Rewind back to 24th May 1979 and an episode of Top of the Pops that I’ll always remember. Along with Roxy Music’s Dance Away, Boys Keep Swinging by David Bowie and Shine a Little Love by ELO was a song that really got my attention more than anything else. It was the first TOTP appearance by Tubeway Army playing Are Friends Electric?
The towering synths and distorted guitars sounded so powerful. This, coupled with the thin, pale, alien-like lead singer, Gary Numan, was so different and so exciting. I was 13 at the time and bought the single straight away. Soon after, I got the album Replicas and was similarly blown away – more powerful synth lines and chugging guitars – more alienated, alien-like vocals and lyrics. Soon after, I found the debut album entitled just Tubeway Army and have loved these two albums ever since.
Gary Numan exploded on the scene back in 79. Then, a few years later, the press turned against him and he disappeared from the limelight. But, he never stopped making music and today he regularly sells out his tours and, in my opinion, he sounds better than ever.
One particular song from Replicas was unique and darkly beautiful – Down in the Park. I listened and listened to this song and here, 45 years later, is my rendition of it on guitars and mandolin. If you haven’t heard it before, take a listen (along with the rest of Replicas).
On the first few albums, it’s a real treat to hear the late bass player, Paul Gardiner in action. His playing drives the music beautifully and the bass lines he comes up with are original and full of energy. I’m hoping to add a couple of covers of his playing on my channel in the near future.
Hope you like the video.