CLOSED: Ask Gary Numan Your Cutting Questions

Gigwise celebrates his 30th year in music...

by Scott Colothan
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
Photo by: wenn
filed in: Electronica

CLOSED: Ask Gary Numan Your Cutting Questions

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In 2008 the legend that is Gary Numan is celebrating his 30th year in music and will be re-releasing his classic album ‘Replicas’ on February 28 to mark the occasion.

To celebrate this, we’re giving Gigwise readers the chance to pose their questions to the great man himself.

Simply email through your question to garynuman ‘at’ gigwise.com with the exact phrase GARY NUMAN QUESTIONS in the subject line by Monday February 18, then we’ll select some of the most intriguing, funny or cutting to pose direct to Gary.

You can send more than one question through, but please don’t re-send your emails over and over again as this will clog our inbox.

Make sure you include your full name/moniker and where you come from too so we can include them in shining lights. Get your thinking hats on!

CLICK HERE to see Gary Numan in our history of electronic music gallery.

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(85)

:o) This should be a laugh!
~ by Numix 2/6/2008
hiya garrryyy , wot didu have 4 brekfast today luv? xxx
~ by chloe 2/6/2008
I love you!! that is all.
~ by Katie Duba, F/24 2/6/2008
Are fedoras electric?
~ by Silas C. 2/6/2008
Gary - I have been a serious fan since the beginning ... what is your current philosophy regarding instrument choice? I know you used to be 100% analog, then I remember the Roland D-70 in your sound. What are your favorite VSTi’S today? When you write songs, do you write it straigh thru, or pull your verses, bridges, and choruses from previous random jam sessions, and find what works together? Thanks! Keep going!
~ by John aka Reverend Recode 2/6/2008
Hey Gary...two questions: I see you’re revamping the classics lately and even devoting tours to them. Any chance of wiping the dust off I, Assassin...and second question, will you be coming to the States any time soon?
~ by Kaiser Calvert 2/6/2008
Will you ever be coming back to Seattle, WA any time soon? Your live show here on the Exile tour was the best show I’d ever seen & I would love to see you again.
~ by Jefferson - Seattle, WA 2/6/2008
Gary, Coming to your gig on 8th March. Love you to bits - but can you answer this question? The majority of fans tend to err on the popularity of your ’original’ stuff - ie - the early 80’s. Will you get back to that sound again, with anologue synths and deep moody rythms and outlandish vocals or are you going to conintue with the90’s ’alternative’ stuff?
~ by Mark Woodier 2/6/2008
GAry I’m going bald and girls run away when I want to kiss them what do you think i should do ?
~ by Jack 2/6/2008
Hi Gary...I have been a big fan of yours since the 80s. I noticed you changed your sound. More harder,funkier...what made you go that route? Most musicians,as they get older tone it down.
~ by Julie 2/6/2008
Gary, I have been a fan of yours since the 80s. I noticed a change in your music style. Most musicians go a little softer,whereas you went a little hardcore. What made you decide to go for that sound? Julie
~ by Julzy20032000 2/6/2008
- GARY GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR REPLICAS TOUR, when are you going to release an album of your Ballads ? you have MADE some awesome songs for romantic mood listening, see you in Bristol, about time you came to Plymouth to tour,keep up the great work but show the world how nice a man you are and make those romantic songs, LOVE ISOLATION, RUMOURS, CLASSIC LOVE SONGS, MY WIFES FAVS, LETS HAVE A REMAKE, RETOUR WEMBLEY CONCERT, BET YOU’D FILL IT, AND MAKE A NEW DVD OF IT, CHEERS
  ~ by Lamers, Devon 2/9/2008
I have purchased various copies of the song ’Scar’ which is one of my fav’s, it seems to always skip in the same part, is this in a recording somewhere, or do I just have bad luck? I also wanted to say a huge thank you, as being a sort of dark poet myself, you are always a guide to me in your frustrations and questions, I thank you for being there for people like me, a silver lining in the darkness, thank you for allowing our voice to be heard, hope you come to the US again
~ by Pipp, Denver, Colorado 2/6/2008
Hi Gary, my question is ”do you feel that having Asperger syndrome as influenced your writing style?
~ by magenta 2/6/2008
We know that you influenced 2 generations of music, which we can all be thankful for.What i wanted to know was what your musical influnces were & how you converted that into the sound that defined you? p.s.when are you coming to Australia
~ by Don Macleod 2/7/2008
Gary, which song from Replicas are you looking forward to playing the most and why on the forthcoming tour?
~ by matta 2/7/2008
