It's been a while since I last posted and it's also been a while, nearly eight years in fact, since the Museo was last open. Eight years? There have been two Depeche Mode world tours in that time. Anyway, the Museo has been refurbished, the exhibits polished and so here we are. Rather than look at a rare release this time, I decided to have a look at a few things I have that you can't play.
As you can imagine, I've accumulated a lot of Depeche related stuff over the years and, though much of it seems fairly strange, it's nice stuff to have. Here are a few highlights. This post will feature on the usual social media places, so please feel free to add you own there. These are in date order to give the post a pleasing symmetry.
1985 - SOME GREAT REWARD US TOUR CREW T SHIRT
From the front, this looks like a perfectly ordinary Depeche Mode t-shirt from the mid 80's. However, when you turn it over....
As you'll see, it's a T-Shirt that was provided to the crew on the tour. This is the genuine article and is very rare. I've not worn, nor will I, so it stays with the other, younger DM t-shirts in the drawer they share. Yes, of course I have a specific drawer for them.
1988 - CONCERT FOR THE MASSES FLYER
This again is the genuine item. A number of flyers for the legendary Pasadena Rose Bowl gig have been kept safe fro over 30 years and I was able to get my hands on one earlier this year. It's A5 in size.
1990 - VIOLATOR HMV SHOP DISPLAY
Not a lot to say about this one really. It's from HMV and was displayed in one of their shoips.
You know where this one is going don't you? It's a SOFAD era cardboard display thing from a shop.
1993 - SONGS OF FAITH AND DEVOTION CANDLE
It was the early 90's and with Depeche Mode in their Songs Of Faith And Devotion phase, promo items took on the theme of the era. The American record company released this promotional candle so that fans could recreate Dave's dressing room of the time in their own homes. The candle came wrapped in cellophane. Mine still is and I thus far resisted the urge to light it to see if it smells of as Devotional gig. Also released around this time was a roll of packing tape (France) and some Walking In My Shoes baseball boots (do you see what they did there?). There was also one other things.
1993 - SONGS OF FAITH AND DEVOTION PROMOTIONAL INCENSE BURNER
This is another innovation by the band's American record company. The incense burner comes with a chain around it so that you can swing while performing acts of faith and devotion. There is a metal tag on it and that says Depeche Mode on one side as you can see above.
On the reverse of the tag we have the album title and the Sire and Reprise logos.
That's what it looks like when you open it up. They are near impossible to find in mint condition. If you get one of those, it should come in a box. Mine has very much been used though will polish up nicely if I ever get round to it.
1998 - THE SINGLES 86-98 PROMO CUBE
Like the shop displays, not really sure what I can add here. It's a cube and it promotes the album The Singles 86-98.
See?
2014 - DELTA MACHINE PRIVATE PLANE SEAT COVER
"What's in the package?"
"Erm..."
"Not another bloody record. Surely not. "
"NO! It isn't a record. Promise."
"It looks like one. What is it then?"
"It's really cool. It's a seat cover from the band's private plane on the Delta Machine tour. Genuine article too. There aren't too many of these. What do y....."
*other person leaves room*
2024 - MEMENTO MORI VIP GIFT BAG
For the band's Glasgow gig earlier this year, I went for VIP tickets. No idea why really as they cost money that could easily be better spent elsewhere but getting one meant I got a free gift. Exciting times. It starts with the toilet bag show above. But what is inside?
An eye mask and a candle is the answer.
That's the candle box there.
There's the candle tin. It says Depeche Mode on it as you can see. Thrilling.
And finally, the candle itself. It is cedar scented apparently.
There we are then - a trip around the stranger parts of my collection. Next time, I'll go back to looking at the band's rarer releases in worrying detail. Look out for that soon.