Gary continues to give priority time to the Digest. I sent out the questions Monday July 1 and he responded July 3, despite the fact that his grandfather (Beryl's dad) passed away June 26th. I will be sending my condolences to Beryl, Tony, and Gary and will do so on behalf of the Digest. I hope you don't mind. I just lost my mother-in-law June 10th, so I know somewhat how they must be feeling.
Derek
Hello Gary - read the interesting interview in Record Collector. It seems that, after not enjoying fame as a nipper, you want a second bite of the cherry now that you know the "rules of the game". You have experienced more in seventeen years than the vast majority of people will ever do in a lifetime - the exhilaration, excitement and the incredible pressures associated with being a star. You have carved a niche for yourself in the history of pop music in an era (1979-81) which saw the emergence of an unprecedented number of historic pop figures. Your place among them is secure, and your success has made you a rich man. Yet, you don't seem particularly content. Q1. I want to know whether you feel you fully appreciate what your musical talent has done for you? A1. I think I know better than anyone what it's done for me. The good things and the bad. It's brought in a lot of money at times and some satisfaction although that has always been tarnished and spoilt somewhat by the media. It's given me a lot of excitement but that is always balanced by the pressure of having to constantly come up with things as good, if not better, than things you've done before, not just musically but images, tours, sleeves etc. Most acts have a number of people around them, be it band members, producers whatever who they can lean on to a large extent. These are things that I have had only rarely, in the main I've had to do it pretty much on my own and that has definitely been hard at times, in fact it's been hard for virtually my entire career. For much of my career I've also not had the enourmous support of a major record company which also adds workload and pressure to whatever you're doing. I sometimes feel as though I'm in a very long running race but that I've had my laces tied together. No matter how hard I tried I was impeded and that at every hurdle I've had a difficult climb whereas I see other people in the race gliding effortlessly over and around the same obstacles. No decent record contract, no radio play, no friends in the media. I don't ever want to do anything else but I sure as fuck don't feel that anything has been given to me. I think I've earned every smile on my face and every penny in my pocket. Q2. Have you achieved everything you set out to achieve? A2. When I was young I wanted to be a pop star and a pilot so I guess I did alright as far as those ambitions were concerned. The trouble with me is I keep thinking of new things that I would like to be good at or learn about.
I was once a Centurion. I just became a fan of your music a year ago! I listen to your music everyday and have a video copy of "Urgh, A Music War" to keep me company! Your music has almost made me forget about my being abandoned by God! Q3. If you were asked to act or perform in the next "Star Wars" film, would you? A3. I doubt it. I really don't think I'm cut out to be an actor. Q4. What ever happen to that small, black 'wheelchair-like' car, that you drove around when you would sing "Down In The Park"? A4. I only used it for the 1980 'Teletour' and for the three Wembley concerts in 1981. After that I think we gave it away as a prize to a fan. Q5. Do you believe that the 'cure for the Aids virus' will be such a benefit in cellular knowledge to humankind that eventually humans might achieve immortality and in time have the means to revive life and bring back the deceased? A5. No. I'm sure that a handful of people had similar thought about Penicillin. I don't believe in immortality at any time and certainly not as a distant relation to the hoped for cure for AIDS being found. As for reviving the dead, it actually forms part of the story in my faltering attempts to write a book, but I don't believe that it will, could or should ever happen. Q6. If humankind did have the means to bring back life, all life that ever was, and the means to create life and bring all imaginations to reality, do you think that God would still carry out his word that I have to roam this earth forever or do you think God would forgive me? A6. I think that any belief in God is mistaken. Q7. Would you have had me ask music-related questions instead? A7. I really don't mind what people ask
Brian Hammond from Denver, Colorado, USA asks: Q8. You have mentioned a couple of times your frustration over the calendars you had made that were in far excess of the expected demand. I can't speak for all USA fans, but something like that would be pretty neat to have, even if they were from a past year. Would you consider offering these calendars for sale to US fans at a certain discount - considering they are not current - on NuWorld or the fan club? A8. We have thought about it. At the monent we are looking into postage costs and packaging requirements etc. We are very keen to make as many things available on the Internet, via NuWorld, as possible but we want to proceed very carefully so that we do not let people down by being disorganised. I've mentioned several times that the entire Numan operation is run by me and my parents. This is already a massive daily task for the three of us and so we must be cautious as to how and when we increase our mail order items. I was wondering if you could let the fans know just where you are in the negotiating process for a new contract. I am specifically interested in knowing the following: Q9. What labels are you talking to (or have talked to in the past 6 months)? A9. I really can't talk about such things until the deal is completed. Sorry. Q10. How many albums would these respective labels want from you? A10. Probably 4 or 5. Q11. Do any of these albums include live recordings or just studio work? A11. Live recordings are normally considered to be 'extra' to the agrred album requirement. Q12. Would any of these contracts include non-European releases (e.g. US or Japan)? A12. I'm hopeful for a world wide deal. If not individual licencing deals around the world would be our next objective. Q13. Would any of these contracts include tours in the UK, US, or elsewhere? A13. If the support in terms of finance and promotional back up was available yes. Q14. Is there a particular label that is leading the others at this time? A14. Can't say I'm afraid. Q15. If you could sign to any label, which would it be? A15. I don't really mind. They are all pretty much as good and as bad as each other. You only have to look at who's working where to see that labels have a massive turn over in staff. The label you sign today is often run by someone else tomorrow. Q16. Have you ever played the game _Doom_? It is very addictive. If you haven't, be certain to get a copy. It's quite fun. A16. I have and thought it was great. I know have a Sony Playstation and my favourite game is 'Alien Trilogy' which is very 'Doom' like.
