Sorry for the delay in getting these to you. It was all my fault as Gary responded in his usual timely fashion. I just didn't get them to him until last Friday.

Some of you are still forgetting to indicate where you live! Please include this info every time you send an email for Gary's Qs. I don't have the time to sift through past issues and find your details, nor can I guess from your email address unless it's fairly descriptive. I think it only a courtesy for Gary to know where in the world these questions are coming from.

Anyway, here's this month's set. Details of how to go about asking Gary a question are given at the end. If you forget the info you can find it at the World Wide Webb where all of the previous "THE DIGEST ASKS GARY" sessions are archived.

Hey Gary,

     I am 13 years old and a ''Cars Freak''. I just love that song. I am
stuck in a time warp as well, for I only listen to 80's music (your old
songs). I have these CD's in order of how I got them: The Best of Gary
Numan 1978-1983, Here I Am, The Other Side of Gary Numan, Dream Corrosion,
The Pleasure Principle/Warriors set, Document Series presents: Gary Numan,
and  Replicas/The Plan set. I will soon be getting the Telekon/I, Assassin
set which like most of these I have had to special order. I am also looking
forward to Living Ornaments '79 & '80.

Q1.  Do you like to watch wrestling. And do you know anyone that collects
     WWF wrestling figures? I was wondering (when you had time) could you
     see if any stores had some WWF action figures (1-2-3 Kid, and the
     Smoking Gunns) they are in a green package. If you don't watch
     wrestling and haven't the slightest idea what i'm talking about, i am
     sorry to have made you clueless to what I was talking about and you
     don't have to look for the action figures. I'll let you concentrate on
     your music.

A1. I actually don't like wrestling at all I'm afraid and I hardly ever go
    to toy shops but I'll keep my eyes open just in case.


Nice talking to you! Thanks a lot!

Gary,

My very first Gary Numan concert was 'I,Assassin Tour 82', you played
Perkins Palace, Pasadena, CA  October 8th.  Opening band was 'Viva
Beat'.  When the curtains went up, the set was completely stripped with
nothing but regular stage lighting.  I was completely disappointed....in
the beginning.  I was totally expecting to see a flash stage set as in
the Touring Principle and the Teletour sets.  During the concert I gained
total respect for you as a live performer.  You totally worked the stage
and the audience and I was totally mesmorized by your stage presence. Since
then I've been to only two other tours and that was in the UK.

Q2.  What was the reason to tour without your regular stage.  If you can
     recall,14 years ago?

A2. I don't have a regular stage set. Each tour has a new one. The reason
    that the '82 US tour didn't have a flash one was due entirely to a lack
    of money and the fact that much of that tour was played in small
    venues, small club size really, and so even if I had gone out with a big
    set my lowly level of success at that time would have prevented me using
    it anyway.

Thank you for answering my previous questions, I feel such honor that you
actually take the time to do...absolutely amazing.

I think I may have mislead you in the one question I asked about you
doing an instrumental album.  What I was getting at was that your music
is so ingenious.

Q3.  Would you consider releasing an already released album or compilation
     of tracks minus the vocals thus creating an instrumental album?

A lot of your ballads are arranged so beautifully!!

Thanks for re-visting this question.

A3.  It would have to be re-mixed which takes a fair amount of time and I
     would have to be sure that a significant number of people would want
     such an album and to be honest I don't think that that many people
     would. I'm having enough trouble trying to sell my normal albums as it
     is let alone instrumental versions.  This would probably be a good idea
     if I was doing better business than I am at the moment.


Thought of a couple more questions but here are two other thoughts.  First,
I think that you should do whatever you feel is best for you and Numa as
far as the release of 'Strange Charm' goes.  However, my personal choice is
to have as much as possible on CD that already isn't on CD.  Second, stop
by Joey Lindstrom's site 'The World Wide Webb' and pop in to 'Poetry and
Power'. The section is a tribute to you by the fans.  Hope you enjoy it.

Q4.  Of all the backing vocalists that you've worked with in the past,
     male or female, with whom would you like to work with again if the need
     came about.

A4.  They all had their good and bad points but TJ is the only one who has
     become a firm friend and who I see regularly socially so it would
     definitely be TJ Davis.

