Interview: Gary Numan, pop star

Published on Saturday 14 November 2009 13:48

GARY Numan, the original electro-rocker, hit the charts in the 1980s with songs such as Cars and Are Friends Electric?.

His work has been covered or sampled by everyone from the Sugababes to the Nine Inch Nails. Now touring with the 30th anniversary edition of The Pleasure Principle album, he is playing the HMV Picture House, Edinburgh, on 26 November, and Glasgow's ABC on 27 November

Describe your perfect weekend

I've got a boat, so to be out on the boat with the children (he has two daughters, Raven, six, and Persia, three, and a son, Echo, aged two) would be nice.

What one thing would improve your life?

Patience. I find children really stressful, but I don't get ratty with them, I get ratty with Gemma, my wife. I'm massively impatient in general.

What is your guiltiest pleasure?

Thomas the Tank Engine. I really like it. I've been watching Spongebob all morning with my middle one, Persia, and I'm loving that too.

When did you last feel sorry for yourself?

Yesterday. I had a horrible row with someone. It took me by surprise a little bit and some unfortunate stuff was said.

What do you wish you'd never done?

I retired from live work in 1981 temporarily and I made a great big fuss about the fact that I was doing it. It was a really good decision to make; so much had happened so quickly and I needed to calm down and take stock of where I was but, being young, I had to make a big song and dance about it and I shouldn't have done that. I really damaged my career because of it.

Would your mother be proud of you?

Yes, I would say so. I think she thinks I'm a bit of a know-it-all.

Who would you like to say sorry to?

My dog, actually. One of my dogs had to be put to sleep a few years ago and it's bothered me ever since.

What's the most you've spent on a purchase, apart from a car or a property?

Well, I have an aeroplane. I haven't flown it for a while, what with the children and the workload, but I'm just about to start getting back into it again.

What's the most embarrassing thing that's happened to you?

I did a TV thing once where I was being presented with an award, but I couldn't be in the studio and the sound wasn't working. So they were talking to me and I'm up on the television screen looking like an absolute idiot. They show that every once in a while on those Most Embarrassing Moment shows and it crushes me every time.

What is your earliest memory?

Sitting with my mum in the front of a van, watching my dad walk off into the fog because we had broken down. I think I was three, maybe four, and I remember feeling really worried for my dad because in my little mind there were monsters out in the fog, but feeling really safe because I was warm and snuggled up with my mum in the van.

What song is the theme tune to your life?

Closer by the Nine Inch Nails. We had it as the first song at our wedding. The lyrics are "I wanna f*** you like an animal", but it's my favourite song and my wife's favourite song. My nan was there and she was really upset.

Should you vote, and if so how did you vote?

I didn't vote last time. I'm massively disenchanted with the whole thing. It's all lies upon lies and seediness and corruption and all that stink with the expenses – who do you trust?

What worries you in the wee small hours?

Getting old and being gone too soon from my children's life. I actually got depressed about that when I got to about 50 and I suddenly had a mid-life crisis. I'm all right now but if I do stay awake at night, it's nearly always because of worries about the children.

When were you last naked in front of another person?

This morning.

When did you lose your virginity?

I think I'd just turned 15.

Who was your favourite teacher and why?

I had real trouble at school. I was sent to the child psychologist and they put me on valium for years to calm me down. I had 'issues' as they say, so I never really bonded with anyone.

Who is your fantasy date?

If my wife was busy and I really had to go out, I'd probably go for Eva Mendes.

What would you do if you were invisible?

Probably go and visit Eva Mendes.

What is your most treasured possession?

My guitar – it's a Gibson Les Paul. I've had it since I was a boy and played it on every record I've ever done. It's really battered and I keep getting it repaired but I really love it. All the experiences I've been through since I was a teenager – it feels like it's been part of them all.

What do you remember better – your first car or your first kiss?

Car. No competition. It was horrible, actually. It was a Morris Marina estate – you couldn't get a more disgusting car. Which shows how rubbish I am at kissing!

If you didn't have your current career, what would you be doing?

I'd be a racing driver. A really old racing driver, obviously.

What do you think of celebrity?

It's kind of a harmless nonsense. People are invariably kind and nice when I meet them now; when I first started out it was more hostile, where there were jealousies involved.

How old are you?

51.

What is your greatest achievement?

I became an air display pilot evaluator, which means I kind of check that the people who want to become air display pilots are good enough and I help them, fly with them, teach them; I was really proud of that. I flew round the world as well, which was a real achievement.