DEPECHE MODE - 101 FASCINATING FACTS ABOUT 101

On 18 June 2018, it will be 30 years since Depeche Mode played the Rose Bowl in Pasadena.

30 years! As we approach the 30th anniversary of the Rose Bowl gig then, it seemed logical to write something about it, so here are 101 fascinating facts about 101. Why couldn't they have recorded the 20th gig instead...

1. Everything Counts (Live)
The first hint of what was to come came on 13 February 1989 with the release of Everything Counts live from the Rose Bowl gig. The vinyl version of the forthcoming 101 wasn't, I don't know, wide enough or something to accommodate A Question Of Lust, Sacred and Nothing, so live versions of them appeared on the 7" (Nothing) and the 12" and cd single (all three). There were also a few remixes scattered here and there on the limited 12", 10" which came in a numbered envelope with a window sticker and two postcards inside (a lovely thing).

My Everything Counts collection (minus promo 12" singles - pics of them below)

Two promo 12" singles came out namely P12BONG16

which featured two remixes of Everything Counts: the Bomb The Bass remix (later known as Tim Simenon/Mark Saunders Remix) and the Alan Moulder Remix (later known as the Absolut Mix).

PPBONG16 also featured two tracks - Strangelove (Hijack Mix) and Nothing (Remix Edit).

There was also one other format...

2. Everything Counts (Live) LCD BONG16 a.k.a The Filofax pack
I've covered this before - have a read of this if the notion of a Filofax pack baffles you. It's still Depeche Mode's oddest officially released item. Well, apart from Hole To Feed as a single that is.

http://almostpredictablealmost1.blogspot.com/2016/07/depeche-mode-mueso-part-1-everything.html


3. Everything Counts (Live) - the video
From the infamous "We're going to make loads of money" all the way to Dave conducting the crowd, it's glorious:



4 -17. Promoting the film and album
To coincide with the release of Everything Counts (Live), the band started promoting 101. Am I already running out of material? Probably, however, I need 101 of these so here we go:

4. Dave appears on TV AM
TV AM was a British morning show that balanced lots of inane nonsense with the excellence of Roland Rat and some rather good music pieces, one of which was Dave's appearance on 13 February 1989. Look how fresh faced he looks:

Picture courtesy of Depeche Mode Classic Photos & Videos Facebook Group

Not too shabby for 7.18 in the morning bearing in mind that Dave was still enjoying a rock and roll lifestyle at the time. Dave confirms that Fletch is skiing, Martin is in Japan and Alan "hopefully watching at home." He's the interviewed again around 7.48 and talks about the gig. We even see a snippet of Behind The Wheel from 101.

5. The 101 premiere

This took place at the Dominion Theatre in London on 22 February 1989

Picture courtesy of Depeche Mode Classic Photos & Videos Facebook Group

All the band were there along with D A Pennebaker, Daniel Miller and more.

Picture courtesy of Depeche Mode Classic Photos & Videos Facebook Group

6. A film premiere in Paris and a Music For The Masses platinum disc presentation

The film was shown at Club De L'etoile before the band headed for La Locomotive and their disc presentation. Here's Fletch at the latter having a grand old time

Picture (and info) courtesy of Depeche Mode Classic Photos & Videos Facebook Group

7. Miming to the live version of Everything Counts, San Remo, Italy 25 February 1989

Very odd this. The band played at the Sanremo festvial in San Remo on 25 February and, in doing so, played one song. That involved them miming to a live version of a song they'd just released. I've no idea why either.

