1982
Articles,
reviews of concerts and releases, and band member interviews from
magazines and newspapers.
Singles:
'See You', 'The Meaning Of Love', 'Leave In Silence'
Album: 'A Broken Frame'
Alan Wilder taken on as a replacement for Vince for live performances only.
A
Year In The Life Of Depeche Mode
[The
Face, January 1982. Words: Paul Tickell. Pictures: Antoine
Giacomoni / Mike Laye.]
An
intelligently-written, fairly detailed "the story so
far"-type article, with contributions from the band minus Vince,
laying emphasis on how the band had managed to become successful in
such a brief space of time. Easy to read, but less naive banter and
more solid fact makes it of especial use to someone interested in how
the band fitted in with the workings of the music industry.
[1843
words]
A
Clean Break
[Smash Hits, 21st January
- 3rd February 1982. Words: Mark Ellen. Pictures: Eric Watson /
Antoine Giacomoni.]
An interview of all
members of Depeche Mode (yes, even Vince) coinciding with the release
of See You, meaning both parties have their two penn'orth about the
departure of Vince. The band are eager to distance themselves from
Vince's influence, and both the band and the writer are resolutely
upbeat about their future prospects. Also includes a review of See
You.
[1451 words]
No
Time To Even Think
[New
Sounds New Styles, March 1982. Words: Mike Stand. Pictures: Iain McKell.]
Detailed and probing article, refreshingly free of the usual "aah! Aren't they sweet!" blather often found in this era, catching the band on the edge between novelty and fame. The band discuss intelligently how not only the loss of Vince but their success in general has forced them to rearrange their lives and the workings of the band - not without its downsides. Decidedly better than average.
[2244 words]
Sound
Of The Suburbs
[NME, 20th March 1982.
Words: Lynn Hanna. Pictures: Peter Anderson.]
Sympathetic and intelligent
interview of the band (minus Alan) at the time of the release of
"See You". The innocence is plain to see without being
harped on about, and looks at how the band intend to hang on to
success without falling into routine or being dismissed as too
lightweight. Very wise in hindsight, and the rose tinted description
of Basildon will have you all misty-eyed.
[1837
words]
[Record Mirror, 20th March 1982. Words: "Sunie". Pictures: Andy Rosen.]
Surprisingly readable interview that keeps the sweetness-and-light factor commendably low-key. All the band members (including, briefly, Alan) discuss the difficulties of adjusting to fame and especially the day-to-day strains of touring. It's a shame that the photo of Dave makes him look as if he has flu. The usual 1982 fare, just with reduced sugar.
[1500 words]
Bat's
Life
[Smash
Hits, 1st-14th April 1982. Words: Uncredited. Pictures: Jill
Furmanovsky.]
Horror
of horrors. The three 1982 members of Depeche Mode wearing, for
reasons now lost in the mists of time, full cricketing outfits,
complete with gloves, knee pads, the lot. Time and again the band have
referred to this picture as their most detested, and a classic example
of how naive they were in their early years. Tellingly, the picture
doesn't actually give the band name.
[85 words]
A
La Mode
[Kicks,
6th April 1982. Words: Johnny Black. Pictures: Syd Shelton.]
Interview
with Dave and Martin backstage during the "See You" Tour,
where the band are tired but steaming doggedly on through a gruelling
schedule. They talk about their routine as well as where their musical
style may go as the criticisms of being too poppy and lightweight were
just beginning to set in. The personal profiles of each band member,
including Alan, are amongst the most cringeable on record.
[1994 words]
"Some People Think You're Cute, But Some People Think You're Slightly Vile..."
[Look In, 22nd May 1982. Words: Phil Parsons. Pictures: Jill Furmanovsky / Uncredited.]
The band (excepting Alan, who is mentioned but wasn't present) chat amiably about the departure of Vince, and the adjustments they've had to make in his wake, especially with regard to songwriting. Predictably light on information, but the sort of delightful interview that you don't find in later years.
[1086 words]
Record
Collector, July 1982
[Words: Richard Jackson. Picture: Uncredited.]
Remarkably savvy
article combining the band's early history with a focus on the formats
of their releases, and a discography (scanned but not transcribed
here). A very readable account of their formation and early years,
with plenty of spookily accurate predictions of the band's future.
[1738 words]
Essex
Appeal
[Record Mirror, 21st August 1982. Words: Simon Tebbutt. Pictures:
Eugene Adebari.]
Brief
but fairly analytical look at the progress of the band from "Speak
And Spell"'s poppiness to the more thoughtful themes of "A
Broken Frame". The band talk about the effects that daily life and
touring are having on them in an article that is admirably low on the cute
factor. Not an 'all-rounder' but a better article for this year.
[1304
words]
The
Meaning Of Mute
[Masterbag, September 1982. Words: Johnny Black. Pictures: David
Corio.]
A
witty article on Daniel Miller and the early years of the Mute label. This
article later appeared in Bong 14, with some very minor changes.
[2141
words]
[Sounds, 4th September 1982. Words: Karen Swayne. Pictures: Alison Turner.]
Relaxed interview with the band, who sound understandably tired after a round of similar interviews, from the angle of how fame and fortune seems to have suddenly grabbed them after months of playing the Bridgehouse. Generally there's little new stuff here, going over the familiar ground of how they got their lucky break. That said, it's a serviceable article and a very pleasant read.
[2452 words]
The
Kids From Frame
[Record Mirror, 23rd October 1982. Words: Jim Reid. Picture:
Uncredited.]
Short
interview of the band focussing on the changes apparent in A Broken Frame,
and the contrasts between Martin's and Vince's writing. The writer is
sympathetic and admits his earlier misconceptions of the album (although
few would defend his eager view of the album today). Features an amusing
story about Dave dealing with some antisocial punters while on
stage.
[1243 words]
[Sounds, 23rd October 1982. Words: Karen Swayne. Picture: Alison Turner.]
Misty-eyed (almost mawkish in places) review of a show during the touring of A Broken Frame. Whereas other reviewers have understandably poked fun at Depeche Mode's schoolgirl appeal at this time, this author defends them as good, clean entertainment. I'm not sure it's how the band would want to be remembered, but it definitely needed saying.
[415 words]
The
Name's The Game!
[Zig Zag,
November 1982. Words: John Kercher. Picture: Uncredited.]
Alan
Wilder gets his introduction to the world. The band chat about their
touring experiences in the days when barely any drink, let alone
drugs, were involved; and explain some of their recording practices in
the light of having a new member. Depeche Mode caught at their
sickliest and most innocent: one moment they are freely admitting to
not having a clue what the band name means, the next minute they are
wondering why they "don't go down very well in France."
Simultaneously pleasant and cringe-inducing, a bit like unearthing
your school photos.
[1574 words]
[Undated,
1982. Words: Jane-Nina Buchanan. Pictures: Tim Gudgeon.]
A not-very-taxing interview which
unusually focuses on Andy, and which was in fact conducted in late 1981 as
Vince is still present. Comment and criticism from the author is almost
entirely absent, but left to speak for himself Fletch does go into some
detail on their very early days and Christian background. There's also the
obligatory 1981 band banter. It's no literary classic, but I've read
worse.
[1126
words]
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