ASK ALAN
[From Bong 16, April 1992.]
You always seem so easy-going, but do you ever get in a temper and start shouting? If so, what is usually the cause?
Sometimes, for various reasons.
Do you believe in mediums and clairvoyants? Have you ever had a reading by one?
I believe in psychic ability, but I think most clairvoyants are fake. And yes, I have had a reading.
What was the first record you bought and how old were you?
Ziggy Stardust by David Bowie when I was 13.
What is your favourite track on EbbHead and why?
“Reasons” because of its subject and menacing mood.
If one of the other band members showed up drunk for a show, what would you do?
Nothing. Each band member is aware of his responsibilities.
Are you ticklish?
A bit.
Do your parents listen to your music and if so, what do they think of it?
Yes they do, but I don’t think they like it much.
What or whom do you miss most when you’re on the road?
My independence, family, QPR (Queen’s Park Rangers) home games, cooking for myself and driving.
If you weren’t a member of DM, do you think you’d be buying their records?
Some of them.
Did you change your image or way of life when you joined DM?
Yes.
What type of car do you drive?
A Mercedes SL300 and a Citroen DS 23.
What is your fondest childhood memory?
Family holidays.
What did you consider the most interesting element of 1991?
The oil war in Iraq, and the breakup of the USSR.
Will you be contributing any songs for the next album?
No.
What type of films do you like?
Arty, serious and some thrillers.
What was your first-ever keyboard and how much did you pay for it?
RMI Electronic Piano. (Shit) I can’t remember how much it cost, about ?250.00, I think.
If your ambition is to be happy as stated in your Personal File in BONG 15, does that mean that at the moment you’re unhappy?
Up and down.
Can you cook?
Yes.
When and why did you decide to become a vegetarian?
In 1983, for health reasons.
How would you describe yourself, David, Martin and Andy?
This would require an essay.
In the studio, how do you come to a decision if all of you initially disagree?
If we cannot persuade each other to come round to a way of thinking, then we have to compromise or drop the idea.
If you had to re-record and re-release a track from Speak & Spell or A Broken Frame, what would you choose?
“The Sun And The Rainfall” from A Broken Frame.
Name one thing that makes you laugh.
Flood’s arse.
Would you consider yourself a perfectionist?
No.
When DM’s songs were declared in some places as blasphemous, what was your attitude?
I don’t really recognise the concept of blasphemy.
What do you think of the current chart?
Crap, as always.
Who or what has had the most influence on you?
Nobody in particular.
You put in your last Personal File that Kraftwerk is your favourite band – would you ever like to work with them, perhaps produce them?
Yes / no… perhaps.
[From Bong 16, April 1992.]
You always seem so easy-going, but do you ever get in a temper and start shouting? If so, what is usually the cause?
Sometimes, for various reasons.
Do you believe in mediums and clairvoyants? Have you ever had a reading by one?
I believe in psychic ability, but I think most clairvoyants are fake. And yes, I have had a reading.
What was the first record you bought and how old were you?
Ziggy Stardust by David Bowie when I was 13.
What is your favourite track on EbbHead and why?
“Reasons” because of its subject and menacing mood.
If one of the other band members showed up drunk for a show, what would you do?
Nothing. Each band member is aware of his responsibilities.
Are you ticklish?
A bit.
Do your parents listen to your music and if so, what do they think of it?
Yes they do, but I don’t think they like it much.
What or whom do you miss most when you’re on the road?
My independence, family, QPR (Queen’s Park Rangers) home games, cooking for myself and driving.
If you weren’t a member of DM, do you think you’d be buying their records?
Some of them.
Did you change your image or way of life when you joined DM?
Yes.
What type of car do you drive?
A Mercedes SL300 and a Citroen DS 23.
What is your fondest childhood memory?
Family holidays.
What did you consider the most interesting element of 1991?
The oil war in Iraq, and the breakup of the USSR.
