"The Plan" is an archival compilation album by Tubeway Army, originally recorded as early demos in March 1978 but released by Beggars Banquet Records in September 1984. This collection came out a year after Gary Numan had departed from the label. The demos, which had been shelved for nearly seven years, showcased Tubeway Army's early punk rock style, a departure from the synth-based sound Numan later became known for.
Gary Numan himself noted in the album's liner notes that these songs were intentionally crafted in the popular punk rock style of the time, aimed at securing a record deal. Several tracks from "The Plan," such as "Friends," "Something's in the House," and "My Shadow in Vain," would later serve as the foundation for songs that appeared on Tubeway Army's debut album in 1978. These were subsequently reworked with the synthesizer-based sound that would define Tubeway Army and Numan's solo career.
Upon its release, "The Plan" achieved moderate success, peaking at number 29 on the UK album chart. This was followed shortly by Numan's release of "Berserker" in November 1984 on his own label, Numa Records, which reached number 45 on the UK album chart. Interestingly, "The Plan" outperformed "Berserker" chart-wise.
All CD releases of "The Plan" include additional bonus tracks, such as Tubeway Army's debut single "That's Too Bad" and an early version of the track "The Life Machine," originally from the Tubeway Army album.
Overall, "The Plan" serves as a historical document of Tubeway Army's early days and Gary Numan's evolution as a musician, offering fans and listeners insight into the band's beginnings before their breakthrough into electronic and synth-driven music.
