Gary Numan - Live AOL Interview Transcript, March 7 2001 "I have only had two holidays in my life plus one honeymoon. So I'm not much of an expert on holiday destinations. I would like to go whale watching or cage diving with great white sharks." UKMCLive: Good evening Gary and a huge welcome to AOL Live. Before we take a look at our first question would you like to say a few words to all your fans out there? Gary Numan Live: I would just like to say hello and thank you everybody for taking the time to ask me some questions. UKMC 2: JWatson603 asks... Question: Now when I think of Gary Numan (being young and naive) I think of crazy vocals guitars and 80s style synths ( this may not have ever been the case) but i heard you on lamack live and what i heard was excellent electronic Rock ....not disimilar from the likes of the prodigy. what bands inspired you and what bands do you feel you inspired?? from NOEL WATSON Gary Numan Live: The people who inspired me when I first started are mostly now split up and no longer in the business. But the main inspiration was a band called Ultra Vox. When it had a man called John Foxx in it. More recently, I am into the Deftones and Marilyn Manson. Nine Inch Nails, and many others. But it is all heavy and it is all dark and all very powerful. I gather from reading interviews that I have inspired a wide range of people, including strangely enough Nine Inch Nails, Marilyn Manson, Beck Smashing Pumpkins and others. Question: When you were with your group Tubeway Army, you sang are friends electric live in 1979, were was this? Gary Numan Live: It was only ever played live on TV. Never in concert. What r u workin on at the moment, Gary? UKMC 2: That from Enigmaticpoet Gary Numan Live: We have a North American tour starting in mid-April. And the next album I start any day and when we come back from North America we have some festivals around Europe. But mainly when we get back the new album then becomes the priority. UKMC 2: UK KP asks... Question: You have always been very loyal to your fans, I met after your show in Crewe a few years ago, not many artists can boast as loyal fans as you have, do you appreciate them and get to meet many? Karen Gary Numan Live: I appreciate those I still have. But it is worth bearing in mind that the song Are Friends Electric sold over 1 million copies in the UK alone. And the last single sold about 10,000. So there are 10,000 loyal fans and 990,000 that weren't so loyal. I am very grateful to the 10,000 and I think I have met them all. In more recent years, a large amount of new fans have joined in and I am equally grateful to them. UKMC 2: VIKKIchurchill asks... Question: What do you think of Napster? I have two friends who went out and bought 'Pure' and saw you live just because I told them to download Rip Gary Numan Live: In that case -- Napster is probably working just fine. UKMC 2: SCoyle30asks.. Question: What's you favourite book Gary Numan Live: Lord of the Rings. UKMC 2: You excited about the film? Gary Numan Live: I am very worried about the film. To take a book which is the greatest book ever written, in my opinion, and to try to squeeze that into a relatively short film, seems a huge task. I hope it's brilliant. UKMC 2: JeffDart asks.. Question: When u worked with Fear Factory, did u enjoy it, and is there more work with them in the future? Gary Numan Live: I had a fantastic time working with Fear Factory. I love them all as people & love the music They were very kind to us (me and Gemma) and the entire experience has been very enjoyable. I hope to work with them again. UKMC 2: Junglemarvin asks... Gary Numan Live: In fact I may be doing a TV appearance with Burton in the UK within the next two weeks. But that is not definite. UKMC 2: Junglemarvin asks... Question: what do u think of the music industry today?do u feel that all the image and culture has left the scene? Gary Numan Live: I think the pop scene is about as bad as it can get. It seems to be directed mainly at pre-pubescent children and so holds very little interest for someone like me. I'm not saying that is wrong it is just not for me. However, I also think that we have outside of the pop charts some of the best music I have ever heard things like Nine Inch Nails, Marilyn Manson etc. And I also think that image is alive and well. UKMC 2: MOBE2470 asks.... Question: could you tell me what the chords are for the song Cars Gary Numan Live: It doesn't have chords. It is just