Will you be contributing any songs for the next album?
No.
What type of films do you like?
Arty, serious and some thrillers.
What was your first-ever keyboard and how much did you pay for it?
RMI Electronic Piano. (Shit) I can’t remember how much it cost, about ?250.00, I think.
If your ambition is to be happy as stated in your Personal File in BONG 15, does that mean that at the moment you’re unhappy?
Up and down.
Can you cook?
Yes.
When and why did you decide to become a vegetarian?
In 1983, for health reasons.
How would you describe yourself, David, Martin and Andy?
This would require an essay.
In the studio, how do you come to a decision if all of you initially disagree?
If we cannot persuade each other to come round to a way of thinking, then we have to compromise or drop the idea.
If you had to re-record and re-release a track from Speak & Spell or A Broken Frame, what would you choose?
“The Sun And The Rainfall” from A Broken Frame.
Name one thing that makes you laugh.
Flood’s arse.
Would you consider yourself a perfectionist?
No.
When DM’s songs were declared in some places as blasphemous, what was your attitude?
I don’t really recognise the concept of blasphemy.
What do you think of the current chart?
Crap, as always.
Who or what has had the most influence on you?
Nobody in particular.
You put in your last Personal File that Kraftwerk is your favourite band – would you ever like to work with them, perhaps produce them?
Yes / no… perhaps.
How often do you get recognised by fans in the street, and how do you react?
Not often, usually politely.
How do you unwind?
TV, exercise and QPR games.
Where’s your favourite part of Britain?
The Lake District.
What’s your favourite European country?
Italy.
What are your personal opinions in the European trade barriers coming down with 1992 and all that?
Generally a good thing, with some problems.
Who’s your favourite comedian?
John Cleese, Harry Enfield and Rowan Atkinson.
Which leg of the “World Violation” tour did you enjoy the most and why?
USA, because of the lack of predictability.
How do you react to people who say DM’s music is depressing?
They’re entitled to their opinion.
What songs do you find the hardest to have to miss out on when playing live?
None in particular.
If, for some mysterious reason, DM split up, or you left, do you think you’d pursue a solo career, or just produce other people?
Perhaps both or neither.
What’s the strangest thing you’ve ever eaten?
Squid soup.
When did you have your first piano lesson?
When I was 8 years old.
Have you got any pets?
Yes, three cats.
Which do you prefer, working in the studio or playing live?
Working in the studio.
Do you see yourself being in Depeche Mode for the next ten years?
No.
What school did you go to?
Saint Clement Danes Grammar School.
Do you think there’s an afterlife?
No, but I don’t rule out the possibility.
When did you become interested in photography and why?
At school, through a friend.
What make is your camera?
Olympus OM10.
Do you prefer to photograph objects, landscapes, people…?
People.
Were you extremely nervous the first time you appeared on stage with Depeche Mode? What was it like?
Not extremely, but it was mayhem at Crocs.
What’s your opinion of DM “Look-alikes”?
Disappointing. It shows a lack of individuality.
Do you believe in God?
I believe in my own inner spirit, which is “God”.
Do you approve of Monarchism?
No.
What was your favourite / most hated subject at school?
Favourite: Sports. Most hated: maths.
What thing were you afraid of as a child?
Spiders.
Do you ever listen to your pre-DM records?
No.
Who are your favourite photographers?
Robert Mapplethorpe and Anton Corbijn.
What do you think of people who bootleg your concerts and records?
I don’t approve.
In your opinion, what makes up a true DM fan?
Anyone who still gives us the time of day after having heard “It’s Called A Heart” (Slow Mix).
Who is Geoff Hurst?
The man who fuelled endless gratifying insults towards the Germans.
What kind of marks did you get at school?
Below average.
What was your motivation behind the composition of the “Two Minute Warning” lyrics?
The Arms Race.
Do you enjoy having your photograph taken?
No.
Do you feel under more pressure when you’re performing while being recorded (like 101).
