Gary Numan Digest Sun, 11 May 97 Volume 1 : Issue 329 Today's Topics: ADMINISTRIVIA armchair issues bikini article contents Change of address Fan Club Info Gary's fading career ? Gary Numan Digest V1 #328 Grabbing at straws? Just poking the hornet nest some more...... My Bad Memory.... Numan live in the UK Random ramblings!! Web bits & pieces ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Date: Fri, 9 May 1997 21:16:56 -0700 (PDT) From: Derek Langsford Subject: ADMINISTRIVIA To: numan@cs.uwp.edu For 18 months I have been making sure questions for Gary get to him, no matter if they appear in the Digest, or are addressed to me but with the wrong subject line, if any at all. Every month, as a part of the Question and Answer session posted to the Digest, I have reminded Digest readers of the correct protocol to follow in order to facilitate getting your questions forwarded to him. It should not come as a surprise then that I have decided to only forward those questions which arrive with all the necessary information. You may have noticed my once frequent presence on the Digest has shrunk to a trivial comment now and then. Notreatises, reviews or polls. This has been due to my concentration on making a living without he disraction of email and the net. I apologize for missing last month's set, a symptom of my time management difficulties. I'm afraid I do not have the time to extract questions from the Digest or dig them out from my other mailboxes anymore. Basically, if you don't follow instructions, I won't be forwarding your question. Sorry if this sounds harsh but I feel as if I have been talking to a brick wall and now I need my time for myself and family rather than the computer. And time on-line is only likely to get worse this autumn as my wife and I will be having another baby (another boy) in September :-) This does not mean I have lost interest in Gary. I am looking forward as much to "Exile" as anyone. I'll keep reading the Digest each issue. Let me reiterate those instructions and might I ask you to print this out, and save it so you can refer to it in the future rather than just firing off questions to wherever: Send questions for Gary to me at: dlangs@sunstroke.sdsu.edu On the subject line type: Gary's Qs With your question include your: name, town/city, county/state/province, country This is a courtesy to Gary who surely has a right to know who is asking him questions. I will be ignoring questions that do not arrive with the correct information. If you don't see your questions asked and answered within two issues of "Gary's Questions" send them again using the correct procedure. An example: ---- To: dlangs@sunstroke.sdsu.edu Subject: Gary's Qs Derek Langsford, San Diego, California, USA asks: When did you first think you wanted to become a rock star? ---- Easy eh? Derek -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Derek Langsford Ph.D. Environmental Management Specialist County of San Diego, Dept. of Planning and Land Use 5201 Ruffin Road, Ste. B San Diego, CA 92123 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 10 May 1997 07:34:24 +0100 From: "nick" Subject: armchair issues To: "Gary Numan" REF : Gary Numan Digest V1 #328 MW=Micky Ward MD=Marko Deitrich LD=Larry Dobson TW=Troy Walters MW> just one small comment. i have to laugh at all the different opinions MW> expressed about what mr. numan should do with his career. i think if he MW> took all of our advise he would have one screwy album MW>armchair psychology is just that "armchair". yeah :) Numan seems to attract a lot of armchair psychologists me included. It does prove that the average Numan fan has some signs of intelligence. :-) MD> I have the fear that Gary was influenced by some output of fans MD> who complaint the delay of Exile. I think these fans should think MD> once more about that. What's about Exile if it will only be a defacto MD> 'Fanclub' release ?!? I think Exile DESERVES BETTTER ... I think Gary was influenced more by the lack of response he received from the music industry. Ok some of us pushed for its release when we heard it was completed buts thats only natural. You say Exile deserves better I`ll take your word for it as I haven't heard it yet :) As for your vote idea which could effectively further delay the Exile I say this "are you out of your fucking mind ?" LD> Gary's manager is his father. After years of singing about LD> the pain of betrayal and the importance of loyalty, if you think Gary is LD> about to give his dad his walking papers, well, you have obviously not been LD> paying attention. Yes family loyalty must always come first, that said