In this episode of Electric Friends: A Gary Numan Podcast, I’m joined by a very special guest — Saffron, frontwoman of Republica, lifelong Gary Numan fan, collaborator, and close friend of the Numan family.

We talk through Saffron’s incredible journey in music — from her early influences and theatre work, to becoming a songwriter and eventually forming Republica in the mid-90s. She shares the story behind their breakthrough hits like ‘Ready to Go’ and ‘Drop Dead Gorgeous’, how the band carved out their electronic rock sound, and what it was really like navigating success during that era.

Of course, a huge part of our conversation is her connection with Gary Numan. Saffron explains how discovering Replicas at a young age completely changed her life, why Gary’s music resonated so deeply, and how that influence shaped her own artistic identity.

We also dive into the iconic Random tribute album, where Saffron and Republica covered ‘Are Friends Electric?’ — and how that led to her first meeting with Gary and Gemma. What followed was not just a collaboration, but a lasting friendship that continues to this day.

Beyond music, Saffron opens up about her work in mental health, her experiences during the pandemic as a frontline worker, and how those experiences have shaped her perspective.

It’s a warm, honest and wide-ranging conversation about creativity, fandom, resilience and the lasting impact of Gary Numan’s music.

In this episode of Electric Friends: A Gary Numan Podcast, I explore one of the most fascinating songs connected to Gary’s early 80s world — ‘Love Needs No Disguise’.

Originally released in 1981 by Dramatis — the band formed by Chris Payne, Rrussell Bell, Denis Haines and Cedric Sharpley after Gary’s temporary retirement from touring — the track featured Gary on lead vocals and became their biggest chart hit, reaching number 33 in the UK.

I talk about how I rediscovered the song during a recent trip to Brussels (and a very successful record shop haul), why it meant so much to me as an 8-year-old discovering Gary through the Best Of cassette, and why this track still holds a special place in my top 10.

Musically, I break down what makes the song so distinctive — the haunting synth intro, Ced’s drums, Russell’s guitar, Chris Payne’s viola, and that brilliant early-80s synth-pop atmosphere. But lyrically, it’s even more interesting. As Rrussell Bell confirmed to me in a previous interview, the song wasn’t really a romantic love song at all — it was written about their time touring with Gary.

I look at how the lyrics take on new meaning in that context: the touring references, the emotional bond between bandmates, and the reassurance that “love needs no disguise” even after Gary stepped away.

Plus, I revisit the video shoot at Shepperton Studios, read out your brilliant fan memories (so many of you were in that video!), and reflect on why this song remains quietly emotional and underrated.

In this minisode of Electric Friends: A Gary Numan Podcast, I’m back with a Gary Numan News update for February 2026, rounding up the biggest recent stories from Numan’s world.

I talk to Let Loose drummer Lee Murray about his pop career, his lifelong love of Gary Numan, and how Numan shaped his life and music.

In this episode of Electric Friends: A Gary Numan Podcast, I do something a little different. Instead of speaking to band members or collaborators from Gary’s world, I sit down with one of his most passionate famous fans — Lee Murray from Let Loose.

Lee and I talk about his journey through music, from growing up glued to Top of the Pops to finding his own success in the 1990s as part of Let Loose, the band behind the huge hit ‘Crazy for You’. He opens up about the long road to success, being mislabelled as a boyband, record deals that fell apart, and the pressure that came with sudden fame — before finding a healthier, more joyful relationship with music in later years.

At the heart of the conversation is Gary Numan. Lee shares how seeing Gary on Top of the Pops changed everything for him — how Gary “looked how I felt”, and why that sense of otherness made such a powerful connection. We talk about first gigs, the Warriors tour, idol-to-friend moments, and the surreal experience of eventually supporting Gary on tour.

Lee also reflects honestly on mental health, regret, stepping away at the wrong time, and how Gary’s openness and kindness left a lasting impression on him. It’s a warm, thoughtful and often emotional conversation about fandom, creativity, resilience and why Gary inspires such deep loyalty across generations.

If you love Gary Numan, 90s pop history, or hearing artists speak candidly about fame and its realities, this episode is for you.

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In this episode I dive into one of the most unexpected Gary Numan surprises of recent years — the release of Like a B-Film, a previously unheard Telekon-era demo that suddenly appeared via the 45th anniversary re-issue.

I explain how the track appeared almost out of nowhere. Very quickly, it became clear this was genuine: raw 1980 synth textures, unfinished edges, and Gary’s unmistakable vocal — a time capsule suddenly dropped into the present.

The episode looks closely at the lyric sheet shared by fans online, lines that shrink humanity into “little pictures,” reference “B-films” and deadened media culture, and land on stark declarations like we are broken, we are shattered, we are glass. I discuss how the imagery hints at emotional numbness, voyeurism and disconnection — themes that would later define tracks like I Dream of Wires and Remind Me to Smile.

We also hear Gary himself address the track at Hammersmith — admitting he doesn’t remember writing it, joking that it probably didn’t make the album “because it’s happy,” and marvelling at Beggars Banquet uncovering a demo he’d forgotten.

The episode includes reactions from fans comparing the sound to John Foxx, celebrating the synth tones, and debating whether it ever would have sat comfortably on Telekon — or whether saving it has made the surprise even sweeter.

I also preview other demos on the anniversary release, and reflect on why unheard material still excites Numan fans after four decades.

In this special episode of Electric Friends: A Gary Numan Podcast, I pay tribute to John Webb, Gary Numan's brother, bandmate and lifelong friend, who passed away in 2025 during the Telekon 45th anniversary tour.

The episode reflects on John’s incredible life — from joining Tubeway Army as a teenager to performing on stage across the world, before embarking on a second remarkable career as a professional pilot and aerobatics display leader.

Through archive clips and personal memories, I celebrate John’s warmth, humour and creativity. We hear about Gary’s emotional statement following his Birmingham show, where he broke down during 'Please Push No More' after receiving the tragic news. Gary later described his brother as “someone I loved more than the world,” a sentiment shared by so many who knew him.

I revisit highlights from my interview with John, including stories of playing with Tubeway Army at the Roxy Club at just 12 years old, touring with Gary through the 80s, and the time Queen’s Roger Taylor borrowed his drum kit during the recording of Dance.

The episode also celebrates John’s later musical work as Donovan Silver, his album Alpha, and his return to live performance after nearly three decades.

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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.

Catch up on the latest from the world of Gary Numan, including new TV shows, podcasts, radio specials, tour updates and more.

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.

In the first of a new series of bonus minisodes - here's your latest Gary Numan news update.

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