HI GARY..D’YOU THINK YOU WILL EVER TOTALY CHANGE YOUR IMAGE AGAIN?..DIFFERENT HAIR COLOUR AND ALL THAT!!THANX
~ by THE SQWAD 2/7/2008
Gary...You’ve made it known quite publicly that you do not believe in god. Yet you have also stated a strong belief in ghosts and even profess to have seen one. Does that experience translate into a belief of some sort of ’afterlife’?
~ by Eric Lawson 2/7/2008
Hi Gary ive recently found out you have aspergers syndrome, so have i, and my son has autism. How has affected your life and as youve got a little older has life got easier for you. Ive been a fan of yours for many years and i hope to see you on the 8th march at the manchester academy.
~ by Angela Lancaster 2/7/2008
I see that your tour of Britan is extensive. When can I purchase tickets for for the U.S. tour?
~ by Just Bob 2/7/2008
gary been a fan since 79 the ups and the lows of your career,however i must say love the old stuff but the new stuff is so much better im lovin it and so is my 17 year old son its the way to go keep up the good work see u in march at quite a few gigs. numanrox 2008.....
~ by karen 2/7/2008
Mr. Numan/Webb, has having children influenced the way you record (as in, not just music style, but also when and how)? I hope that your Replicas Tour goes well for you! Thank you for being such a wonderful person, as well as a great musician ^_^.
~ by Emma Ruiz aka Yui Saito 2/7/2008
where did Gary move to from Dunmow in Essex?
~ by james B 2/7/2008
Hiya Gary, still a musical genius after all these years, we luv ya! My question is, what do you think about tribute bands, and especially the few Numan tribute bands that have been/are around today? Do you feel flattered by the fact that people want to keep your music alive in pub gigs in between your tours and hopefully ignite interest in people who may come and see you out of curiosity?
~ by Wend 2/7/2008
hi gary, i saw you in glasgow in dec ’06...great concert! marco from triest (italy)
~ by marco 2/7/2008
^.^ this should get some good results! love you! ^.^ your biggest fan!!
~ by Heather 2/7/2008
I NEVER GET BORED LISTENING TO YOUR MUSIC, UNLIKE I DO WITH ALOT OF THIS COMMERCIAL STUFF TURFED OUT NOW.THE SULPHER AND FENTON INFLUENCES IN YOUR MUSIC IS OUTSTANDING AS ARE YOUR LIVE PEFORMENCES. CANT WAIT TO SEE YOU AT MANCHESTER. IS YOUR NEW ALBUM GOING BACK TO THE HEAVIER INDUSTRIAL SOUND WHICH I THINK IS A GREAT SOUND FOR YOU. CANT WAIT TO SEE YOU AT MANCHESTER. HAPPY BIRTHDAY GARY.
~ by SHAVEN 2/7/2008
Other than The Pleasure Principle do you intend doing any other Album Gigs/Tours? If so which ones would you choose? Any possibilty of Dance? Thanks
~ by Zoltan 2/7/2008
How did you really feel this first time you discovered and or played a synth?
~ by forensic disco 2/7/2008
I see a lot of people want you back in the USA. I want to be included in wanting you to come back to Chicago and Milwaukee. I’m in-between those two cities so I got to see twice on the Jagged tour. How about doing the Telekon or Replicas or the Tubway Army tour in the states?
~ by Bats 2/7/2008
Is there a chance you’ll ever again play concerts in the US and Canada? All the best,
~ by H 2/7/2008
Gary will you ever by able to replicate the original instruments in Complex (i.e Violin instrument) when playing this track live! I love this track and would love to hear it played as close to the original live.
~ by Jason K 2/7/2008
Hi Gary, I’ve been a fan since the early days. I’m loving the return of the much deeper heavier sound firstly on Pure but especially on Jagged. What kind of music do you listen to these days? I like the rawness of korn and the indutrial sound of Rammstein do you like anything like this? p.s. see you on the 8th March, can’t wait.
~ by Linda Uttley 2/7/2008
Gary What do you know about the Tubeway Army Live at the Roxy tape which was in fact recorded at the Rock Garden gig. Do you have any live recordings of Tubeway Army at all?
~ by Dominion 2/7/2008
hi Gary -will you ever be doing any of thez songs in shows to come? :) * 1981 Dance UK #3 * 1982 I, Assassin UK #8
~ by ron 2/7/2008
Gary, you got a lot of flack in the 80s for voting Conservative. Where do you stand politically now, and do you have a message for any of your fans that support the BNP?
~ by Metal Mickey 2/7/2008
Gary! Love you darling, but when the hell are you going to tour America again? I haven’t seen you since the Exile tour and I long to touch your big black boots again! Please come to SEATTLE! I’m a Numanoid for life! from Melissa ”Retrogrrrl8” in Tacoma
~ by Retrogrrrl8 aka Melissa 2/7/2008
fan since 79, they is some good bits 84 to 92 its not all bad!,love the stuff now and to see the rebirth of Replicas and live is like WOW.I was at Leicester when you had the power cut with the emotion tour. Anyway can’t wait for the London gig . Dark from Coventry.
~ by Jeff Carter 2/8/2008
