A MEMENTO: DEPECHE MODE - GOLDEN 1 CENTER, SACRAMENTO 23 MARCH 2023

 

Welcome back. The A Memento blog project starts here and it could start in no better way than with a review from Glen Hammarstrom, the man behind Breathing In Fumes, the only Depeche Mode podcast you will ever need. Glen attended the opening night of Depeche Mode's Memento Mori World Tour and here is his review. All pictures are Glen's.

As I sit here staring at a blank screen I am asking myself why did I offer to do this? Why did I jump up as fast as I can to be a part of this? Because David is a supportive friend and I want to be a part of anything he does. That’s why. Then the weight of the moment hit me, “I don’t think I’m the right person to capture the moment for this amazing project”. Like a lot of you, I too have devoted an immeasurable amount of mental and emotional bandwidth to this band and went on a minor mental journey as I prepared for tonight’s show in Sacramento. Not only have I never attended a tour opener, I had never attended a show without Andy Fletcher on stage..

I was watching all the TV performances, listening and reading all the interviews, consuming all the fan reactions, and all the usual stuff we fans do as the new album and tour is rolled out. Then suddenly I started thinking about, “wait, this is the tour opener” and I froze... for lack of a better term. I had slowly been distancing myself from conversations and group chats with friends who get info early and mentally accepted the fact that I want to walk into tonight's show blind. Being at the nerd level of fan that I am, I have known the set list of the shows and heard the album in advance from Devotional on. I have seen them before ’93, but had the shows spoiled from that tour on. I knew every moment, every turn, every nuance of the Global Spirit Tour before the band stepped on stage. I didn’t want that with tonight. A week ago they did a rehearsal show and fans were posting the set and luckily I didn’t see it, but I had to take a break from social media if I had any chance of reaching my spoiler free goal. 

It was a surreal moment walking into the arena not knowing what was going to happen, a refreshing one at that. I know if you’re reading this, you’re not one to wait and I get it. I am the same way and probably would have done the same if I wasn’t attending tonight. At this point the album had leaked and I knew fans were listening to it, but I didn’t. I wanted to hear and soak in the new songs they picked to showcase the record live. I can listen to the album tomorrow and think about why they chose the songs they did. And I am so glad I did.

To circle back to the emotional bandwidth comment above, I was also feeling the weight of the first show without Andy. I wore my Andy Fletcher shirt in his honour. And I being the over obsessed fan that I am, I found myself thinking about the strangest things. Things that are none of my business, yet things a person this invested would think. Or at least assume they do. Like how nervous are they, how the pre show bear hug would be without Andy, walking on stage and his keyboard rig and presence would be missing, family and close friends in attendance reactions etc. I know that sounds a bit involved, I didn’t obsess on it, but these were things floating in and out my mind as today progressed.

Not that a Depeche Mode show needs anything else added to the experience, but I was able to see so many long time friends and meet online friends in person for the first time that travelled in for the show, it just made it that more special. I wish I could have seen more, but there is only so much time. We skipped Kelly Lee Owns to spend more time with family and friends, but could hear her set and it sounded good. I usually skip the openers to be honest, but I’ll probably watch one of her sets at an upcoming show. Nothing against her of course, I quite like her music. 

Enough about all that, let’s get into the show. Obviously anything moving forward is going to be FILLED with spoilers, so stop reading if that’s not your thing. By the time this gets posted, everything about the show will be out there, but I’ll share some of my insights from the show. As we said our goodbyes to friends and headed to our seats, the preshow techno set started and the energy in the arena started to build. Interestingly, it wasn’t mixed, just songs played back to back. So maybe it hasn’t been recorded yet or Mart didn’t mix a set this year. Same energy, just a detail I noticed. The lights go out and I am really in a sombre state, “this is it, first show without Andy.. I hope they’re ok” which I have no reason to feel, but I do. The intro starts in the dark and they stay in this moody dark setting for My Cosmos Is Mine and it’s is AWESOME! Peter walks out and plays live bass for it as well, so that just added a different tone for the opener. I think the music combined with Anton’s amazing visuals put on a mood worthy of the Memento Mori aesthetic. 