Iam sure Gary and his fans would have benefited greatly from a professional management team. Tony should have just helped Beryl with the fan club. How Gary would have handled life in the music industry without parental guidance will remain a mystery. LD> What if we as Gary Numan fans flooded Beggars Banquet. Before we flood BB its essential to have the full details at hand. I wonder how much influence Garys subtle but effective comments on his Nu-world site have brought on this discussion. :) hehehehe A quick visit to Roberts Egglestons Are friends electric site might be useful as he has an ongoing debate relating to this issue. Personally I dont think it would help much, remember the radio one protest ? TW> Personally, I would prefer Gary continue in his own way, rather than concoct TW>something "playable" on demand.  That's not art -- it's shite, like TW>all the other crap on the air now.  I'd rather not share the Gary TW>Numan I've become accustom to with the likes of the Top 40 listeners -- TW>those vacant, air-heads who listen to whatever is forced on them by people TW>who have no clue as to what good music is. Exactly. The trouble is Gary himself has placed great importance on general popularity, maybe after the Exile we will finally get to hear Gary at his best. I am sure Gary now realizes its just him and us. Its always been that way but Garys ego wouldn't allow him to admit it :) Nick Fox ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 8 May 1997 07:50:23 -0500 (CDT) From: Amy E Logsdon Warner Subject: bikini article contents To: numan@cs.uwp.edu I'd be glad to post the text of the review GN did on the Chemical Brothers from the magazine bikini...I assume this magazine dosen't have a large a circulation as we are strewn around the globe. just email me privately. "mistaking needles for eyes" amy ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 8 May 97 07:17:29 -0700 From: ROBERT_DAVIS@hp-sandiego-om2.om.hp.com Subject: Change of address To: numan@cs.uwp.edu Item Subject: cc:Mail Text Please note the following change of e-mail address: OLD: ROBERT_DAVIS@Om2.om.hp.com NEW: redII@pacbell.net Thank you very much--keep up the GREAT work. ~Robert ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 9 May 1997 20:53:26 -0700 (PDT) From: Derek Langsford Subject: Fan Club Info To: numan@cs.uwp.edu brezniakdavid@webtv.net (David Brezniak) asked: >Hey Gang! >First off: when you order merchandise from the fan club, and you also >join the fan club, do they ship things seperately or did Beryl possibly >loose my order?!!! I would suspect Fan Club materials and Numan items would be shipped separately. >Second: Does anyone know the difference in time between U.S. time and UK >time? Which rock have you been hiding under all these years? :-) U.S. has 6(?) time zones, the lower 48 having 4. Eastern, Central, Mountain, and Pacific (the others are Alaskan and Aleutian I think). Eastern is 5 hours behind (when it's noon on the east coast it's 5pm in the UK), Pacific time is 8 hours behind (noon in LA is 8pm UK). Fill in the diffrence for the other time zones. Hawaii is 11 hours different in summer, 10 in winter as Hawaii doesn't go on daylight savings time. Hope that helps, Derek -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Derek Langsford Ph.D. Environmental Management Specialist County of San Diego, Dept. of Planning and Land Use 5201 Ruffin Road, Ste. B San Diego, CA 92123 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 08 May 1996 22:57:54 -0700 From: "D.G" Subject: Gary's fading career ? To: numan@cs.uwp.edu Hello digest members , I have been following some of the discussions regarding Gary's career , and the seeming urgency to to sign with a major label . While I agree that there are many positive results possible with being signed to a major label , I disagree that it could mean "career failure" or "last chance for a rebound" if he dosn't . I would like to point out how benificial the very medium we digest members are using to comunicate with each other , has been for both Gary and many of his fans . The internet explosion has allowed an unprecidented amount of information to flow between Gary and his online fans , this was not possible a few years ago . Gary's fans no longer have to wait for almost non existent press coverage , to let us know about album releases , tours , etc . Even fan club members haven't enjoyed this kind of instant access to information . I think the ripple effect from this is just getting started . Fred Geer (sender of this post) ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 8 May 1997 14:00:24 +0100 From: NICHOLAS