Gary, been a fan since 79, especially love jagged and pure. As you are a flyer with an interest in WWII aircraft, what do you think of the De Havilland Mosquito. Have you ever had the chance to fly in one at all? Also, out of all the recent war films that have been produced which do consider to be the best one to date? See you in Glasgow 08
~ by PleasurePrinciple 2/8/2008
Gary, back in December 1984 you released a single during the Christmas week entitled ’My Dying Machine’. Personally, I love this track as I do the album ’Berserker’ which it was taken however I must ask what the thinking was behind releasing such a title as a single in the Christmas week (i.e everyone was buying Band Aid at the time)!
~ by Frank Macari 2/8/2008
Gary, it has been 24 years now since you played a gig in Edinburgh. Why is this and would you consider playing here again in the near future? There are some excellent venues to play such as the Corn Exchange.
~ by Frank Macari 2/8/2008
Gary I always attend your UK tours and weekenders but (like most people I guess) I occasionally have a problem with the set list. Whilst I agree that you should be concentrating on your new stuff (have absolutely no problem with that) I feel that you forget that you had some fantastic tracks from 1981-1985 that you omit from the set list. Many of these tracks (from Dance, I, Assassin, Warriors, Berserker and The Fury) are classics and most fans have fond memories of them.Would you consider them?
~ by Frank Macari 2/8/2008
I am really looking forward to this :D I hope my question is answered! Hello Numanoids!
~ by Layne Paige 2/8/2008
wot would you think of the 21 yr old numan if you met him now.
~ by chris gladok 2/8/2008
do you like the way the past is sold like johnny lydon said .a blue peters airbrushing of the past .u must have some bad memories of the songs
~ by conrad strange charm 2/8/2008
do you believe love can save or are you cynical as you were.
~ by geoff stick on pretty aircraft nose 2/8/2008
hey .
~ by nman 2/8/2008
Gary, Replicas, one of the most breath-taking albums of all time. Bring on the 2nd March in Glasgow when the Machines WILL rock!
~ by An Alien Cure(Marty) 2/8/2008
Dear Gary, are you aware of how freakishly hot you are? :)
~ by CM 2/8/2008
Hey Gary I saw your pleasure principle tour in the 80s.I noticed you had 5 prophet 5 synthesizers on stage. how has your gear changed over the years? what do you think of vst instruments? looking back, what is your take of the gear you used early on? scott lund st paul,mn usa
~ by coolscott7 2/8/2008
would u encourage your kids to go into music
~ by gay nick and dave in halifax 2/9/2008
would u have former musicians as special guests
~ by tedious dave king 2/9/2008
how is jess lidyard and john webb tony and beryl ?
~ by albino jap nick wilf 2/9/2008
is everyday i die about masturbation and do you have other hobbys
~ by nash the bash 2/9/2008
any chance of instrumental album?
~ by gleetypus o caglius 2/9/2008
would you go the sylvian johnfoxx route of ambient and spiritual music.
~ by kevboy 2/9/2008
would you go the sylvian johnfoxx route of ambient and spiritual music.
~ by kevboy 2/9/2008
in a dark place seems to b about your divided loyaltys between gemma and fans.or should i get out more
~ by calderdale k 2/9/2008
is it true dave vanian gave you a slaggin for copying his image.allegedly
~ by heidi in yorx 2/9/2008
Gary How about you and Dave Gahan / Depeche Mode recording an album together ?? Loved the past 30 years (a few dodgy moments though) You Rock !!!
~ by Rick D 2/9/2008
alot of your former electro stars are forgotten now ie cab voltaire and fad gadget .who was your fave of the underground
~ by g ladduck yorx 2/10/2008
Why did Beggars not release any limited editions of your singles after Are Friends Electric? From Cars through to White Boys And Heroes there were no picture discs, coloured vinyls, poster bags etc etc. With your fan base back then I’m pretty sure at least one limited edition per single would have enhanced the chart position. Do you know why they never did this, was it down to cost cutting?
~ by Survival Records 2/10/2008
Is there any truth in the rumour (in the record collecting market) that a picture disc was made for your 1983 single ’Sister Surprise’ but subsequently scrapped??
~ by Survival Records 2/10/2008
Why was only one single relaesed from your 1981 ’Dance’ album?
~ by Survival Records 2/10/2008
Do you own or can you confirm the existance of the 12” white label promo of Stormtrooper In Drag?
~ by Survival Records 2/10/2008
Gary, why was the planned ’Live EP’ scheduled for release in between The Pleasure Principle and Telekon albums scrapped? I believe Down In The Park was going to be the main track from that EP. Do you have any information on it? I actually have a copy of the sleeve that was never issued.
~ by Lisa Yapoudjian 2/10/2008