Picture courtesy of Depeche Mode Classic Photos & Videos Facebook Group

The band also gave a press conference at Hotel Royal in San Remo. Here's a picture of Dave and Martin enjoying themselves at that

Picture courtesy of Depeche Mode Classic Photos & Videos Facebook Group

And here's the performance of Everything Counts:

8. A 101 premiere in Birmingham

This took place on 2 March 1989 at the Cannon Cinema. The band didn't turn up however. And they wonder why they get a rough reaction from Birmingham crowds....*

*Martin's words, not mine

Picture courtesy of Depeche Mode Classic Photos & Videos Facebook Group

9. Martin and Andy head to Europe...

In early March, Martin and Andy went around Europe giving interviews. At one point they ended up in Denmark recording a show called Fluen. Here and Martin and Andy laughing it up in the taxi home

Picture courtesy of Depeche Mode Classic Photos & Videos Facebook Group

10....as do Dave and Alan

Dave and Alan headed to Munich where they appeared on a show called Action. They appear to have been interviewed by the label on the b-side of the 12" of A Question Of Time

Picture courtesy of Depeche Mode Classic Photos & Videos Facebook Group

11. A signing session at HMV, Birmingham, 20 March 1989

The album was already out by this point and much to your inevitable relief, we'll come to that shortly. The whole band appeared in Birmingham to sign the record, meet fans and seemingly have a few beers. For a brief moment, as you can see below, Fletch was sacked and replaced by Terence Trent D'Arby, but that decision was thankfully overturned on the same day

Picture courtesy of Depeche Mode Classic Photos & Videos Facebook Group

12. Filming for The Story of 101, Hilton, London, 27 March

The band plus D A Pennebaker and Chris Hegedus were at the Hilton to film this show telling the story of the film

13. A signing session at Virgin Megastore, Paris, 12 April 1989
As you might have guessed from the title, there was a signing session on 12 April 1989.

At the Virgin Megastore.

In Paris.

Picture courtesy of Depeche Mode Classic Photos & Videos Facebook Group

14. A 101 premiere in Toronto

The band then turned up in Toronto to see their film again. I wonder if they were bored by this point?

Picture courtesy of Depeche Mode Classic Photos & Videos Facebook Group

15. A premiere in Los Angeles

On 25 April 1989, 101 premiered in LA at AMC Century 14. Here's the band at the premiere

Picture courtesy of Depeche Mode Classic Photos & Videos Facebook Group

And here's a thing that was on TV about it:

16. A premiere of, unbelievably, 101 in New York

This was on 27th April at Radio City Music Hall which is a cool venue to have your film shown at. Dave and Alan were there only as a diary cock up meant Fletch and Martin had to be in Houston. I presume that was on 101 related business. Here are Dave and Alan - was this where the Violator cover concept was dreampt up? No, I imagine.

Picture courtesy of Depehce Mode Classic Photos & Videos Facebook Group

And look, here are some other people. We'll find out a bit more about them shortly

Picture courtesy of Depeche Mode Classic Photos & Videos Facebook Group

17. So that's why Martin and Andy were in Houston

It was for a 101 premiere at AMC 14 in Houston. In case you are on the lookout for obscure Depeche Mode related buildings, here it is:

Picture courtesy of Depeche Mode Classic Photos & Videos Facebook Group

18. An odd and expensive promo single

At some point in 1989, the band's French and Spanish record companies released a promo by way of a vinyl version of Pleasure Little Treasure. In both countries, a 7" was released, featuring the live version of the track from 101 on both sides.

The French then went one step further, releasing a 12" featuring three tracks: the live version and the Join Mix and Glitter Mix of Pleasure Little Treasure.

These are quite cool if unnecessary items, neither of which I own sadly.

19. The album itself

Here's a fact to love about 101 -  it's the finest live album your ears will ever hear. The music aside, which we'll come to in good time, it's also incredible because of...

20 - 25. The Artwork

Ok, Anton Corbijn may have slacked off a tad on recent DM releases, but there is no argument to be had when it comes to the 101 artwork. Black and white, majestic and above all else, just fucking gorgeous, Anton did wonders here. The cover above alone is a work of art: Dave in his leather gear, wee Martin and his hat, Fletch slicked back and ready for business, Alan doing his best Morrissey (pre Brexit and racism) impression, the iconic t-shirt and so much more. Everywhere you look on 101, you see stunning pictures.  Just look at:

20. Dave

21. Martin

22. Andy

23. Alan

Each one of those pictures is glorious as are the others in the...

