Gary Numan/Tubeway Army - Are Friends Electric? Live at The Old Grey Whistle Test

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First Broadcast on 22nd May 1979 ‪@OfficialGaryNuman‬
The Old Grey Whistle Test (sometimes abbreviated to Whistle Test or OGWT) is a British television music show. The show was devised by BBC producer Rowan Ayers, commissioned by David Attenborough[and aired on BBC2 from 1971 to 1988. It took over the BBC2 late-night slot from Disco 2, which ran between September 1970 and July 1971, while continuing to feature non-chart music. n.
According to presenter Bob Harris, the programme derived its name from a Tin Pan Alley phrase from years before. When they got the first pressing of a record they would play it to people they called the old greys - doormen in grey suits. Any song the doormen could remember and whistle, having heard it just once or twice, had passed the old grey whistle test.
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‪@OfficialGaryNuman‬

[@geoffreystout5814]

What a band! Double synthesisers, chunky bass and lead guitar, kicking drums, and a great song with out there lyrics. Ahead of their time for sure!

[@marguskiis7711]

GN made huge mistake not keeping the line-up.

[@kevininasia]

The drumming is perfect - Cedric deserved more screen time.

[@Rekeza]

did Cedric only play play the OWGT?

[@DDandrums]

@@Rekezano.

[@skeleman1963]

​@@Rekeza...Cedric played with Numan from 1979 - 1992.

[@girthquake9655]

Cedric had soul. Amazing drummer

[@vincenzollamas]

great unsung drummer, he doesn't even have his own wikipedia page!! :(

[@TheMrSlyxx]

This never gets old. He knew about Artificial intelligence even then. This is a time piece.

[@michaelmoroz5876]

I’ve been looking for this one for a while. This is the best version. Sounds so raw. I’m 53 and luv this.

[@barrysmith8920]

I’ll be 65 in September. Back in ‘79, this song changed my music and life 🌹

[@johnunderwood3132]

I’m 53 as well I listen to this all the time. But I have the vinyls and love it

[@psypunk66]

56 and still loving it... ☺

[@loveistheanswer1228]

Your now 54 x

[@shariys1]

Hell, I'm 70 and I love this. I wasn't listening to this type of music at the time, and now it just sounds so fresh.

[@rogerwalnut]

That bass tone is just fantastic, RIP Paul Gardiner

[@paulgardiner5029]

Yes he was great i loved his bass lines

[@owenjwilson5202]

Paul Gardiner was a great influence,and in my opinion very underrated,used a chorus effect in live performances,sadly missed..RIP Paul..

[@risteardohaodha23]

And despite this being a synth pop classic, the electric guitar plays a vital role in the arrangement too.

[@feltongailey8987]

I was drawn to them over 30 years ago by Mr. Gardiner.

[@piranhafish]

Yep he was the spark of genius that these songs came from

[@tx3851]

My Late Grandfather bought me this album for my 10th Birthday, the year it was released....Thank you to Mr Numan, and Grandad, for setting me on the pathway for a life of incredible music...

[@egordy1]

I was 12 years old, someone lent me this album and an album by the New Musik called "A to B". Up to my bedroom sanctuary I crept and listened carefully on the "sacred headphones". It changed my life. Literally. It was like nothing I'd heard before. I closed my eyes and went to this futuristic place. I am typing this, I'm sure with a giant smile on my face and a tear in my eye for a time now gone. When all these sounds and songs were all new. Blowing away my mind, my eardrums and my youth. I can't tell how many times i listened to this that night and still to this day.

[@damientyler2704]

I just barely discovered Gary Numan now in 2023.. Of all the performances I've ever seen in my life I would have loved to be at this one but in 1979 I wasn't even alive yet! It's crazy to think all this was happening before I was even born but thanks to the magic of video and audio recording I can experience this moment. His new stuff is great too but its the older stuff that got me hooked. This man's music is truly timeless.

[@jdenino6022]

We saw him live in NYC but I barely remember seeing the show we had horrible seats. This video is so much better than seeing the concert 40 years ago. 😊

[@davidl.7027]

Lol You know a butt load of stuff happened before any of us were born

[@Tim091]

You wouldn't have been able to "be at this one" as the Old Grey Whistle Test was a tv programme, no audience. It was the only place on TV in the UK where you could see bands really playing live, rather than the usual lip-synching crap on more mainstream pop programmes. OGWT had many, many legendary bands and it's equally legendary presenter "Whispering" Bob Harris is still active today.