The stage reminds me of a blend between the Singles, Exciter, and Delta tours. The placement of the band is a little different, but I love the overall layout. Seems like Mart’s station might be in Dave’s way, but Dave tended to move to the back of the stage more than side to side this time. Big catwalk of course. The flow and the energy was really good. I loved the flow and pacing of the last tour, it’s very similar, so take from that what you will. One thing they did that I have never really seen them do is use arrangements that were used on previous tours. Same intros, same everything. Considering the Covid pandemic and Andy’s passing, I could care less. But I can already see fans bitching about that before the song was even finished. For example, the same intro versions for Everything Counts and Wrong were used, among others. It didn’t bother me, but I can see fans saying it’s lazy. It’s not. And who knows, maybe this is just for the small amount of dates they are playing to promote the record. They could change it for the rest of the tour.

They looked like a band that was ready to play. Dave was in full Dave form and used every space the stage offered him. It’s odd seeing him on the small stages for the tv performances, he needs the space. Also, his voice sounded as amazing as ever! How he maintains his vocal range is beyond me. Mart’s voice was beautiful as always and I am still trying to process the majesty of Soul With Me. While it was only performed acoustic with Peter, it was so moving. The album hit Spotify at midnight, so after the post gig party.. that was the first song I put on from the album and listening to it at least 10 times in a row. Just.. wow. Everything else was a traditional Depeche gig for this era of the band. Just amazing, 10 out of 10 with Sister Of Night being the one true jaw dropper of the set. I was floored. After they finished Dave said, “We’ve never played that one live… It’s a good one” or something to that effect. 

Ok, the Andy moment. World In My Eyes. No intro from the last tour, but after the first few bars played, huge photos of him appeared on the backing screens. The photos moved slowly from his glasses coming on, to his eyes closing, to him covering his eye. The band knows that the fans know this was Andy’s favourite song and I am so glad they played it for him. During the set Dave motioned towards Andy a few times and bowed to him as well. When it ended, Dave said “That’s for Andy Fletcher”. No funeral, just a fitting honour to Andy. That’s all it needed... it was perfect. On a personal note, I got to meet Daniel Miller after the show. I have never met him, and I got the opportunity to thank him for all the amazing music and chat a little about a few things. Just shaking his hand after seeing a tour opener… I don’t even know how to express it, so I won’t. Simply put, it was amazing and to experience these moments with family and friends just made it that much more special.

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Thanks very much Glen.

Breathing In Fumes - https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/breathinginfumespodcast

Home -https://depeche-mode.com/home/

GUEST BLOG NUMBER 3 - GLEN HAMMARSTROM

As you surely all know already, Glen Hammarstrom is the mastermind behind Breathing In Fumes, the only Depeche Mode podcast you could possibly require. He is also a Administrator on top notch Depeche fansite Home (www.depeche-mode.com) and just an all round good guy.

For today's guest blog, Glen has prepared this exclusive Depeche Mode Violator era audio tribute for your listening pleasure, and below, he explains how it came about. We both hope you enjoy it. Thank you very much Glen.

As I started to put this mix together, I knew it was material every Depeche fan had listened to a thousand times and I was hoping to find an interesting angle for something so familiar. So I went digging and tried to find clips and remixes to make this tribute a mix of both the obscure and the familiar.

It starts with trying to capture the excitement of 1990 and then moves through the years as the mix progresses. While I mixed a few tracks, I don’t really consider this a traditional DJ mix,  just an audio tribute that was built in the same spirit I would put a DJ mix together.

As I listen back to the clips I pulled, I realised this mix has quite an American perspective on it. Being based in The States, I guess that’s to be expected. Also, it might just be a snapshot of how obsessive the fans are here and how the band would go on to explode with the release of Violator. If anything, that might be an interesting listen to for Devotees outside of this market. At least I hope it feels that way.

LIVE REVIEW: DEPECHE MODE, SAP CENTER, SAN JOSE, 8 OCTOBER 2017

This one is a bit out of sync but that does not matter one jot. Today's reviewer is Mr Breathing In Fumes also known as Glen Hammarstrom. You all know Glen, either from the unmissable Breathing In Fumes, or his work on Home, or his vinyl obsession or his regular online radio show Disappear where he broadcasts deep house from deep in Modesto. You might also actually know in which case you will simply know him as Glen. In the odd world of the internet, Glen is one of those people who has become a friend even though we've never had the opportunity for him to pretend he can understand my accent face to face. I'm delighted he's written a review for the project and here it is. There's also no need to apologise for anything Mr H. All words Glen's, all pictures from Depeche Mode Classic Photos & Videos Facebook Group.

