"Take that smile off your face, wipe that tear from your eye, don't say you're sorry for me". For this episode, we look back at Paul Gardiner's solo single 'Stormtrooper in Drag', co-written with Gary Numan and with Gary on lead vocals. The underrated track about drug use and loneliness showcased the lost potential of the late Paul Gardiner, and gave Numan fans a look at what was to come on the Dance album, as well as some fresh music after his farewell concerts in 1981. I look back at Paul's...

In this latest interview special of Electric Friends, I speak to a legend in Gary Numan's music history: Rrussell Bell. In case you didn’t know - Rrussell is a prolific musician, composer and comedy writer. After graduating in Physics at London University, he joined Tubeway Army in 1979 - first appearing on record on 1980’s We Are Glass. He would then spend the next 10 years recording with Gary and touring the world in his band. He would then go on to form the band Dramatis alongside Chris...

"Lee Cooper!" For this episode of Electric Friends, I look back at one of Gary Numan's first ever projects - a TV advert jingle! Gary recorded a short track called 'Don't Be a Dummy' for Lee Cooper jeans, which became very popular in 1979, just before he found fame with 'Are Friends Electric?'. This episode delves into the making of the song, why Gary didn't record a full version, the cover single by John Du Cann, Gary's other advert attempts and more. Clips used: Tubeway Army/Gary Numan -...

For this interview special, it’s with a bonafide music legend: Bill Sharpe. Bill Sharpe is a classically trained pianist and jazz rock musician, who once worked alongside John Peel at the BBC and Trevor Horn in an early band. In 1980, he co-founded the band Shakatak, who scored many big hits around the world with their brand of post-disco jazz-funk. In 1985, he teamed up with Gary Numan on what was meant to be a one-off single, but later turned into several songs, and a whole album - with...

"I don't suppose you ever laughed at me" For this episode of Electric Friends, I look back at Gary Numan's 1985 album The Fury, and in particular its lead single 'Your Fascination'. Including: How Gary continued his funk/industrial style from BerserkerHow radio continued to ignore him despite being a funky bangerHow he turned to co-producers and took on a new songwriting technique for the albumIts music video co-starring his then-girlfriendTheories to what the song is about Clips used: Gary...

"We're in the building where they make us grow, and I'm frightened by the liquid engineers, like you." For this episode, I look back at one of Gary Numan's best-known and best-loved songs, 'Metal', from 1979's The Pleasure Principle. The track was the first song on the album with lyrics, and was inspired by the writings of Philip K Dick, about a machine with a desire to be human. The perfect synthpop track was never a single, but it became one of Gary Numan's most-performed songs, and was...

For the latest interview special of Electric Friends, I speak to Gary Numan's brother John Webb, aka Donovan Silver. Donovan opens up about his close bond with older brother Gary, what it was like growing up with him and the first time he joined Tubeway Army on stage as a 12-year-old. He also speaks about joining the band full-time as a teenager and their various tours, as well as working alongside Queen legend Roger Taylor on drums. Donovan also gives a fascinating account of his impressive...

"Stroll to the cafe, my God, how time flies..." For this episode, we travel way back to one of Gary Numan's first songs. 'My Shadow in Vain' was written before Tubeway Army even existed, and it went on to become one of his most performed songs ever. This episode delves into the different versions of the song, from its punk origins to the 2002 hard rock version. We also hear from Gary as he explains how Tubeway Army came to be, and the meaning behind the song. Clips used: Tubeway Army - My...

For this interview special of Electric Friends, I’m speaking to Andy Gray, one of the most sought-after DJs, songwriters, producers and composers of the last few decades. Andy made a name for himself in the early 90s in the growing dance music scene, with his remixes and work with his group Amoeba Assassin, and for his work with Paul Oakenfold’s Perfecto label. He has gone on to produce or remix music by a wide range of artists such as The Human League, Tori Amos, New ORder, Tears for Fears,...

"Kneel before my altar and drink the wine of slaughter" In 1997, Gary Numan followed his career-rebooting Sacrifice album with the critically-acclaimed Exile. It was the closest thing to a concept album that he had recorded, delving into a world where God and the Devil were the same. In this episode, I look back at perhaps its most well-known song, 'Dark'. Including: An exclusive clip of my interview with Gary back in 2017, talking about whether he would ever make film soundtracksIts use in...

In this interview special episode, I speak to the legend that is Chris Payne! Chris joined Tubeway Army back in 1979 just before 'Are Friends Electric' was released, and stayed with Gary's band for the albums Replicas, The Pleasure Principle and Telekon, and continued performing with Gary's live band for the rest of the 1980s. He also co-wrote Visage's 'Fade to Grey', and has been a prolific composer and conductor of classical, cinematic and medieval music over the past few decades. In the...

"Move from my window, leave me alone..." In this episode, we look back at the Telekon album track 'Remind Me to Smile' from 1980. The electropop banger is still a live favourite, but it wasn't released a single. Or was it? We take a look at how Gary's struggles with fame and fandom influenced the song, his strange experience with hardcore fans back then and more. Clips used: Gary Numan - 'Remind Me to Smile'Gary Numan - 'Remind Me to Smile' (live, 2004) Please get in touch...

