Breaking News

August 13, 2010

The popular American car site The Car Connection gave Gary a mention this week, telling readers he has gone viral with his impressive new DieHard commercial.  The ad also scored a mention in the illustrious New York Times this week.  The NYT described the video, giving Numan respectable exposure to its millions strong readership:

Gary Numan, a pioneer in New Wave music, scored a hit with the synth-driven song “Cars” in 1979. The song was based on a couple of simple repeating melodies. Mr. Numan was recently able to reproduce them with car horns in a viral video for DieHard, the battery company.

In the video, Mr. Numan in all his goth glory — black jacket, jeans, boots, hair and mascara — stands in a cubic outline of fluorescent tubes, which serve as an homage to the pyramid of light featured in the original music video. In front of him are 24 cars without batteries. After a stern glance, he proceeds to tap the keyboard, and the car horns (which have been tuned) blast out the familiar song.

If you’re interested in how this was accomplished, you can read this post on the Make blog written by Adam Sadowsky and Eric Gradman, of Syyn Labs, the engineering firm behind the video, and Todd Taber, of Young & Rubicam Chicago, DieHard’s ad agency. The video was directed by James Frost, who also worked with Syyn Labs on the celebrated music video for “This Too Shall Pass” by the band OK Go.

The Make blog post gets pretty technical and involved. Fortunately, Young & Rubicam Chicago also created a “Making of” video:

Thanks also to Peter "NumanAus" in Australia for the above video!

The UK Tech site Electric Pig ran the numbers on Wednesday tallying viewers of  BBC's recent Red Button shows.  Gary Numan's 1.3 million viewers still hold the record for the channel's largest musical event ever.

The buzz over Gary's visit on American territory is increasing exponentially.  Spin Magazine Online which called Cars "a Beach Boys song idling on Kraftwerk's Autobahn", invited readers to check out the "New Wave Godfather".  Gary's Pleasure Principle Tour this fall was also given mentions this week on CHARTAttack, NorthJersey.com, and Limewire who wrote:

It’s not exactly breaking news to observe that Gary Numan is the o.g. of synth-pop, electro, techno, industrial music, and probably six or seven other styles we’re not even thinking of right now. In the late ’70s, when most bands were still busy getting down with their guitars, he proved that synthesizers could come to the forefront of rock and pop in a new, exciting way. On his 1979 album The Pleasure Principle, Numan perfected his forward-looking vision of electro-pop, becoming something of a sensation in the U.S. (He’d already been a star in Europe for some time by that point).

For those of you who have trouble with arithmetic, that means The Pleasure Principle had it’s 30th anniversary last year, and now Numan is mounting a tour that will hit the states this fall to celebrate that very fact. The New Wave pioneer was among the many artists whose trips to America last spring were canceled due to the dangerous conditions caused by the volcanic ash coming out of Iceland, so there are already plenty of Numanites who are anxiously anticipating his visit. The fact that Numan’s fall tour finds him performing The Pleasure Principle in its entirety only adds fuel to the fire. Of course, he’ll also be playing a batch of his other hits, as well as brand new material from his upcoming album, Splinter, but the idea that you can robot-dance along to Cars, Tracks, Films, et al, makes the idea of an evening with Numan all the more intriguing, no?

I haven't heard anything new about the 5DX Dome shows which were to be rescheduled in London and Miami after complications prevented their occurrence earlier this year.  So I've erased them from the Upcoming Gigs section on the left until I'm able to score concrete details for you.

My friend Lee in Dover wrote in with quite a cool story about running into Gary Numan before the Brighton gig last week.  Talk about Numan karma!  Take it away, Lee!:

Hi Jim
 
Well, I'm fresh from seeing Gary at the Concorde in Brighton and, finally after 8 years of waiting, I managed to meet him!! 
 
And here's how.....
 
A few months ago I planned to take my girlfriend Emma down to Brighton for the day for her birthday and to take her to Jamie Oliver's Italian Restaurant for lunch.  Then, Gary announced the warm-up show on the same day I planned to take her to Brighton which was a great coincidence (and no sly plan!) Ha-ha.  I asked her if she would fancy seeing this Gary Numan who I never keep quiet about and so she agreed to go to the Concorde show with me in the evening.
 
We got into Jamie's at about 4pm and sat down and ordered our food.  We had some bread and started on the Wine before the starters came out.  10 minutes or so later the starters arrive and we're tucking in when Emma says "Oh god, is that him??".  "Who" I said, before turning round to see that it was actually 'God'.  Gary and the whole band along with Gemma sat in the restaurant behind us having lunch too.  I didn't know what to do.  Luckily when we ended up paying for the bill Gary and the band were just getting up to leave.  So, like the star struck idiot that I felt, I followed him and Gemma up the road before getting the courage to shout "Gary" and ask for a photo (as per attached) although I am never happy with the way I look in photo's it certainly was the moment I'd waited for all this time.  I'd finally met him but was too nervous too say much more than "Can I have a quick photo, thanks Gary - see you later".
 
So there is my tale.  The gig itself was great as ever with a couple of oldies in the setlist like Noise Noise which was good.
 