Picture courtesy of Depeche Mode Classic Photos & Videos Facebook Group

First thing, I can't believe I have taken this long to get this to to David. I am embarrassed and very sorry and publicly apologize to David for turning in my review so late. He is always so generous and supportive of my projects that I am thoroughly annoyed with myself that I have let him down like this. It's no reflection of him, my view of the blog, or anything other then life/work getting in the way. "Weeks turn into months, Months turn into years..." 

While I do write for Home, the last thing I am is any kind of writer. Most of the time I feel like I am just stumbling trying to find the words to present things there in a some what interesting way. It's often a struggle and a confidence trying experience most of the time, so much so that I have to start this review expressing my self awareness of my limitations. That being said, I hope you'll hang in there with me as I share my thoughts on Depeche Mode's stop at the SAP Center in San Jose, CA on October 8th.

Picture courtesy of Depeche Mode Classic Photos & Videos Facebook Group

Writing a review is tricky, it's just my personal perspective of the night and anyone in the arena could have had a completely different experience then mine. That being said, here's my view of the night. Now, I want to start my review with a story of pure Devotee kindness. Originally I wasn't even planning on seeing the band that night. I had really good seats for the next show in Oakland and decided no to get tickets for San Jose. The morning of the show I realized I had to go and jumped online and got a ticket. I have never missed any of the bands Northern California gigs since the Violation Tour and even if my seats were awful, I would be there. I bought a cheap nose bleed seat and headed out to the show. I was sitting up there watching Warpaint, whom I love, and I text my friend Hector a quick "hello from the nose bleed seats". He text me back asking if I was alone, I was, and he text me back offering me ticket right down closer to the stage! Someone didn't show and he happily upgraded my seat for the evening. How generous is that? A big thank you Hector and you made the experience of the evening and the Global Spirit Tour just that much better.

Now there's no such thing as a bad Depeche Mode show. There just isn't. But.... (there's always a 'but') like the last few tours, the experience was one of conflict. Not in a bad way, but in a form of evolution and me struggling with my own preferences. I get it, the band has evolved through the years, especially live, and they want to present the songs in a way they see best serves the song live. Fine, but if I am being honest... there were moments in the show where I was having mixed feelings. I had seen the set list and a few clips and spoilers online, the norm these days, but I didn't sit and watch endless clips on YouTube just so I could experience it for myself.

(above - Breathing In Fumes 005 : A Spirit Tribute DJ Mix by Glen Hammarstrom)

I'm not one to sit and focus on the negative, I'm just not. I do, however, want to point out two negative themes that bothered me through out the show and those were Dave and Christian. That was not an easy sentence to write mind you, but I want to be honest. Dave is single handily the greatest front man of his generation. That's not even up for debate. And while I understand and admire he can engage the entire audience in those giant stadiums, he could tone it down a bit in the smaller arenas. At times, he came off as a little campy and trying too hard to be some "character" and it took me out of the moment more times then I care to admit. Not the entire show, but it was a bit much at times and he really doesn't need to do it. It's never been something I have noticed before, so it really stood out to me this tour. It bothered me more then his "yelling" singing style on the Exciter tour to be honest. 

I had more of an issue with Christian's drumming then anything. He just went a little to heavy on the drum fills and kind of ruined a few songs for me. I'm not anti live drums by any means, but he needs to dial it back... especially during Enjoy The Silence. I don't think the live drums work on some of the older songs and, to be honest, it kind of ruined Everything Counts for me a little bit. That amazing intro is one of the best things in years, literally, then when the drums kick in.. it was really anemic and would have been better suited with a programmed drum to really give it the right kick at the moment. Stephen Morris steps away from the drums on the songs that don't work well with live drums, why can't they? And I know, I watched all the Kerry Hopwood interviews and know they put the filters on the drums to make them sound more electronic. It wasn't that, it was like it just didn't fit right. Over all the drums were fine, but it was just more then it needed to be or not enough at times. That being said the drums add so much to other songs that I can't imagine them being performed without them. I don't normally notice the live drums bothering me at the show, it tends to be something that I notice later when I listen to the live albums or the Live Here Now releases. Which is the point, it's more about experiencing it live at the show then anything. Like with Dave... I just noticed it bothering me a the show for the first time rather then later if that makes any sense. Again, that's just me dealing with my inner conflict of their live evolution and my expectations. 

