Depeche Mode Return to the Road by Pat DeCorte
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David Gahan of Depeche Mode...photo by Kay McEntee |
Who was one of the first popular
groups to establish a musical identity based completely around the use
of synthesizers and had many names before reaching success?
It began in Basildon, England in 1976 when keyboardists Vince Clark and Andrew Fletcher formed a short-lived group called No Romance in China. In 1979, Clark returned to form French Look with guitarist/keyboardist Martin Gore. Fletcher soon joined them and the band was christened Composition of Sound with Clark performing vocal duties. They eventually recruited David Gahan in 1980 as their permanent lead singer, and changed their name for the last time to Depeche Mode (French for "fast fashion"). As Depeche Mode, they became one of the most successful electro-synth groups in music history and were a dominant groundbreaking musical force during the 80's and early 90's. Relying exclusively on their synthesizers, they quickly gained a following in the post-punk London club scene, mostly on their single "Photographic" and soon were signed to Mute Records. The band released its debut album Speak and Spell in 1981 with principal songwriter Clark departing shortly after. He was replaced with keyboardist Alan Wilder and Gore emerged as the chief musical force. |
The initial exposure to their music was with club audiences and the album cut "Just Can't Get Enough" became a major dance hit, receiving airplay on American alternative radio stations. After a tour of England and Europe, a second album titled A Broken Frame was released in 1982, followed by Construction Time Again in 1983 (contained dance favorite "Everything Counts").
With the release of People Are People in 1984, American audiences discovered what their European counterparts had known since 1981. This album was Depeche Mode's first North American success.
The rest is history as the alternative music boom of the early 90's found this band on the top of the charts. The band could have vanished into obscurity as many others have, but continues to draw a strong following not only for their irresistible dance-floor singles but as ambitious album artists.
The release and promotion of the new Exciter album has been enhanced by a worldwide tour with DTE Energy Music Theatre as one of 34 on the North American list.
| The exciting night's experience on
June 23rd began with an acoustic version of "Dream On"
performed by Martin Gore from the newly released Exciter album. He was
soon joined on stage by the rest of the band and the show kicked into
high gear with three more songs from the album that was showcased
almost in its entirety over the course of the evening.
The set had liberal use of lights that were flowing and colorful throughout the performance. The background was a large screen onto which innovative scenes were projected to enhance certain songs or themes. Some were quite unique. One that was particularly memorable was a movie in which the band members were the actors. It was set in Nick's Café and began with Dave entering, seating himself and attempting to order from a waitress. Soon the others came in, sat apart from Dave and the waitress turned all her attention to them, totally ignoring Dave as he sat looking forlorn. Finally, the waitress went to the other side of the counter, gave a laugh and walked out with the guys as poor Dave just sat there alone, listening to the music. |
Martin Gore of Depeche Mode...photo by Kay McEntee |
As the show progressed and the night sky dimmed, the mood was set and the old favorites started to emanate from the stage. It was amazing that although most of the first songs were from the new album, the avid fans knew what songs were being performed.
Speaking of performing, Dave certainly gave the crowd its money's worth with his swivel-hip action alone. What showmanship! He was in rare charismatic form and the audience reciprocated with their enthusiasm. It gave a reverberating effect from band to fans and back to band. This continued for the duration especially with the more familiar tunes. Martin was dressed all in white and looked almost angelic while Fletch was the kool kat on keyboards. Appreciation was high and flowed in both directions. David acknowledged the crowd with blown kisses to every location and the audience overwhelmingly accepted the gestures.
Songs such as "Enjoy the Silence" and "I Feel You" started arousing the crowd with everyone dancing and singing. I thought it could not get much more intense untilŠthe band began playing the ever-popular "Personal Jesus" and the floor stomped with the crowd going wild with excitement. As the song continued, David went silent for a moment. The crowd did not and continued to chant, "reach out and touch me" for what appeared to be a fair amount of time. The fans did not want this evening to end.
The encore consisted of four songs with "Black Celebration" being one of them. Celebrate, the crowd did. There was not one single person not moving to the beat. The responsive band members acknowledged the fans with enthusiastic greetings, comments and blown kisses. Everyone had a good time - the audience and the band.
The singer/songwriter Poe (named after writer Edgar Allen Poe) opened the evening for Depeche Mode. She has an interesting background as a nomadic world traveler and received a full scholarship to Princeton University where she perfected her musical style. Her first album produced a top ten alternative radio hit, "Angry Johnny" in 1995. In the past, she has received a good deal of critical acclaim and recognition that were evident in her performance of this tour. The crowd seemed to enjoy her interpersonal style and enthusiastic demeanor.
After twenty years, nine albums, and survival of itself, Depeche Mode has put forth a new softer, gentler image than that of the past's darker side of melodrama that also ruled their personal lives. The innovative group that changed the sound of modern music with completely synthesizer-driven noises continues to play to sold-out venues with audiences that adore both images of this alternative music icon.