Announcement! If you'd like to buy Electric Friends merch including stickers, T-shirts, mugs and more, please head to https://electric-friends.printify.me/The story behind Gary Numan’s first ever single ‘That’s Too Bad’ — from punk beginnings to sci-fi storytelling and the birth of Tubeway Army.In this episode of Electric Friends: A Gary Numan Podcast, I take us right back to where it all began — 1978’s That’s Too Bad, the very first Tubeway Army single that launched the career of one of Britain’s most original and influential artists.Before the synths, the fame and Are ‘Friends’ Electric?, Gary was a teenager playing in bands like Mean Street and The Lasers. It was during those early sessions that Tubeway Army was born — with Paul Gardiner on bass and Gary’s uncle Jess Lidyard on drums — and punk attitude collided with futuristic imagination.I explore how That’s Too Bad captured that moment perfectly: a raw, nervy, paranoid slice of late-70s punk with flashes of the science-fiction world Numan would soon make his own. With lyrics about surveillance, alienation and fractured identity, the track already hinted at the themes that would define his later classics like Down in the Park and Metal.Featuring Gary’s own reflections on signing with Beggars Banquet, working at WHSmith up to release day, and even his brief spell under the name Valerian, this episode digs into the single’s evolution — from its rough demo on The Plan to the sharper 1978 version.There’s also listener memories from lifelong fans, from discovering the blue vinyl Tubeway Army album to hearing That’s Too Bad live decades later.Plus, I share the latest Numan news — including the surprise discovery of a previously unheard Telekon track, Like a B Film.
--------
18:56
--------
18:56
Numan News 2 (September 2025)
Catch up on the latest from the world of Gary Numan, including new TV shows, podcasts, radio specials, tour updates and more.
--------
16:23
--------
16:23
On Broadway
This episode looks back at Gary Numan's cover of 'On Broadway', made famous by The Drifters in 1963. Gary's live version in 1979 was an inspired synthpop reworking, featuring Ultravox star Billy Currie on keyboards.
--------
19:39
--------
19:39
Numan News 1 (July 2025)
In the first of a new series of bonus minisodes - here's your latest Gary Numan news update.Please get in touch at [email protected]
--------
7:00
--------
7:00
Glastonbury 2025 Review
Taking a look back at Gary Numan's triumphant Glastonbury Festival debut on Saturday.
Celebrating the music of electronic pioneer Gary Numan, track-by-track. Each episode delves into a different Gary Numan song from various albums and eras in a non-linear journey.
Canada - english