Picture courtesy of Depeche Mode Classic Photos & Videos Facebook Group

The only other downer were the people in my section. I know we're getting older, but seeing the fans sitting in my section for a majority of the set was kind of a let down. I even had someone behind me ask me to sit down as I was in their way! Which I didn't of course, but being asked was both silly and annoying. The section didn't really get moving until Everything Counts. San Jose is always a lively crowd, so that really caught me off guard. Once they got into it, the energy was amazing. I thought the over all pacing of the show was great and I was very pleased with the set list, visuals, and stage set up. Highlights were Corrupt and "Heroes" by a long shot for me with World In My Eyes, Going Backwards, and In Your Room being right up there. Not gonna lie, I got a little bored with the set list anchor songs like Walking In My Shoes, Personal Jesus, and  I Feel You, but they're so epic that by the end you kind of forget that you were eyeing the beer stands when they start. I feel like my review of the show is so negative. It's really not, the show was fantastic! I just wanted to share some elements of it that I was struggling with. Those same things were bothering me the next night in Oakland as well, but at least my section was into the show the entire time there. 

Picture courtesy of Depeche Mode Classic Photos & Videos Facebook Group

My last thought I want to share is one thing that really stood out to me and, again, another thing I just consciously started to notice recently was Andy. This really kind of stood out to me as I stood there watching in San Jose. As the live set up changes over the decades, I love that Andy is always that one constant element that's so deeply rooted into their DNA by being up there behind the keyboards the whole show. It reminds me of the past, but it's also a common thread that connects them to who they are today and how they used to perform their music live. They've added a drummer, Martin is on the guitar more then ever, Peter of course, but seeing Andy up there from the live band's original line up bringing that Kraftwerk element to them really is something I embrace and appreciate. 

Like any DM show, it's always nice to bump into fellow fans you have known through the years. Some longer then others, but always great to see so many familiar faces there.

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Thanks Glen.

HOME'S 25 YEARS OF VIOLATOR TRIBUTE

Many, including me, have written a lot of Violator based articles in the last couple of weeks and whilst it's good to read about the greatest album of all time ever by anyone, sometimes it's better to actually listen to the music. Luckily for you, top notch fan site Home (www.depeche-mode.com) has put together a tribute mix which you can listen to below. Compiled by Glen of Breathing In Fumes fame, the mix is a superb selection of period interviews, remixes and live tracks. Put down you work and listen to this - you'll love it

Once you've enjoyed that, go and visit Home, sign up to the forum and spend as much time as I do talking about Depeche Mode. 

DISAPPEAR X BREATHING IN FUMES LIVE MIX 11.11.14

I know you all listen to Breathing In Fumes (and if you don't you should) but did you know that the man behind the Podcast, Mr Glen Hammarstrom, also hosts a web radio show called Disappear? On that show, Glen usually plays a load of deep house records but for a one off special on what I'm going to call far too early on a Wednesday morning UK time 12 November, but what was no doubt lateish evening Modesto, California time 11 November, he changed it around and played a Depeche Mode only mix show.

For those of us who don't live in a time zone where listening live was possible, Glen has kindly uploaded the show to allow anyone and everyone to listen whenever and wherever they want. The tracklist is:

Intro
Clean (Colder Version)

My Little Universe (Sante Remix)

Policy Of Truth 2014 (Cranky Owls Deep Touch Remix)

In Sympathy (Breathing In Fumes ReWork) (NB - This is Glen's own remix)

Enjoy The Silence (Live In Berlin)

Only When I Lose Myself (Gus Gus Long Play Mix)

Precious (U.S. Radio Version Glen Re-edit) (again, one of Glen's)

Dangerous (When I Am Mix)

Monument (Reggaelectric Mix)

World In My Eyes (Live: Los Angeles 1998)

Never Let Me Down Again (Cubicolor Remix)