[@internationaldenny]

best version...

[@scott7521]

This era of Numan always reminded me of what Syd Barrett might have sounded like had he discovered synths and not burned out his brain on acid.

[@davidwinter5565]

The synth part at the end of Brain Damage would sound epic if it used the vox humana polymoog sound

[@eugenenathan6518]

Well said!

[@devinthierault]

Syd lived a relatively calm and peaceful life, he seemed to be able to manage some normalcy. Just wish he got help.

[@SofaKingShit]

My parents sold me for some acid to inject into their eyes because thats the kind of thing that totally happens in the grips of such a ghastly thing.

[@PREPFORIT]

Every time I read a Sci-Fi Novel and there is a Bar scene I can literally hear a Gary Newman tune playing in the background.

[@pituparanoico]

*Numan :)

[@seatonsmithy436]

@@pituparanoico Nah, Gary Numan wouldn't licence his music to PREPFORIT's imagination, so he gets some guy called Gary Newman to do it.

[@olddaze401]

The Chatsubo was a bar for professional expatriates

[@lgcybernetics]

@@olddaze401 exactly !

[@ladystardust2008]

I remember this from the first broadcast. How electrified I was by the music, and by Gary's effect on me, albeit through the TV set in our front room. Being able to see this again is pure bliss. Genius 🤖

[@Reggie-The-Dog]

Damn that Moog sounds sick! The new ones don't have the growl that this one has.

[@TestTubeBabySpy]

That is probably the keyboard Billy Currie is playing on upstage left with Chris on Minimoog on the right. I'm still trying to figure out what Billy is playing, it's gotta be an arp odyssey. Thats the growl we hear I think.. or they're sending the minimoog through some kinda flanger/chorus effect?

[@dynjarren8355]

Those simple Synth notes are very catchy and effective! I always liked this song! And this was years ahead of everyone! It sounded futuristic back then and modern now 43 years later! Amazing!

[@Mark_Ocain]

The Music press buried this guy's career for being different and using synthesizers in a way that displeased them. Numan displayed genius and was punished for it.

[@anorakus8272]

He was (is) autistic.. standard

[@anorakus8272]

@@PazuzuStalker Bass playing on Assassin was amazing.. shame he didn't do more stuff like that

[@retro1980x]

They also didn't like the fact that he invented himself.

[@pulpero666]

I'm a guitarist but now I'm synth nerd too because of this song ❤

[@thursoberwick1948]

​@@retro1980xKraftwerk though... were earlier.

[@njmtbiker]

Paul’s syrupy bass lines are so so beautiful

[@cdsirensnj]

I don’t know why but that synthesizer intro is the best one out of all of the versions of the song.

[@johndaarteest]

This is the one, once I heard this I only listen to this version now.

[@kevincockburn7805]

Sound quality bloody great, they knew how to set up the studio on the old grey whistle test

[@cristinebowen4116]

So much better than the lip synching on TotP

[@feline1973]

Well, the synths are a bit out of balance, but since probably nobody at the BBC had ever heard music remotely like this, it's not that surprising they had the levels a bit different to how it was on the record!

[@krg1965]

@@feline1973 I'd never thought of that before, synths being a bit of a head-scratcher for the sound engineers on OGWT, but yes. And I guess they had a limited amount of time to line check and put together a mix. Few things leapt out at me: drums (played brilliantly as ever by Ced) completely dry and somewhat muddy eq, bass guitar a little (!) high in the mix, Billy's synth mixed a lot lower so we miss his solo in the coda, Chris' Moog very dry also. But it was a wonderful performance - the one that got me excited about making music, seeing this band and realising I wanted to make this kind of sound.

[@neilcallan1039]

And Finally, anyone who truly loves music should appreciate the heavy presence of guitar,bass as well as the unique keyboards.Beatifully post Punk..... Pioneer.leapfrogged his contemporaries!

[@amyjeffs3269]

Summed it all up in one sentence there pal.Numan goes from punk to this.. Astonishing forethought.Numan reinvents himself time and time again..mans a genius.

[@earldelsanto]

Love how business like Paul is nailing each simple note Genius

[@rleriche5044]

he does hit those notes nicely allowing the Arp to take a lead role.