Anyways, hope all is well Jim and hope to see you at a Numan gig over here again soon.  Enjoy the American tour I'm sure that will be great.
 
Take Care
Lee

Gary Numan and Lee Bowman

Brighton Jamie Oliver's Italian Restaurant

July 29, 2010

Photographer: Emma

Check out some amazing pictures from the Brighton show on XYZ Magazine.  They're definitely among the best I've seen.  Thanks to Paul in Cambridge for the linkage!  The show was also reviewed on the Gigwise site.

Brighton Concordia 2

July 29, 2010

Photographer: Keith Trigwell

Flavorwire ranked Gary Numan's cameo on The Mighty Boosh as one of the Top 10 musician cameos ever on Tuesday.

In yesterday's Bloomberg BusinessWeek, Iranian artist Tara Inanloo protested the black garbs worn by women in her country by occasionally morphing herself into Marilyn Monroe.  According the the article, she has worked as a photographer with Nick Cave and Gary Numan.

After a credible rumour that Gary would play Austin's Fun Fun Fest in Texas November 6 or 7, it turned out to be just that, a rumour.  The official list has been released and Numan is nowhere to be found.  The good news is that Devo will show up!  Yes!!!  You Numanoids in Austin can always check out your hometown Numan tribute band, Airlane.  The latest dates are on their MySpace page.

New York Times bestselling author Yasmine Galenorn was interviewed by the Bite Club on VampireChixReadBooks on Thursday.  Her top music pick?  Gary Numan.

I've only seen stellar reviews from Gary's visit to the Sonisphere festival.  Jack Pudwell was there and put it like this:

Gary Numan may not be a typically “rock friendly” booking in the eyes of some, but his Saturn stage set on Friday evening certainly hushed even the most elitist of rock and metal fans. Playing a selection of darker cuts from his most recent albums along with fantastically heavy and stirring renditions of classics like Cars and Are ‘Friends’ Electric?, the electro legend’s set proved one of the highlights of the weekend.

It seems strange alien versions of the Telekon DVD are showing up on shelves in the UK.  Paul in the UK spotted some in Cambridge:

Jim,

Good news! 'The Telekon' DVD is on the shelves in Fopp (bad news it's £15). They were on a shelf facing the front and the design flaw on the cover became apparent. The box doesn't have the words 'Gary Numan' on it, and there is no illustration. Unless you knew it was Gary Numan you wouldn't have a clue what it was, which is most people because most music buyers weren't born when it was released.

The new audiophile and collectible Numan box set featuring The Plan, Tubeway Army, Replicas and The Pleasure Principle are making their way to Numanoids around the world.  Mike wrote me today after giving one a good home there in California:

Hi Jim,

No sooner did I receive my Gary Numan 79/80 180g Vinyl Box Set from Amazon yesterday
to find that it is already sold out on Amazon.  I'm glad I pre-ordered it at a VERY reasonable price of $71.49 with free shipping.  This is certainly to become quite the Numan collectable (ONLY 500 issued) including the faithful blue vinyl gatefold reissue of Tubeway Army. What do I think so far?  Still debating whether or not to open it (LOL).  Other sources (eBay) still show the item as available, but not for long.

The Vinyl 180 box set was also discussed by the fine folks at Tinymixtapes.com who also can't wait to get their paws on a copy.

Clubbing news site Skiddle offered up a review today of Chicane's new album Giants which features the Numan-centric track Hiding All The Stars:

"The rest of the album continues to please, with highlights including Where Do I Start and, despite standing out a little from the other tracks, almost as if it were slotted in at the last minute, Hiding All the Stars which includes a sample of Gary Numan’s Cars. A cheesy song at the bet (sic) of times."

It's safe to say that I've seen it all now.  Gary Numan has joined Nicolas Cage, Slipknot's Corey Taylor and other musicians & actors for a new video that pays tribute to the iconic guitarist, Jimi Hendrix.  Read about it on Digital Spy, and watch the entire video on NME. 

August 3, 2010

More cool stuff on the Webb!  There a pretty cool mini-database of those who have covered Numan's song Cars over at WhoSampled.com.  There's a couple entries there I hadn't yet heard, like the one involving Puff Daddy.

Gary gave Rock Radio some insight yesterday over the mysteriously bad final Nine Inch Nails performance at Sonisphere last year. Seems there was no love lost between Trent Reznor and fans of Metallica who were present. Trent appeared but only played several slow songs.  Fascinating stuff.  It seems that it really was a missed opportunity.  But then again Trent had nothing left to prove.  He gives away his CDs anymore and would no longer tour.  So Trent had nothing to lose. Still, sad it worked out the way it did.
Find out more from Gary here.

Numan enjoyed a few mentions in this excellent Guardian article about Bob Moog and his synthesizers yesterday.  I'm still kicking myself for not getting a picture with Moog at Cornell in 1997 at a Theremin presentation, but I shook his hand, and did have the presence of mind to record the event which included a Q&A session.

August 2, 2010

Tickets go on sale today on Ticketmaster Mexico for Gary's Mexico gig.  The major Mexican news site El Economista reported on the event today in their entertainment section.  The show will be for those above 14.  Bring your Google translator along!

