Tubeway Army & Dance
(BEGA 151CD)
© 1993 Beggar's Banquet Records

Tubeway Army Liner Notes:

TUBEWAY ARMY was the debut album that seperated Gary Numan from the 'boys' of punk, who were content to put out an independent single and claim their fifteen minutes of fame. It also marked the arrival of a major new force in the music scene. Originally released as a limited edition of 5000 copies on blue transparent vinyl (now a much sought after collectors' item), the album sold steadily and gained Gary a small, fanatical and growing number of fans who could identify with his highly emotional, personal and often cynical observations of life. It also showed Beggar's Banquet's level of commitment to a new artist who was, for the most part, an unknown quantity. This album was a major gamble for the new label but it was one that paid off. In return, Gary Numan helped establish Beggar's Banquet as a force to be reckoned with. Amidst a background of post punk nihilism, this debut album stood out like a beacon of hope for new music and was probably the most critically accepted of all Gary's releases. It's difficult to point out any particular tracks on this album as they are all so good. It's one of the best debuts I've heard and still sounds as fresh today as it did back then.

- Francis Drake

(Originally the album was due for an earlier release under the title EVERYDAY I DIE but during the couple of months' delay Gary had already developed and changed styles and written enough new synthesizer songs for the next album. Retitled TUBEWAY ARMY the record was finally issued on 24 November 1978 but for Gary this release marked the real end of Tubeway Army as a band though the name was kept until "Cars" was released as 'Gary Numan'. Most of the album (including the bonus track "Fadeout 1930") was recorded and mixed by the end of July '78, but "Listen To The Sirens" and "Zero Bars" are from a later session on 23 August. "Fadeout 1930" was first issued on a retrospective 12" in 1985. The music is a rewrite of an earlier unreleased song, "Out Of Sight". The other four bonus tracks don't strictly belong on this CD since they were recorded during 'The Touring Principle'. They were compiled as a live 'extended play' single scheduled for release in early 1980. The project was abandoned but two tracks, "On Broadway" and "Remember I Was Vapour", were issued as a 7" single included free with initial copies of the album TELEKON. The other two tracks have previously only been available on the Japanese ASYLUM set, and "Down In The Park" is a different recording than the LIVING ORNAMENTS '79 version.)

Dance Liner Notes:

On 26/27/28 April 1981, Gary Numan performed three triumphant shows at London's Wembley Arena to climax and bid farewell to the meteoric first stage of his career. In just two years he had released four albums (plus two live albums) and toured Europe, North America and the Far East. It was time to stop, rest, and reassess his options. DANCE marked a radical change in direction for Gary when he returned after a long break from recording with a new sound. The combination of elements from jazz and funk and the distinctive fretless bass were to characterize his music for the next few years. A new smooth image replaced the leather jump suits and Gary seemed content to put the 'machine' phase of his career behind him. "She's Got Claws" preceded the album release and, unusually for the prolific Gary, was the only single issued under his name that year. The change in musical style was potentially a big risk: would his fans accept it or reject it? DANCE was released in the autumn of 1981 and reached Number Three in the U.K bestsellers chart; his following had remained loyal. On this album Gary combined the talents of Roger Taylor from Queen, Mick Karn from Japan, and Nash the Slash on violin! These contributions helped to flesh out Gary's new sonic blueprint as he moved bravely into the Eighties.

- Francis Drake

("Stormtrooper In Drag" was originally released as a solo single, with "Night Talk" on the B side, by Paul Gardiner, who was the original bass player with Tubeway Army through to the Wembley farewell concerts. The rest of the band stayed together after the tour, and as 'Dramatis' released an album on Rocket Records. One of their tracks, "Love Needs No Disguise", featured Gary on vocals and was released as a single on Beggar's Banquet. "I Sing Rain" and "Exhibition" were the 12" B sides of "She's Got Claws".)

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