Electrofunk still had something of a hold over Gary Numan when the time came around to record a new album. The leather and studs of the ‘Warriors’ period were cast aside in favour of his most outlandish image to date. The album was ‘Berserker’ and Numan promoted the album and subsequent tour as a white faced iceman (a theme first heralded on the ‘Warriors’ album) with blue hair and make up.
Released on his own Numa Records label (having parted ways with Beggars Banquet after the release of ‘Warriors’ with this new album Numan for the first time in his career failed to take the record buying public with him. The album peaked at number 45 in the UK album charts whilst the title track just made it into the top 30 (reaching No. 29), whilst the follow up, ‘My Dying Machine’ floundered at number 66. These poor chart placings were despite a fairly high profile promotional campaign seeing the album and singles plugged in supportive music publications. There were also several TV appearances.
There was a significant departure on this album and tour and that was the introduction of female backing singers. It was in all probability one factor amongst several behind the chart performance of the album. The tour was a saving grace for Gary in that he still commanded a loyal following that supported him admirably at the live shows. If the music had shifted somewhat the presence of the core Numan touring band in the form of Ced, Rrussell and Chris lent a certain familiarity to the proceedings.
I saw him again on the tour in Brighton, this time at The Dome (a beautiful venue that was once the stables of the Royal Pavilion). As I recall for that gig, the venue was 90% seated. I say this because I was quite near to the front in the stalls in a seat. When the ultraviolet kicked in as the band took to the stage I stood on the seat which promptly folded sending me unceremoniously over the back, much to the amusement of those around me.
The ‘Berserker’ live set was quite light in terms of the new material played. The singles were in there alongside ‘This is New Love’ and ‘Cold Warning’. The latter track was in my opinion one of the stronger songs on the album. The best track on the album ‘A Child With The Ghost’, a heartfelt tribute to fellow Tubeway Army founder and long term musical collaborator, Paul Gardiner, who had died in February of that year from a heroin overdose was a notable omission. Perhaps it was still to raw to play at that time.
The penultimate gig of the tour in London was recorded and released as ‘White Noise’, this album also spawned the ‘Live E.P.’ Interestingly, both live releases outperformed the studio releases.
The tour was intended to be something of a package tour promoting the acts signed to the recently established Numa label. Tour support was provided in the form of Larry Loeber and Hohokam. Unfortunately, Numa Records was not much of a financial success, one of several financial ventures that did not work out so well for Numan.
Here's the show from the Edinburgh Playhouse.
FLAC: https://we.tl/t-Ta2EFpX88v
Artwork: https://we.tl/t-qh7atSwXiv
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