NUMA RECORDS: THE FORMATIVE YEARS is an archival website comprehensively
showcasing the Numa pantheon of artists signed to the Numa Records label from 1983
to 1986. The emphasis on this site is on the careers and work of these artists and their
professional relationship with Gary Numan as a producer and label owner.
PAUL GARDINER
This essential portal for all things Paul Gardiner begins with a profile of the NUM 1
single, "Venus In Furs," and continues with an extensive tribute to the late musician
and charter member of the Gary Numan band. Tribute features include: Make Your
Picture Talk (A Paul Gardiner Photo Scrapbook); Things Only You Could Know (a
comprehensive table of facts and trivia about Paul); Child With the Ghost (the first
and only detailed biography of Gardiner); No Sense: TFY Tribute Remix (the
internet's first and only remix of the NUM 1 b-side).
GREY PARADE
After a now infamous melt-down that lead to the dissolution of their contract with
Numa Records, Grey Parade was scarcely mentioned again. Pity, too, because
everything about them--from their material, to their playing, to their showmanship--
is a complete surprise. The Grey Parade section of Numa Records TFY gives them the
chance they never had to show their quality, complete with an in-depth two-part
biography covering everything from their Rialto years to their post-Numa recordings.
The truly scarce album, The Reason, is showcased as well, with song samples and
commentary. Equally rare images of the group and interviews with Les Campen
make for a compelling and revealing look at this Numa act swept under the rug.
LARRY LOEBER
Larry Loeber may have been enigmatically missing from the Numa Records: Year One
compilation album, but his presence here is larger than life. A detailed and
thoroughgoing analysis of Numa Records' first signed artist is provided in a review of
the NUM 2 single, "Shivers Up My Spine." However, the goods are really in the
exclusive bonus features that include overviews of three post-Numa recordings with
rare audio. The NUM 2 Tribute to "Shivers" also serves up an exclusive Q & A with
Justin (a.k.a Larry) Loeber, the highlight of which is a sample of Justin's latest
recording work; and added to the celebration is an exclusive Numa Records TFY
remix of the NUM 2 b-side, "Vibrations Of the Night."
STEVE BRAUN
Dr. Stephen E. Brown, Ph.D., Professor of Economics, was once a rising talent in the
mid 1980s and considered one of the more bankable acts of the Numa Roster. Gary
Numan produce his two a-sides, "When I See Your Eyes" and "Love Could Be So Good,"
but his story--his rise to ephemeral glory, and his road to academic distinction--are
chronicled for the first time in word, picture and song as part of the exclusive bonus
feature, "Several Shades of Braun." Nowhere else will you hear the songs Braun
hoped to include on a Numa Records album of his own, and with a sound that would
have raised the bar on New Wave jazz funk.
HO HO KAM
This group's dark and secretive history at Numa Records was the very mystery that
inspired the creation of this website. Hohokam's true story unfolds in a three-part
overview of the Hohokam singles and the changing line-up as the band evolved.
However, the Hohokam Lobby is crammed with incredibly rare bonus material,
including reviews and audio samples from the missing Hohokam album, Seven Deadly
Sins. Too much, really, to mention it all here, you'll have to go exploring and find it
yourself. A recent tribute to the NUM 3 single, "King," has been added and includes a
memorial scrapbook to the late George Kamm, as well as the most successful tribute
remix yet of "The American Way."
JOHN WEBB
From his novelty act as Johnny Silver, to his professional act as a commercial airline
pilot, John Webb seemed to follow two steps behind Gary Numan's career. Discover
the real John Webb, yourself, and follow along with the first true biography of the
youngest member of the Webb family. With this comprehensive overview of his
involvement in the early Tubeway Army, his work on the "Stormtrooper In Drag"
single, his eventual solo release "The Experiment (Of Love)" on NUM 14), and the
passion for flying that he shared with his brother, you'll never have as intimate a
portrait of John Webb as you will here.
CAROLINE MUNRO
The only female artist signed to the Numa Records label, Caroline Munro's cult status
as Bond girl and queen of campy horror and sci fi made her royalty in the studio.
Experience the most comprehensive treatment of Munro's recording career, on the
internet or anywhere, in feature articles about her singles that include a treasure
trove of sample audio and interviews. The tribute to the NUM 5 single, "Pump Me
Up," also celebrates the Judd Hamilton - Caroline Munro collaborations in song and
film with a redux of the lost song fragment, "Warrior Of Love," written and recorded
by Caroline for the film, "Don't Open 'Til Christmas; and another exclusive remix of
the NUM 5 b-side, "The Picture (TFY Cover Shot Remix)."
LEE MUNRO
This final artist on the label's roster, Lee Munro, enlisted Crass's Phil Free and
backing vocalist Karen Taylor in an unlikely musical collaboration that produced NUM
20, "(I've Got) Stereo Headphones." Read about Lee Munro's origins and find out
more about the single that snuck in before Numa's doors closed forever to outside
acts.
NEWS
Whether you've come to Numa Records: The Formative Years for the first time,
or you've been with us faithfully from the very beginning, the best visit is the informed
visit, and "WHAT'S NU" is a proper starting point with announcements, updates,
links, and acknowledgements: this one-stop reference kiosk is a place to meet and greet
the featured artist before the show and begin feeling the buzz. Let's get started!
BONUS FEATURES
The Numa Records TFY Bonus Features are divided into special articles, archival
resources, and extras. Special features cover topics such as Tik and Tok, the
formation of Numa Records, and, most recently, the mystery of Hugh Nicholson's
Zuma Records release. Archival aids have been amassed from my personal collection
and include the missing index to Praying To the Alients, a Numa Records artists
discography, and a scrapbook of Numa Records TFY homepages; a full transcript of
Images: A Recorded Autobiography, complete with hypertext linked indexes, is also
available. The "Extras" section offers Radio Numa, Electric Pioneer book reviews,
and my own Project Remix that showcases remixes of Gary Numan b-side and bonus
songs.
THE NUMA ROSTER
The essential Numa Records Reference Library, the Roster includes everyone ever
seen in the studio in connection to a signed Numa act, either during their time with
Numa or not. Included in the Roster are biographical info, portraits and photos, and
links to external resources about he artists.
SITE MAPS
Two kinds of Site Maps permit users to navigate the pages of Numa Records: The
Formative Years: a thumbnail site tree of the individual pages and lobbies; or, an
explanatory outline of every page and feature contained in this website.
ABOUT THIS SITE
This page contains the background details of the site author, a personal statement
about his inspiration, and a comprehensive section acknowledging those who
contributed in ways large and small. Also included are links to eBay searches,
relevant Numan and Numa artist websites, and personal links of interest.
CLICK THE IMAGE TO ENTER
Please direct all inquiries to Karl.Sherlock@gcccd.edu. Written content and web design by Karl
Sherlock. For optimal viewing, display setting should be set to 1152 x 720 or 1024 x 768.
NUMBER OF VISITORS SINCE AUGUST 21, 2004