Hello to the Numanoids of the World! Welcome to the Mark Sobey thread. So did I handle things well? Did I not? Should everyone be entitled to their opinion without threats or name-calling? I invite you to have your say! I respect your opinions.

Hi Jim, thanks again for sharing my link, the Numanoids came out in force and seemed to enjoy my re-working of Random. Loving your new update, seems there's EPIC Numan news almost on a daily basis! Keep it coming and as for that rant from that small minded idiot, repect to you for keeping cool. The song I die, you die springs to mind. Opinions are all well and good but when it gets to the level this guy took it too then you wonder bout some people. Is the new new Gary Numan video the best one he has made? No, of coarse not and who said it was. This guy totally missed your point and the whole point of your NAGNFC. You bring us the very latest Numan news and as a fan you of coarse get excited as we all do when Gary brings us something new. It wasn't that long ago when we though Gary Numan would never release anything new and now we are spoilt for Numan releases. I'd rather he keep on creating than stop. Me personally i love the video. Being a filmaker myself and having won a string of awards for my most recent music films i can see beyond what's on the screen. That is the magic of this video. Like Gary's music there is always an unmistakable dark brooding atmosphere present on all of Gary's post 92 releases. It is there in abundance in this video. Of coarse it isn't obvious on first viewing but when you re-visit the video as i have done several times i see it more each time i look. Well done Gary and well done Jim. You have both firedup my creative juices, so much so i think i will write a new song today. See you on tour Jim, i've got your back ha ha x

I have no idea what this Mark Sobey debacle is all about. If it's a Facebook or Twitter thing, then I will have missed it since I refuse to participate in those vacuous meanderings.

However, if someone has taken a swipe at Mr. Napier or has proffered an opinion on Numan which is less than total and unmitigated flattery, then I could offer up a few points.

Jim, if I may be familiar, does rather set himself up for criticism. I concede that running and maintaining a website requires much work and dedication and I respect that having run one of my own in the past. However, much of the content is blatantly lifted from Numan's own official site which to me, seems rather pointless. A fan site is never going to be THE go-to place for latest information. The artist's site will always trump the fan site. Jim does provide information not readily available elsewhere gathered from his network of sources and that's fair enough. Well done. However, there's an element of content which is all about Jim himself. "When I spoke to Gary about...", "When I was back stage with....", "Gemma mentioned to me....", etc. etc. etc. I find the continual focus on Jim himself quite nauseating. My mistake for believing the site is about Numan, not Jim in relation to Numan. Publishing your tour flight itinerary recently was the last word in arrogance. What was the message here? Look at me and how much money I have to afford all these flights and the time off work to do it? Seriously, you need to tone it down. Good for you if you have the means to follow Numan everywhere, but there's no need to flaunt it, is there?

More to follow...

Hi Steve,

Thanks for your reply! And I appreciate your honesty. I'm sorry you feel I am flaunting a lifestyle. Simply put, Gary can't tour for much longer can he? The man is pushing 60! Seeing him in concert trumps DVDs by a mile. As I'm sure you know, the experience of seeing Numan in a live setting surrounded by your Numanoid peers cannot accurately be described, but has to be experienced. True, the majority of people cannot go to every show, this is why I've received incredible feedback when I post the tour journals from the shows (Riveting Chapters), and report from the shows with news from the musicians, exclusive photos and my misadventures. A cursory read of the Riveting Chapters will reveal the rock and roll lifestyle is less than glamourous.
How should I word a report or post if Gary tells me what his favorite Splinter song is, or if Ade tells me about a film project they're working on, or if Gemma tells me they are moving to America, all exclusive news at the time, not ripped from Gary's fansite.
I also report on tour news before anyone else. Just ask Tim Muddiman next time you see him. He just asked me "How the **** do you know all this?" I don't reveal my sources for fear of compromising them, but let's just say they've been accurate so far.
Enjoy the Reports from the Road from Gary's three Los Angeles shows starting tomorrow! My guess is that more fans will appreciate having detailed news and exclusive pictures from the show than suffer their absence.

Best wishes,
Jim "The Machman" Napier
NAGNFC

If this Mark Sobey was taking a swipe at Numan himself, then it really does depend upon how it was done and what the criticism is.

Back in the day, I would not tolerate any criticism of Gary Numan and felt personally offended if anyone should utter anything remotely resembling anti-Numanism. My hero could do no wrong and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Time passes and we all grow up and realize that Numan's not perfect and has, by his own admission, made some serious personal and professional mistakes. I think most of us fans accept that and admire him all the more for staying the course and still being here in 2013 and hopefully beyond. That said, it shouldn't mean that people can't criticize or offer a view that isn't 100% positive in every aspect. In fact, I don't think Numan himself would even want that. For myself, I continue to be puzzled by his obsession with Fenton who is himself obsessed with NIN. To me, Numan's become NIN-Lite, rather than being his own brand like he once was. Can anyone else hear "Head Like A Hole" in "Love Hurt Bleed". Listen to the music during the opening credits of the movie, "Taken 2". Remind anyone of "I Am Dust"? Numan's stage appearance is, to me at least, embarrassing. He looks like he just got out of bed. A far cry from his polished pop/rock star look of times gone by. The stage production values are also not what they once were. He's using the same formula that countless others are using and have used to death for years. Numan shows used to be an event, like he wanted them to be, but these days not so much.

Jim's website seems a mouth piece and over the top window dressing for all things Numan with the sole intention of ingratiating himself to the Numan camp. As a fan running a fan site, I understand you're going to be fairly pro most of the time. But it's simply unrealistic to be 100% pro 100% of the time. Unless of course there's an ulterior motive.

That said, there's no need for childish name calling if that's what this Sobey character did.

That's my $0.02. Castigate me if you wish.

Steve.

P.S. For the record I have had requests to post an "About Me" page to the NAGNFC. Not only would I feel it to be too much, but I like retaining an air of mystery about myself. I did spill a little bit on Gary's "Android in La La Land" movie in Los Angeles last month.
During last month's West Coast shows, I also received requests to include my pictures during my travels so they "could be there with me" in spirit. The feedback I've received about my reports is that the NAGNFC Readers enjoy living the tour vicariously through my misadventures. You are truly entitled to your opinion and I am saddened you feel that way.

Best wishes,
Jim "The Machman" Napier
NAGNFC

No need for me to personally castigate you Steve. Luckily, opinions are not facts. :-)

I took the high road and deleted the actual conversation I had with Mark, who instead decided name-calling would serve to help me see his side.

I did mention on the site that my last rant about a fan was three years ago. I was never really sure if I should've posted my feelings about the individual. My site is one of goodwill, and positive vibes to outweigh the glut of negativity out there from people who (sometimes) just like to wind up others.

It wasn't until the aftertour party upstairs at the O2 after the last UK Pleasure Principle show that Gemma came up to me and thanked me for looking out for Gary. Since then, I'm surprised I hadn't done it more...

Best Wishes,
Jim "The Machman" Napier
NAGNFC