Q5.  Are you familiar with the group Alphaville?  Any influences from
     them or are they too bubble gum pop for you?

A5.  I've heard of them, in fact I think my guitar player Rob just finished
     a tour with them but no, they are not an influence. I've not heard any
     of their stuff.

Q6.  Finally, How many licks does it take to get to the center of a
     Tootsie Roll Tootsie Pop? This is a trivial question obviously.

A6.  A good question and I'll keep licking till I find the answer.

Thanks as always.

Chris Savage of East Lansing, Michigan, USA asks:

I am somewhat new to this list so perhaps you've answered this before
but here goes:

Q7.  Is there *any* chance that we'll be seeing you in the USA in the near
     future?  If so, when?!

A7.  If I get a major deal the chances are good, if not the chances are a
     bit 50/50. When is even harder to guess but next year would be nice.***

I've been a fan of yours from waaay back and saw the Telekon tour in
Ann Arbor, Michigan.  I've been starving since then!  Please come
back!

Before the question, I'd like to thank you for the music you've given the
rest of us. I wish I had gone to see you (you performed in Madison,
Wisconsin twice -- about three hours from my home town), but I didn't
really start listening to music until 1981.

You've said that working with a producer is not right for you right now,
but there has been some talk on the digest about less-than-great sound
quality on some of your CD's (and I must agree in some cases).

Q8.  What are your thoughts on hiring a sound or recording engineer during
     the mastering process?

A8.  I think it's virtually been proven that the sound quality problems
     originate long after the stuff leaves my studio, most likely at a
     particular pressing plant. In fact I'll just insert a snippet of a
     message I sent to someone recently who had a slightly insulting thing
     to say about my engineering and leave that as my answer.

"I want my albums to be of the highest quality and to that end spend a huge
 amount of time and money on equipment for the studio but I am only in
 control of the recording process up to a certain point."

"The facts of the Sacrifice album, original version, are that we spent in
 excess of one thousand pounds getting it EQ mastered at the top cutting
 house currently in the business so it should be as good as it can get.
 After 15 plus albums I can assure all my fans that I do know when an album
 sounds good or not in a studio regardless of who is engineering it but I
 cannot speak for the final quality of every copy pressed as I obviously
 don't quality check every single copy."

"It must be fairly obvious to most people that I have high quality equipment
 here that I record stuff on, and listen to stuff with, before sending it
 away to be cut and pressed. It is probably better than most peoples Hi Fi
 systems,costing well in excess of 100,000 UK pounds as it does. Nothing
 leaves here that doesn't sound first class. Whatever problems are occuring
 with the sound it happens after it leaves here so Mr Ken Whatsisname can
 shove his engineering comments up his arse. If he honestly believes that an
 album left this studio that was of no better quality than a cassette deck
 copy he must be simple."

I have had the Dream Corrosion CD for sometime and very much enjoy the
music.  As a result, I purchased the video but must tell you I was very
surprised, and a bit disappointed, at the concert presentation.  I have
not seen you live, since the "I Assasin" tour in the U.S., so my memory
is admittedly dated.  Nevertheless, the three times I saw you, your
stage presence was very much stoic and detached. I enjoyed your concerts
tremendously and felt your stage presence fit your music extremely
well.  The music, your delivery, and the futuristic stage set was very
distinctive and well integrated.  The Dream Corrosion concert is
entirely different - you and the band really cut loose.

Q9.  Has (and will) your return to a more sinister tone of music factor into
     the style of any future concerts?  How would you characterize the Dark
     Light and Premier Tours?

A9.  I don't know how to answer this. If you prefer the older style of
     slightly wooden and less energetic on-stage delivery then sadly I can
     offer you nothing in the future. I'm lucky in that most people seem to
     much prefer the way I perform these days although most of them have
     obviously grown with me over the years that you missed. The best thing
     you can do is to watch old videos I suppose because I like the way I've
     developed as a stage performer. I'm reasonably still on songs that suit
     it and go crazy apeshit on songs that have energy. I think it's a
     mistake to think that being sinister means you have to stand still and
     glare at people but each to their own I suppose.