The What You Got site posted NME's full 6 minute interview with Gary Numan at Sonisphere today.  Several interesting topics are covered:

 Hello to the Numanoids of the World!  Senior Gringo Machman here wearing a sombrero and eating burritos to pay homage to the latest Numan news.  Gary is about to perform in the only North American country he has yet to play.  Last month, the NAGNFC featured a picture with a Mexican who traveled to Coachella to see Numan.  Turns out he won't have to drive so far next time.

On Saturday, November 6, Gary will perform South of the Border in Mexico City's Lunario del Auditorio Nacional at 10:00 pm.  The show will be the same Pleasure Principle themed show featured in the United States.  Ticketmaster Mexico says a regular ticket for the show will set you back $500, but never fear.  That's in Mexican pesos.  In US dollars, the ticket price is $39.27.  Tickets go on sale August 2.  Hat tip to Paul in Cambridge and Jeff "Machman" Tolva in Illinois for the heads up!  Here is the flyer seen around Mexico City:

Gary's show at the intimate Brighton venue on Thursday was well reviewed all around.  A very packed crowd was there to see what Lee in England called one of his best shows ever, particularly the "fooking excellent new intro" to I Die: You Die.  Judging from the Brighton show, Lee added that it appears that Gary will be in top form for the upcoming American Tour.  He kindly sent us a couple of videos from the performance below as well as some excellent pictures on the NAGNFC Picture Pages with Gary both inside and outside the venue before the show.  Thanks for the excellent and exclusive pics and vids, Lee!

The set list for Brighton included: Pure, A Prayer For The Unborn, Bleed (Hybrid Version), Films, Noise Noise, Pressure, I Die: You Die, Down In The Park, Halo, Jagged, Metal, Zulu and The Fall.  There is a short review of the Brighton show with some truly stellar pictures by Veronika Moore over at Gigwise.  Thanks to Ian over at Principle Photography for the linkage!

Gary Numan

Brighton Concordia 2

July 29, 2010

Photographer: Lee Carroll

Gary's show at the Sonisphere Festival at the prestigious Knebworth Festival scored him more than a few new fans.  Rocksound called Numan's performance on Friday strangely brilliant.  They also caught up with Gary for an interview backstage where he spoke about his mindset during the making of The Pleasure Principle.  Gary had nearly 45 minutes to wow the hard rock crowd, so he chose his heaviest tracks buffered by his two best known tracks:

To give you a sense of scale of what kind of major event that Gary got involved with, here are the stats:

To gear up for Sonisphere, Dolphin Music scored an interview with Numan's guitarist Tim Muddiman.  Tim spoke about how he hooked up with Gary's band.  Thanks to Paul in Cambridge for letting us all know!

Lee Carroll and Gary Numan before the show

Brighton Concordia 2

July 29, 2010

Photographer: Tania

Steve Gray over at The Electricity Club throughly reviewed the new Micromusic DVD.  His review is so thorough, he includes an interview from someone who was lucky enough to actually have been one of the 30,000 attendees at the iconic Numan event.

The music magazine Sideline reviewed Year Zero/Future Music Limited's Various Artist release Bustin' Out 1982 including Music For Chameleons, and called Numan "legendary".

Gary Numan

Brighton Concordia 2

July 29, 2010

Photographer: Veronika Moore

The excellent Numan interview I posted last week about the box set, Trent and the upcoming American Tour was originally posted by Rolling Stone magazine July 23rd.  Here is the linkage to Gary's interview on the iconic music periodical.

The Canadian magazine site Exclaim! featured an article about Numan's box set, released July 26 in a limited edition of 500.  Also mentioned is his one Canadian Pleasure Principle tour date.  Antimusic made sure their readers knew about the Nu-box set as well.

Gary Numan

Brighton Concordia 2

July 29, 2010

Photographer: Lee Carroll

The ingenuity of my friend Tim Eilers knows no bounds.  His latest Numan cover and video has already been described as "mind-blowing" and his "best ever".  Tim sent it my way to share with you below.  His mash-up of She's Got Claws and Cars is truly one of the most inventive covers I've ever heard, and the video gets better with each frame.  Work has kept Tim busy these days, but luckily for us, he's found time to create some amazing homages to Numan.  

On October 26 in Chicago, audiences will be treated to Gary as well as Alan Wilder who was a musician on Numan's favourite album, Songs Of Faith And Devotion.  After decades of rumours and the invitation by Depeche Mode to open for them on their Touring The Angel Tour in Portugal until that show was cancelled, it will be special to see them working together.  Mike in California and I have been talking about it.  He says:

I too have been a fan of Recoil since the 1+2 years.  I had the fortune to
meet Alan on 2 separate occasions and always found him to be very thoughtful and cordial.
The DM documentaries found on their reissued CD's are an amazing and required viewing of any casual or serious fan of the band.  My brother compiled all 10 parts onto 1 media player DVD.
 