SULLIVAN Subject: Gary Numan Digest V1 #328 To: "'numan@cs.uwp.edu'" It does seem rather a shame that people that are claiming themselves to be fans always have to argue almost like politicians about there star. Since Garys demise in the uk after warriors it has been a long haul for fans seeing someone with great talent rise and fall. Its interesting to note in the song we have a technical gary sings " its just so surprising so how quickly things can end like a hero on a platform of friends ". At the time that Gary was famous he really filled the gap in a country that was crying out for something different to punk and Gary robot alternative image fitted the bill well as much as many artists are able to do today. He invented a new trend and took it to the brink. Many others tried to take on this style like John foxx but im sure people would agree that Numan always had the defintive edge on the very late seventies and early eighties music. Out was undoubtly to happen that as our heroe on his platform lost his friends as he changed from telekon to Dance was to lose popularity. But despite albums like Warriors and Berserker not fairing well it is important to note that there are strong ideas in there and good music. The problem is that Gary deserted what he does best. Charlie Chaplin never gave up his cane and tramp image. Im not suggesting that Gary should reverberate his old career but focus on what he does best which still creeps through in all his albums. By not putting Gary down it gives him the back bone of support to create the inspired music that he creates a world apart from other artists. The fact that he is no longer mainstream mainly adds for the the specialness of liking his music. Thats all thanks. nsullivan r1n00996@kiadroch.kaid.ac.uk ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 9 May 1997 00:04:11 -0400 (EDT) From: Shropie@aol.com Subject: Grabbing at straws? To: numan@cs.uwp.edu Ref: Vol 1; Issue 327 >>I just say as a non Numanoid Gary looks and sounds less convincing >>these days. >>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. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ -------------------- If the above statements by Nick Fox are true, then I am absolutely baffled as to why someone, who is clearly anti-numan/anti-numanoid, would want to input/receive a digest, that in the majority is about Gary Numan for Numanoids. I wonder if there could be a justifiable answer to this or if there will be more grabbing at straws. Help! I`m confused! Tania Shropshire. ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 8 May 1997 09:22:04 -0500 (CDT) From: m.r.p.@ix.netcom.com Subject: Just poking the hornet nest some more...... To: numan@cs.uwp.edu >just one small comment. i have to laugh at all the different opinions >expressed about what mr. numan should do with his career. i think if he >took all of our advise he would have one screwy album. armchair pyschology >is just that "armchair". Though this is true, the fact still is that we are the 'Fans' and we are the ones who spend our money to buy his items. Its like a sports hero, no matter how good he/she is, they still need to impress us in order to open our pockets and spend out cash. This does not say that he/she cannot do things the way they want to in some extent, but we must be kept in mind at all times as we are the end user. Gary has as much as said that he has screwed up in the past with his opinions and would change some of the past if he could. I myself think that he needs to focus on NOW not THEN. There is a entire generation of X'ers out there that have the money and are searching for something new, much like we were back in the 70's and 80's. One or two good 'playable' songs and the fan base will expand to the point where he can once again do more of what he wants. >i for one am just happy when he create something i enjoy(which is not every >lp but so what). till then i will keep buying his live cds and enjoying >them in my "car" Me too. But you miss the point. What happens when he decides that the cost is no longer worth the diminishing returns and stops making new music. Then all we have is our memories and old CD's. That to me is the scary future we are looking at and by looking at Gary's comments at times may not be all that far fetched. >From: Dooom1996@aol.com ><< David Bowie has some bad albums (Outside was really bad!) >> >Wrong, Outside was brilliant, you worthless sack of shit. But you already >know you are, so... Hmmm, AOL ISP and typical 14 year old response. Mom letting you use the computer? Actually your comments are fine, just be a little less graphic