[@michaelm2525]

😂

[@johnrestrepo8942]

This song never gets old..cheers.

[@rleriche5044]

because it's from the future!

[@curtisunit]

Man just now seeing Ced playing that nasty old beat 💪 with Billy Currie, Chris Payne and Paul. That was a great band.

[@user-kr8hf6li8o]

I’m 70 and love his music it’s the best ❤

[@espimgardino]

Best live performance for this song back on You tube. Tnx for upload.

[@BeggarsArchive]

very welcome :)

[@ameliawagus6248]

Terrific footage, they were spectacular live!

[@barrysmith8920]

THE song that ushered in the electronic pop hit 🙏🏼🌹

[@gmantramp404]

Billy Currie on the synth from Ultravox for without would be no Tubeway Army of course 👍👍

[@dizzylizzysunflower]

Loved the old band..Billy Currie fitted in nicely..

[@robiniapseudoacacia]

Staggeringly good. I was a bit too young to see this first time round and it's amazing that this quality was broadcast live on TV back then with only 3 channels available

[@AnonAnonAnon]

Live, synths, drums and guitars! When he was at his best. And when he popped up on ToTPs singing this in 1979, utterly blew my mind!

[@danbenoit1841]

I love and agree with all the positive comments here....I first heard this cosmically-named Tubeway Army's "Are Friends Electric" while driving my rather battered '65 VW bug in downtown LA traffic on my way to my part time job as a printer to pay for a trip to Spain to study. I was floating down the hot pavement listening to this song. Thank God for old KROQ in those days. I could not and never will be able to get enough of this song and all of Tubeway Army/Gary Numan's work.

[@awaken77]

Synth pop pioneers. Bass line is a killer!

[@batphink2655]

Gary is a MUCH better singer than he even thinks such a unique voice perfect for the music he writes! Aweosme song and band! RIP Cedic and Paul(bass)

[@davidhigginson733]

His voice is an instrument

[@cemeterygates7519]

Lyrics: It's cold outside And the paint's peeling off of my walls There's a man outside In a long coat, grey hat, smoking a cigarette Now the light fades out And I'm wondering what I'm doing in a room like this There's a knock on the door And just for a second I thought I remembered you So now I'm alone Now I can think for myself About little deals And issues And things that I just don't understand Like a white lie that night Or a slight touch at times I don't think it meant anything to you So I open the door It's the 'friend' that I'd left in the hallway "Please sit down" A candle lit a shadow on a wall near the bed You know I hate to ask But, are 'friends' electric? Mine's broke down And now I've no one to love So I find out your reason For the phone calls and smiles And it hurts And I'm lonely And I should never have tried And I missed you tonight So it's time to leave You see this means everything to me

[@shannonflores2317]

Yes....friends.

[@6V6band]

Holy fuck never realized the lyrics were so relatable to losing a lover

[@chrislambert505]

It’s about shagging robots….

[@ameliawagus6248]

Counting down the days ❤

[@JC-zw9vs]

Superb drumming, really adding so much to the groove compared to the studio version.

[@affectionatepunch]

Looks like Cedric Sharpley who sadly passed away with a heart attack in 2012

[@JC-zw9vs]

@@affectionatepunch thanks for that, I'll look him up! His hi hat doesnt really cut through in this mix, but I think he's playing accented 16ths with his right, which makes it even more interesting.

[@devinthierault]

@@JC-zw9vs I think he was a prog rock drummer before this

[@salfordregulars2166]

Timeless...don't ya think? What a groove. The live drums were key because one would think naturally he'd use drum machines given the era....wrong!!! Brilliant!!!

[@feline1973]

This was 1979, there weren't really any programmable drum machines, just little rhythm boxes with preset buttons for things like 'bossanova' and 'rhumba' :)

[@downrodeo2112]

Spot on

[@JablesMullet]

Thanks to my mom's friend Ade for making me a copy of his Replica album back in my teens. Been a fan ever since. The keyboards on this sound like the Russian radio buzzer UVB-76. I've always thought that would sound great in a song.

[@shannonflores2317]

In 1984... luv u all ! Have fun!!!!😊❤🍀

[@domchessh4604]

this tune is awsom..just like the 80s..

