I don't care for the backup singers but I like the drums.

I'm curious to find out who at Dvd Talk has seend DM in concert the most number of times.

I've seen them in concert seven times - San Diego area 2X, Los Angeles 3X, Anaheim 1X, and Las Vegas 1X.

I also saw one of Martin Gore's concerts in Los Angeles (a rare and awesome treat!), and I saw Dave Gahan perform five or six songs on the Jimmy Kimmel Show.

I'm sure someone has me beat.

Wow. I've only seen them once - during the Songs of Faith and Devotion tour (at William & Mary in Williamsburg, VA). I'd been a fan for long before then, but too young to go to their shows, at least without my parents.

And I agree: I had no problem with the back-up singers at that show and the live drumming was a nice touch.

I've only seen them once as well. The Singles tour, all by my lonesome.

Shake the Disease is my favorite DM song too, Daytripper. Back in the day, I've run down fresh batteries in my Walkman on that one. Sexiest song ever.

I've seen them a few times. (and Dave and Martin solo)

My fav was Gore solo at the Mayan. Great (and different) show. There is a very good DVD of it in the trading circles. (Shot RIGHT near where I was sitting)

Which day did you go to the Mayan? I was at the Tuesday, May 6th show. I stood right in front of the soundboard. Which day was the DVD shot on? Do you know where I can get a copy?

I've seen them 11 times. Black Celebration tour (once, Columbia MD.), Music For The Masses Tour (three times, Columbia MD/Fairfax VA/Pasadena CA), World Violation (once, Columbia MD), SOFAD tour (twice, Landover MD/Columbia MD), the Singles tour (twice, Philadelphia PA/Fairfax VA), Excitor tour (twice, Philadephia PA/Columbia MD).

Here's one for you, ever met anyone from the band? I met Andrew "Fletch" Fletcher twice and Martin once. I started going to London once a year around 1997. Each time I went, I'd go to Fletch's restaurant (Gascogne). Which has since closed. Every time I went, Fletch was there. If not for a minute. The waitress told us he live around the corner and would stop in once a night for a little while to check up on the place. One of those times, Martin was with him too. But I never approached either. Until the last time I was there. Was in a small group. One of the girls in my party decided to go up to Fletch to say hi. They really hit it off but I went up anyway to go rescue him. In case he didn't want to be bothered that long. As we were walking back to our table I said to him "You can join us if you like". And he did (!) He ended up hanging with us for over five hours. Bought us two bottles of wine, several rounds of drinks and then shots/shooters. Yeah, it wasn't pretty. I used this opportunity (being a huge fan) to get as much DM info out of him as possible. Fletch is a great guy. Very friendly to his fans. At the end of the night, he even got up and spun some CD's for us behind the bar. Gascogne was a small restaurant in a very private/nice neighborhood in London. The food was spectacular. I was sorry to see it close. It did good business. I heard Fletch just didn't want that burden anymore. A few years later, I met Fletch again in Philly on the Exciter tour. The entire Depeche Mode camp were staying at the Four Seasons and so were we. We were at the bar when the entire entourage walked in (sans Dave) and sat down next to us. They included Fletch, Martin, Christian (the drummer), their touring keyboard player, the two back up singers, their manager Jonathan Kessler and two other guys I didn't recognize. So we talked to all of them the rest of the night. That same girl who approached Fletch in London was with us again so she initiated the conversation. And he remembered us. It was a pretty great evening. I did tell Martin that I enjoyed his music and voice and wish he would do more tracks on the albums, or another solo album and the very least. He shook my hand and said thanks. Very nice guy. But quite shy for the most part.

Wow, that's cool Daytripper. Nice to hear that Fletch is such a good guy. That must have been trippy talking to Gore and Fletch at the Four Seasons. DM is the closest modern day equivalent to the Beatles IMHO, so I would definitely be very excited and nervous to meet them

Wow, that is so cool. I really envy you, man.

Haha, what did I tell ya. Can't even spell my hometown name.

I rather like Condemnation. Some of my siblings hate it though, so I know where you're coming from. It's a great track to sing along to and look like a fool in your car.

Wow, what great experiences. And you were really nice by not being a "raving" fan. I mean you top the list in my book as far as fans go (you've seen them 11 times!) but you were thoughtful in the way you approached.


Cool.

Why thank you!

As someone who is originally from Southern California, and has been back several times a year, I've had my share of running into celebrities. It's always kind of cool when you see them (I guess). But respect their space. They're human too. I would never approach one unless I had something different to say other than "I love you!" or "I'm a huge fan!!". Can you imagine hearing that over and over? Even my friend (who approached Fletch) started off by saying "Mr. Fletcher, I just wanted to say you have a great restaraunt". And that's all it took. She kept it real. And I do believe that's why he joined us. He's quite funny actually. We were even goofin on Britney Spears at one point. He said he thought she was hot but couldn't sing for shit. One of the girls said "But what about those fake tits?". He responded, "So what!?". Heh heh.

So true. I've often wondered what I would do if I met my "favorite" celebrities. When I daydream about those meetings all I can get out is the above, cliches. I would hate to miss a opportunity to speak, but I think I would just let them pass before I bore them with that kind of expression.

Do you know how Dave feels about DM fans? He's so gorgeous in the non-traditional sense and his voice....I know I wouldn't get anything intelligent out if I met him.

Honestly, I've never heard any stories where Dave has hung out with his fans like Fletch and Martin have (even Alan). But I heard he's cordial and will sign an autograph. I know, awfully big of him. HOWEVER! My friend Carrie went to his meet and greet in NYC at Tower Records when he was promoting "Paper Monsters" and he refused to sign any Depeche Mode albums. Heard he did that a lot while on this promotional tour. What a jerk.

See that seems a shade "anti-fan" to me. I know he was distancing himself from DM at the time, but did he actually think that everyone at the meet and greet was there just because of Paper Monsters???!!! That smacks of an big ego.

If I ever saw him I'd probably just gawk a bit. I mean I understand that celebrities are human, but I wouldn't want a bad encounter to soil my feelings for the music. I'd be listening to Black Celebration thinking, "That Dave is rude." I'll just keep the fantasy meeting.

Heh heh. Well, see, I would not approach a celebrity. But would not have a problem telling them what an ass I think they are. I'm glad I didn't witness him telling a fan he wouldn't sign any Depeche Mode paraphernalia. For the record, I'm a huge Dave Gahan fan. As a performer. I do feel he has the best voice in the music industry. His disposition during this solo stint certainly soured my opinion of him though.

For those who care, there is a small recorded video message from Dave Gahan in the studios recording the new album at the link below. The album is rumored to be coming out on October 24th. Also rumored, two of the tracks on the album are called "In The Mirror" and "Martyr For Love".


http://www.depechemode.com/news/exclusives.html

Yes. His voice gets under my skin. I can't really explain it but it's not just a good singing voice, not just sexy, but kind of mesmerizing.

Dave seems positive about the album so far from that clip.

It wasn't a matter of Dave telling people he wouldn't sign DM items, it's that DM items weren't even allowed to be taken into the venue. I brought the sleeve for my Blasphemous Rumours promo 12" (the custom orange-faces one) and security said they would confiscate it if I attempted to even take it inside.

Wow! When did Dave turn into J Lo? Heh.