Wed., Aug. 28, Gary Numan

Many people only know Gary Numan for his iconic hit “Cars.” Certainly, with its opening swell of keyboard notes, the song—featured on Numan's 1979 album The Pleasure Principle—stands as one of synth pop's greatest. But Numan's influence reaches far deeper, of course. The English-born artist cut his musical teeth on punk, but he inarguably helped to define the post-punk genre with brooding tunes that are almost muscular in their leanness. His “Down in the Park,” from his other 1979 release Replicas, is a perfectly spooky, gloomy and cold gem—all those other 1980s-era new wavers only wish they could have mastered that sound. 1417 R Street, www.numan.co.uk.