24. Booklet

Available either as a 12" 16 page book with the album or a..erm..cd box sized book with the cd, the booklet accompanying the album is full of ever more wonderful pictures. Here's just one of them:

Dave pictured having a premonition about Hole To Feed

25. The Catalogue Number

What? Shut up David. No you shut up. The catalogue number for this release is STUMM101. That's genius. Record companies don't do that sort of thing anymore. Well played Mute, well played.

26. The formats - the envelope sleeve LP

Some of my 101's

This blog isn't just for fans of nifty black and white pictures. Oh no. It's also for people who like to know what the vinyl smells like and what weight the cassette is. It's time to have a brief look at the formats. Other than one section, I'm just referring to the UK formats. Thanks to depmod.com for approximately 90% of the info here.

As this came out in 1989, LP's were still very much the in thing, unlike now where they are...no...wait - forget that. 101 was released on two vinyl versions here in Britain, the first of which was in an envelope sleeve, so called because the sleeve was envelope like in that both records and the booklet could fit inside it. As if they were in an envelope albeit one with Anton's photographic genius all over it.

27. The Gatefold sleeve LP

It's the Envelope Sleeve albeit without any hint of envelopeness. The gatefold fits one record in either side and the booklet in whichever sleeve you wish to squash it into. Also, on both versions of the lp, the stickers on the vinyl are majestic. That sort of thing pleases me and, admit it, many of you reading this.

28. The Cassette

This was my first ever version of 101. As with the CD, the full concert fits here with Black Celebration rounding off side 1. There are five different versions of the cassette (catalogue number CSTUMM101) ranging from one with a white paper label on each side to one with a black printed label. Collect them all and amuse and impress your loved ones. Also, if I don't actually get to 101 things to love (how is this only number 28 for God's sake?), expect 5 paragraphs on each version of the cassette sooner than you fear.

29. The Soft slipcase cover cd

The first variation of cd format (CDSTUMM101) came in a tri-fold digipack thing inside a cardboard sleeve. The cds were tucked inside the far too tight sleeves along with the booklet meaning you either sacrificed your fingers or the sleeve getting the bastard things out. Many Depeche fans of that era are accordingly fingerless.

30. The Big Chunky Double cd 

That's more like it. A no nonsense, reassuringly heavy thick jewel case that you could open up and effortlessly remove the cds and book, free of digit destroying Depechery. 

31. Other notable formats

If this is your sort of thing, then please do have a look at depmod.com where a staggering amount of work has gone into making sure Depeche fans all over the place can find out on how many different variations of 7" Get The Balance Right was released in the Cook Islands and so on. 101 was released in many different formats worldwide and, thanks to depmod.com, I've deemed the oddest three formats as follows:

(a) The Turkish cassette release on Jaws Records

Picture courtesy of depmod.com

(b) The Saudi cassette on Stallions Records

Picture courtesy of depmod.com

(c) The Taiwanese CD on Pony Records

Picture courtesy of depmod,com

All because I find the Record Company names amusing.

32. The Super Audio CD (SACD) release

You all know SACD's don't you? Unplayable in most cd players and certainly in no cars, they also can't be ripped to your iPod, making them virtually useless. Despite that, 101 was released on SACD on 2nd February 2004. Is it worth buying? Not really unless you're some sort of oddball completist - yes it does feature in my 101 formats picture above. There is one other reason to buy the SACD though. An unreleased until 2004 track. A NEW DEPECHE MODE THING. Sit down before I tell you that the name of that track was

33. Pimpf (Full version)

Yeah that gave us the full Pimpf. And not at the start instead of the old Pimpf either. It's at the end. As in after Everything Counts. As in after everyone has left. Baffling.

34. Reissues

This is more for the sake of completion than anything else, however the album has been reissued on CD 6 times and on LP once in Britain. You can tell them apart by minute details and again, can have fun collecting the set.

