There is a reason why Gary Numan has been dubbed the Godfather of all electronic music. Numan heavily influenced the British New Wave sound with the genesis of synth pop which imbued groups such as The Human League, Depeche Mode, New Order, Ultravox and many more during the 1980s.
From his instant chart-topping hits 'Cars' and 'Are Friends’ Electric', in 1979, to his more recent anthems 'Love Hurt Bleed' and 'I Am Dust', Gary has crafted his signature sound of heavy synthesiser hooks which are vividly distorted through guitars and an array of pedal effects.
The man has influenced everyone from Prince to The Prodigy to Nine Inch Nails’ emotional Trent Razor who recently stated, “[Gary Numan is] vitally important and a huge inspiration... I see me doing what I learned from him“. Further acknowledgement derives from all facets of the music industry with David Bowie saying he has "has written a couple of the finest things in British pop" while Marilyn Manson points out that he "pioneered electronic dance music”. Industrial metallers, Fear Factory, paid homage with a cover of Cars that saw Numan make a cameo appearance on the recored and the video clip.Last Friday, at Melbourne's Hi-Fi Bar, Numan covered all of the classics including, Down In The Park, Metal, Are Friends Electric and of course, Cars. Needless to say he convincingly pervaded the crowd with his carefully crafted synthesised sounds and his uniquely dynamic on stage thrusting — exactly what they came for.
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This was the first time I have seen Gary Numann live and I have to say that I was more than impressed with his stage presence, punky charisma and precise live sounds. From the photographers pit I could feel his strong energy going through my body and into the crowd behind me. Out of the hundreds of concerts which I have had the good fortune of seeing over the last 25 years, this was definitely one which I will “feel” again when I cast my mind back over it.It was simply beyond electrifying.