[@gothicpagan.666]

Ah bloody great

[@badinkstudios]

Live, you can really hear how much more raw and punk they were. The records are good, but clearly tamed a bit for wide commercial release. This grungier sound has aged so well today!

[@spatzlelg]

This was brilliant then and brilliant now. Easily stands the test of time and great performance on OGWT.

[@curtisunit]

Love that Paul Gardiner is right out in front driving that bus 🎖.

[@neilcallan1039]

And 40 years on, it has not dated, great production, sound and light years away from the crap being peddled today.......

[@christopherhowe5180]

This is a great example of music which transports you to a completely different place.

[@rjnuzzi1648]

Numan is electro... the greatest frontman hologram for it

[@rachael_grey]

1979 and brilliant.

[@bigantplowright5711]

1979...cannot remember much of it. But this was said to be the sound of the 80's.

[@charlesallanstewart-kl2op]

Yeah it brings back memories , great song & great show 😁😁

[@howard4510]

I remember being at home , waiting for this to come on to the Tv , with dad moaning, telling me to turn it over .

[@user-ok9ml7bi8t]

dope live version

[@paulgordon6085]

The start of what now is the phenomenon of Gary Numan

[@KAZ132]

Well worth the wait.. Amazing! 🎶🌻

[@BeggarsArchive]

Glad you think so!

[@KAZ132]

@@BeggarsArchive your Channel is Fabulous 🌻 have a great weekend! 🎶

[@neekerbreeker]

I love this KZbin channel! ❤️🎶 Gary was/still is such a visionary. Back in the 80s I only heard Cars on radio play, and I didn't realize how talented and creative he was. I really like some of his new music too. He still sounds fantastic.

[@shannonflores2317]

Hi Blue Eyed Floozy! Listen to Sirens from Tubeway Army's 1st songs! Crank it up!!! The bass is great! 😄❤ Music used to be great.🤾‍♀️❤

[@shannonflores2317]

SIRENS❤

[@seanhazlewood634]

Great performance

[@popatyourecords]

really original Drummer got his own thing great song

[@AdultshopitCoUk]

Great music

[@user-kr8hf6li8o]

I’ve always loved Gary’s songs since I was young he is amazing

[@coldw4rning]

A life changing song !

[@strummerjones7647]

This video was in circulation a few years ago then disappeared. It's good to have it back.

[@subatomic2012]

not sure if its my imagination... but the audio sounds different... more "harsh" for want of a better word.... just doesn't sound as good.

[@craigmactak1839]

@@subatomic2012 Agree. The mix on the previous upload was cleaner than this one. Still good to have it back up no matter the audio quality

[@colinpumpernickel2605]

I was at junior school and the whole line in the lunch queue used to sing this. Children are the first to pick up on something new. What was special about Numan was that his band used real drums. Synth music lost much of its dynamism with synth drums or drums machines.

[@zazanya1]

"Mine broke down and now I have no one to love." Such a devastating lyric.

[@threadbear]

One of my favourite OGWT performances - so thanks for posting.

[@BeggarsArchive]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@amyjeffs3269]

Hopefully the new documentary thats recently came out about gary numan, will show just what a incredibly creative and prolific artist he is. He has released 27 albums,and yet i bet many people could only name cars as a gary numan song. Under the radar,the real fans who realize his influence and genius, have given him 2 top 10 albums in recent years. One of the few artists to create a totally new style of music ,with the combination of the recently invented synthesizer, combined with traditional instruments. Asperger's syndrome has certainly made his life a challenge,but with the support of his family, and virtually unrivalled creatively over 40 years,hes finally getting the recognition he deserves. Wheres his MBE for significant services to music???...ed sheeran has one!

[@danielavaca4414]

That bass awesome

[@marcraygun6290]

Never has an f barre chord sounded so good

[@theRustyElCamino]

Such a timeless song

[@deeceea9488]

One thing I loved about Gary. His lines never rhymed. They were just the way people talked.

[@stephenmartin3742]

Just reading in his autobiography about this session… so thanks to KZbin I can check it out :)

[@johnunderwood3132]

So fucking good. So glad I was around for this. I’m still listening to this day.

[@MrWipex]

Can listen to this all day long… absolutely wonderful. 👏👏👏

[@Tommy-ro9jz]

This is so ahead of its time its crazy, something I'd expect from the early 2000s indi scene when it was just a bunch of weird, really good songs

[@brittscott4673]

Are friends Electric was #1 for four weeks when it was released in the U.K. in 1979.