35. The Music

Yes, it's taken me 35 items to actually get to the music itself. Only 66 to go. 101 is an act of genius from the start to the end and, were this just a post called "Is 101 Any Good?" that description would suffice. It isn't however, so settle down, pop on the album and enjoy the best bits of each track with this startling commentary:

36. Pimpf

Genuinely works better as the fade in version we get here. It just does.

37. Behind The Wheel

That's how you kick off a concert. Depeche at their pre guitar dominance most minimalist and slinky.

38. Strangelove

GLORIOUS! When Martin starts singing "Strangelove" from 3 minutes 54 seconds in you are transported to a heavenly plane. 

39. Sacred

They were touring the album this was on. Fair enough.

40. Something To Do

Leather boots, oily dresses and noises only Depeche put on albums - a celebration of one of Some Great Reward's gems

41. Blasphemous Rumours

A towering version of their "We want to be like The Cure but can't help stick an oddly poppy chorus in a gloom track" classic. Look out for the woman in tears singing along in the film without any notion of what the tune is or ever was.

42. Stripped

A live track as erotic experience. That metal bashing is a staggering beast and the last 1 minute 30 seconds is probably the most exciting passage of music of all time. Fun fact - I spent far too long a time when I was 16 using deodorant cans to replicate the metal bashing. I even made sure I used enough deodorant from each so that each can sounded just like the metal pad things. I grew up in a very small town. Leave me alone.

43. Somebody

Sigh. Magical

44. The Things You Said

No YOU'RE crying

45. Black Celebration

The definitive live version of one of Depeche Mode's defining tracks. Yes even better than the Exciter tour version....shudder.....

46. Shake The Disease

If you don't like this either seek medical attention or get some new ears. And a new soul.

47. Nothing

In my still excellent and available to read blog about Music For The Masses, I suggested that Nothing was perhaps not that good and indeed a bit overrated. I stick by that. This version is either here nor there. On the plus side, its features more metal bashing. On the negative side, it's...well...sod it. I don't like it. There you go - I said it again. The band MUST agree as they missed this off the LP version. Right?

48. Pleasure Little Treasure

A B-side which is a cool thing and my Mum's favourite Depeche Mode song. Stop the air guitar though Dave. Just stop it. Stop it now.

49. People Are People

Brilliant and powerful and all the better for the "And go....." bit on the film which is not in fact from this concert. Depeche Mode Classic Photos & Videos Facebook Group's Linda Meijer recently did some detective work and it turns out that the shot of the lighting person actually came from the Philadelphia show on 27 May. So there you go.

50. A Question Of Time

No guitars, no rockiness, just this song played quite wonderfully

51. Never Let Me Down Again

Another definitive version and the one that started off the arm waving craze I ensure I bore DM newcomers about at concerts

52. A Question Of Lust

More marvellousness from Mr Martin. 

(It was also left off the album but that does NOT negate my Nothing argument)

53. Master & Servant

A booming, hugely satisfying version of this booming, highly satisfying song

54. Just Can't Get Enough

Vince Clarke wrote this you know. He used to be in Depeche Mode. Can no longer be played in Glasgow due to our marvellous football "culture."

55. Everything Counts

Perfection.

What an album.

56. Additional Fact 1
(Thanks to Niggels for these)

This was not the first time Depeche had played in Pasadena. They also played there on 15 February 1982 at Perkins Palace. It was nice of Perkin to let them play there. The wonderous DM Live Wiki has a note of what was played that night here . Only one song was played at both this show and the Rose Bowl one. Any ideas?

57. Additional Fact 2
The Rose Bowl gig was the last time (to date) that Depeche played Sacred, Blasphemous Rumours, Nothing, Pleasure Little Treasure and People Are People live. And Pimpf too if that counts.

58 - 60 The Support Acts

58. Wire
Wire opened the show and that's about all we know as there is no setlist information available. They also played a set that night at a venue called The Scream

59. Thomas Dolby
Setlist FM says he played two songs - My Brain Is Like A Sieve and She Blinded Me With Science. I would guess there were maybe more but who knows?