and put a little more prose in them. Writing is a fine art, something that takes time and makes people think when they read it. As to Outside, it was a bad album and he even said as much. It was a good (not great) album as far as concept albums go, but had no airplay and no sales here in the US. This is what David and I consider bad (If you had read the ENTIRE thing I had been saying), its not if its good or bad in our minds, its what the public responds to. Outside was no Ziggy Stardust plain and simple, and in this world you are compaired to your past success. >Why is it so important to ANYONE -- especially Gary -- that he have this >great "come back" now? BR>He has been known for making the music he wants >to make and not compromise the music for anyone else's opinion. As Gary has said, its a business. Everytime he makes an album he loses money. 80's music is back as IN for a limited time and he needs to rebuild his fan base for cash flow (see above). Plus I think Gary likes playing in front of 10,000+ fans over 2,000 fans every night a little more. If he hated the limelight he would have never gotten into the business! >"music" is called pop -- as in popular. There IS a way to make ANY >song a pop song. A formula of; hooks and a style of writing >that ensures "air play" but at what cost. Need I use Milli Vanilli >or Vanilla Ice or any other poor excuse for an "artist" as examples? Or Gary Numan and Cars? See, the ONLY difference between Gary and other one hit wonders is that WE know he is still out there and still making music. The Media and outside fan base does not. If not for the internet I myself would have no idea he was still around, and my last album from him would still be Outland. (Now thats a scary thought!). >Aside from being a Numan fan since '79, I've been a RUSH fan since the >early 70s and they have yet to bow to anyone's "demands" or expectations >of what they should do musically. Name one RUSH album that has not >gone Gold, at least. Most have gone platinum -- with very, very little >air play. This is the standard that Gary Numan should be more interested >in -- rather than becoming some pop icon, which will not last. Integrity >IS important to an "artist." Actualy you kinda correct yourself. See Rush does get airplay. I always hear 1 or 2 songs on the airwaves everytime they release an album. I have not bought a Rush album since Grace Under Pressure, yet I know of Test for Echo and such. They fall in the area I talked about before, they make the music they want, but INCLUDE one or two 'PLAYABLE' songs in every album. >As for Gary's career being over because he did not get Exile signed to >a major label -- what a joke. He's gone this long with little or >no help -- in fact, against some pretty insurmountable obstacles. Obatacles which HE placed and which HE needs to work VERY hard to remove. True he is still making music, but for how long? And at what cost? Remember, he is getting married soon. Married life and the future will all of a sudden be more of a factor as he has others who will depend on their future well being in his hands. I know of no wife who will ALLOW their future well being to be ruined without at least a comment about it. (Not saying that Gary will listen.... ). >Gary ALSO needs to stop re-releasing his past glories. >He fills the market with past hits and cannot give any >new ones. >Course this is my 2 cents. But since I work in music every day, all day, >its a better 2 cents than most. >As a fan, I am appreciative of your concerns. But, as someone who >works in music everyday, I would think you would know that Gary is not >directly responsible for the majority of the re-releases of his material. >That credit goes to the likes of Rialto/Receiver and Beggars Banquet, as >well as several overseas companies. Hmmm.. I myself remember Premier Hits from last year, which was all his. Gary also gets royalities and allows the songs to be uses as he owns the rights. Its a fact of just say no here. David Bowie did it several years ago once RYKO released his multi-set greatest hits and he did his HITS tour. He made it clear then that this was the last time he was going to play the songs in concert, that it was time to move on. Maybe Gary should do the same. Oh, well.... I could go on, but I have made my point. I to would like for Gary to stay the same, but I think he needs to do something soon or be EXILE'd from the future. I hate the thought of Gary always being on VH-1 one hit wonders, or sitting in a pub when he's 80, nursing a pint and telling people how he was once someone. 