Behind The Wheel (DJ Meme 2014 Remix)

A bloody marvellous collection of remixes basically. Go and get it here

http://breathinginfumes.podomatic.com/entry/2014-11-11T23_19_41-08_00

and don't forget to check out the Breathing In Fumes Facebook and Twitter pages too

BREATHING IN FUMES 17- A DEPECHE MODE PODCAST

Glen's back again, this time with the 17th Breathing In Fumes. You'll all know by now how much of a fan of this I am and, as I've said many, many times before, if you are a Depeche Mode fan either casually or in the obsessed way Glen is (he knows I'm joking), then this is a must hear for you. 

This episode contains a few cracking tracks. The tracklisting is:

Intro

Martin Gore, Direct Relief (2014)

Higher Love (Higher Mix)

Should Be Higher (DJMREX Remix)

In Your Room (Dark Vibes Mix)

Waiting For The Night (Live Paris 2001)

A Question Of Lust (Live Milan 2006)

Dave Gahan 2009

When The Body Speaks (Acoustic Version)

The Sun And The Moon And The Stars (Electronic Periodic's Microdrum Mix)

In Chains (Myer vs Wilder Deconstruction)

The Struggles Of Ultra

It's No Good (Live London 1997)

Soothe My Soul (Black Asteroid Remix)

Lilian (Pantha Du Prince Raboisen Ecke Burstah Remix)

Outro

One thing Glen would like a bit more of are listener indents for the show. Feel free to contact him on any one of the addresses I'll list below. Send him something saying who you are, where you're listening and if you have time mentioning how great a blog this is (last one strictly optional) and, if you're intelligible and don't swear too much, he may well use it.

As ever Glen, thank you very much for all your hard work.

Check out the podcast at breathinginfumes.podmatic.com 

Breathing In Fumes Facebook www.facebook.com/BreathingInFumes

Breathing In Fumes Twitter https://twitter.com/breathefumes

Breathing In Fumes Blog breathinginfumes.wordpress.com

(Note - rival blog so read this one first ;) )

And finally, for pictures of rare Depeche Mode vinyl check out @breathfumes on Instagram

BREATHING IN FUMES NUMBER 16

Because of difficulties caused by The Man, Glen has had to change the format of Breathing In Fumes slightly meaning that it is now available as a stream only on Soundcloud. The good news for you though is that this changes absolutely nothing as regards your access to rare Depeche Mode interviews, live tracks, remixes and much more. Breathing In Fumes 16 is out now and features

Intro

Interview: Dave & Andy (1986)

Stripped (Michael ND Remix)

Nothing (Ziphop mix)

Enjoy The Silence (Richard X Extended Mix)

Interview: Dave Gahan BBC2 (2013)

Alone (Djedjotronic Remix)

Never Let Me Down Again (Cubicolor Remix)

Behind The Wheel (DJ Meme 2014 Remix)

Interview: Dave Gahan KROQ (1995)

Sister Of Night (Live Barcelona 2009)

Goodbye (Live Studio Version)

Interview: The band discuss Dave Bascombe for Music For The Masses

Outro

To get your hands or, more accurately, ears on this head to Glen's soundcloud page at

https://soundcloud.com/glen101/breathing-in-fumes-016

Once you've heard it go and tell him how good it is at the Breathing In Fumes Facebook page, on Twitter or at Home, the Depeche Mode forum where Glen basically lives. 

BREATHING IN FUMES 15 - OUT NOW

Once again, let me draw your attention to the fantastic Breathing In Fumes podcast, the only Depeche Mode podcast you'll need. Each episode host Glen Hammarstrom (Glen_101 on Twitter) puts together a show made up of rare Depeche tracks, live tracks, remixes and much more. It's 100% free to get so there is no reason not to go and get it now. As you'll see it features two support acts from legendary DM shows - OMD from the Rose Bowl and Electronic from Dodgers' Stadium in 1990. Very cool.  Links below

Tracklist for BIF 15

Interview from 120 Minutes, Crystal Palace 1993

I Feel You (Live from Crystal Palace 31/7/93)

Black Celebration (Live Birmingham NEC 10/4/86)

Artisan News - The Remixes 81-11

Personal Jesus (Alex Metric Remix)

