Electric ‘friend’ Gary Numan comes to South Yorkshire

This tour, which takes in Sheffield, follows on from the success of his last album Splinter (Songs From a Broken Mind) which reached the top 20.

“2016 seems an ideal time to revisit the three albums that changed my life,” Gary tells me. “These three albums are now considered classics and playing tracks from each one will be very special for me."

“I very rarely look back at past glories but, with these shows, I intend to not only look back, but to celebrate those early days.”

Gary came to prominence in 1979 when his single Are Friends Electric? hit the top of the charts. It’s heavy synthesiser sound was unusual for the time.

His androgynous stage persona created a ‘mystique’ about himself which led to his fans copying the look of pale (almost white) skin and short, dark hair.

The first single was released under the group name Tubeway Army, as were the albums Tubeway Army and Replicas. 

Replicas also topped the album charts and created interest in the earlier, eponymously-named album, which also charted.

Following this, Gary reverted to his own name for the follow-up single Cars and all future recordings.

Cars also reached number one, as did the albums 'The Pleasure Principle and Telekon.

“I believed very strongly that electronic music was going to be massive,” he tells me. “I can’t honestly say that I thought I was doing anything special, I was just thoroughly enjoying working on music I’d never really heard before.”

But the sound was so new.

“Yes, I was aware that using synths in that way was new and I knew the sounds we were coming up with were new and that it was all very different to anything else out there, but I felt like a very amateurish beginner, so it didn’t feel groundbreaking at the time.”

Back in the beginning, it was another groundbreaker that influenced Gary.

“That’s right. I loved T Rex when I was younger. It was Marc Bolan that really gave me the push to want to be a pop star. When I got into electronic music I had’'t heard very much that I'd liked, and nothing that had made me want to get involved.”

Soon after he discovered the early John Foxx fronted version of Ultravox and he became a big hero. So from just experimenting, Gary began to have hits.

“It was an amazing experience. Especially to know you’d done it with an entirely new kind of music. I was very proud but also very overwhelmed by everything that came with it. Being number one, in both the singles and album charts at the same time was very special. But to do it twice in the same year, with two different singles and albums was unbelievable. It was a very good year and I thought back then that if I was lucky I might get another couple of years before it all faded away.”

But Gary continued to have success and he has influenced many of today's artists such as Lady Gaga, Nine Inch Nails, The Foo Fighters and Queens of the Stone Age, to name but four.

Does Gary have a particular favourite from amongst his vast catalogue?

“Well, I have a song called A Prayer For The Unborn. It was written after our first baby died so it’s not the happiest of tunes but it means a great deal to me.”

It’s over 35 years since Gary exploded on the scene, there must be many highlights.

“Yes, I’ve been doing this for quite a few years so the list of high points is long. Being number one obviously, playing arenas, the various awards, being on Top Of The Pops, meeting and working with so many cool peple that I respect and admire, seeing my last album Splinter get back into the chart was very cool. It just goes on and on.”

So, there is the September tour, does Gary, now 58, actually like touring?

“Yes, I love touring. Everything about it. I like the travelling to new places, the excitement of the shows, the noise, being with friends, meeting fans, just everything. It’s the best part about being in a band by far.”

Of course, Gary will not be performing alone and he has gathered together an accomplished band.

“That’s right. I have people who have been with me forever I’m glad to say. There’s Richard Beasley on drums, Steve Harris on guitar, David Brooks on Keyboards and Tim Muddiman on bass.”

And the evening promises to be a retrospective of Gary’s early years.

“I hope to change it around every night but I’ll usually do about six songs from each if the three albums (Replicas, The Pleasure Principle and Telekon) and then one or two from the first album I ever made (Tubeway Army). So we’re taking songs from my first four albums in fact.”

And what are the plans for after the tour?

“Well, I’m working on a new album now as part of a Pledge Music campaign (www.pledgemusic.com/garynuman) and I will have that album out in early 2017.

“I’m a bit behind with it actually, and after the tour U aim to get back into the studio as quickly as possible and get on with it. I Have a lot of lost time to make up for.

“I also have a collection of three live albums out now from shows last year called Live At The Forum and a documentary DVD called Reinvention just about to be released.”

Gary Numan will be appearing at The Foundry, Sheffield on Thursday September 15.

Tickets are available from the Box Office on 0844 477 1000 and all the usual agencies.