Yes.
Do you feel famous?
Not really.
What’s the worst part of your “job”?
General stress, photo-sessions and interviews.
What advice would you give to a band that’s just starting out?
Stick to your principles.
Do Depeche Mode have plans to work with Anton again?
Yes.
Apart from “Somebody”, what’s the most difficult song to play live?
They’re all easy.
After the “Wherehouse” incident, are you still going to do in-store signings.
Maybe.
Are you planning a solo tour?
No.
What are your feelings now that you’re faced with recording and touring again?
Apprehension.
Not often, usually politely.
How do you unwind?
TV, exercise and QPR games.
Where’s your favourite part of Britain?
The Lake District.
What’s your favourite European country?
Italy.
What are your personal opinions in the European trade barriers coming down with 1992 and all that?
Generally a good thing, with some problems.
Who’s your favourite comedian?
John Cleese, Harry Enfield and Rowan Atkinson.
Which leg of the “World Violation” tour did you enjoy the most and why?
USA, because of the lack of predictability.
How do you react to people who say DM’s music is depressing?
They’re entitled to their opinion.
What songs do you find the hardest to have to miss out on when playing live?
None in particular.
If, for some mysterious reason, DM split up, or you left, do you think you’d pursue a solo career, or just produce other people?
Perhaps both or neither.
What’s the strangest thing you’ve ever eaten?
Squid soup.
When did you have your first piano lesson?
When I was 8 years old.
Have you got any pets?
Yes, three cats.
Which do you prefer, working in the studio or playing live?
Working in the studio.
Do you see yourself being in Depeche Mode for the next ten years?
No.
What school did you go to?
Saint Clement Danes Grammar School.
Do you think there’s an afterlife?
No, but I don’t rule out the possibility.
When did you become interested in photography and why?
At school, through a friend.
What make is your camera?
Olympus OM10.
Do you prefer to photograph objects, landscapes, people…?
People.
Were you extremely nervous the first time you appeared on stage with Depeche Mode? What was it like?
Not extremely, but it was mayhem at Crocs.
What’s your opinion of DM “Look-alikes”?
Disappointing. It shows a lack of individuality.
Do you believe in God?
I believe in my own inner spirit, which is “God”.
Do you approve of Monarchism?
No.
What was your favourite / most hated subject at school?
Favourite: Sports. Most hated: maths.
What thing were you afraid of as a child?
Spiders.
Do you ever listen to your pre-DM records?
No.
Who are your favourite photographers?
Robert Mapplethorpe and Anton Corbijn.
What do you think of people who bootleg your concerts and records?
I don’t approve.
In your opinion, what makes up a true DM fan?
Anyone who still gives us the time of day after having heard “It’s Called A Heart” (Slow Mix).
Who is Geoff Hurst?
The man who fuelled endless gratifying insults towards the Germans.
What kind of marks did you get at school?
Below average.
What was your motivation behind the composition of the “Two Minute Warning” lyrics?
The Arms Race.
Do you enjoy having your photograph taken?
No.
Do you feel under more pressure when you’re performing while being recorded (like 101).
Yes.
Do you feel famous?
Not really.
What’s the worst part of your “job”?
General stress, photo-sessions and interviews.
What advice would you give to a band that’s just starting out?
Stick to your principles.
Do Depeche Mode have plans to work with Anton again?
Yes.
Apart from “Somebody”, what’s the most difficult song to play live?
They’re all easy.
After the “Wherehouse” incident, are you still going to do in-store signings.
Maybe.
Are you planning a solo tour?
No.
What are your feelings now that you’re faced with recording and touring again?
Apprehension.
BRUM IN OUR EYES
[From Bong 16, April 1992. Words: "Larmarman, Julie and Gavoid".]
Sunday, 17th November 1991, 1000 Mode-mad maniacs converged on “The Institute”, Birmingham. Some were queuing for over four hours in the rain and eventually (after a half-hour delay due to lack of a sound engineer) the door opened. The first UK Convention to be held outside London was underway.
