that is constructive is great, but picking on someone's >> hair style or transplant, please! We can use this space to encourage >> Gary and wish him the best. I am absolutely convinced that Garys hair is a valid issue and is central to his current dilemma. My Criticism is based on what I have heard from non numan fans the very target punters Gary is trying to win over. If this area of image weakness is not secured Gary has little chance of gaining new fans. This will also affect current Numan fans indirectly as Garys lack of credibility will force him to retire sooner rather than later. :( >> He's worked way to hard for us for over 18 years, instead of picking on >> his hair, thank him for all the listening pleasure he has brought us, >> or, give some constructive thoughts on his music career, not his >> appearance. I dont want to talk about what happened 18 years ago its the present that Iam interested in. For too long Numanoids have been jumping to Garys defense when he could have done without it. You led him to the slaughter not me. >> Look at some of today's musicians out there now. >> Gary's hair, I think, looks quite handsome and has a masculine tone to it. I just say as a non Numanoid Gary looks and sounds less convincing these days. and from his ever decreasing fan base know without doubt Iam not alone. >> He could dye it green and yellow and make it stand up straight for all I >> care, as long as he does what he does best. >> Enough said... >> Your comments are welcome. >> Dave Brezniak Ok David you can get off your soapbox now I understand your point and you make it very well but you are a Numanoid so dont expect me to agree. :) Nick Fox ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 1 May 1997 15:14:57 -0400 (EDT) From: Drapop7085@aol.com Subject: Where is my music played? To: numan@cs.uwp.edu I was listening to GN's "SACRIFICE" and for the life of me, I can't figure why people don't give his music a chance. And then it came to me......ORIGINALITY!!!! All my favorite performers don't play the main stream "game". GN always is thought provoking with his lyrics, he speaks his mind. And his music fits those thoughts to a tee. As well as, Marc Almond, another outcast from the press:he sings flat and is too theatrical: NO! He's original. Among many others:Peter Murphy, The Divine Comedy, Stan Ridgway,etc.....Do they ever get played on the radio or MTV? NO!! Let's just hope GN, et.al. keep to their originality, because if they sell out, this is going to be one fuckin' boring music world. Talk to you, numanites, soon, and if you see me on the street....remind me to smile! Mark Poppleton Drapop7085@aol.com ------------------------------ End of Gary Numan Digest ******************************