1985
Articles,
reviews of concerts and releases, and band member interviews from
magazines and newspapers.
Singles:
'Shake The Disease', 'It's Called A Heart'
Albums: 'The Singles 81-85', 'Catching Up With Depeche Mode' (USA)
The band issue their first singles collection. David Gahan marries for the first time (to Jo Fox). All tracks from this year onwards are written by Martin Gore.
Martin Gore: Me And My Leather
[Unknown magazine, 1985]
Martin talks about his highly individual taste in clothing, and nothing else. A fascinating and unusual piece, all the better for the fact that no-one else is chipping in and trying to analyse his comments.
[445 words]
Boys
Keep Swinging
[No. 1, 19th January 1985. Words: Max Bell. Pictures: John Stoddart.]
Untaxing
article with large contributions from Martin and Dave looking mainly at
how Martin's lifestyle changes have subtly affected his outlook and seeped
into the songs. Engaging without being too deep, and remarkable mainly for
some stunning photography, including one of Martin in the nude.
[1583
words]
Coming
Up Smiling
[The Face, February 1985. Words: Sheryl Garratt. Pictures:
Steve Pyke.]
An
outstanding and independently-minded article catching Depeche Mode on
the knife-edge of being taken seriously. The author discusses the
difficulties they have faced due to popular misconception and all but
cries out for them to be given at least a second glance. I had to
check the date on the magazine because both the writing and the
photography seem to have come from four or five years later: this will
restore your faith in the music press.
[2507 words]
Dave
Gahan: The Wild Boy
[No.1, 4th May 1985. Pictures: John Stoddart.]
First
in a four-part series where each member of Depeche Mode talks individually
about themselves, their lives, their career with Depeche Mode, and so on.
Dave begins the series, and the article is composed solely of his quotes,
discussing his tearaway years in Basildon and role within Depeche Mode.
[1208
words]
Martin
Gore: The Decadent Boy
[No. 1, 11th May 1985. Pictures: Uncredited.]
A Martin Gore monologue, composed of short
quotes and soundbites, threaded together into a sort of potted life story. This
gives a series of glimpses rather than a coherent story, and Martin's
mischievous humour regularly peeps through. If you don't go into this expecting
too much, you'll have a thoroughly pleasant time.
[1178
words]
Andy Fletcher: The Brigade Boy
[No.1, 18th May 1985. Pictures: John Stoddart.]
After the colourful stories of Dave and Martin, Andy comes across as the strong, silent anchorman of Depeche Mode in this third instalment of a series of interviews. In fact, Andy has comparatively little to say about himself, and for some part of the interview gives the band's history. There's still plenty about his hobbies and private opinions that you don't see elsewhere.
[1138 words]
Alan
Wilder: The Band Boy
[No.1, 25th May 1985. Pictures: Uncredited.]
Final
part of a series allowing each band member to speak for themselves on
whatever takes their fancy. Sadly, the editor tries to give Alan's words a
controversial edge that isn't there, as Alan is mainly talking about his
pre-Depeche years, and time recording at Hansa. Taken for what it is this
turns up some very interesting facts - did you know he lived in
Bristol for two years?
[1149 words]
The
Last Of The Futurists
[Record Mirror, 25th May
1985. Words: Betty Page. Pictures: Ian Hooton.]
Band interview at the time
of the release of Shake The Disease. The lyrics to Flexible spark off
a discussion on the difficulties a successful band has in staying true
to its roots - and another on Martin's, er, "flexible" dress
sense. The article implicitly lauds them for keeping their music
values, but it runs the risk of putting them nicely back in the New
Romantic pigeonhole when other writers were finally taking a second
look.
[1420 words]
What
We Did On Our Holidays
[Smash Hits, 5th June 1985. Words: Maureen Rice. Pictures: Depeche
Mode.]
A
collection of photographs taken by Depeche Mode while touring, many of
them whimsical, and all of them showing the band off duty and just doing
average things. Non-fans will find it pretty pointless, those already
devoted will find it endearing.
[172
words]
Aces
High
[Zig Zag, August 1985. Words: William Shaw. Pictures:
Coneyl Jay.]
Intelligent and refreshing
article, written at a time when Depeche Mode were just starting to be
taken seriously. The band talk about how they sit uncomfortably in the
music world with its round of promotions, and how this affects
people's view of them. Best of all, the author means every word of it.
There should have been more like this one.
[2931 words]
The
Normal Invasion
[The Hit, 28th September 1985. Words: Marc Issue. Pictures: John
Stoddart.]
Short
interview exploring the question "Are Depeche Mode normal?".
While the band talk about areas in which they could be considered
eccentric or decadent without any great revelations, their uneasiness
about making videos is somehow enough to convince the interviewer they are
not normal. A very lightweight piece, but about the only one where the
band discuss this subject at any length.
[1199 words]
Fake
The Disease
[NME, 5th October 1985. Words: Danny Kelly. Pictures: Steve Pyke.]
A
journalist with an obvious appreciation for and knowledge of Depeche Mode
questions them on the possibility of producing more extreme, less precise
music. While at times he grinds his axe a bit too hard, he makes his
points thoroughly, and the whole article pre-empts Dave's push for a
looser, more organic feel a whole seven years later.
[2572 words]
Are
Depeche Mode Cracking Up?
[Smash Hits, 9th-22nd
October 1985. Words: Chris Heath. Pictures: Steve Rapport.]
Brief interview with the band
in a humourous mood, taking a sideways look at their eccentricities
and foibles, and the 'love' thing. Oh and, inevitably, Martin's
much-hyped cross-dressing. Very engaging, and an antidote to later
'serious' articles.
[1384 words]
Everything Counts (In Large Amounts)
[Number One, 19th October 1985. Words: Paul Bursche. Pictures: John Stoddart.]
The band take a single-by-single trawl through their career to date, putting the release of Singles 81-85 in perspective. Plenty of nuggets of information centred on the making of each track, although it times it does become a little grinding.
[2112 words]
Record Mirror, 19th October 1985
[Words: Lesley O'Toole.]
A review of Singles 81-85 that comes across decidedly listless, as the reviewer has set out to review separate tracks rather than the package as a whole. Fairly positive in tone though.
[233 words]
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