Those of us who took advantage of the fan club offer and stayed at The Holiday Inn for the weekend investigated the atmosphere in the club the night before. After many requests (and one of us going back to the hotel to collect a couple of records) the DJ finally played some Depeche Mode – “Enjoy The Silence” turned out to be the most popular record played that night.
“The Institute” proved to be a perfect setting for Sunday’s gathering. Tom Smith (again our DJ, along with Phil Jones) kept everyone moving all through the night, with old favourites and some surprises, including a sneak preview of “Death’s Door” and the CSM cover of “Just Can’t Get Enough” (a Reggae version, if you please!) along with a little NE, Nine Inch Nails and Front 242 for good measure.
Our hosts, Jo “Mungous” and Lynn “Tastic” continually fed everybody the freebies (and egg sandwiches), compered the competitions and generally kept the whole party going. They once again treated us to exclusive video messages from the band: Alan giving us a tour of Konk studios and telling us about his forthcoming Recoil release; Fletch keeping warm outside his local pub and Martin at his home talking about an average day “chez Gore” with watching “Neighbours” high on the agenda. Dave unfortunately couldn’t get us a video message, but we did have a recorded message from him.
Some familiar faces entered the “look-alike” competition, along with some newcomers. After a tough contest, judged, as always, by the audience reaction to each entrant, the winners were: Martin: Roi Robertson, 20, from Peterborough, who won a pair of Martin Gore’s rubber hotpants (!), Dave: Anthony Grain, 23, from Stafford, who won one of Dave’s Platinum Discs for Violator, Alan: Steve Beaumont, 24, from Stoke [1], who won a signed “Hydrology” LP and a complete singles box set, and Fletch: David Holt, 19, from Bristol, who took home a pair of Fletch’s custom-made “Bodymap” trousers.
From start to finish there was a constant demand for exclusive “BONG BRUM” convention T-shirts and other merchandise. Some of the first people to enter the building were asked to fill out a questionnaire and all completed forms were put into a draw. There were two winners: the first prize went to Howard Francis from St. Albans. His prize was Martin’s white hat, as won throughout 101 and some photos of Martin actually wearing it. The second prize was another complete box set and that went to Michael King from Sheffield.
The convention went on until around midnight, until all the freebies (including posters, white-label 12”s, Wherehouse tapes, T-shirts, cardboard display cut-outs and signed photos) were distributed. Everybody left with at least some goodies, some had so much to carry they could hardly walk!
There were a couple of “grey” spots, however. Someone who thought it would be really funny to throw bottles (who was quickly dealt with by the venue’s security plus some fellow fans, although anyone who wants to do something like that can’t really be called a fan) and whoever decided to run off with the three remaining box sets, therefore depriving others of prizes. Also, the winner of the T-shirt design competition was discovered later to be a fraud, as the shirt he won with is commercially available in Europe. This didn’t spoil the evening, though.
There were people from all over at the convention, including a coach-load of fans from Germany who turned up without tickets – luckily for them, there were tickets available at the door.
All in all, the 4th UK convention was an experience which left a lasting impression; another huge success, due to the hard work of Jo and Lynn and their helpers, and the enthusiasm of all Mode fans. Here’s to the next convention, wherever it may be, they get better and better!
[From Bong 16, April 1992. Words: "Larmarman, Julie and Gavoid".]
Sunday, 17th November 1991, 1000 Mode-mad maniacs converged on “The Institute”, Birmingham. Some were queuing for over four hours in the rain and eventually (after a half-hour delay due to lack of a sound engineer) the door opened. The first UK Convention to be held outside London was underway.
Those of us who took advantage of the fan club offer and stayed at The Holiday Inn for the weekend investigated the atmosphere in the club the night before. After many requests (and one of us going back to the hotel to collect a couple of records) the DJ finally played some Depeche Mode – “Enjoy The Silence” turned out to be the most popular record played that night.