BTW, Sacrifice and the Absolution single are absolutely brilliant.
It's a good thing they are on CDs because albums would have worn out by
now. Looking forward to Exile!

Hi Gary

First let me offer my condolences for your recent losses, I, as I'm sure
other digest members, were thinking of you during this difficult time.

Q.10. I recently picked up a copy of Telekon/ I Assassin while on a visit to
      the U.K. There is a bonus track called "This House is Cold" which IMO
      is one of your finest pieces. I am, however, having a little
      difficulty "decoding" the lyrics :-) Can you offer any insight? also,
      from the sound of the song it doesn't sound like it was written in the
      I Assassin era, do you remember when you wrote it?

A10.  No. I've not heard the track since I recorded it as far as I know and
      certainly not since that duo album was released so I've nothing to jog
      my memory.

I loved Sacrifice, esp the ext version and am looking forward to Exile.
Thanks for taking the time to answer all of our questions

Dear Gary,

You answered my questions before and I am thankful!  I hope that you
continue to answer my questions!  Here goes!

Q11. I believe that you once sang the lines...."Did you know that friends
     come in boxes" and the lines...."September she knows I can
     feel".....Well, I was wanting to know if you think that I should
     purchase Nintendo's new 64-bit machine?  You see, the "Nintendo 64"
     comes in a box and she arrives here in the USA sometime this September!

     Please, I value your opinion and foresight....Should I buy myself this
     new toy from Nintendo?

A11. Hello strange person. The line 'Did you know that friends come in
     boxes' was actually from a song about a future technology whereby a
     man could masturbate into a box of 'stuff' and from it the child of his
     choosing would grow. A bit like 'add water and stir'. I don't think
     that writing that song therefore gives me much of an insight into your
     Nintendo dilemma. So much for foresight. Foreskin more like. Sorry.***

I have had some-what odd dreams all of my life!  When I was about 8 or
9 years old I learned that the people in my dreams were ancient Romans!  I
have had dreams of ancient Roman military type scenes all of my life!
There has always been this one guy, in my  dreams, that is preaching to
groups of Roman soldiers!  Now that I've grown-up a little  bit, I've
noticed that this gentleman from my dreams, who is preaching to groups of
Roman soldiers, is actually me!  I have been having dreams all my life in
which I am some kind of ancient Roman leader or Roman Centurion!  Well, I
heard one of your songs entitled "My Centurion" and for a while I was
convinced that this song was about my dreams!  As I was listening to "My
Centurion" the lyrics were corresponding almost perfectly with several
dreams of mine! Later, I learned that the song "My Centurion" might
actually be related to a type of airplane!

Q12. My question.....Is the song "My Centurion" referring to a type of
     aircraft or is the song actually referring to one of your fan's dreams?

A12. It's about a plane crash I was in. The aeroplane was a Cessna 210
     Centurian. It was a wierd experience but not THAT wierd.

Thank you for answering my questions!  I wish you luck and happiness with
"Exile" and your work in the future!

Q13. Would you consider to play gigs in small but fashionable clubs around
     the world?

A13. Certainly would. They don't even have to be fashionable.

Q14. On your touring principle tape you came back on stage and stated that
     "It was a bit different than last night". I'm wondering how bad was the
     previous night? What did they audience do (Or didn't do?)

A14. I think the night before had a large element of music biz personnel in
     the audience and so the crowd reaction was noticeably less frenzied
     than the night that was recorded.

Q15. Does it really cost that much to bring a small tour to the U.S? It
     seems that there are plenty of bands that put on small tours here in
     the U.S. why couldn't you? (after all, if it wasn't for us yanks you
     would be singing in German and the name Numan wouldn't be anything
     special).

A15. Yes, it really does. You have to remember that I'm not 'a band' I'm a
     solo artist that has to pay his musicians. This puts my situation in a
     completely different box compared to regular touring bands. I also
     don't have a record company in the US to sell the records that such a
     tour would be set up to promote. I have no success to speak of and so
     could command only very small fees in very small places so the tour
     could not support itself financially without the backing of a record
     company. Etc etc etc. The last comment escapes me completely unless
     you're referring to World War 2 and I think your history books may
     paint a slightly different picture of events compared to ours. For what
     it's worth I don't think the name Numan IS anything special, nor the
     man that uses it, never have.