60. OMD
OMD's 12 song setlist can be found here and DM Live Wiki has a recording of it here

DM and DA Pennebaker (centre)

61. 101 - The Film
Having picked D A Pennebaker as Director, the band and he decided to make the band's live performance focus of the film both in terms of actual footage and in terms of what Depeche live means to the fans. The fans are represented by the kids on the bus more of whom in a moment. I'm not going to retell the story of the film as you're all familiar with it and will have watched it hundreds of times. One thing 101 amply demonstrates is the sheer numbers of people willing to see Depeche Mode live in 1988, especially of course in America. 101 was hugely important beast for the band as it showed the world that they were a big, big thing and it paved the way for huge success of the next two tours.

Interestingly, and perhaps obviously if, like me, you've seen Martin wear a hat, then not wear a hat then wear a hat again on 101, not all the live footage came from the Rose Bowl. As Depeche Mode Classic Photos & Videos Facebook Group have discovered, in addition to the Rose Bowl footage, the shows that feature in the film seem to be those in Arlington (13 May 1988), Houston (14 May 1988), Philadelphia (27 May 1988) and Mansfield (7 June 1988). There may be more though so if you know, get in touch with Depeche's own forensic detectives at that superb Facebook group.

62. The Video
Kids today might not be familiar with video cassettes. You used to watch a film on one then, rather than simply watch it again, you had to rewind it. Life was tough then. The video was the format of choice in 1989 however and that's how 101 was released. Many people of my age or younger (slightly) will be nodding their heads nostalgically as they read this.

A video cassette. Ask your parents. Or grandparents

63. The DVD
On 9 October 2003 (in the UK anyway), Depeche leapt into the future we were already in by releasing the film on DVD. This was huge really as none of us had video players anymore. The dvd was a double release featuring the film on 1 disc with additional commentary from the band, D A Pennebaker and Chris Hegedus. Disc 2 features the Story of 101 documentary in full (see 12 above) and live tracks (Master & Servant, Pimpf, Behind The Wheel, Strangelove, Blasphemous Rumours, Stripped, Somebody, Black Celebration, Pleasure Little Treasure, Just Can't Get Enough, Everything Counts, Never Let Me Down Again) and interviews with Dave, Martin, Andy, Daniel Miller and Jonathon Kessler along with three of the bus kids - Christopher Hardwick, Oliver Chessler and Jay Serken.

There was a DVD screening in London on 9 October 2003 at the Prince Charles Theatre. D A Pennebaker, Chris Hegedus and Fletch.

Picture courtesy of Depeche Mode Classic Photos & Videos Facebook Group

64-71: The Kids On The Bus

64. Oliver Chester

Oliver, he of the blue hair, is now a successful recording artist known as The Horrorist. His best moment in 101 was surely having his hair poked and prodded by the bewildered diners in the diner.

65. Sandra Fergus

At the time to 101 Sandra and Oliver were an item. Sandra's was no fan of Elvis as you may recall.

66. Christopher Hardwick

My favourite bus kid. The Vivian moment (see below), his heroic booze intake, dropping booze in the truckstop and so on all make him the star of the bus.

Oliver, Sandra and Christopher (c) Christopher Hardwick

67. Mia Decaro

Mia is picture above with Martin and Fletch.

68. Jay Serken

Jay seemed like one of the quieter, saner bus kids. "Guns N Posers...."

Jay (right)

69. Liz Lazo
Here's Liz and some guy who I recognise but can't quite place

70. Chris Parziale

Chris was very quiet, seemingly the most sensible one of the group. 

71. Maggie Mouzakitis

101 was just the start of Maggie's music career - she ended up being Oasis' tour manager for 13 years. That seems more of a sentence than a job but it must have been interesting. Here she is with one of her clients

72 - 74 But there were other people involved too

As well as the kids and occasional band members, who else was on or near the bus?

72. Dave Charest

The true hero of 101, Dave was given a job many other people wouldn't have taken yet did it without complaint. We salute you Dave. He was also responsible for some of the film's best one liners as we shall see later

73. Tamsin Lee

Listed on IMDB as Cruise Director (odd), Tamsin makes a couple of appearances. She's in the middle below beside Liz at the concert

74. Marcello Romero

Marcello was the Tour Guide apparently. That's all I have. Here's a picture of Martino Gorero instead.