“The Institute” proved to be a perfect setting for Sunday’s gathering. Tom Smith (again our DJ, along with Phil Jones) kept everyone moving all through the night, with old favourites and some surprises, including a sneak preview of “Death’s Door” and the CSM cover of “Just Can’t Get Enough” (a Reggae version, if you please!) along with a little NE, Nine Inch Nails and Front 242 for good measure.
Our hosts, Jo “Mungous” and Lynn “Tastic” continually fed everybody the freebies (and egg sandwiches), compered the competitions and generally kept the whole party going. They once again treated us to exclusive video messages from the band: Alan giving us a tour of Konk studios and telling us about his forthcoming Recoil release; Fletch keeping warm outside his local pub and Martin at his home talking about an average day “chez Gore” with watching “Neighbours” high on the agenda. Dave unfortunately couldn’t get us a video message, but we did have a recorded message from him.
Some familiar faces entered the “look-alike” competition, along with some newcomers. After a tough contest, judged, as always, by the audience reaction to each entrant, the winners were: Martin: Roi Robertson, 20, from Peterborough, who won a pair of Martin Gore’s rubber hotpants (!), Dave: Anthony Grain, 23, from Stafford, who won one of Dave’s Platinum Discs for Violator, Alan: Steve Beaumont, 24, from Stoke [1], who won a signed “Hydrology” LP and a complete singles box set, and Fletch: David Holt, 19, from Bristol, who took home a pair of Fletch’s custom-made “Bodymap” trousers.
From start to finish there was a constant demand for exclusive “BONG BRUM” convention T-shirts and other merchandise. Some of the first people to enter the building were asked to fill out a questionnaire and all completed forms were put into a draw. There were two winners: the first prize went to Howard Francis from St. Albans. His prize was Martin’s white hat, as won throughout 101 and some photos of Martin actually wearing it. The second prize was another complete box set and that went to Michael King from Sheffield.
The convention went on until around midnight, until all the freebies (including posters, white-label 12”s, Wherehouse tapes, T-shirts, cardboard display cut-outs and signed photos) were distributed. Everybody left with at least some goodies, some had so much to carry they could hardly walk!
There were a couple of “grey” spots, however. Someone who thought it would be really funny to throw bottles (who was quickly dealt with by the venue’s security plus some fellow fans, although anyone who wants to do something like that can’t really be called a fan) and whoever decided to run off with the three remaining box sets, therefore depriving others of prizes. Also, the winner of the T-shirt design competition was discovered later to be a fraud, as the shirt he won with is commercially available in Europe. This didn’t spoil the evening, though.
There were people from all over at the convention, including a coach-load of fans from Germany who turned up without tickets – luckily for them, there were tickets available at the door.
All in all, the 4th UK convention was an experience which left a lasting impression; another huge success, due to the hard work of Jo and Lynn and their helpers, and the enthusiasm of all Mode fans. Here’s to the next convention, wherever it may be, they get better and better!
A BRIEF PERIOD OF REJOICING
[From Bong 16, April 1992. Words: Danny Zerbib.]
1 - Holiday Full Of Nothing
Many journalists have assumed that Depeche Mode took a two-year holiday from releasing any new material following the successful release of Some Great Reward. However, this is not entirely true: Though the band did not find themselves back in the studio for nearly a year, two new songs, which were recorded at the last session were released in 1985 and had no trouble finding their way to the charts.
The first, “Shake The Disease”, greeted music stores with minimal hype on April 29, 1985. The single, independent without a larger LP to call home, climbed to a modest No. 18 in Britain.
On and off, Depeche Mode spent the first half of the year touring. But come April, the Some Great Reward tour, which had begun the previous September, was nearing its final leg. It had been the most extensive tour to date, encompassing the world. And in addition to some very large performances in Athens, Hamburg and London, Dm had an opportunity in July to tour the Eastern Bloc countries, which left some very colourful memories. To name one: July 23rd; Depeche Mode stood on the stage of the Volan Open Air Football Stadium in Budapest, Hungary and listened as thousands of fans sang “Happy Birthday” to Martin, who had just turned 24.