It's rather sad to find that the true sound architect of the band, Alan, was always made to
feel the outsider by the rest of the members of DM in spite of his literal tenure with the band.
Violator and Songs of Faith and Devotion have his fingerprints all over them. He was the glue that held the band together while Dave was on his downward spiral, Martin couldn't find his way out of a bottle and amicable Fletch was on the verge of a nervous breakdown during the Exotic Tour.
 
Hopefully he will find his right place in history as more than a former member of Depeche Mode or "some hired gun".
 
I have the utmost respect for Alan Wilder and his decision to leave Depeche Mode. Gone are those halcyon days of the 80's and 90's where even the Rose Bowl or Dodger's Stadium could not contain their rabid fans and people took to rioting in the streets of LA. Still, I feel he left on his own terms and while the band was at their zenith.
 
His treatise on re-mastering, audio compression, and "the loudness wars" is nothing short of brilliant for it's insight and brevity... 
http://www.side-line.com/interviews_comments.php?id=29640_0_16_0_%20C

Take Care,
Mike
NAGNFC Faithful.

Gary Numan

Brighton Concordia 2

July 29, 2010

Photographer: Veronika Moore

Did you know that Gary Numan's wasn't the first Moog-wielding band that Ced Sharpley performed with on the Old Grey Whistle Test?  It's true.  In 1975, Ced played a song called Voices on the show as part of the prog-rock band Druid (below).  Keyboardist Andrew went on the create music for children's shows, including Teletubbies.  Thanks to Carl Patzer for the fascinating find!

You've watched Gary Numan on TV.  Would you like a chance for Gary to watch you on his TV?  Gary's frequent opening band Dirty Harry are looking for music fans just like you to appear in a music video shoot for their brand new single, I've Been Down.  A bit of it has already been shot during their recent club gig, but everyone is invited to co-star for the final day of shooting August 5 at The Workshop, The Roadtrip, 243 Old Street, London EC1V 9EY from 11:45 am onwards.  There will be someone there to greet you and get you sorted for the shoot.  Then all you need to do is rock out to Dirty Harry!  If you're considering this, drop them a line first to confirm you will be there and how many peeps you're bringing at dirtyharrybiz@hotmail.com.  Include your mobile number in case they need to get in touch before the shoot.  Find out more at the event page on MySpace!

Brighton Concordia 2

July 29, 2010

Photographer: Lee Carroll

Just when I thought I'd seen everything cool the Webb has to offer, Paul in Cambridge let me know about an amazing site that lists every song Gary has ever played live, even listing how many times Gary has played it.  The songs are cross-referenced by tour.  I always thought Sleep By Windows was played only 2 or 3 times, but this site reveals the song was in fact performed 6 times.  Way cool!

Brighton Concordia 2

July 29, 2010

Photographer: Lee Carroll

Lots of new and exclusive Numan pictures over on the NAGNFC Picture Pages, the internet's largest compilation of rare Gary Numan photos!  David sent another batch of excellent pics from the huge Foxx/Numan event at the London Roundhouse.  Marty "Machman05" sent us his pics from the Newcastle DJ event.  The blonde in some of the pics is KazzaP, a huge fan desperate to meet Gary, whom I met in Sunderland in December.  Thanks for the Nu-pics, guys!

Brighton Concordia 2

July 29, 2010

Photographer: Lee Carroll

Join the party over at The Audio Principle where 16 new tracks have been added!  Nine tracks are remastered Numan tracks that have only appeared on 12" vinyl and have been lost in time until now.  Seven of the new tracks are fun covers and rare mixes of Numan's tracks.  And my former and dreaded Rapidshare has been banished to the sleeproom.  These new tracks are all direct downloads with no waiting!  This really is new love.  Thanks to Mark Rice for the pro remastering of Gary's rarest tracks.  Thanks to Lee for the other Numan treasures and fun sundries.  And thanks to Joey in Alberta for the use of his server for the direct downloads!

Gary Numan

Brighton Concordia 2

July 29, 2010

Photographer: Veronika Moore

Take the time machine back with me to 1992 as we check out the latest NAGNFC Fanzine to be archived for future generations.  Here is what 1992's first issue features:

Volume 3  January 1992  Issue 27: News about the 1992 tour and the newest Numan release Isolate, updates about the new VHS release 'The Unborn' which Numan's Sonisphere stagemate Alice Cooper called the best movie of 1991, A full German Numan article circa 1984, reviews from Gary's 1980 Hammersmith Odeon show, rumours about a possible US tour, news clippings from Gary's 1983 UK arrest, more NAGNFC exclusive pictures from the Ancienne Belgique show, a newspaper review from Gary's Wembley appearances, the NME review of Dance from September 5, 1981,  Gary reviews singles from Duran Duran, Bruce Springsteen, The Cult, Beastie Boys, Talking Heads and many other bands, Gary speaks about meeting David Gahan from Depeche Mode, the original classified ad in Goldmine that sparked the NAGNFC, a vintage Australian article that describes Gary's career and his planned album Telecon (sic), news about the 3rd Annual North American Gary Numan Fan Club Convention, credible rumours about a possible Asylum 4, Numan catches up his catalogue for CD releases, and much more!

