Depeche Mode Celebrity Squares? (Sounds, 1986)
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Pop idols and young businessmen of the year, Depeche Mode teach Dave Henderson the art of touring. Ronnie Randall gets the holiday snaps.
It’s great to be here… wherever we are. I feel road weary and bleary eyed already, but the group are in full flow. The Bristol Hippodrome is a classic venue.
Royal boxes flow forth with gesticulating girls. Everyone dances. It’s hot. David Gahan twirls like a majestic Pat Nevin slotting in a last minute winner for Chelsea. Sweat-stained, he turns again, his leather clad rear end sending the crowd into fits of orgasmic delight. It’s hit after hit after…
What’s your favourite track?
A hyper sweaty teenster admits to “loving it all”.
Personally, my favourite must be ‘Everything Counts’. I think. Or is it… well there’s plenty more. With 14 hits and another one on the way, Depeche Mode really are a law unto themselves. And this tour… Now that’s an even more complicated story.
Bristol is nine dates into the British leg of the Dep’s world tour. Tomorrow it’s Bournemouth, then there’s two nights at Wembley, 24 dates in Europe, followed by the USA and Japan and other far Eastern delights. We’re talking big business here and the organization for such an event is understandably sprawling.
After three encores, an assortment of personnel flood the backstage area. It’s been a successful night, everyone’s happy and the daily ritual of autographs, photos with fans, chatting, etc, begins.
Andre, the mohican ‘minder’ come personal assistant, keeps things in check. A walkie-talkie links him to the road crew, the tour manager, and the tour co-ordinator, among other people. Sheffield support act Hula are surreptitiously devouring Depeche Mode’s stash of sandwiches, Pils lager is flowing like Pils lager and the temperature is beginning to rise again.
A Japanese girl whose name is unspellable and unpronounceable sidles in. She came here to learn English, fell in love with the group and has been taking in as many dates on the tour as possible. Do you like any other groups?
“No.”
Have you made it to all the dates?
“No. Not Oxford.”
Depeche Mode fans are very keen. And rightly so. The group treat their audience with a great deal of respect. And that audience spreads right across the spectrum simply because they feel comfortable.
At the Hippodrome, boys, girls and mums danced and clapped. Flash bulbs shone and scarves waved. But right here, you can forget that cynical teeny veneer that some have dolloped on Depeche Mode. By no means is that a reality. Depeche Mode are a multi-level experience. Live, in their floppy-disc-juggling-Emulator-stimulated style, they produce a spectacle of mammoth proportions. They are The Beatles (but younger).
“That’s nuthin’,” points out Ron from Hula, “You should have seen the audience in Birmingham, they just went berserk. It was 6,000 people hell bent on having a brilliant time. And they did.”
And there’s more. The response in Europe is reputed to be yet more ecstatic.
“Over there,” recalls Martin Gore, his handcuffs severely restricting him from standing up to adjust his body stocking, “they just go crazy.”
And that’s one of the reasons why security has to be so tight. On the continent, it seems, people think little of turning up to concerts with firearms and suchlike.
In England, however, it seems that the mass adulation, although still obviously there, has been tempered by the fact that the group’s staunch following have grown with them. And the word is still spreading.
As with all tactical manoeuvres, there’s confusion. Dave Gahan and Andy Fletcher have to prize themselves away from the gaggle of enthusiasts to return to London for a slot on TVam. The rest are left to drink the fridge dry. They fail miserably and return to the hotel for more autographs and maximum zedz.
The TVam appearance doesn’t quite live up to the expectations of the Deps. Fletch is less than pleased and shatters illusions about the nation’s second rate Princess Di…
“Anne Diamond was really false, but Nick Owen was good. We were outdone by Bamber Gascoigne who got loads of time and they just decided to slot us into five minutes showing about a minute and a half of the video.”
With Depeche Mode now switched to full touring setting, the organizational prowess of the team is being tested to the full. Depeche Mode have their business acumen in gear, but do they have American Express cards?
“No,” says press officer Chris Carr.
And are they members of the AA?
“What?”
The journey from Bristol to Bournemouth is harrowing; two and a half hours spent on winding roads. Andre is watching The Godfather – picking up tips? – while co-ordinators and managers work out the correct millimetre size of plastic glasses for their trip to America. And, hey, what do they call Clingfilm over there?
Alan Wilder and Martin Gore don’t like being interviewed.
“We don’t like being intereviewed,” they say.
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So we opt to talk instead. Anyway, you’ve had the definitive story. You’ve probably heard all the records and no doubt your decision on whether you like or loathe Depeche Mode has already been made.
So, this is the Black Celebration tour – your new album – that sounds as good a place to start as any.
Martin: “Well, that was done half in London and half in Germany with Daniel Miller and Gareth Jones, the same team we’ve used for some time.”
And already its spawned two singles with ‘Stripped’ and the brand new ‘Question Of Lust’. It’s been suggested that you’re trying to work more on the American market. Is that true?
Alan: “No, that’s not right at all. Our music’s never aimed at any particular kind of market. And really, if anything this is the least American album because it’s less dance floor orientated.”
Well, a slap on the wrist for Richard Cook then.
“Yeah,” continues Martin, “the American record company just think of us as a disco band and they usually release our B-sides. [1] We haven’t had a lot of chart success in the States, for instance the last album only got to number 50 in the charts, but it ended up selling over 500,000 copies which is more than we sell in any other country.”
“Yeah, but, er,” photographer Ronnie Randall snorts a few dribbles of sense before launching into a tirade about Martin’s dress sense. “I mean, are you trying to subvert young girls, and, er, break away from your pop image…?”