75 - 101: The Best Bits of 101

As a general rule, Depeche Mode fans love 101 and everyone has favourite moments from the film. I certainly do, but in an attempt to (a) make this more of a democratic process and (b) help my 101 addled brain keep going, I opened this part to the Black Swarm to see what they liked about 101. Many of the highlights mentioned were ones I considered highlights too. Here then, in no order at all, are the best bits of 101.

75. Announcing a Concert For The Masses

Riding in in a Cadillac, throwing a football, saying ni hao to China and announcing a concert in the Rose Bowl. Wait. Depeche Mode in a stadium? In America? That'll never work...

76. Alan explains everything

Admit it - you love this bit. A bit of Black Celebration, some metal bashing and Alan in full on technical mode. Lovely stuff, to quote Alan Partridge. And no, Alan isn't coming back to Depeche Mode. Ever. Accept that and move on.

77. I said "Smile..

...motherfucker, smile." Charmed - clearly not a fan.

78. Chris can't hold his drink

Literally. "I fucked up."

79. We play butt naked

80. We're keyboard players, we don't move

81. I will sing for tickets 

"Well...you got three of the words right"

Three in one here in this glorious piece of radio show buffoonery:

82. Dave Gahan vs Taxi Driver

Dave pre mid Atlantic accent, Dave hitting the taxi drive, the taxi driver's trousers falling down...what more do you want?

83. Dave and Martin suddenly realise what's going on

The moment they look at each other and smile is just superb.

84. Vivian
"Oh Vivian/look what you've done/You shagged Chris' friend/in his own bed/on 101/Oh Vivian"

Did Chris ever return the videos I wonder?

85. The alternative dance party from hell
86. Fletch just bums around
87. Fletch forgetting that Martin is a better guitar player than him

Another three in one here. Ah... the Country and Western shop. Fletch has a go on an acoustic and then Martin says "Stand aside my friend...this is how you play guitar." And then he buys every cassette in the shop.




88. Don't Dance Too Much
Wise words Mrs Dacaro, wise words.

89. Chris gets a little drunk
Tequila, worms, loads of beer - you just know a night out with Chris would be fun.

90. Oliver and Chris attempt Route 66.
It fools no-one.

91. Who do you think I am...
Fucking Wordsworth?

92. Let's go back to the hotel
Sorry Dave. Too late. Although Alan does appear to have his bag with him so maybe he was up for it

93. "This means nothing.."
"No, no....this means something." And from that day forth, Depeche Mode collectors around the globe would pay fortunes for those stickers. Years after the tour ended. When the stickers simply wouldn't work.

94. Blasphemous Rumours gets a little too much for someone
So much so that she forgets the tune. And the words.

95. Start The Tape
Tape starts, Pimpf starts, goosebumps. Every single time.

96. Dave introduces us (well me anyway) to Roxy Music
While playing pinball. Dave not me.




97. The band The Beatles could have been
Dave on harmonica (not to be seen again until his Reading Festival "performance" with Primal Scream), Martin on guitar and Daryl Bamonte on vocals tackling  I Saw Her Standing There

98. Parked your car on the corner last night
God bless you Dave Charest.

99. The Things You Said soundcheck
Martin soundchecks in front of the kids before the live track takes over. A gorgeous moment.

100. Dave in his black pants
This received a large number of nominations on Facebook. A large number.




101. Never Let Me Down Again
A towering version of the song culminates in Dave standing on top of a large platform waving his arms. Again - goosebumps every single time. A phenomenon begins...

Thank you very much. We'll see you next time
I hope you've enjoyed this and not taken it too seriously. Any Depeche fan will tell you how important 101 is as a film and album and it's certainly something worth celebrating. Feel free to tell me how many of the Top 25 moments are wrong by the way. All I've got to do now is think of 101 more things for the 40th anniversary.