On September 16th, 1985 fans were kept happy with another new single, “It’s Called A Heart”. This song, also released without a lot of hype, also managed to climb to No. 18.
A month later saw the release of the compilation LP, Depeche Mode: The Singles 81 – 85. Appropriately titled Catching Up With Depeche Mode in the States, the album covered all the singles from “Dreaming Of Me” to “It’s Called A Heart”, with the US track listing differing slightly due to the release of the People Are People compilation album the previous year.
Following the compilation release, Martin was interviewed by New Musical Express (NME), revealing, “I see our songs as love and sex against The Boredom Of Life”. [1]
Depeche Mode, in actuality, went a whole six months between new releases, even when considering the time span between “It’s Called A Heart” in September, ’85, and their emergence from the studio with a new single and album the following February. But 1985 was a very tense year. Though new material was released, DM were not in good spirits following their tour. They were uncertain and confused about what they wanted to do.
As Dave later said, “If we were ever going to split up the band, it was the end of 1985. We were really in a state of turmoil. Constant arguing. Very intense. We weren’t really sure where to go after Some Great Reward so we decided to slow things down. But it left us with too much time on our hands. So we spent most of our time arguing. Sometimes, it seems incredible that we came out of that period with the band and our sanity intact.”
Incredible? Perhaps, but that’s a word people have used to describe Depeche Mode for years. And as the new year rang in, it was apparent the band had made the right choice.
2 - Life In The So-Called Pop Genre
“When we start a new album, we might spend the first few days doing nothing but sampling,” Alan told Keyboard magazine. “We’ll hire a drum kit and all kinds of weird percussion things, and sample them in different rooms and different environments. Later we’ll refer back to our library of sounds and find something that suits the song we’re working on.” After three months of extensive recording at Westside Studios in Shepherd’s Bush, London (where a DX-7 was stolen), then moving to the Hansa Studio in Berlin, where Gareth Jones and Daniel Miller helped smooth the mixes, “Stripped” was siphoned into the public ear.
“Stripped”, released February 10, 1986, went to No. 15, giving the listening audience only a taste of what was to come. With sampling being a significant ingredient, it seemed only proper that the click-clacking intro which sounded much like a train in motion was actually a sampled motorcycle engine slowed to an ominous tempo. It was a perfect effect coupled with the chillingly profound lyrics.
“The one thing I might point out is on ‘It Doesn’t Matter Two’,” Alan explained when asked about sampling. “There are a lot of choir samples on that. It would have been very easy to take just one sample and play it back polyphonically. But instead, we took a different sample for each choir note, so each note is slightly out from the others. It gives it a very realistic feel. We spent a long time getting that to work, so it sounded human. That goes for all the stuff we do, not just that one track”.
Black Celebration, translated incorrectly in French as Black Mass, saw the date of March 17th as its official introduction into a “black” society. It was heavier, darker and harder than anything in the past. It was perhaps, the most realistic portrayal of life to date, and ironically, the sleeve symbols indicated not bleakness but freedom. The freedom of independence and of self-destruction; all the more reason for celebration, a “Black Celebration”, as was put so keenly. “To celebrate the fact / that we’ve seen the back / of another black day.”
“People will say our music sounds pessimistic.” Alan commented to Billboard. “We don’t think of ourselves as pessimistic people, just realistic people.”
Black Celebration was very realistic indeed, spanning a wide variation of topics from major international issues to courtship to true love to boredom. The title track contained a very appropriate sample in essence of this album. What sounded like a distorted jumble of backwards Russian in the song’s intro was in fact Daniel Miller doing his best impression of Winston Churchill. He stated simply, “A brief period of rejoicing”.