Gary Numan

Brighton Concordia 2

July 29, 2010

Photographer: Veronika Moore

A thank-you to everyone who helped make this month's issue what it was.  Huge monster thanks to Paul of Cambridge for your efforts for the cause.  It is as impressive as it is helpful.  A big thanks to the awesome Lee Carroll for your incredible contributions this month for us to enjoy!  Thanks to Carl Patzer for the vintage Ced Sharpley.  Who knew?  Many thanks to Veronika Moore for the insanely cool pictures.  Also thanks to Martin in Newcastle for the exclusive Numan pics from Newcastle!  Happy to give them a home here!  Same goes to the awesome David who was lucky enough to be at the London Roundhouse and shared his pics with us.  Thanks to the talented Mark Rice for sending the results of his remastering talents for The Audio Principle.  It was great hearing those forgotten tracks brought back to life.  Thanks to Jeff "Machman" Tolva for being the very first with the news about Mexico.  And thanks so much to Mike in California for sharing his Alan Wilder/Recoil expertise. With any luck I'll get to meet Alan as well!  Many thanks to my friend Tim Eilers in Hollywood for sharing your otherworldly talents in the form of the latest Numan cover, one of my favorites by anyone.  Shout out to Stefan "NumanHuman" Jungklaus in Germany for your art that graces these pages!  Ciao for now...

Jim "The Machman" Napier at Coachella

"Is Numan here yet?"

Indio, California

April 18, 2010

Photographer: Joey Lindstrom

July 2010 Breaking News Archive

July 27, 2010

There's a way cool Rolling Stone interview with Gary that appeared over at MK Magazine yesterday.  Gary talks about the new box set, Trent Reznor and the upcoming American Tour.  Sounds like he's looking forward to it from this snippet...

...It’ll be cool musically.  We’re going to do a lot of Pleasure Principle stuff and a few other old ones and some new stuff.  I’m not a massive fan of nostalgia but the last time we played, it was really good.  I loved it.  It reminded me that I used to love playing all this shit.

The stage times for the Sonisphere Festival have only just been announced.  Gary will appear there on the Saturn Stage Friday, July 30 from 8:15 pm to 9:00 pm.  He should enjoy some mad exposure there sandwiched between Europe and Alice Cooper.  Rock on, Gary!

July 23, 2010

Okay, this is truly major.  It has just been announced in the last 24 hours that Alan Wilder from Depeche Mode/Recoil will perform in Chicago with Gary Numan on a double bill.  The price for the evening remains $25.  I made sure my ticket for the evening was secure before I posted this news.  As soon as this gets out, the tickets will be gone in no time.  Rumours about Alan and Gary working together have swirled around the NAGNFC Complex for decades.  On October 26, 2010, lightning will strike in Chicago as the rumour becomes reality.  I'm a huge Recoil fan from as far back as Hydrology, so it will be an evening to remember.  The support act will be Architect.  The following is from Alan's own site:

Speaking of the American Tour, the premiere site for music news and concert information in Boston, the Boston Music Spotlight, made sure everyone knew about Numan's visit with their glowing feature and the headline Gary Numan Maps Special Fall Tour.

Tickets for what may be Gary's final 2010 UK regular stage performance at Brighton's Shelter Place have sold out and have ceased to be.  You can still catch him at Knebworth the day after.

Speaking of sold-out tix, the VIP tickets for Toronto's Numan show have now all been sold.  Thanks to Angela (aka Pris) for the 411!

July 22, 2010

Less than a week ago, the UK's The Guardian reported there were would be no NIN without Numan.  Yesterday, Spinner, a massive entertainment site in the UK, scored an exclusive Numan interview with the headline: Gary Numan Credits Trent Reznor For Building His Confidence.  Gary speaks about what he called a "brilliant" experience onstage with Trent, and how important it will be to his upcoming American Tour.  (Side note: When I was in the UK in December, I gave Gary a DVD from one of the L.A. shows he took part with NIN.  I was glad to be able to give him a useful momento of his "brilliant" experience.)

There is an intriguing documentary about to be released about Gary Numan called Reinvention on the Australian art site Stvdio.  The program, produced in 2009, was due to be presented earlier but due to a technical glitch it never happened.  Stvdio asks Numan fans to keep an eye on the site for a planned future airing.  According to Stvdio:  This documentary delves into the real life of Gary Numan, and the Aspergers Syndrome which has undoubtedly contributed to his stiff, androgynous stage persona and his unusual relationship with fame. Learn how the artist deals with his loyal, but often hypercritical fans as well as the adrenalin high he has never lost from his time of display flying.  Hat tip to Peter in Australia for the heads-up!

July 20, 2010

The talented Kristin Harris has outdone herself with wallpaper art for you from Gary's DieHard commercial.  Get up to speed on Numan's latest imagery by making this your wallpaper today!  Right click the image and choose "Save image as" to score the full desktop-quality coolness:

July 19, 2010

I've added a couple of interesting items on The Audio Principle.  First is the remaster of New Thing From London Town.  It is straight off the Shadowman DVD, so it's better quality than the vinyl rip found on New Dreams For Old.  The second addition is a remastered Time To Die, whose official edit has never appeared on CD.  A huge thanks to Mark Rice who remastered the tracks and sent them my way to share with you!