[@madlove1581]

goddamn ~ good stuff, love Numan. ain't nobody got the syth groove like the Numan man.

[@shonuff6221]

WHOA! I can hear this one been live... true musicians in deed! RESPECT

[@vincenzollamas]

what a powerful force and radical idea for music

[@marksalmon7103]

Nothing to add, brilliant .

[@KFM7777]

GARYYYY!!! A true muscal GENIUS! Some say he copied ULTRAVOX, they were both new synth bands then....I disagree 1,000% 😂 To me, personally, i feel a connection to Gary's music more than Ultravox. DId you know that Gary suffered from severe anxiety and depression and back then it wasnt really talked about much. WHY i think his music RESONATES with so many! Saw thim at CRUEL WORLD 2023 & HE WAS TOTAL FIRE 🔥 ♥️ 🔥

[@djmull63]

I recall the shit they got at the time for using synths, it was ok for ELP and Yes and all that prog rock stuff but this band captured an amazing raw sound that propelled them to No1 with this track in 1979

[@Teeb2023]

This is an absolutely splendid version. Totally raw, and still has that same "thing" regardless. I'm willing to bet the OGWT producers (A.N. included) were thinking "Yeah, this guy's whole act is going to crumble when we strip his sound down to nothing but amps". Heh. That ended well for them.

[@nilssveinsson8811]

Brilliant then and brilliant now

[@alisonkovacs9871]

Looks so cute

[@GrungeIsN0tDead]

Thabk you for this! I remember seeing this video years years back, and when I came to watch it again it's gone, thank you so much

[@BeggarsArchive]

You're very welcome!

[@mbdisenourbanoyarquitectur730]

that drum .......

[@Silvertone58]

Super tight

[@doyoulikebeetroot]

So good it bring a tear to my eyes What an amazing sound

[@amyjeffs3269]

damn right..a wonderful raw,sound .Brand new at the time. Imagine hearing music like this ,that had never been done before.What a innovative genius he is.

[@doyoulikebeetroot]

@@amyjeffs3269 I was around when it came out and compared to a lot of the stuff in the charts it sounded like aliens from the future had come to save us 🙂😁

[@Davelightuptheworld]

1:49 absolut badass headbang

[@cristinebowen4116]

Fantastic live version!

[@BeggarsArchive]

Glad you like it!

[@garythomas4431]

Cool hearing the guitar playing through the old plug in MXR flanger. Great song.

[@pppantazis1]

Too much work for the synth but it s worth it. Unique moment ...

[@bluemoonrising9096]

Wish I'd seen this in '79. Fab.

[@jazzhandsdan]

i wish i could find a jacket like the one he’s wearing here

[@thesound-chameleonman3580]

I have The Pleasure Principle signed by Christopher Payne!

[@karmeng2773]

I have been looking for this song for years. It just haunts me and I cannot get it out of my head but thats a good thing😂

[@jamesslick4790]

Gary Numan and Madonna were both born in '58. Who is more famous? Who had a greater impact on music? 🤷‍♂️Life ain't fair! 🤦‍♀️

[@ElizIndRhythm]

Fame does not equal importance. Over time, see who becomes more well known in the history books.

[@jamesslick4790]

@@ElizIndRhythm 👍👍

[@marguskiis7711]

Madonna

[@marguskiis7711]

But Madonna is 2 years older than Kate Bush but started his career 5 years later and followed Bush a lot.

[@shaneborger9054]

It’s the “simplicity” of Gary’s songs that make them what they are. The melody gets stuck in your head and drives the song with this unrelenting groove. All the while there is the synth bass line like a drone underneath it all. Its like the Velvet Underground meets the Monks meets Kraftwerk with a little Bowie for some panache. Even though the Human League, OMD and Ultravox were doing synth songs before Gary, he stood out because he kept it simple and allowed for space between the notes.

[@TestTubeBabySpy]

All I have is a moog subsequent 37, but it's still fun to try and match the minimoog in this video. I have it pretty close. But I only have 2 oscillators. Sub oscillator helps a lil. RIP moog music inc..damn ) :

[@janeporter818]

Love this song and Cars by Gary Numan ❤

[@davidmansell5986]

Try "Down in the park"

[@pierrewhite3397]

Real version..... massif’ love x x