If you want to feel old, consider this: British electro/rockers Depeche Mode are now in their fourth decade as a band. Now, want to feel envious? They are still going strong, writing and recording new material and planning a global jaunt for 2013.
Heavily inked singer Dave Gahan has confirmed the band should finish work on their new album later this year. Britain’s NME, citing Spin, quotes the 49-year-old frontman (who turns a smokin' hot 50 on May 9) as saying the sessions on the as-yet-untitled new LP are progressing quickly and that there was "no reason" why the record shouldn't be completed by the end of 2012.
Gahan, who previously said that the recording sessions on the album were "very different" to the way they had worked in the past, added: "We've probably got 20 songs demoed. Some of the songs are in really good shape, some need some work, but we're definitely on track.
“We have a deadline of the end of November, and there's no reason why we won't meet that at the rate we're going. [Plus] there are already plans in place to be touring next year."
So yeah, there’s that and frankly, given the band’s track record of excellence, that is something to anticipate although you could argue that Depeche generally haven’t been given their due as hugely influential or blockbuster. Why is anyone’s guess.
Depeche Mode released their last studio album Sounds of The Universe in 2009. Earlier this year, meanwhile, founding member Martin Gore collaborated with the band's former keyboardist and songwriter Vince Clarke under the moniker VCMG. They released their debut album, Ssss, in March.
And here’s some other Depeche Mode trivia for your amusement:
They’ve released 12 studio albums, six live albums, 10 compilation albums, 48 singles, and eight box sets on Mute Records, Sire Records and Reprise Records, as well as 57 music videos (not including remixed and edited versions), 12 music VHS/DVDs (not including re-releases), and six DVD singles, Wikipedia confirms. Jeesh, it’s exhausting just reading that.
Every one of those 12 studio albums has achieved gold, silver or platinum sales status somewhere across the globe, often everywhere at the same time. So yeah, they’re kind of rich. Like U2 rich though seldom cited as such. However, only 1993’s Songs of Faith and Devotion simultaneously achieved number one status in the U.S. and the UK (not to mention France, Germany, and Italy).
Speaking of U2, they along with Depeche Mode helped put Dutch-born photographer-cum-filmmaker and video director Anton Corbijn on the map. His stark, black-and-white and sepia-toned images of the group, especially throughout the 1990s, created a signature look that remains their most powerful and lasting.
All that and they’ve written A LOT of really, really kicking songs.
F'A! And people make fun of me for liking them. "I can't believe you still like them!"; Maybe I should print out this article to hand out, and that'll shut them up when they ignorantly think DM hasn't done anything since the 80's - um, there's more to them then "People are People" or "Everything Counts"!
Great band...hopefully this turns out to be true.
Posted by: GGCAN | 05/07/2012 at 10:28 AM
F'A! And people make fun of me for liking them. "I can't believe you still like them!"; Maybe I should print out this article to hand out, and that'll shut them up when they ignorantly think DM hasn't done anything since the 80's - um, there's more to them then "People are People" or "Everything Counts"!
Posted by: Depeche Mode Fan | 05/07/2012 at 10:50 AM
I'm 19 and they're my favourite band! They're awesome.
Posted by: :0 | 05/13/2012 at 01:11 PM