Depeche Mode Appreciation Thread

[MARV]

I was a freshman in high school when my best friend turned me onto them. Get the Balance Right, See You, Master & Servant.....these guys made me synth-head instantaneously. People Are People was played constantly on LIR here locally. But when Black Celebration came out, forget it - no other band mattered like the Mode did. And their shows have become legendary. In fact I haven't missed one time they passed through New York since then. Their live shows are truly staggering. Sometimes you have a band that's known for their live shows - this is one of them.

When I was in college studying graphic design (partly influenced by the collecting of their records), I had to design a poster for a concert. Violator had just come out so I chose that. Funny enough, I used the name "World Violation Tour" before they announced their tour [8D] In collecting research material for the project, I contacted and befriended someone at their management company here State-side. Anyway, through her generosity, I was able to go backstage to a few shows during the World Violation and Devotional tours [:I] Nice guys, all around - humble and low key - at least the few times I shook their hands.

Anyway, I'm just going through my music collection here and am just awed at the amount of material they've published but am really geeking out at the raw strength of some of their shows. Man, there is nothing like a DM show. Through their work and that of Anton Corbijn, I've come to have an appreciation of art that has helped shape the kernel of inspiration for my career. Sure there are my other bands I love and I certainly gush about them from time to time but I would be remiss to exclude the influence of the Mode. What a legacy this one band will leave behind one day.

OK, geek mode OFF [:o)]

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[bigwavedave]

Although I've generally liked their tunes since I first heard them in '83 or '84, I remember seeing their cool early cover art well before I heard any of their tunes. A Broken Frame, Construction Time Again...what cool cover images!

Anyway, for some reason I have come to really appreciate their overall body of work more than I used to. The recent Best Of is on steady rotation, and I can't wait for the remaster of Black Celebration. Specifically, can't wait for the remastered version of my favorite DM tune "But Not Tonight"! Oh, and I can't believe I have never been to one of their shows...hopefully they will tour again.

[Frau_Blucher]

I'm a big fan of DMode's live DVD material, a lot of which has been fed to me by the kind denizens of the NWO, including the thread originator. It's interesting that this topic comes up now, because I was just exchanging a bunch of emails with my three SoCal high school music buddies. We all appreciated DMode, but none of us ever grew that emotional attachment to them. Their live persona is likely the best of all the truly new wave bands. Their production is just awesome and again likely unparalled in new wave. BUT, it all just doesn't emote like other bands do - bands that are less capable in concert, less polished in the studio, have less musicianship and songwriting skills, whatever. It's a bit of inexplicable admiration from afar.

[empyrean]

I was in grade 6 and i only listen to TFF songs when i heard Master And Servant. I bought their singles that features Shake The Disease and since then ive been a big fan. I bought their dvd concert 101 and DEvotional. IMO their best is Enjoy The Silence, both the music and the video. But Not Tonight is also great. I also bought the Personal Jesus EP.

Here in Manila before, a video show always pit TFF against DM.

[Anonymous1]

[quote][i]Originally posted by Blir[/i]
<br>I'm a big fan of DMode's live DVD material, a lot of which has been fed to me by the kind denizens of the NWO, including the thread originator. It's interesting that this topic comes up now, because I was just exchanging a bunch of emails with my three SoCal high school music buddies. We all appreciated DMode, but none of us ever grew that emotional attachment to them. Their live persona is likely the best of all the truly new wave bands. Their production is just awesome and again likely unparalled in new wave. BUT, it all just doesn't emote like other bands do - bands that are less capable in concert, less polished in the studio, have less musicianship and songwriting skills, whatever. It's a bit of inexplicable admiration from afar.
[/quote]

Could have said it any better [8D]

It simplicity best
Or simply the easiest

[Anonymous1]

[quote][i]Originally posted by empyrean[/i]
<br>

Here in Manila before, a video show always pit TFF against DM.
[/quote]

Very interesting concept.. To my knowledge (maybe wrong?) they both came out the same time, both have two singers. and both have good lyricist and musicians.. but TFF came-out huge after there second record.. they just exploded left DM to gather there Broken frame..
but slowly through the years DM manage to be where the are now..
at the Top [;)]

It simplicity best
Or simply the easiest

[latebar]

ah Depeche Mode, such fond memories. Some Great Reward was my 1st DM cassette which i bought because of Ppl Are Ppl/Master & Servant in the end of 1984. the album was great from start to finish. i remember listening to it late at night, in the dark, in my room with my walkman during my school holidays when i was back in my hometown.

Shake the Disease in 1985 i heard it on the radio a lot & liked it but i still wasnt a mad Depeche yet. I was a Duranie

Black Celebration came in 1986, i bougth a pirated cassette version of it. it didnt have much impact on me as Some Great Reward did. After that things kinda cooled down. I even missed out on buying Music For The Masses. Heard Strange Love on radio, also remembered Camouflage Great Commandment too

4,5 years had passed. Personal Jesus was played on the radio i told myself, this is awesome something new. I was looking forward to Violator release 1990. Called a music store on the day of its release, they said they got it in stock & i immediately went out to get it, it was a rainy afternoon. Bought the cassette. Loved the brilliant black/red rose sleeve. Once at home, put the cassette into my player & was blown away by the sheer brilliance of the whole album. Noticed Personal Jesus was abit different from the single version. Waiting For The Night was my instant favourite.