Thanks to the excellent and suitably dark DieHard commercial, Gary Numan's name is making the rounds on music, gadget and auto websites around the world:

Car Battery Vs. Synthesizer God Results In Epic Tech Mashup

Dvice

Numan Plays Synth Made Of Cars

The Quietus

Gary Numan Plays Cars with Actual Cars for DieHard Batteries

Switched

Gary Numan: Cars x DieHard Battery

Prefix Mag

Gary Numan Plays Cars on Cars, And More Nice Work

Creative Review

Cars, Gary Numan Track, Played With Real Cars

Gadget Venue

24台の車が楽器になる、バッテリーのCM

Wired Vision (Japan)

The video was extremely popular on YouTube as well.  For a time, Numan's advert was on the front page of the "most watched video" list.  Below is a listing of how popular it was by country.  Thanks to Kristin Harris and Paul of Cambridge for this update.

Screenshot by Paul of Cambridge

Bill Bailey has brought his covers of Are 'Friends' Electric and Cars to Australia!  Saturday's show was reviewed in the Sydney Morning Herald who said he demonstrated his mad skills on car horns during Cars.  Last night's show in Melbourne was excellent as well as Bill enjoyed major applause after performing Cars.  Many thanks to NAGNFC Reader Peter "NumanAus" McGuffie who was there and told us all about it:

Just got back from seeing Bill Bailey (UK comedian) at The Palais Theatre in Melbourne, where Numan played in 1980 during the Australian Tour.  During the interval, Are 'Friends' Electric was played in it's entirety. He then commences the 2nd Act and does Cars in French, I was unable to film it.  They were strict on cameras.  But prior to playing Cars, Bill said, "This is Cars originally sung by the legendary Gary Numan but tonight I will sing it in French."  Fantastic night...and a huge applause after Cars.

Bloc Party singer Kele also continues to utilize Gary's music on his own tour.  The UK site News Of The World reviewed his show there on Saturday. 

Patrick Bentley has written to let us know about his book which is in the final stages.  It is called 'Jagged Halo' and the story features Gary Numan heavily.  Stay tuned to the NAGNFC for the latest.

The UK's major news site The Guardian featured an excellent write-up on Friday about pop's unsung heroes, artists who influenced music but don't get the recognition they deserve.  They make the bold and true claim that without Gary Numan, there would be no OMD, Depeche Mode, Marilyn Manson or NIN.  They say Numan's genius is that he effectively brought the future into the present.

July 14, 2010

It is my pleasure to report that a commercial featuring Gary Numan is now playing on televisions across the United States.  It is an even greater pleasure to report that everyone agrees the ad is super cool, even the Technorati and the motorheads at Autoblog who says the commercial will keep Numan stable for days.  The ad features Gary playing his song Cars with a synthesizer patched into car horns.  Gary is literally playing Cars on cars!  The whole set-up is powered by Sears' DieHard battery, which effortlessly starts the cars even after undergoing Numan's musical prowess.  It's cool enough Gary is featured in an American ad.  That the commercial also shows Gary at his best as he once again plays music in ways no one has ever seen brilliantly demonstrates to America how unique and interesting Gary is.  One thing is for sure, I'll only buy DieHard batteries for my car from now on!  It's the only way to live.  Thank you Paul and Lee for the heads-up!  And the ad wasn't just special effects and trickery.  Everything actually was powered off one DieHard battery.  The following is from an article about the commercial from the popular magazine Wired:

France's DJ Flore will release her awaited new album called RAW on July 20.  The jewel of the CD is the first single and video which is an awesome cover of Cars (featuring Shunda K).  Both the version and the video are very interesting.  Watch the original uncensored mix below:

A snazzy box-set featuring a quality 4-LP set is now on eBay.  I knew about the re-released audiophile vinyl of Replicas and The Pleasure Principle from my wanderings into HMV shops in the UK.  But this box set also features The Plan and a blue vinyl of Tubeway Army.  Only 500 of these box sets will be sold.  Also new is a book called Conversation about the mechanics of social skills partially based on the lyrics of The Pleasure Principle.  Thanks to Brian Kelly who spotted these offerings and let us know!

Singer Kele and his penchant for using Gary Numan's music was given another mention by the NME on Friday.

My friend Matt Jessup, creator of some excellent Numan covers, wrote today and let me know about his excellent Nu-cover of Me! I Disconnect From You.  He thinks it is one of his best ever, and I totally agree.  Check it out below compliments of Matt!

Now that Gary's face is a familiar sight on American TV, we need to get him on a TV show over here.  But I can't do it alone.  Give me a hand today and email your favorite TV show!  Ask them to get Gary Numan on their show!  With enough emails they will have to sit up and take notice!

Late Show with David Letterman: cbsmailbag@aol.com
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno: "Contact Us" page
Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson: E-Mail Craig page
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Thanks to Joey Lindstrom for the above idea.  Joey is the kind soul who hosts this website from his server in Canada.  He has felt your pain as you try and use my alternate server to grab your mp3s from The Audio Principle.  So starting next month, new mp3s will be direct downloads, quick and instant from his own server.  Just in time too, I have some very special mp3s coming up for you next month.  On behalf of the NAGNFC readership, we hail you Joey!