a basic riff. Not much of my stuff does have chords and I probably wouldn't know their names if they did. UKMC 2: Stepssonja asks... Question: What's your favourite synthesizer? Gary Numan Live: There are two. One called an OBXa and the other one is a Quadrasynth. Actually another really cool synth is called a Gem S2 Turbo. UKMC 2: HSoapy asks... Question: Did you enjoy this year's tour Gary Numan Live: Yes. It was great fun. I thought the band moved up a gear in terms of the look, and the performance and I feel very prepared to take on America. UKMC 2: MILLERCORNELL asks... Question: Do you really like DEPECHE MODE? Which songs in particular? Gary Numan Live: I think they are brilliant especially songs of faith and devotion which is one of my favourite albums of all time. Favourite songs would be Never Let Me Down Again Walking In My Shoes Higher Love to name but a few. UKMC 2: Nita992271 asks.. Question: Did Steve Strange follow your makeup or you him? Gary Numan Live: I never thought we wore the same make-up or even looked alike so I don't think anybody followed anybody else. UKMC 2: Stowville asks... Question: Do u think success has changed u in any mayor way from when u where young ? Gary Numan Live: I don't think success has changed me at all. I think the struggle to stay successful has changed me a lot. It's made me mentally much harder than I ever wanted to be more cynical than is healthy. More suspicious than most people. And not always the nicest person to be around. But I have my feet very firmly on the ground I do not have a big star attitude. And I treat everyone as I find them - just cautiously. UKMC 2: UK KP again with... Question: Remind me to smile is one of my favourite songs of yours, but you do not smile very much , was that part of your image or do you generally feel despondent with life? Karen Gary Numan Live: I actually smile all the time when I am not working. UKMC 2: DEF0002 asks... Question: What has been the high point and low point of your career and why?... from Pete Wilcox a fan from 1979. Gary Numan Live: The high point has to be being No. 1 in terms of success In terms of quality of work in my opinion the new album is a definite high point. In terms of critical acclaim the new album was also the high point. In terms of credibility and respect within the business, now is about as good as it gets. And the low point would be the Machine And Soul album in 1992. UKMC 2: Epilegue asks.... Question: When you come to Germany on tour? Gary Numan Live: We were there in November so you missed it. Hopefully see you next time. UKMC 2: DJ Mousehead asks.... Question: Where in Southend do you come from Gary Numan Live: I don't come from Southend. I was born in Hammersmith. Question: Cars is your trademark, used for adverts all the time, do you think Cars in a way has stereotyped your music and not many look beyond it? Karen Gary Numan Live: I think Cars has become a song that has labelled me. For many years. And it is something very difficult to get away from. But on the other hand I am very proud of it and don't particularly want to get away from it so it is a mixed blessing. UKMC 2: Marteeny13 asks.... Question: have u ever thought about an acting career ? Gary Numan Live: Not really. I am really not a good actor. I did a cameo thing for a Martin Clunes film and I think I was rubbish. UKMC 2: VIKKIchurchilll asks... Question: When r u releasing a new single???? Gary Numan Live: Sadly I have no idea. I would like to but it's really down to the record company to make that decision. And they are not keen at the moment about releasing a single. However, I am making a video for the song Rip -- next week. But that is with my own money not the record company's. And without their approval. So it may not become a single. But it's something nice to have and to use in other ways. To help promote the new album. UKMC 2: STEDJ1 asks... Question: John Foxx had a number one single "There's no one Driving" is this Anything to do with "cars" Gary Numan Live: I don't remember John Foxx ever having a number one single but good luck to him if he did. And you would have to ask him if it had anything to do with Cars or not - I do not know. UKMC 2: BDelboy..... Question: which of your songs was your favourite? Gary Numan Live: Rip IS my favourite. I also like My Jesus from the new album. And older songs like Down In The Park and Cars. UKMC 2: KAYKAR69 asks... Question: Gary, I`m an American Car fan....did