Q16. The overall theme on "Sacrifice" seems to be hinged on the thought that
     you or somebody you know has a deadly disease, like aids, any
     connection here?

A16. No. I don't know anyone that's died of a deadly disease or anyone that
     has one. I don't use the word to apply to something like AIDS or
     Cancer. I use it in a slightly more abstract way.

Q17. Do you still live in Virginia Water?

A17. Not since 1988.

Q18. If you could go back in time would you keep touring instead of
     "retiring" after the Teletour?

A18. I did keep touring. I think I've done about 10 or so since then, maybe
     more.

Q19. Do you believe in god?

A19. You must be new to the Digest I think. No, I do not believe in God.***


Just a few pondering thoughts from and old fan.

Dear Gary,

Q20. do you BY ANY CHANCE have Warren Cann's e-mail address?

A20. No, sorry. I didn't even know he had an e-mail address.

The last time I spoke to him was last year and I cannot spot him. I suppose
he will still be living in L.A., though.

Well, it IS worth a try, innit...?

Thank you in advance for your kind collaboration.

Gary,

Q21. Do you know who owns the rights (if anyone) to the Live at the Roxy
     1977  recording, and how would you feel if someone (record label, fans,
     etc.) re-released it on CD?

A21. I'm sure that album was a bootleg in which case nobody owns it. I
     wouldn't care one way or the other of it was put out on CD to be
     honest.

Check out the Nut Music Home Page:
http://www.shentel.net/nutmusic

Just back from the Adrenaline Village gig which was cool as f*ck. Seeing
you live again has prompted these few questions:

You do some cool versions of some older tracks yet there are a certain
number which I think are cruelly overlooked, namely "Complex", "The
Aircrash Bureau" and "Night Talk".

Q22. Is there any reason why you dont play these tracks? Especially
     Complex which I reckon is one of the most beautiful, understated pieces
     you have ever written !!!! Please play it on the "Exile" tour. Pretty
     please :-)

A22. Insrumentation mainly. I don't have a Viola player so the only way I
     could do it would be to stick it on to tape. Not an unthinkable idea
     but not something I'm overly keen on.***

Q23. As much as I love the older stuff and the Sacrifice material
     (Absolution scares me), I wonder why periods like "Dance" and "I,
     Assassin" dont figure that highly in your sets these days. How do you
     feel about those albums now?

A23. Both albums use fretless bass, and sax, extensively and I don't have a
     fretless bass player, or sax player, in the band at the moment. I like
     those albums very much. We did play 'This Is My House' and 'War Songs'
     on the first night of the 'Sacrifice Tour' or 'Premier Tour', can't
     remember which. We may play 'Night talk' in the future as well as that
     has been shortlisted for the last two tours at least.***

Personally I think Dance is bloody brilliant, and it's a shame that the
songs on it don't get aired live.

Q24. I'm a huuuuge D Mode fan. Do I detect strong M Gore-esque elements in
     your recent output? If so, you obviously listen to cool music.

A24. Quite possibly, 'Songs of love and devotion' is one of my all time
     favourite albums. I also met Martin Gore and Alan Wilder recently, at
     different times, and they were both excellent so I would be surprised
     if that influence doesn't turn up somewhere.***

Cant wait for Exile. Hope it all goes well.

Q25. My personal favorite song by you is "Down in the Park".  How did this
     song come about and what does it mean to you?  Is there a certain park
     somewhere that this song refers to?

A25. I wrote it on an old upright piano in 1978. It was my first electronic
     single and seems to have become something of a landmark in electronic
     music. It refers to a park that was part of some fictional short
     stories that I was working on at the time. Those stories all became
     songs from the 'Replicas' period.

Q26. I have enjoyed all of your work with the exception of the Fury album.
     What was happening with you during this period.  The change of from
     wearing make-up and semi-dressing up as a tuff boy, slash early 80's
     punk to the '85' Fury album's formal suit wearing, nice guy, boy next
     door look really took me by surprise.