Hi Gary, Your web-site looks better than ever...keep up the good work:) Q17. When you originally decided to change from 'Tubeway Army' to 'Gary Numan', i read that Beggars Banquet wasn't to thrilled with the idea...right? But, how did your band react? was there any clash of egos over that decision, or did Paul and Jess not care much. (granted, you did write all the songs pretty much) A17. I didn't really have a band. Jess had already left and gone back to a conventional job. I decided to go solo and Paul decided that he would stay with me as the bass player in my backing band. It wasn't a case of me changing the name of the band to Gary Numan at all. The band finished. Q18. With the 'Digest asks Gary' going for several months now, I still think it is amazing that you put the time in to answer the questions, I don't think anyone will ever take that for granted. Having said that, how do you feel so far about this correspondence with fans? Do you enjoy it, or is it alot of work? A18. It's a fair amount of work but I think it's useful and helps to bring about a closer feeling between us and a better understanding. Q19. People ask you alot when you will tour the US again, and I know thats hard to answer with no major record company backing you, but, how about your aeroplane? Will Gary Numan ever do a US air show?? I was at one in Geneseo NY with all world war II planes (Corsair F4-u, the Memphis Belle, etc..) Why not your Harvard? :) A19. It would cost more to bring my aeroplane to America than it would to just rent one over there. I would like to but it would seem to be unlikely at the moment. Maybe if I could become a bit more well known over there then flying in a display would be more likely. I would like to.
Q20. Was the 'My Dying Machine' b-side song 'She Cries' an attempt to recreate the mood and feel of the 'Dance' album? A20. No. I've never knowingly tried to recreate the mood or feel of a past album. I think the fact that I used fretless bass for a few albums made one or two songs a little bit similar in sound from time to time. Q21. If Bill Nelson had had complete production control of the 'Warriors' album, would it have turned out very differently? A21. It's hard to say. He had quite a lot to say as it was and only really objected to my ideas so I guess it would have been pretty much as it is but with some of the parts missing. A slightly emptier album perhaps? Q22. Did you read Truman Capote's short story collection 'Muisc for Chameleons' or did you just like the title and decide to turn it into a song? A22. I'd never heard of the Capote book until long after that 'I Assassin' album came out. It was more to do with the changing images that I was involved in at the time and the fans copying of them.
Some current questions on the forthcoming "Exile" album: Q23. Are there plans for an "Extended Exile" release similarly to the past couple of albums? A23. I won't know until I start mixing it and see what is possible. I often shorten songs so that I can fit as many as possible onto an album and that leaves longer versions with no home to go to. That's how the extended thing started. I don't know what songs are going on the album yet for definite so I can't say whether things will need to be shortened or not. I'm not even sure whether we are going to release a vinyl version or not and so that will have a bearing on the album length. Q24. Do you have a favourite track from the album so far? If so, what is it? A24. 'Absolution' will be on it which I like very much but 'Prophecy' would be my favourite of the new songs.
Derek Langsford of San Diego, California, USA asks: Q25. Did you think that Steve Malins did a good job with the commentary in the Premier Hits insert, (presenting warts and all)? A25. Yes and no. The warts were only warts in Steve's opinion. I have my own ideas as to what I've done right and what I've done wrong. They aren't quite the same as Steve's but I do think it was an honest attempt to give a true picture as he sees it. I would imagine that every one of us has his/her own ideas about what my high and low points have been. Q26. Your wardrobe for the Premier Tour and Exile shoots so far is a shift away for the leather look you have had since 1987. You always stated you were very comfortable with that look, so I was wondering why the change to a more image conscious look? A26. I just liked it. I went out with only a vague idea of what I wanted and kind of let it find me really. I was in the shops for about 5 or 6 hours. I found the jacket first and then looked for other things that I thought would go with it and the 'look' sort of evolved as the day went on. Q27. Did you have any say in the decision that resulted in ATCO replacing two tracks on 'Telekon' with 'I Die; You Die' and 'We Are Glass' for the US version of the album? A27. No. I wasn't even aware that it had happened until now. I suppose I must have seen an American copy of the album but it doesn't ring any bells. What tracks were taken off?
Send your questions via email to:
Derek Langsford (dlangs@sunstroke.sdsu.edu)
with a subject line of:
Gary's Qs
Include your real name, town/city, county/province/state and country.
I reserve the right to delete and edit questions for content or length.
Thanks again to all who participated.
Derek