In this special episode of Electric Friends: A Gary Numan Podcast, I pay tribute to John Webb, Gary Numan's brother, bandmate and lifelong friend, who passed away in 2025 during the Telekon 45th anniversary tour.

The episode reflects on John’s incredible life — from joining Tubeway Army as a teenager to performing on stage across the world, before embarking on a second remarkable career as a professional pilot and aerobatics display leader.

Through archive clips and personal memories, I celebrate John’s warmth, humour and creativity. We hear about Gary’s emotional statement following his Birmingham show, where he broke down during 'Please Push No More' after receiving the tragic news. Gary later described his brother as “someone I loved more than the world,” a sentiment shared by so many who knew him.

I revisit highlights from my interview with John, including stories of playing with Tubeway Army at the Roxy Club at just 12 years old, touring with Gary through the 80s, and the time Queen’s Roger Taylor borrowed his drum kit during the recording of Dance.

The episode also celebrates John’s later musical work as Donovan Silver, his album Alpha, and his return to live performance after nearly three decades.

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The story behind Gary Numan’s first ever single ‘That’s Too Bad’ — from punk beginnings to sci-fi storytelling and the birth of Tubeway Army.

In this episode of Electric Friends: A Gary Numan Podcast, I take us right back to where it all began — 1978’s That’s Too Bad, the very first Tubeway Army single that launched the career of one of Britain’s most original and influential artists.

Before the synths, the fame and Are ‘Friends’ Electric?, Gary was a teenager playing in bands like Mean Street and The Lasers. It was during those early sessions that Tubeway Army was born — with Paul Gardiner on bass and Gary’s uncle Jess Lidyard on drums — and punk attitude collided with futuristic imagination.

I explore how That’s Too Bad captured that moment perfectly: a raw, nervy, paranoid slice of late-70s punk with flashes of the science-fiction world Numan would soon make his own. With lyrics about surveillance, alienation and fractured identity, the track already hinted at the themes that would define his later classics like Down in the Park and Metal.

Featuring Gary’s own reflections on signing with Beggars Banquet, working at WHSmith up to release day, and even his brief spell under the name Valerian, this episode digs into the single’s evolution — from its rough demo on The Plan to the sharper 1978 version.

There’s also listener memories from lifelong fans, from discovering the blue vinyl Tubeway Army album to hearing That’s Too Bad live decades later.

Plus, I share the latest Numan news — including the surprise discovery of a previously unheard Telekon track, Like a B Film.

Catch up on the latest from the world of Gary Numan, including new TV shows, podcasts, radio specials, tour updates and more.