Gary Numan's 1986 album Strange Charm was not a happy one for him, and while it might be a forgotten LP compared to others, it still has a lot of... well... charm. Its second single 'I Can't Stop' was a bombastic radio friendly track that deserved more radio attention at the time, and it was the first vinyl single I bought 10+ years after its release. This episode delves into the song's history, and the making of the Strange Charm album, including Radio 1's gaslighting of Gary, why the music...

"This is not love, this is not even worth a point of view..." In 1980, Gary Numan released one of his greatest singles, the top 10 hit 'I Die: You Die'. At the time it was a non-album single, but was later included on the Telekon album, alongside We Are Glass. The episode delves into: How the song was inspired by the press's hatred of himThe various versions, mixes and coversHow David Bowie got him thrown off the Kenny Everett Show Clips used: Gary Numan - I Die You DieGary Numan -...

As voted for by you, this episode is all about Gary Numan's 1984 album Berserker, and in particular its title track and lead single. The episode delves into its inspirations, from '60s sci-fi books to 1984's biggest hit single, and Gary's own fantastical ideas. It also looks at the album and tour's striking blue and white imagery, Gary's turn to sampling and its disappointing lack of airplay and chart success. Clips used: Gary Numan - BerserkerGary Numan - My Dying MachineGary Numan -...

By the late 2000s, Gary Numan had become a father to three girls, and his career had been better than ever. However, for various reasons, he found himself with serious bouts of depression. This depression led to the writing of his next album, 2013's Splinter. One such track that tackled the themes of depression and life apathy, was the epic 'Here in the Black'. This episode looks back on that song, including its inspiration, what Gary was going through at the time, live versions and...

"Now it's all over for sure, I'll walk back home..." In 1981, Gary Numan said goodbye to his fans with his epic Wembley shows, which was meant to be his retirement from live performance (thankfully, it wasn't). The year before, he had recorded 'Please Push No More', a piano-synth ballad that dealt with his feelings about fame, fans and critics. This episode tells the story of that song, and the emotional goodbye, and how he soon regretted his decision. Clips used: Gary Numan - Please Push No...

For this interview special of Electric Friends, I caught up with a genuine pop legend: Dollar's Thereza Bazar! Ahead of her UK tour, I spoke to Thereza about her amazing career, working with Trevor Horn, her upcoming projects, and of course... what it was like working with Gary Numan. Thereza sang on Gary Numan's 1982 tracks 'Noise Noise' and 'Bridge? What Bridge?', later included on re-releases of the I, Assassin album. Thereza reveals how she met Gary, and what it was like being in the...

In 2000, Gary Numan released his most industrial album yet, Pure. Well received by critics and fans, it was arguably his best LP for nearly two decades. However, its lead single wasn't released until nearly two years later. And it was a surprising success, sending Gary back into the charts. This episode reflects on the Pure era and the lead single 'Rip', the most unlikely top 40 hit. Clips used: Gary Numan - RipGary Numan - PureGary Numan - Rip (Andy Gray remix)BBC Radio 1 Chart Show...

For this episode of Electric Friends, I catch up with Tubeway Days singer and Gary Numan impersonator Chris Fielding. I first saw Chris Fielding when he appeared as Gary on Stars in their Eyes back in 1998, and was amazed at how close he looked and sounded like him. Fast forward to 2020, and Chris joined the lineup of the excellent Gary Numan tribute band Tubeway Days. Specialising in the 1979-81 era of Numan, the band and Chris sound exactly like the real thing and are a must-see for all...

On Replicas, Gary Numan and Tubeway Army kicked it off with this incredibly catchy piece of synthpop/new wave/post-punk brilliance: Me! I Disconnect from You. This episode delves into the meaning behind the song, its sci-fi influence, the various remixes, live versions and covers, and more. Clips used: Gary Numan - 'Me! I Disconnect from You' (Replicas)Gary Numan - 'Praying to the Alines' (Replicas)Gary Numan - (R)Evolution (audiobook)Gary Numan - 'Me! I Disconnect from You' (live, 1979)Gary...

"They say that I'm all over, I don't know..." In 1988, Gary Numan released his first album under the IRS Records label, and despite good reviews and an improvement on previous albums, Metal Rhythm didn't get him back in the charts. Taking on a Robert Palmer-style hard rock meets electronic album, the LP featured the lead single 'New Anger', about his irritation over his critics at the time. This episode delves into the making of the album, how it was made and how Gary feels about it...

"You're my assassin but you can't see the crime..." For this episode, let's look back at what would prove to be Gary Numan's final ever top 10 single, from 1982's I, Assassin. A song about an ex-girlfriend, and a track that has everything (funk, synthpop and jazz), it's one of Gary Numan's most intriguing singles. Please get in touch on Twitter (@numanpodcast) or email at [email protected].

"I turned off the pain, like I turned off you all, now there's only m.e." For this episode, we look back at the fantastic sci-fi themed Pleasure Principle track, M.E.. Based on a story from Gary Numan about the last machine on Earth, we look at its inspiration, covers, remixes and more. Clips used: Thomas Newman - 2185 ADGary Numan - M.E.Gary Numan - M.E. (Hybrid version)Wand - M.E.Metz - M.E.Earl Brutus - M.E.Nine Inch Nails - MetalBasement Jaxx - Where's Your Head At?Foxy - Party BoysGary...