1994
Articles,
reviews of concerts and releases, and band member interviews from
magazines and newspapers.
Single: 'In Your Room'
Andy becomes a father for a second time, but has to return home prematurely from touring to be hospitalised on mental health grounds. Alan separates from his wife Jeri.
Four
Into One
Drum Media, 22nd February 1994. Words: Craig Mathieson. Picture:
Anton Corbijn.]
An interview with Andy in an Australian music paper, discussing the developments made both as a band and by each member personally in order to record Songs Of Faith And Devotion. Fletch pulls off an absolute feat of diplomacy in speaking guardedly about the difficulties the band were having, yet the result is anything but whitewash and gives a counterpoint to many other Dave-centred interviews of the time.
[1265 words]
It's
Just Devotion
[In Press, 2nd March 1994. Words: Andrew Mast. Picture: Anton
Corbijn.]
Martin faces the questions in this fairly informative yet somewhat wooden interview. While it focuses on the general production of Songs Of Faith And Devotion, there is quite some attention to the tone of Martin's songs, along with a rare instance of Martin opening up about the lyrics to Judas.
[1240 words]
Depeche
Mode: Entertainment Centre
[Unknown publication, shortly after 12th March 1994. Words: Craig
Mathieson. Picture: Tony Mott.]
An excited review of a performance in Sydney on the Exotic leg of the Devotional Tour. The reviewer is impressed and not a little amused by how Dave's manic stage persona and the dark lyrical content of the songs somehow come together into such an enjoyable performance.
[453 words]
[L.A. Daily News, 21st May 1994. Words: Mark Brown. Picture: Anton Corbijn.]
A not-quite-spin-free chronicle of the band's more public mishaps during the later stages of the Devotional Tour. Dave provides commentary throughout which, predictably, is at best economical with the truth and at worst plain whitewash.
[876 words]
[NME, 16th June 1994. Words: Randee Dawn. Pictures: Ken Winokur.]
Review of a US concert giving broadly equal weighting to Primal Scream as support. That title isn't damning with faint praise; rather genuine and well-meant surprise that Depeche Mode can pull off a stadium venue. In many places the article points out the incongruities of their performance, but enjoys them lightheartedly rather than adopts the mocking tone that some articles did.
[640 words]
[Future Music, October 1994. Words: Dave Robinson. Pictures: Uncredited.]
This article on the producer Mark 'Flood' Ellis, who collaborated with Depeche Mode on Violator and Songs Of Faith And Devotion, is probably too on the fringe for the majority of readers as it barely touches on Depeche Mode. Readers with some technical knowledge or an interest in the recording of these albums may find Flood's philosophy on musical styles helpful.
[1627 words]
Jesus!
[Vox, October 1994. Words: Steve Malins. Pictures: Paul Slattery.]
Review
of a concert towards the end of the Devotional Tour, which doesn't sweeten
the pill regarding the desperate situation both of Dave - emotionally and
physically - and the band as a working group. With hindsight much of what
is said is still chillingly astute, although there is a lot of time spent
attempting to analyse Dave's mental state which at times becomes
unwarrantedly probing.
[1169 words]
[back
to top] [back to 1993]
[on to 1995]