A26. Nothing was happening. You probably aren't aware but The Fury was my
     third album in a row of suit wearing. 'Dance' and 'I Assassin' both had
     a suit clad me on the front, in fact you may notice that I'm wearing a
     suit on the cover of 'The Pleasure Principle' album as well. Not only
     that but I have BROWN hair on that cover as well. Not sure therefore
     why 'The Fury' cover came as such a surprise. Don't forget that was
     also wearing a shirt and tie on the 'Replicas' cover. I'm also
     surprised that anyone would ever consider any of those early album
     images as anything remotely tough. Most people thought I was effeminate
     and/or gay. I was never an early 80's punk unless these things were
     seen differently in America. Over here punk was dead and almost buried
     by the early 80's.


I'm only being curious and do not mean to sound harsh.  I've fully enjoyed
your music and plan to continue with the many years to come ahead.

I wish you continued success and hope to hear of you touring somewhere in
the USA.  I'm looking forward to your upcoming Exile recordings as well.

Thanks for the Memories :)

Hey Gary...

Q27. I notice that some of the titles from the new "Exile" record seem to be
     based on themes from the 1995 movie "Prophecy".  Is this correct?  If
     so, please elaborate on your thoughts and inspirations regarding the
     film and how it ties into the overall "Exile" theme.

A27. The '95 movie 'Prophecy' was actually a '96 movie over here. I think I
     saw it on video in February, maybe March this year. I got the video out
     because it did indeed seem to have a similar theme to my 'Exile' album
     although, after having seen it, it wasn't that close after all.  Good
     film though.


Q28. During the last few tours that you've re-introduced the older material
     on stage, the "Dance" and "Warriors" albums have been ignored with the
     exception of "Moral" on a few dates.  I was wondering, was this planned
     or a coincidence?  Do you plan to possibly play tunes from those on
     future tours?

A28. Not definitely but best check out the answers to Questions 22 and 23.


Q29. Will there be a vinyl issue of "Exile"?

A29. It's far from certain but it is possible.

Thanks Gary!

Hello Gary,

With all the talk of your hopefully not too distant "unplugged" album, it
set me thinking back to the an old b-side, the piano version of "Down in
the Park".

Q30. Given the way that this particular interpretation IMHO rendered the
     original almost unlistenable in terms of melody, I wondered whether any
     more piano versions were recorded around the time?

A30. By unlistenable do you mean nowhere near as good as the piano version?
     If so, bow your head in shame. No other piano only versions were
     recorded that I can remember.

and....

Q31. Given that around the time of Telekon you used the piano quite
     extensively, I also wondered why you then suddenly stopped using the
     piano, given the more haunting quality it gave to your music (Aircrash
     Bureau etc.)?  You used it for Exhibition (my all-time fav) but not
     really since.  Was it just that Denis Haynes was with you at the time
     or what?

A31. Virtually every song that I've ever written has been written at least
     in part on piano and most songs that I've recorded have the piano on
     them somewhere or other. 'Sacrifice' is full of piano for example, it's
     just not isolated in the mix but believe me, you would certainly notice
     if it wasn't there. On tour Ade Orange plays nothing but piano on all
     the 'Sacrifice' and 'Exile' songs, albeit with a few effects thrown on
     top.


Q32. Did you play the piano on Exhibition?

A32. Can't remember but I must have done some of it.

Many thanks for allowing me the opportunity to ask you these questions as
despite having been to 50+ concerts I have never had the opportunity to meet
you.

Q33. Does you know how many copies of the Premier Hits have been sold?!?

A33. No sorry. I probably wouldn't tell you if I did though, unless it was
     something amazing of course. Giving out certain sales figures is a bit
     like telling people how big your willy is. A bit too personal and
     revealing.

Q34. Lately I got my 7 Cars version CD (SPV 055-28113).  Inside there was a
     competition (only for UK residers :-(. What I have been interested in
     was, who won the 1st prize to fly and the 2nd drive with you around
     the Silverstone track!?!

A34. I don't remember the names but that competiton was actually run on the
     third release of Cars which I think was in '92/'93. Driving around the
     Silverstone track was very cool. I flew their in my aeroplane and did a
     display before the main race of the day which was also a bit of an
     honour.


Bye for now

Gary Numan.

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.