Gary Numan plays Cars on cars

Los Angeles, California

2010

July 8, 2010

Only 7 months after losing Bearcub, Gary has experienced a similar loss Monday.  On behalf of myself and all the NAGNFC readers, our condolences are beamed to the Webb family for the loss of their little friend, Puddles, who was part of the Webb clan even before Exile was released.  There are no words.  But if the press attitudes toward Numan is any indication, it will get better with time.

Bloc Party musician Kele has appeared on this site as being a fan of Gary Numan.  According to the Financial Times yesterday, he appeared on stage to the music of Our Friend Electric at the Village Underground in London.  Thanks to Paul in Cambridge for the heads-up, and especially for registering with the site for the article so we didn't have to!  The full article is below:

In Liam Gallagher’s uncomplimentary words, Bloc Party were a “a band off University Challenge”, i.e. swotty, spindly, student-friendly indie types. The sort of band who would know the chemical properties of carbon or the capital of Kazakhstan. But Bloc Party are no more – for now. After three albums the quartet have decided to take a kind of gap year from each other. There are hints the hiatus may turn into a permanent split. One such hint is frontman Kele Okereke’s burgeoning solo career.
Okereke’s album The Boxer consummates Bloc Party’s occasional dalliances with dance music. Arriving on stage to the strains of Gary Numan, he opened his live set in this clubby, below-the-railway-arches venue with the album’s first track, “Walk Tall”.  Fierce beats, grinding synth riffs and military-style call and response vocals rang out. The trail leading from his old band to his current situation was measured out in gunpowder.
The beefed-up sound was mirrored by the beefed-up Okereke, who has taken up kickboxing. The evening’s look – muscled physique, black vest, baseball cap – was more Detroit techno club than University Challenge. By the second song the once shy frontman had his hands in the air, a rave pastor blessing his worshippers. The audience – mainly Bloc Party fans, judging from the cheers raised by a teasing reference to “my day-job in another band” – dropped their own indie inhibitions and reacted accordingly. Fingers shot skywards, bodies scissored up and down in the strobe lighting.
The Orbital-influenced “Tenderoni” was the best received new song, though the other Boxer tracks didn’t disappoint. “Rise” opened with the Anglo-Nigerian Okereke playing an Afropop melody on guitar before a rampant electropop synth line shoved it out the way. He stumbled with an overcooked Gary Numan impression on one number – he doesn’t really do deadpan, preferring the cathartic register of “Yesterday’s Gone”, a link to his old band’s style. Lyrics were full of images of renewal. Bloc Party’s “Blue Light” was transformed from emotive indie rock into a rampaging dance epic, with keyboard breaks, four to the floor beats and blaring synths. Bye bye Bloc Party, hello Kele.  (Reviewer gives four stars)

Even when Kele was in Bloc Party, the band would intro with Gary Numan.  First impressions are important after all.  Thanks to Paul in Cambridge for the find!

The Orange County Register in Los Angeles gave Gary a shout out yesterday with hopes he makes it across the Atlantic this time:

Remember how Gary Numan was supposed to play his 1979 cult classic The Pleasure Principle at El Rey Theatre just after his Coachella appearance -- but couldn't make either appearance because the Iceland volcano left him stuck in London? Well, he's gonna try again: Numan now plays Nov. 3-4 at the L.A. club, $33, on sale now. Hopefully he can make it across the Atlantic this time.

Heading a tad east of California, Gary Numan received the picture and top billing on this Denver site full of concert listings.

Speaking of Numan's only full 2010 tour, the VIP tickets in Boston and Chicago are sold out.  The VIP option in Los Angeles is nearly gone as well so don't hesitate for that one.  For the shows I'm driving to instead of flying, my car will be nearly full of Numanoids from around the world.  Plans are still being made for both transport and fan gatherings such as this one kindly offered by Ryan in Portland (full details will be available on the NAGNFC 2010 North American Tour Page still under construction):

Hello again Jim,

I'm interested in helping or hosting the Numan Portland pre-show  
party.  I know a great place right behind the Roseland Theater that  
would probably work out perfectly.  It is a retro arcade called Ground  
Kontrol that has a bar, a million retro video games and a DJ booth.  I  
DJ there twice a month and could probably work out a great Numan party  
and I would love to spin Numan tunes right up until we all leave for  
the show.

More exclusive pictures from the London Roundhouse has been generously sent to the NAGNFC to share with everyone.  Look for them on the next major update.  Thanks very much to David in the UK!

Will Gary add Montreal to his North American Tour this fall?  If so, you heard it here first!

Advertisement for Steve Harris' band Archive

Warsaw, Poland

Thanks to photographer Paul of Cambridge

July 6, 2010

David in the UK wrote today to share his exclusive pics from the London Roundhouse.  Check them out here.  Many thanks, David!

