Electric Friends: A Gary Numan Podcast

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 - Berserker
• Gary Numan - My Dying Machine
• Gary Numan - Berserker (live, 1984)
• Radio 1 Chart Show, November 1984

Please get in touch on Twitter, Facebook, TikTok and Instagram, 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 AD
• Gary Numan - M.E.
• Gary Numan - M.E. (Hybrid version)
• Wand - M.E.
• Metz - M.E.
• Earl Brutus - M.E.
• Nine Inch Nails - Metal
• Basement Jaxx - Where's Your Head At?
• Foxy - Party Boys
• Gary Numan - M.E. (live, 1980)
• Gary Numan - (R)Evolution (audiobook)

Please get in touch on Twitter (@numanpodcast) or email at [email protected].

"Turn out these eyes, Wipe off my face, Erase me"

For this episode, I look back at the Telekon single 'This Wreckage' from 1980. In the episode, I delve into:

• Why Gary Numan regretted choosing it as a single
• The meaning behind some of its Japanese lyrics
• How it was sampled by a classic 2000s dance track
• Its beautiful B-side 'Photograph'
• What his fans think about the divisive single

Clips used:

• Gary Numan - 'This Wreckage'
• Gary Numan - 'Photograph'
• Basement Jaxx - 'Where's Your Head At?'
• Gary Numan - (R)Evolution (audiobook)

"Do you fall like dust on a ruin? Empty and dead like the life you are losing."

For this episode, we go back to 2011 and Gary Numan's album Dead Son Rising, for its lead single 'The Fall'.

Intended as an 'outtakes' album to fill the gap between Jagged and Splinter, it ended up being its own fully-fledged album thanks to the persistence of producer Ade Fenton.

This episode focuses on the lead single, including:

• How Nine Inch Nails and Trent Reznor inspired it
• How Gary got through apathy to finish the album
• Its original track from the Pure sessions
• Is it based on an apparent fallout with a former band member?
• The music video filmed in a creepy abandoned asylum

Clips used:

• Gary Numan - The Fall
• Gary Numan - For the Rest of My Life
• Nine Inch Nails - Metal
• Gary Numan - Look
• Gary Numan - The Fall (live at Brixton Academy)
• Gary Numan - The Fall (Officers remix)
• Gary Numan - The Fall (South Central Bad Trip remix)
• Gary Numan - (R)Evolution (audiobook)
• Gary Numan speech at 1,000th gig

"You are attraction, it gets to be routine, you're up, I'm down"

This episode looks back at the one and only single from Gary Numan's 1981 album Dance: 'She's Got Claws'.

We delve into how the song and album was inspired by a bitter end to a relationship that went rather scary for Gary, as well as a ghostly experience on the London Underground, and how it was influenced by the music of the band Japan (leading to the involvement of Mick Karn).

Clips used:

• Gary Numan - 'She's Got Claws'
• Gary Numan & Paul Gardiner - 'Stormtrooper in Drag'
• Japan - 'Gentlemen Take Polaroids'
• Gary Numan - (R)Evolution (audiobook)
• Gary Numan - 'A Subway Called You'
• Gary Numan - 'Slowcar to China'
• 'Cat People' (trailer) / David Bowie - 'Cat People'
• Gary Numan - 'I Sing Rain'
• Gary Numan - 'Exhibition'
• Posh - 'She's Got Claws'
• Gary Numan - 'She's Got Claws (Biokraft remix)'

Please get in touch on Twitter (@numanpodcast) or email at [email protected].