BONG CONVENTION '91
[From Bong 13, April 1991. Words: Jo Bailey.]
When the doors were opened at 4pm the dancefloor was seething almost immediately. It would have been impossible to hide away any of the freebies, so there were hundreds of expectant faces staring up at us on the stage. Roland at Mute had been having a clear-out, so we’d got loads of “World In My Eyes” Radio Edit 7”s and CDs – not to mention the hundreds of DM posters we’d “liberated” from Mute’s stockroom. Daryl had donated plenty of stage equipment and there were some “Wherehouse” tapes, as well as countless other DM-related knick-knacks to be given away – and they were! By 11pm there was nothing left. Depeche Mode themselves weren’t going to be out-done when it came to donating prizes. Alan gave us two “See You”-era suits and a pair of trousers. Dave sent along two pairs of (signed) leather trousers. Andy’s contribution was a top “as worn on tour” and from Martin, we had some signed artwork for “Counterfeit”.
The evening wasn’t without its hiccups however, one person (thankfully not a Bong member – he’d just come along with some friends) was discovered by Camden Palace’s manager writing his ‘tag’ on a door. On further examination, his work was found on some walls and a door. He was armed with a mop and a bucket and spent the rest of the evening cleaning off his handiwork. Also, the phantom Convention thief struck again and a prize (and Lynn’s clipboard – just what is it with those things?) disappeared mysteriously from the pile. Club member Michael Muller from Germany came to the rescue and saved the day (and made me cry) by giving Caroline, the young lady whose prize was stolen, a towel that he caught from Dave during a concert in Stuttgart.
There were plenty of competitions – too many to list all of them – but yet again, the highlight was the “DM Lookalike” competition. Our “Martin” was Holger from Germany – who had to rush off as soon as the competition was over (“My bus leaves now….”) “Alan” was won by Jim from Buckingham, Adam from Salisbury was “Dave” and this year’s “Fletch” was Terry from Coventry. Mark from Erith won the DM quiz, being one of the few who managed to answer ten DM questions correctly. The “Lookalikes” went home with prizes donated by the band, and Mark was presented with a plaque given to Depeche Mode by their Greek record company – very exclusive.
There was also, as ever, a special video message from the band. Alan and Martin were filmed at Konk Studios, where DM have been recording a song for the forthcoming Wim Wenders movie (see news), Andy Fletcher was recorded in “The Beast” (a transit van) telling us that he’s been “doing a bit of van driving, a bit of construction…” (!) and Dave gave us a guided tour of his house. [1] All four thanked Fanclub members for voting for them at the Brit Awards (see news). [2]
All in all, it was another successful (and tiring) convention, and Lynn and myself (and our legions of helpers) are already planning and looking forward to next year!
Thanks to: Lynn Newcombe, Elaine, Liz & John, Carole & Paul, Steve, Kevin Hackett, Alison & Daryl, Tom & Phil, Ka, Bea and all at Camden Palace for their help on the day.
[From Bong 13, April 1991. Words: Jo Bailey.]
When the doors were opened at 4pm the dancefloor was seething almost immediately. It would have been impossible to hide away any of the freebies, so there were hundreds of expectant faces staring up at us on the stage. Roland at Mute had been having a clear-out, so we’d got loads of “World In My Eyes” Radio Edit 7”s and CDs – not to mention the hundreds of DM posters we’d “liberated” from Mute’s stockroom. Daryl had donated plenty of stage equipment and there were some “Wherehouse” tapes, as well as countless other DM-related knick-knacks to be given away – and they were! By 11pm there was nothing left. Depeche Mode themselves weren’t going to be out-done when it came to donating prizes. Alan gave us two “See You”-era suits and a pair of trousers. Dave sent along two pairs of (signed) leather trousers. Andy’s contribution was a top “as worn on tour” and from Martin, we had some signed artwork for “Counterfeit”.
The evening wasn’t without its hiccups however, one person (thankfully not a Bong member – he’d just come along with some friends) was discovered by Camden Palace’s manager writing his ‘tag’ on a door. On further examination, his work was found on some walls and a door. He was armed with a mop and a bucket and spent the rest of the evening cleaning off his handiwork. Also, the phantom Convention thief struck again and a prize (and Lynn’s clipboard – just what is it with those things?) disappeared mysteriously from the pile. Club member Michael Muller from Germany came to the rescue and saved the day (and made me cry) by giving Caroline, the young lady whose prize was stolen, a towel that he caught from Dave during a concert in Stuttgart.
There were plenty of competitions – too many to list all of them – but yet again, the highlight was the “DM Lookalike” competition. Our “Martin” was Holger from Germany – who had to rush off as soon as the competition was over (“My bus leaves now….”) “Alan” was won by Jim from Buckingham, Adam from Salisbury was “Dave” and this year’s “Fletch” was Terry from Coventry. Mark from Erith won the DM quiz, being one of the few who managed to answer ten DM questions correctly. The “Lookalikes” went home with prizes donated by the band, and Mark was presented with a plaque given to Depeche Mode by their Greek record company – very exclusive.
There was also, as ever, a special video message from the band. Alan and Martin were filmed at Konk Studios, where DM have been recording a song for the forthcoming Wim Wenders movie (see news), Andy Fletcher was recorded in “The Beast” (a transit van) telling us that he’s been “doing a bit of van driving, a bit of construction…” (!) and Dave gave us a guided tour of his house. [1] All four thanked Fanclub members for voting for them at the Brit Awards (see news). [2]
All in all, it was another successful (and tiring) convention, and Lynn and myself (and our legions of helpers) are already planning and looking forward to next year!
Thanks to: Lynn Newcombe, Elaine, Liz & John, Carole & Paul, Steve, Kevin Hackett, Alison & Daryl, Tom & Phil, Ka, Bea and all at Camden Palace for their help on the day.