The issue of Complex as a single after Cars in November 1979 was both a strange and a brave release. Do you regret perhaps not releasing a different track from that album as the follow up (as The Pleasure Principle is just full of potential singles).....a track such as Metal for example which would have probably also went to Number 1?
~ by Lisa Yapoudjian 2/10/2008
Whose decision was it to release ’Heart’ as a single from your ’Outland’ LP? I know it’s not one of your favourite albums but there are a few more obvious singles on there.....so why ’Heart’??
~ by Amanda Macari 2/10/2008
Do you have any footage from the Assassin tour of America in 1982 and is there any chance this could be released in the future?
~ by Survival Records 2/10/2008
Of all your early Beggars Singles and albums (1979-1983) what would you consider to be the best and worst? Also, what is your favourite single you put out on your own Numa Records label?
~ by Frank Macari 2/10/2008
30 years of Numan! Still got my ”Numan 10 years” t-shirt from 87! Seemed amazing then! How times change. Here’s to many more. I’ll be celebrating 30 years as a fan next year. I’ve sent in my question. Hope it’s different or funny enough to get a reply. Replicas in its entirety coming up. Something I dreamed of for many years. As I did Telekon. Great. Maybe, Pleasure Principle, Blue album or I,Assassin. Hope so. Love the newer stuff too: Sacrifice,
~ by Harvey Dykes, Cornwall 2/11/2008
Gary, I’ve often wondered why the track ’We Have A Technical’ was left off Replicas and not even included as a b-side when (in many fan’s opinion) it’s a great track and dare I say it better than several tracks on the actual Replicas album itself! You obviously may not agree but I would be interested in your thinking behind it’s omission. Regards.
~ by Chris Divito 2/12/2008
Would you ever consider doing the middle years songs (1981-1988) live but perhaps without girl backing vocals and/or sax etc. There are some great songs from that period.
~ by Chris Divito 2/12/2008
If I was picking a favourite single and album sleeve it would probably be the Are Friends Electric single and I, Assassin or Metal Rhythm album. What is your favourite single and album sleeve?
~ by Amanda Black 2/12/2008
Hi Gary, Replicas is probably my favourite all time track of yours, even though there are many that are close. Which one, if you can single one out, is your favourite?
~ by Linda Uttley from Leeds 2/12/2008
GARY NUMAN What is you view on downloads versus CD? I recently bought your download DVD and the quality was absolutely superb. better than on my computer screen than an LCD TV. Please keep going as long as you can. You have always been innovative.
~ by Steve B 2/13/2008
Hi Gary, 30 years and still kikkin ass! Who out of the musicians/performers who have been at the cutting edge as long as you have,would you call a genius or visionary? With the exemption of David Bowie, whos work do you admire, and why? Been a fan since the beginning CONGRATULATIONS 30 years! Keep on kikkin ass, from all your fans in Cornwall.
~ by Sarah P 2/13/2008
How come you don’t embrace the early years? You seem to run from it. It’s what made me an everlong fan! I understand the whole pigeon hole concept but you were a pioneer and it is lasting. I for one would love to hear an album or song going back to those roots! BTW - I’m 37 and not a typical Numan throwback fan. There is just something about your old music that still holds true today. It’s fresh and everlasting. Hope you don’t take this as a hit on your new stuff. S
~ by Brett 2/13/2008
Gary, is it true that you used to knock about in Reading, Berkshire in the mid to late 70s? I know a few old punks from the area who are all settled down now who claim to have hung around with you back in the day. Keep doing what you are doing Gary. You are a pioneer of electro even though you don’t like to rant about it. You have made so many people’s lives much more interesting over the years and I thank you for it. All the very best to you and your family. Thanks, a 40 year old fa
~ by The Tubeway Hero 2/19/2008
do u think u will have Botox...?
~ by amanda 2/20/2008
just fanx for still doin ”live” shows its brill’ 2 keep seeing for 30yrs....many thanks...xxxx
~ by amanda 2/20/2008
GOOD LUCK AND STUFF. When are you coming to the Echo Arena Liverpool? see you at Manchester.
~ by Sandy + Gregg 2/21/2008
Please can anyone sellme a ticket for soton uni, since oct 1979 (southampton gaumont) I have seen all the tours etc..I was too late this year....any chance of a guest list Gary...lol . Fiona
~ by fee burn 2/28/2008
Will Gary Numan’s new albums have less talk of god being evil, I mean he might well be and I love the music but there are only so many ways to say the same thing. (Let backlash from other fans begin !)
~ by Wanggerman 3/3/2008

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