It looks like the holiday break curtailed the number of questions this month. There was even room to add some of my own! That doesn't mean you need to flood me with questions for January.

I thinbk we should stop asking Gary how the search for a new deal is coming along as it seems to be being asked frequently and he has said he'll let us know when something happens that can be divulged.

Details of how to go about asking Gary a question are given at the end of this section. 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.

Hello again Gary...

Q1.  Did you have a creative hand in designing the lighting stage show for
    'Teletour'?, and what was your first impression when seeing the rig
     running for the first time? (it's still the greatest stage show I've
     ever seen by the way!).

A1.  Yes, The actual shape and design was mine. The technical side of
     how to make it work was somebody else.


Q2.  Although the question about using a 'real' drummer again in your
     studio has been asked previously, do you miss that 'human feel element'
     within the drum track that only a real drummer can provide?

A2.  Not that much actually but I will use a real drummer again some
     time in the near future. Not for everything though.


Q3.  Given your current stance with God - what would (or do) you say when
     religious groups knock on your door asking to preach? :-)

A3.  I always invite them in. I enjoy talking about it. At the moment
     I'm reading a version of the New Testament called 'The Message' that
     was sent to me. So far it hasn't changed my opinion, it's hardened it
     if anything, but at least I'm trying to see and understand the other
     side of the argument.


Q4.  "Data" from Star Trek the Next Generation [tm] is an android who
     longs too 'feel human', do you think he's been listening to too many of
     your early albums? :-))

A4.  If you've ever heard Brent Spiner sing I don't think you would ask:-)

Q5.  Do you know how Receiver were able to put "London Times" (ext. version)
     on their "Here I Am" compilation?   Did you have anything to do with it
     because you once said you wouldn't "piss on it if it were on fire"?

A5.  'London Times' is owned by the record/publishing company that
     released it, I think they were called GFM. I have no control over that
     song.


Q6.  While I like the vast majority of your material some of it I don't.
     It's just a few songs (e.g. Emotion, The Need, Dark Sunday,
     Sister Surprise).  I realise everyone has their own individual but
     equally valid opinions but many fans seem to dislike the same small
     subset of songs. How do you view the songs I have mentioned now in
     retrospect and do you have any yourself that you wish you had never
     released?

A6.  I like all those songs actually. I have plenty that I'm less keen
     on than others but it does vary from year to year. My biggest problem
     is being able to remember how most of my songs go at all let alone
     remember whether I like them or not.


Q7.  What do you think is realistically possible for your career in 1997?

A7.  Realistically it's possible to go from being completely unknown to huge
     all around the world. What is likely is another matter and I never \
     allow myself to think about it. It can get too depressing if you build
     up your expectations only to see it all come to nothing. Believe me,
     I've done it before and I know from bitter experience that it's best to
     just try your hardest but expect nothing.


Q8.  Have you heard *any* info on the long overdue but promised release by
     Beggars Banquet of the "Living Ornaments '79/Wembley '81" set?

A8.  Nothing at all.

        hi, gary. i would like to thank you, for making beautiful music
all these years. i have been listening to your music since '79, with my
first albums bought (pleasure principle & replicas).  they just blew my
mind off.  since then i have all of your albums/cd's.  seen you in 2
concerts, the first one was when i was 13, in '80 "teletour", and a few
years later flew down to see your "skin mechanic tour" oct 12 '89.  both
tours were overwhelming for me.

        by far "sacrifice" has hit the spot for me.  This cd (extended &
normal) versions are both musically, lyricly excellent 10+++.  my friend
and i have a clothing shop in montreal, called juan & juanita and when
i'm in the shop, the "sacrifice" cd is played at least once a day, among
your other material.  i must admit when i play "sacrifice" people ask me
"what cd is playing and where can i buy it?".  i just can't wait to hear
"exile", and fly over to see you perform "exile tour".  continue
producing excellent music gary, you are by far one of the best musicians
out there!!!

Q9.  Since your music with "sacrifice" has been taking a more dark,
     moody, direction, do you think your next tour will have the same
     feeling to it? (more synthesizers),

Q9.  Believe it or not it's not the amount of synthesizers used that
     make the music darker. It's a combination of many things including
     vocal style and lyrics. 'Sacrifice' had a lot more of my guitar on it
     than previous albums, instead of proper guitar players, and that also
     makes a big difference. I would say that 'Sacrifice' used, if anything,
     less synth than most of my previous albums, but concentrated the sounds
     used in a much more effective way.


Q10. What is happening with the record deal, that we are all looking
     forward to here in n.america?  does that mean i will see you perform
     back here in montreal soon?  i hope....

A10. I seem to be answering this question every time I open my mouth.
     You'll know when I do. Well, maybe a little bit later.

Just curious...

Some questions in the spirit of the holidays:

Q11. Did you give Gemma a present for Christmas?  If so, what was it?

A11  I gave Gemma about 15 presents I think, clothes, CD's all kinds of
     stuff.


Q12. What did she give you for Christmas?

A12. About 50 presents I think, at least it seemed that way. Everything
     from computer games to clothes to flying stuff. Too much to list.


Q13. Did you and your family do anything special for the holidays (i.e. take
     time off somewhere together, etc.)

A13. We don't have a holiday as such at Christmas, just lots of get
     togethers we relatives we rarely see.


I hope these questions aren't too personal.  I suppose if I asked about your
hair before, these questions weren't too bad :-)

Non-holiday question:

Q14. How's the Exile album coming along?  Any closer to a recording deal (in
     the US or anywhere)?

A14. Exile is done more or less, although I'm still tinkering away with
     more new stuff. No news on the deal yet.


Anxiously awaiting the new album and a possible tour in the US... (I can
ALWAYS hope)  :-)))

Many thanks for your answers as always!

----
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. All recipients of unnacceptable questions will be emailed and asked to withdraw or resubmit the question. Questions are not censored without the author's knowledge!

Thanks, as always, to all who participated.