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, 8 May 1997 03:07:21 -0400 From: brezniakdavid@webtv.net (David Brezniak) Subject: My Bad Memory.... To: numan@cs.uwp.edu As much as I can remember, I'll reply here to. As far as Gary releasing "Exile" on his own label, look at it the way Joey Lindstrom explained to me..(thanks, Joey) By releasing "Exile" on his own label, Gary can now move on, as the film role is coming close, as well as the October tour. If the album isn't out, why tour? By releasing it on Numa, he's also saying to the record companies "No time left..get off your butt" and it does put pressure on the labels. Also, this deal Gary has acquired with "Sirrius" to release "Sacrifice" with a somewhat different track listing will definitely move some heads in the right direction. This shows Gary does mean business and he's not fooling around. He now has legal and professional folks here in the U.S. working on his side for a "deal" and so he's not alone anymore.:-) Also, to those of you fine folks who don't realize this fact: Look at the "re-releasing" of old "past glories" this way..As Gary has stated in "Images 11" (don't quote this) ... by re-releasing material it just may get heard by a person who's never heard it before. Simply by re-packaging and shuffling around the tracks a bit, you hopefully get an album or a single that can be heard by many "new" listeners. Thus, growing the population of Numan fans. If 100 new fans come from every country off a new "re-release" what's wrong with that? Nothing in my opinion. It's simple marketing and virtually isn't costing Gary any real dough to put out. There's my opinions for today. Hope I didn't offend anyone. (Hi, again Andy:)) Take Care All! David P. Brezniak ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 8 May 1997 10:04:12 -0400 (EDT) From: Astronif2@aol.com Subject: Numan live in the UK To: numan@cs.uwp.edu Sorry, Brad, but I just had to speak up. Sure, it would be wonderful if all the US Numan fans could jet over to see the man in concert on his own native soil. I'd love to. Are you funding the trip? I'm free for most of the summer! Some folks have a hard enough time spending the extra money on exports, though we do it from time to time. : ) Your thought is very nice, but not too workable, unfortunately, for most. We US fans wouldn't want Gary to think we refuse to travel to see him! I do agree with you that we should get over his hair, for christsakes! Let's move on, shall we? By the by, any Chicago fans? Any Chicago fans that know of a good record store that carries a decent selection of GN albums? ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 09 May 97 18:46:39 GMT From: V.Boston@softech.ie Subject: Random ramblings!! To: numan@cs.uwp.edu I saw the tracklisting from the Random CD(s) and I have to say I was a little disappointed. Firstly disk 2 is a collection of remixes by a lot of NKOTB I haven't heard of and I fear it may turn out like the very average 'techno-army' LP. Secondly, what happened to the Tori Amos version of "Please push no more"? Definitely the one I wanted to hear. Perhap's she'll put it on a b-side. And why no SHAMPOO cover(s). These cheeky lasses from Plumstead!, London, England have already voiced their love of Numan in a variety of ways. The UK sleeve of their debut "We are Shampoo" cd has a montage of 80's memorabilia including a "replicas" LP cover. The same album namechecks "Gary in a song and yet another song, "Gameboy" features a riff almost note for note from "Are 'Friends' Electric"!! The US sleeve is different with a minor track listing and title change if i'm not mistaken. Victor Boston v.boston@softech.ie ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 8 May 1997 16:24:49 -0400 From: Matthew Roberts Subject: Web bits & pieces To: "INTERNET:numan@cs.uwp.edu" Anyone who would like to see the inspiration behind not only the title but the cover of The Pleasure Principle might want to visit the Rene Magritte Art Gallery at: http://www.virtuo.be/ Go to Room P to see 'Le principe du plaisir'. There's also a picture in Room D called 'Le dormeur temeraire' which I think means 'The Reckless Sleeper' (as in 'I Am Render'). Can any linguists (or anyone with a French/English dictionary) confirm that? Whilst you're surfing you could also visit Gary and a distinguished group of scientists, philosophers and other trouble makers at the Celebrity Atheist Site: http://www.primenet.com/~lippard/atheistcelebs/ ..... or let Yahoo take you there. Matthew "If you see kay Tell him he may See you in tea Tell him from me" James Joyce ------------------------------ End of Gary Numan Digest ******************************