The months following went something like this: On March 29th, Depeche Mode launched another world tour, this one slated for nearly six months. Starting at the Oxford Apollo, the band travelled the globe and wrapped things up at The Valby Stadium in Copenhagen on August 16th.
In a review of their Wembley Arena show in April, John Peel wrote, “If we are to have bands filling the world’s stadiums, then let them be like Depeche Mode”.
Next came “A Question Of Lust”, which tackled one of life’s more immediate and obvious curiosities, lust. Released on April 14, 1986, Steve Sutherland of Melody Maker said the song was gorgeous, “an Almondesque torch vocal mounting of a simple electronic code worthy of The Human League.
“It’s when Depeche are being unconsciously throwaway that they attain the sublime.” The “gorgeous” song charted at No. 28 in the UK.
Then came “A Question Of Time”, which seemed to echo Martin’s obsession with innocence. Released on August 11, 1986, it made its way to No. 17, making an impact on dance floors everywhere.
In many ways, the three singles released from Black Celebration marked a turning point for DM. They sounded self-assured enough to take risks and succeed. For the first time others were beginning to sense that Depeche Mode were preparing themselves for the big push forward. They had proven they could craft music of throbbing power even when they forgot themselves.
“Our songs from Black Celebration capture the idea,” said Martin. “Make the most of what you have, find consolation wherever you can. I don’t expect people to change their way of living. That’s just human nature. Music won’t change anyone’s opinion about anything. People just seek out songs that express the opinion they already hold.”
I’ll drink to that…
[From Bong 16, April 1992. Words: Danny Zerbib.]
1 - Holiday Full Of Nothing
Many journalists have assumed that Depeche Mode took a two-year holiday from releasing any new material following the successful release of Some Great Reward. However, this is not entirely true: Though the band did not find themselves back in the studio for nearly a year, two new songs, which were recorded at the last session were released in 1985 and had no trouble finding their way to the charts.
The first, “Shake The Disease”, greeted music stores with minimal hype on April 29, 1985. The single, independent without a larger LP to call home, climbed to a modest No. 18 in Britain.
On and off, Depeche Mode spent the first half of the year touring. But come April, the Some Great Reward tour, which had begun the previous September, was nearing its final leg. It had been the most extensive tour to date, encompassing the world. And in addition to some very large performances in Athens, Hamburg and London, Dm had an opportunity in July to tour the Eastern Bloc countries, which left some very colourful memories. To name one: July 23rd; Depeche Mode stood on the stage of the Volan Open Air Football Stadium in Budapest, Hungary and listened as thousands of fans sang “Happy Birthday” to Martin, who had just turned 24.
On September 16th, 1985 fans were kept happy with another new single, “It’s Called A Heart”. This song, also released without a lot of hype, also managed to climb to No. 18.
A month later saw the release of the compilation LP, Depeche Mode: The Singles 81 – 85. Appropriately titled Catching Up With Depeche Mode in the States, the album covered all the singles from “Dreaming Of Me” to “It’s Called A Heart”, with the US track listing differing slightly due to the release of the People Are People compilation album the previous year.
Following the compilation release, Martin was interviewed by New Musical Express (NME), revealing, “I see our songs as love and sex against The Boredom Of Life”. [1]
Depeche Mode, in actuality, went a whole six months between new releases, even when considering the time span between “It’s Called A Heart” in September, ’85, and their emergence from the studio with a new single and album the following February. But 1985 was a very tense year. Though new material was released, DM were not in good spirits following their tour. They were uncertain and confused about what they wanted to do.
As Dave later said, “If we were ever going to split up the band, it was the end of 1985. We were really in a state of turmoil. Constant arguing. Very intense. We weren’t really sure where to go after Some Great Reward so we decided to slow things down. But it left us with too much time on our hands. So we spent most of our time arguing. Sometimes, it seems incredible that we came out of that period with the band and our sanity intact.”
