“[About the song Shake the Disease...] Band member Alan Wilder felt this song captured the essence of the band, stating “there’s a certain edge to what we do that can make people think twice about things. If we’ve got a choice between calling a song “Understanding” or “Shake the Disease”, we’ll call it “Shake the Disease”. There’s a lot of perversity and innuendo in our lyrics, but nothing direct.” – Wikipedia

For more info: depechemode.com and Dicken Schrader

via Laughing Squid

Vince Clarke and Martin Gore’s collaboration into electronic dance music called VCMG is upon us with their first release Spock. I think it’s hard to jump genres and if your already famous for something it’s very difficult to get fans to accept your new art. I honestly was expecting to hate what they did but I’m pleasantly surprised. The original version of Spock is quite nice. It’s a well produced metallic analog sounding track with a modern arrangement. It’s worthy and has me hoping for more. Listen to samples of the songs: amazon.com/EP-1-Spock/dp/B0…

“Earlier this year, Gore had revealed that he and Clarke had reconciled and would be working on a new project together. “Out of the blue I got an e-mail from [Clarke] just saying, ‘I’m interested in making a techno album. Are you interested in collaborating?,’” he said. “He said, ‘No pressure, no deadlines,’ so I said, ‘OK,’ and that’s what I’ve been doing for the last six months.” – nme.com

For more info: depechemode.com

via Tom J Carpenter

Under this YouTube video it states this is a preview of a documentary called Collected. I would love that but maybe this is just an advert for the auction of Depeche Mode’s Alan Wilder’s goodies? As someone who had a chance to once be connected to DM during their best years it’s always a thrill to see anything that has to do with them. For the record I have a massive awesome Depeche Mode collection including back stage passes from 1988, multicolored German 12′s and a picture disc signed by all the band members. I need to make a video for you. I wish Alan would do another studio album with Depeche.

“One of my new year’s resolutions this year was to start streamlining my set-up at The Thin Line Studios. My needs have altered a bit since laptops, soft synths and plug-ins have come to the fore, and even though I’m emotionally attached, passing on some vintage gear and historical items seems like a good way to start. Since my teenage years I’ve been an avid collector of interesting and unique musical items, including a ‘Steinway’ Grand piano, vintage keyboards, synthesisers such as the ‘Mini-moog’, ‘Arp Odyssey’, a ‘Wurlitzer’ electric piano, plus ‘Manley’ valve amps, valve-driven ‘Telefunken’ amps and a ‘Manley’ limiter/compressor. There is one very special guitar and various ‘Emulators’ which were featured during the Mode tours, and I even have my old stage clothing, touring wardrobe, the ‘Devotional’ drum kit, drumming extras and other artifacts available.” – Alan Wilder

For more info: auction.recoil.co.uk

One of the many early Depeche Mode songs I love is called Now this is Fun. It’s a song that reminds me of my own youth. It’s a song that seems like it was easy and fun to make. I could be wrong but I hear a Roland TR-808 drum machine and something like an Oberheim SEM in parts. It first appeared as a B-Side to their 1982 hit See You and then later appeared on the album A Broken Frame. Perfect for a summer Friday.

Here speaks the voice of reason
It’s talking to me loud and clearly
And obviously, it’s something to say

Here comes another sentence
It is relentless, it tries my patience
But neverless, it’s for our concern

We can’t see the benefits
So we’ll ignore it or disobey it
And never say that this is fun

This is real fun
This is fun

Buy this song: iTunes or Amazon

Old friends working on music together. I like that idea. I like it even more when it’s New Wave legends doing the music making. Apparently the album coming soon from Martin Gore and Vince Clarke will be dance/technoish. We are also going to see a new Erasure and Depeche Mode album sooner than later. If I can get 3-4 great songs out of all these new releases I’m going to be very happy. I know it’s not 1987 and I won’t get “every song perfect” album’s but even just a few gems and I’m going to be smiles.

“Always makes me happy when you’re taking a chance. This ain’t nodisco and you know how to dance. Move me disco. Baby don’t you ever go. This is Nodisco”

For more info: slicingupeyeballs.com

Every time I see an Analogue Solutions Europa Sequencer demo I know I have to get one soon. It’s a good time machine especially here set up with Depeche Mode’s People are People drum kit. By the way if you haven’t heard the B-Side “In Your Memory” and your a DM fan go find it… it’s good.

“The beat was created using Europa’s Internal mode (not synced to MIDI clock or using outside sequencers). An Ensoniq ASR-10 was providing the drum samples in this case. The Europa was also used to sequence the AS Telemark synthesizer at the end of the video and uses the Europa’s velocity controls (per step key) to control the Telemark’s filter (velocity to filter). At the end of the vid, Europa is put into External clock mode and synced to MIDI clock (DAW sequencer). At this point, Europa will start/stop when the computer sequencer starts/stops. Europa also is sending sync to the AS Oberkorn MK3 sequencer, which is controlling the SE ObieRack.” – rezfilter

photo credit: Affendaddy

via Synthtopia

If you happen to be in Tallinn, the capital city of Estonia and you’re a huge Depeche Mode fan you may want to go to the Depeche Mode Baar. The owner Dan Buinenko says the band has been there a few times and expects them to stop over again. When I lived in Germany I noticed regular Depeche Mode nights at bars and clubs all over the country.

“What did the band make of the bar/the concept in general? I think they liked our bar. Actually, we were quite surprised when they visited us first time. But second time we were really prepared and waiting for the band, although we hadn’t sent them an official invitation. Probably they would come again, if possible. The last few times they’ve had quite good security and a nice, warm welcome.” – drownedinsound.com

Read the full interview with the owner of the bar: click here

via iPad Today

As a die hard all things classic DM fan the tweet above means something. Let’s hope the music is good. Guys please put your minds in a time machine for this one.

“If you just can’t get enough of early Depeche Mode, you’ll be happy to know that Vince Clarke & Martin Gore are working on a techno-ish track called Zaat.” – Synthtopia

For more info: vinceclarkemusic.com

via Synthtopia

Depeche Mode’s Some Great Reward album from 1984 is one of my favorites. I can sing every lyric on the album in order from beginning to end. It has a romantic feel with plenty of melodies, early sampling and fantastic 80s drums. I don’t know the story behind these demo versions of the album tracks but from a musician’s stand point they are very interesting. The highly produced gloss is gone revealing many of the songs parts which on the CD meld together (in a good way).

“In September 1984, Some Great Reward was released. Melody Maker claimed that the album made one “sit up and take notice of what is happening here, right under your nose.” In contrast to the political and environmental subjects addressed on the previous album, the songs on Some Great Reward were mostly concerned with more personal themes such as sexual politics (“Master and Servant”), adulterous relationships (“Lie to Me”), and arbitrary divine justice (“Blasphemous Rumours”). Also included was the first Martin Gore ballad (“Somebody”) – such songs would become a feature of all following albums. “Somebody” was released as a double a-side with “Blasphemous Rumours” and was the first single with Gore on lead vocals. Some Great Reward was the first Depeche Mode album to enter the US album charts, and it made the Top 10 in several European countries.” – Wikipedia.org

Be sure to own the original album!

via ASUKLTD

Latest tracks by Vince Clarke Rarities

If your into electronic music this should interest you. Note: The songs are available to download so maybe you should.

“Lots of obscure Vince Clarke tracks in the Vince Clark Rarities Soundcloud account, including rare tracks from Depeche Mode, Yaz/Yazoo & Erasure. Not sure if this is official or not – so Vince Clarke fans may want to check this out sooner. rather than later.” – Synthtopia

photo credit: nudevinyl

via Syntopia and Failed Muso