you not own a Chevy Corvette?.... have you still got it ? Gary Numan Live: I did have one until about six months ago. And then I sold it and bought a speed boat. UKMC 2: Roomtwoonethree asks... Question: how do you find touring now compared with the earlier tours you did? Gary Numan Live: Harder work more energetic more damaging physically judging by my bruises. More damaging to the equipment. - judging by my broken guitar. But a lot more fun. UKMC 2: Buffgoer asks... Question: Gary, noticed that you appear to only play guitar on stage, do you play keyboards live these days? Gary Numan Live: No. I have two keyboard players who can take care of things. I don't really like being static behind a keyboard. on stage But it is not a big deal for me one way or the other. Gary Numan Live: So I might play keyboards in the future. I have done in the past from time to time. Question: Do you ever think about retiring from the music buisness UKMC 2: that from EDGOOSE1 Gary Numan Live: I'm aware that I'm getting older. And that nothing lasts forever. And that one day if I don't stop -- it will probably be stopped for me. Gary Numan Live: So I do think about it but I'm in no hurry to do it. I think both on record and on stage I am doing the best work I have ever done at the moment. So I am finding it very exciting and am very confident about the future. UKMC 2: Carold133 asks... Question: where is your favourite holiday destination? Gary Numan Live: I have only had two holidays in my life plus one honeymoon. So I'm not much of an expert on holiday destinations. I would like to go whale watching or cage diving with great white sharks. Once I have learned to scuba dive. UKMC 2: Nita992271 asks... Question: Do you have any regrets? Gary Numan Live: Yes. But none recently. UKMC 2: Pchegwin asks... Question: Do you write a base line 1st when composing? Gary Numan Live: Not usually. Although I did when I wrote Cars. Usually I start with a piano melody. And then build the sound up from that. UKMC 2: T4murray asks.... Question: hows it feel 2 have people telling u their first memory is hearing `Cars` Gary Numan Live: It makes me feel better than people saying they have never heard it. It's nice to have done something which has touched more than one generation. Not many people can say that. UKMC 2: TriggerHappy CB asks.... Question: What do you think of Eminem and Limp Bizkit? Gary Numan Live: Eminem is Ok. I like some of it. Limp Bizkit are excellent I like virtually all of it. UKMC 2: XJ6 JIM asks... Question: Gary do you think your music of the 80,s has influenced the music of today especially dance music throughout the club scene Gary Numan Live: I'm told it has. But I don't really listen to club music or dance music so I really don't know from personal experience. UKMC 2: SCOTIA 72 asks... Question: What are you doing for your birthday tomorrow? It's mine too! Gary Numan Live: Happy Birthday! I'm buying a truck. To pull the speed boat. UKMC 2: STRACHAN28 asks... Question: what bands or songs influenced you while you grew up? Gary Numan Live: The first band that had an influence on me in a major way was called T-Rex. And then Ultravox which we talked about before. UKMC 2: JamesH315 asks... Question: What are Gary Numans 3 favourite albums to chill out to after a Long day at work? Gary Numan Live: As my work is music - the last thing I would do is listen to albums to chill out after a day's work. I actually don't listen to music very often for pleasure. I can't help analysing music. So it's just like still being at work. However, my favourite music for parties would be Curve, Prodigy, Marilyn Manson, a band called Snake River Conspiracy. And various soundtrack albums. UKMC 2: MAlien23 asks a biggie... Question: what did you think of the eighties? Gary Numan Live: I was glad to see the back of them. UKMC 2: DJ KLARKY asks... Question: what do you think of DJ's part in electronic music today Gary Numan Live: I am a songwriter and a musician so much of it is a mystery to me. However, I have worked recently with Andy Gray and I was very very impressed by what he did. So my opinions are changing. And I am beginning to see a great deal of creativity and quality music coming from the DJ end of things. UKMC 2: Fife 43 with an old favourite.... Question: What would you do if you weren't in music Gary Numan Live: When I was younger I would have tried to be a racing driver. Now I write books -- novels - stories … horror stories probably.