Incredible? Perhaps, but that’s a word people have used to describe Depeche Mode for years. And as the new year rang in, it was apparent the band had made the right choice.
2 - Life In The So-Called Pop Genre
“When we start a new album, we might spend the first few days doing nothing but sampling,” Alan told Keyboard magazine. “We’ll hire a drum kit and all kinds of weird percussion things, and sample them in different rooms and different environments. Later we’ll refer back to our library of sounds and find something that suits the song we’re working on.” After three months of extensive recording at Westside Studios in Shepherd’s Bush, London (where a DX-7 was stolen), then moving to the Hansa Studio in Berlin, where Gareth Jones and Daniel Miller helped smooth the mixes, “Stripped” was siphoned into the public ear.
“Stripped”, released February 10, 1986, went to No. 15, giving the listening audience only a taste of what was to come. With sampling being a significant ingredient, it seemed only proper that the click-clacking intro which sounded much like a train in motion was actually a sampled motorcycle engine slowed to an ominous tempo. It was a perfect effect coupled with the chillingly profound lyrics.
“The one thing I might point out is on ‘It Doesn’t Matter Two’,” Alan explained when asked about sampling. “There are a lot of choir samples on that. It would have been very easy to take just one sample and play it back polyphonically. But instead, we took a different sample for each choir note, so each note is slightly out from the others. It gives it a very realistic feel. We spent a long time getting that to work, so it sounded human. That goes for all the stuff we do, not just that one track”.
Black Celebration, translated incorrectly in French as Black Mass, saw the date of March 17th as its official introduction into a “black” society. It was heavier, darker and harder than anything in the past. It was perhaps, the most realistic portrayal of life to date, and ironically, the sleeve symbols indicated not bleakness but freedom. The freedom of independence and of self-destruction; all the more reason for celebration, a “Black Celebration”, as was put so keenly. “To celebrate the fact / that we’ve seen the back / of another black day.”
“People will say our music sounds pessimistic.” Alan commented to Billboard. “We don’t think of ourselves as pessimistic people, just realistic people.”
Black Celebration was very realistic indeed, spanning a wide variation of topics from major international issues to courtship to true love to boredom. The title track contained a very appropriate sample in essence of this album. What sounded like a distorted jumble of backwards Russian in the song’s intro was in fact Daniel Miller doing his best impression of Winston Churchill. He stated simply, “A brief period of rejoicing”.
The months following went something like this: On March 29th, Depeche Mode launched another world tour, this one slated for nearly six months. Starting at the Oxford Apollo, the band travelled the globe and wrapped things up at The Valby Stadium in Copenhagen on August 16th.
In a review of their Wembley Arena show in April, John Peel wrote, “If we are to have bands filling the world’s stadiums, then let them be like Depeche Mode”.
Next came “A Question Of Lust”, which tackled one of life’s more immediate and obvious curiosities, lust. Released on April 14, 1986, Steve Sutherland of Melody Maker said the song was gorgeous, “an Almondesque torch vocal mounting of a simple electronic code worthy of The Human League.
“It’s when Depeche are being unconsciously throwaway that they attain the sublime.” The “gorgeous” song charted at No. 28 in the UK.
Then came “A Question Of Time”, which seemed to echo Martin’s obsession with innocence. Released on August 11, 1986, it made its way to No. 17, making an impact on dance floors everywhere.
In many ways, the three singles released from Black Celebration marked a turning point for DM. They sounded self-assured enough to take risks and succeed. For the first time others were beginning to sense that Depeche Mode were preparing themselves for the big push forward. They had proven they could craft music of throbbing power even when they forgot themselves.
“Our songs from Black Celebration capture the idea,” said Martin. “Make the most of what you have, find consolation wherever you can. I don’t expect people to change their way of living. That’s just human nature. Music won’t change anyone’s opinion about anything. People just seek out songs that express the opinion they already hold.”
I’ll drink to that…