“No, I just like dressing like this.”
The bus is beginning to make me feel ill. Things are falling off the table. Let’s talk about technology.
“What?”
Well, you’re obviously influenced by a lot of technical hardware, computer software and things like that. Does that limit you in any way? Do you move quicker than the inventions?
Alan: “No, not at all. There’s so many things coming onto the market each week you just can’t keep up with it. In a way we’re able to cover a much wider scope than most people because we don’t limit ourselves to being a guitar based band or a keyboard based band, we’re just a sound based band.”
And as technology becomes more available to your average Joe, there should be a wave of kids picking up their Commodore 64s and producing rebellious jukebox music in the same way that torrents of Beatles babies boomed some time back.
But, is there life after pop? Do Depeche Mode want to diversify? Will there be film acting roles, or maybe a solo album from Martin featuring covers of Neil Young numbers?
“You were close enough with that one,” nods Martin. [2]
And so, it goes on. Tonight’s game of sardines takes place in a massive sports complex. Depeche are similarly stunning. The response is excellent, the ambience and multi-harmonies punctuating the enormous sound perfectly. ‘Black Celebration’ is a physical dance celebration. Sweat city.
The stream of fans are hunting for names again but a six-a-side football fixture of great importance is arranged between the Deps and Hula. Martin is forced to remove his spurs, eventually linking up with myself and Mr Randall (guests for the night) for a mammoth drubbing of the support act. (Dear Ron Atkinson, I scored two goals… message ends.)
The walkie-talkie romance goes on. Security is hurried up and the coach is filled with sweaty heroes. Tonight the bar stays open, and the coach is being followed.
“Permission to lose them,” croaks the driver.
Half an hour later a press officer is delighted in mixing methyl alcohol and weedkiller (with a dash of cream) for all to taste.
Depeche Mode are in a strange situation. A string of diamonds has already secured their future. They’re moving onward and upward, but can they sustain their rampant rise to the top? Will they just end up being yet more rock reclusives?
Alan: “I think the problem is you just get bored of answering the same old questions and having to explain everything you do.”
Martin: “I can understand why Bowie very rarely tours and never gives interviews. He’s done it all before. I mean, we’re in such a lucky position but sometimes you just think, ‘Where’s the excitement?’”
“Hey,” gurgles Ronnie, “is it true about the whips?”
So, this is the Black Celebration tour – your new album – that sounds as good a place to start as any.
Martin: “Well, that was done half in London and half in Germany with Daniel Miller and Gareth Jones, the same team we’ve used for some time.”
And already its spawned two singles with ‘Stripped’ and the brand new ‘Question Of Lust’. It’s been suggested that you’re trying to work more on the American market. Is that true?
Alan: “No, that’s not right at all. Our music’s never aimed at any particular kind of market. And really, if anything this is the least American album because it’s less dance floor orientated.”
Well, a slap on the wrist for Richard Cook then.
“Yeah,” continues Martin, “the American record company just think of us as a disco band and they usually release our B-sides. [1] We haven’t had a lot of chart success in the States, for instance the last album only got to number 50 in the charts, but it ended up selling over 500,000 copies which is more than we sell in any other country.”
“Yeah, but, er,” photographer Ronnie Randall snorts a few dribbles of sense before launching into a tirade about Martin’s dress sense. “I mean, are you trying to subvert young girls, and, er, break away from your pop image…?”
“No, I just like dressing like this.”
The bus is beginning to make me feel ill. Things are falling off the table. Let’s talk about technology.
“What?”
Well, you’re obviously influenced by a lot of technical hardware, computer software and things like that. Does that limit you in any way? Do you move quicker than the inventions?
Alan: “No, not at all. There’s so many things coming onto the market each week you just can’t keep up with it. In a way we’re able to cover a much wider scope than most people because we don’t limit ourselves to being a guitar based band or a keyboard based band, we’re just a sound based band.”
And as technology becomes more available to your average Joe, there should be a wave of kids picking up their Commodore 64s and producing rebellious jukebox music in the same way that torrents of Beatles babies boomed some time back.
But, is there life after pop? Do Depeche Mode want to diversify? Will there be film acting roles, or maybe a solo album from Martin featuring covers of Neil Young numbers?
“You were close enough with that one,” nods Martin. [2]
And so, it goes on. Tonight’s game of sardines takes place in a massive sports complex. Depeche are similarly stunning. The response is excellent, the ambience and multi-harmonies punctuating the enormous sound perfectly. ‘Black Celebration’ is a physical dance celebration. Sweat city.
The stream of fans are hunting for names again but a six-a-side football fixture of great importance is arranged between the Deps and Hula. Martin is forced to remove his spurs, eventually linking up with myself and Mr Randall (guests for the night) for a mammoth drubbing of the support act. (Dear Ron Atkinson, I scored two goals… message ends.)
The walkie-talkie romance goes on. Security is hurried up and the coach is filled with sweaty heroes. Tonight the bar stays open, and the coach is being followed.
“Permission to lose them,” croaks the driver.
Half an hour later a press officer is delighted in mixing methyl alcohol and weedkiller (with a dash of cream) for all to taste.
Depeche Mode are in a strange situation. A string of diamonds has already secured their future. They’re moving onward and upward, but can they sustain their rampant rise to the top? Will they just end up being yet more rock reclusives?
Alan: “I think the problem is you just get bored of answering the same old questions and having to explain everything you do.”
Martin: “I can understand why Bowie very rarely tours and never gives interviews. He’s done it all before. I mean, we’re in such a lucky position but sometimes you just think, ‘Where’s the excitement?’”
“Hey,” gurgles Ronnie, “is it true about the whips?”