Gary Numan and Ade Fenton

London Roundhouse

June 5, 2010

Photographer: David

July 3, 2010

Thanks to Peter "NumanAus" in Australia for this NAGNFC Exclusive backstage picture:

Gary Numan and John Foxx

London Roundhouse

June 5, 2010

Photographer: Graham Waller

Hello to the Numanoids of the World!  Jim "The Machman" Napier here at Numan Tour Central.  In the last couple of weeks, I've helped Numanoids book flights and score their tickets, I've answered general queries, I've fielded questions from potential opening bands, answered questions about VIP tickets, and printed Numan tickets for Britons who can't print them outside the US.  I've organised driving caravans, rides to airports and put together my own itinerary.  Thanks to the Numanoids who have promised to research places for NAGNFC preshow parties in their towns, and thanks to Numanoids who have offered their abode to a tour-following Machman!

This guy traveled up from Mexico to see Gary Numan at Coachella.

Thousands like him will finally get the chance this October!

Indio, California

April 18, 2010

Photographer: Joey Lindstrom

Some VIP tickets have already sold-out, while some regular tickets have yet to go on sale until today.  In the next week, the NAGNFC 2010 North American Tour Page will go live, detailing the latest comprehensive info for all 15 nights.  The page will provide important info such as:

The Detroit venue for Gary's October 25 show has now been changed from the Majestic Theatre, where he played on the Jagged Tour, to the nearby Crofoot Ballroom in Pontiac.  Tickets for that show go on sale today at 10:00 am.  Many thanks to Jeff Tolva in Illinois and Paul of Cambridge!

Gary Brings Pleasure To America

Gibson

Numan Concert Alert

Weekly Volcano

Gary Numan To Perform The Pleasure Principle In Full On North American Tour

NME

Gary Numan Tour Dusts Off The Pleasure Principle

SoundSpike

Tickets On Sale

Readjunk

Gary Numan Rolls Back Stateside

Glide Magazine

Gary Numan To Exhume Pleasure Principle This Fall

Prefixmag

Gary Numan To Bring The Pleasure Principle Back To North America

Exclaim!

Gary Numan 30th Anniversary Pleasure Principle Tour

antiMUSIC

Numan To Bring The Pleasure Principle To North America

PR Inside

Will Raven Webb open for Gary on the US Tour?

Photographer: Ed Fielding

 Will I finally make it to the San Francisco Fillmore on my third try?  Just found this in my email Wednesday:

Attention ticket holder!

We just learned that your upcoming event has been rescheduled:

Gary Numan
The Fillmore
Tuesday, April 20 with the doors opening at 7PM
New date: Tuesday, November 2 with the doors opening at 7PM!

Your original tickets are still good – enjoy the show!

Questions? Just hit reply and ask us or visit Ticketmaster.com!

Thanks for being a fan!

Ticketmaster Fan Support

Like 1982, America will enjoy Gary Numan's only full tour in 2010.  I, Assassin stagemate Pino Palladino will play the 2010 Brit Jazz Fest August 7th, the same night Gary Numan plays China.

Gary and his upcoming and much-heralded Knebworth Sonisphere appearance got a mention on the popular Hitchin People site.  Cool Numan pic there too.

Additional coolness has been added to The Audio Principle.  A rare, unreleased track called Waiting has been included from the Human sessions with Mike Smith.  I've also thrown in some rare tracks from a very special 40th birthday performance in 1998 as Gary sings vocals to Ade Orange's band, Big, from the Milton Keynes Convention.  Gary also played keyboards and guitar as he backed up Ade's band after his own performance.  Included is: Dark (Ade Orange Version), Friends (Pure Version), Metal (1998 Version) and Dead Heaven.

The latest vintage issue of the NAGNFC has been digitized for future generations!  This month, the NAGNFC Fanzine Archives presents to you Issue 26 from December 1991.  Here is the description:

Volume 3  December 1991  Issue 26: 'The Unborn' featuring Gary's soundtrack hits video stores worldwide, exclusive review of 'The Unborn' from a horror movie reviewer, Gary is featured on a UK documentary, John Webb gets engaged, Isolator gets released on CD as well as, for the first time, White Noise and Strange Charm.  News is unleashed about a possible new instrumental album (Human), the latest news about other Numan Fanzines, an interesting 1983 Numan feature in the Daily Mirror, Gary answers questions, a biography of Chris Slade, more NAGNFC exclusive pics from the Emotion Tour, a pic of Gary Numan with Freddie Mercury, various newspaper clippings, a flyer I found in Toronto from an October 1991 Nash the Slash performance, and more! 

Thanks to all the Numanoids who made this month's issue awesome as it flies invisibly through wifi airwaves all over the world.  Humble thanks to Paul of Cambridge, whose Numan expertise and updates are as amazing as they are priceless.  Thanks to Jeff for his update as well.  Thanks also to Stefan "Numanhuman" Jungklaus in Germany for his unique Numanistic visions that populate this page.  Many thanks to both Jay and Lee for helping with this month's Audio Principle additions!  Stay tuned to read the latest on Gary's upcoming North American Tour!

Jim "The Machman" Napier pays homage to Michael Jackson at his star in Hollywood

April 24, 2010

Photographer: Joey Lindstrom