After Violator, i was hooked big time on DM. i bought Music For The Masses. Another brilliant album, 3 years late but better late than never LOL. Later on i got Speak & Spell, Broken Frame, Construction Time Again.

In 1993, Songs Of Faith & Devotion came out, i didnt like it that much because of the new direction the band took. It was only until later in 1997/98 i decided to give Devotion another spin. Man, what an awesome album. Walking In My Shoes was just so....me at that time LOL

Sadly, I only like DM up till Devotion. Whatever they did after just pale in comparison. So there u go, my DM story, all 20+ years ago hahaha.

My first DM album-Some Great Reward on cassette
My first DM cds-All the cd singles from Violator.
the B-Sides...Dangerous; Sea Of Sin, are equally brilliant!!

cheers!!

[Max Murdoc]

Let us give credit to Brian Griffin and Daniel Miller in regards to the best covers and the best production respectively. Thats all I have to say about that.

Elvis has left the building.

[Mechi]

Having always liked Strangelove... I didn't turn into DM when Exciter came out but a bit later when I've started liking The Cure.
It was during 2004...yes, that's pretty much late in history.But that year was really significant in musical discoveries to me.
The first DM period that I really liked was the Music For The Masses time... those songs got constantly played.
And as time went by, I've really started digging Some Great Reward, which is my fav DM album at the moment. The songs in there are so good... just Master And Servant by itself holds such a richness.
And Depeche Mode's influence is everywhere... just see this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvINvle3biI He's totally going for the Gahan performance style.
And Gore... I can't fully express my words of admiration for that little blond guy that looks as a fragile fragile thing but writes one of the most obscure and deepest songs ever. Yes, he had a S&M phase in his dressing style... but, he's certainly got the courage to do it and look really well in it.[:D][:D]

And DM's live performances... seeing them on YouTube or in DVD is just amazing...imagine what it must be to see them live.

God... I've stayed out of Depeche Mode parties since they are held at a place that it's sort of chaotic and I'm involved in a pretty serious relationship right now. But it was great to be able to dance DM songs for like 8 hours in a row.
Anyway, I'm organising my first DJing event and it's mostly based on DM.


I love Depeche Mode... really do... as much as New Order... though people see me as a New Order-Joy Division fan (which seems to be a whole different category). [;)]

http://spaces.msn.com/members/mechigc
http://thesesensations.blogspot.com
http://devotionanddivision.blogspot.com

[birdmadgirl]

Big fan here. I love them almost as much as I love The Cure. Love the early stuff, love the middle, love "Angel." Even when DM isn't on top of their game, they're still 99% percent better than everyone else.

Marv, it's funny you mention the design angle. Some of my best designs have come out with the help of a bottle of wine and my DM playlist in iTunes. [:)]

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[Anonymous1]

[quote][i]Originally posted by Mechi[/i]
<br>influence is everywhere... just see this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvINvle3biI He's totally going for the Gahan performance style.
[/quote]

That's DM Pre-Guitar era concert.. Gahan really brings the energy in there live show, ala' Mick Jagger performance.. that's what seperates there peers.. soundwise, YOu can hear DM's music in bands like Camouflage, Redflag, Cetu Javu, Celebrate the Nun, Information society, Anything Box, Cause and effects just to name a few..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6OgRam8djLY
Martin Gore look-alike here

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELk2Xpw5vNw
I know it was DM when I first heard this on the radio, but I was wrong [8D]




It simplicity best
Or simply the easiest

[Sean]

Without question one of the top New Wave bands of all times. Their image, success, longivity, and the fact that they just write incredible good songs from the early days til now make them god-like. Just watching the way the crowd reacts to them in dvd's gives me goosebumps. I've loved these guys since 1980, when I first heard songs off of Speak & Spell. Immediately, they became of my most listened to bands. "Photographic", "Puppets", "New Life", and "Dreaming Of Me" was just what I wanted music to sound like and these songs still sound good today. They quickly became my favorite band and was my favorite band pretty much throughout the 80's. I do have to admit I'm not as big of a fan since SOFAD but have always kept them near at heart. I just hope the before they decide to retire, they release an album that will just blow us all away. Something incredible, something that combines all of great elements of their past and something that is still ahead of their time. I know they can do this, I know they can.

[KYYX4ever]

LOVE these guys! They were one of my very first "gateways" to New Wave...[i]Speak and Spell, Construction Time Again, Some Great Reward[/i]....sigh...classic cassettes that I wore out out after KYYX introduced me to DM's music. Everyone above has pretty much said what I think/ thought.
Except that I'm not familiar to any of their newer music after [i]Violator[/i]. I keep reading that you guys think they're still great, so that is cool.

[glokstadt]

Saw them in Los Angeles for the Speak & Spell tour ('81 at Perkin's Palace/Pasadena)--they were not going to let people dance (HA!), in '83 (Broken Frame Tour/Get The Balance Right was out making huge airplay, unlike ABF did...) at The Beverly Theatre, in '85 Some Great Reward tour (Hollywood Paladium), and finally my last gig with openers Wire, Thomas Dolby, and O.M. in the D. at the Rose Bowl: Music For The Masses, where I was finally backstage and got to meet DM, they are humble lads... and David G's hot girlfriend, the rest were gay... anyway, great gigs! Funny thing is I can't remember who the opening bands were for S&S, or ABF tours...



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[TheMunDial]

Aw, I'm more of a newer Mode fan. Started to really listen to them in 2005.

Please don't hurt me...

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