Classic_Pop_Issue_30_July_2017

DEPECHE MODE

04

IN CHAINS (ALAN

WILDER REMIX)

REMIXES 2: 81-11 (2011)

The original version of In Chains is the

opening track from DM’s 2009 album Sounds

of the Universe. This atmospheric remix

from former member Alan Wilder reminds

fans exactly what they’ve been missing.

It improves on the original and, sadly, is

probably the closest we’ll get to a reunion.

03

COVER ME

SPIRIT (2017)

Cover Me is track six on the latest LP Spirit.

It is without doubt the most relaxing,

atmospheric song that DM have released in

the last two decades. The most astonishing

thing is that it wasn’t written by Martin Gore

but the triumvirate of Dave Gahan, Peter

Gordeno and Christian Eigner. The song is

best played LOUD. Let it cover you.

02

EASY TIGER

(BERTRAND

BURGALAT & A.S.

DRAGON VERSION)

DREAM ON CDBONG30 (2001)

The original track (found on 2001 LP Exciter)

is a laid-back, chilled affair but this amazing

remix wouldn’t sound out of place on a

70s funk soundtrack. This is Depeche Mode

crossed with Air and Lalo Schifrin.

01

ENJOY THE SILENCE

(ECSTATIC DUB)

ENJOY THE SILENCE

12 BONG 18 (1990)

This is the defi nitive Depeche Mode remix.

It strips out most of the vocals and repeats

synthesizer rhythms and drums. Sections

of this remix have been used in DM’s live

set ever since the original release. Pure

electronic pop music perfection!

31

off. I don’t know where it’s going to go. But sometimes © Alamy

you hit this extra spot and you don’t know why. There’s

something in the spirit world that is way beyond you. I

watch a lot of basketball and when those guys come out

they are in the zone. I identify with that, for two hours

that’s their thing.”

The fans play their part, too. Martin says: “I think we

are really spoilt by our fanbase, you watch them and

they sing along and sometimes they won’t shut up unless

Dave cuts them short. It’s always a joy, no matter the size

of the venue. I don’t have a favourite place to play, I just

look forward to getting in front of our audience.”

SPIRITS IN THE MATERIAL WORLD

Now with 14 albums of material to choose from, the

setlist is getting harder to decide, but Depeche have

done well to avoid just churning out the same greatest

hits. “It’s always diffi cult to choose the setlist and we all

have different favourites as well,” says Gore. “We play

a good cross-section. The only time I listen back to old

stuff is if I have to do acoustic versions in the middle of

a set, so it’s interesting to go back to listen to albums

that I haven’t heard in years and see if there’s a gem

that could be revisited acoustically.” Gahan adds: “But

there are certain songs I can’t imagine not singing, like

Personal Jesus, I Feel You, Walking In My Shoes, Never

Let Me Down these, to me, have to be part of when we

perform.” Gore concludes: “The fi rst leg of the tour we

are playing big outdoor places and stadiums mainly, so

in some way we feel more constricted because there’s a

lot of real die-hard fans there, but some of the audience

will be more lukewarm fans so you have to take them

into consideration, too.”

DM’s enduring success means they need not write that

West End musical so many of their peers seem intent on

pedaling, yet. If the theatre doesn’t interest them, how

about a Bowie Is-style museum event, touring their old

leather jackets and Fairlight synths? Gore, who has a

warehouse lock-up packed full of musical equipment

guffaws: “There’s probably enough stuff, but for us it

would be really boring. Jonathan our manager just threw

away a tonne of stuff recently because it was taking up

so much room in our storage.”

They certainly aren’t nostalgic, and with things going

so well it seems a little churlish to bring up the subject of

retirement, but inevitably people wonder how long they

can keep this going? Gahan isn’t fazed: “I’d like to think

I’ll know when it’s time. I always want to be able to do it

the way I want to.” Gore is equally adamant: “We are

enjoying ourselves and all just as passionate about music

as when we fi rst started. We never talk about this being

the last album or the last tour, but I will always say you

can never guarantee there being another album because

you don’t know what’s going to happen. I’m not being

negative when I say that because I’ve been saying it

since 1986!”

It’s reassuring for Depeche Mode fans to know the

band’s career, and personal relationships, are probably

in the rudest health they have been for 25 years. Gahan

agrees: “There never has been or is any real leader in

Depeche Mode, it’s a family. At times, we are completely

at odds in different corners of the room and not

understanding each other at all. But everybody has their

place, you have to be part of something. It’s a group of

people and not just the band. It’s a bigger picture.”

●Following their sold-out homecoming show

at the London Stadium on 3 June, Depeche

Mode return to the UK and Ireland for

four indoor shows in November. The tour

will kick off on 15 November at Dublin’s

3Arena before continuing to Manchester,

Birmingham and London.

Dave Gahan at

Depeche’s recent

triumphant London

Stadium show

CP30.Depeche_Mode.print.indd 31 09/06/2017 12:01