Suffer Well (M83 Remix)

Interview - Dave loves Porsche

Nothing's Impossible (Demo)

Heaven (Justin Warfield Remix)

Dave Gahan - Bottle Living (Machine Head Lyric Remix)

OMD - Secret (Live Rose Bowl, Pasadena CA - 18/6/88)

Electronic - Patience Of A Saint (Live Los Angeles CA 5/8/90)

Podcast link http://breathinginfumes.podomatic.com/entry/2014-05-28T22_53_16-07_00

Breathing In Fumes Facebook https://www.facebook.com/BreathingInFumes?fref=nf

Breathing In Fumes Twitter https://twitter.com/breathefumes

I should also add that Glen has started a Breathing in Fumes blog that will contain all manner of Depeche related stuff. It is, of course, well worth a read. Well, once you've read my blog anyway ;)

Here it is http://breathinginfumespodcast.wordpress.com/

EXCLUSIVE: BREATHING IN FUMES - THE ALMOST PREDICTABLE ALMOST INTERVIEW

Breathing in Fumes is THE Depeche Mode podcast. Now onto its' 9th episode the podcast continues to gather momentum getting Depeche Mode fans around the world reappraising old mixes, listening to rare live recordings and thrilling at excerpts from long forgotten or sometimes previously unheard interviews with the band from 1981 to the current date. I am a huge fan of Depeche and the podcast and so I thought I'd ask Glen Hammarstrom, the man behind the podcast, a few questions to try and delve into BIF a little more. Be warned, Glen and I are both very much in the Depeche Mode uberfan camp. This interview therefore contains quite a bit of vinyl discussions.

BREATHING IN FUMES vs ALMOST PREDICTABLE ALMOST

For well over 20 years, Glen Hammarstrom from Modesto, California has been a Depeche Mode fan and collector and has been an Administrator at the fantastic Home website since 2004 keeping people like me in check on a daily basis. Glen is also a DJ and and has hosted the web radio show Disappear for the last 5 years playing choice deep house cuts for the masses. The newest edition of his Breathing in Fumes podcast is out today (22 October) so I thought it would be an apt time to ask him a few questions

1. The Breathing In Fumes podcast is a fantastic thing bringing Depeche Mode, if you'll pardon the the, to the podcast masses. What inspired you to start the podcast?

I have kind of messed around with music podcasts for the past few years, mostly posting up my DJ Mixes etc. As the internet progressed and sites like Podamatic and Soundcloud came about, well, it made doing them a lot easier. I would upload random ones to the HOME ftp but now I don't have to do that anymore. My buddy Mike and I got a little more serious about doing an organised podcast that focussed on classic alternative vinyl that we called Panic. We loved doing it, but sadly Mike moved back to Los Angeles and Panic is kind of on hold for the moment. Once day I started messing around making a new Depeche Mode DJ Mix and the first episode just came together spontaneously. I didn't set out to do a ode podcast, I just threw one up to see what people thought. I made a little mix, threw together an intro and put it out there. The reaction blew me away, so I have just kept going. Simple as that really

2. How long does it take you to plan the podcast? And how long does it take to mix?

Each one has been different really. Some have taken longer than others, but I tend to put one out once a month and that gives me plenty of time to work on them. I don't want to rush as I put a lot of thought into them so I want the podcast to be something people will enjoy. I make the podcasts in parts normally. I'll mix a few songs that I think work together and stop. That tends to get me thinking of other songs or give me ideas on interview buts etc. It keeps my perspective fresh on the episode if I take breaks and come back to it. Once I have all the parts done I do one last final mix and blend it all together as an episode. So each one has taken its' own time to put together. Love the ideas people send me and those suggestions are always appreciated!

3. Are there any Depeche Mode songs you wouldn't consider using?

Not really, no. There are songs in their catalogue that I don't like but not many really. There are songs that I want to use that are challenging to mix with. Most standard album tracks are really hard to mix if they don't have an intro, break or outro like a remix tends to have. That has seen a few songs not make it in yet. DM fans tend to have a pretty wide variety of tastes so I try not to let my taste get too in the way if possible.

4. Would it ever be possible to use The Great Outdoors in the podcast? There's a challenge for you....

Challenge accepted! That's one of the songs I haven't used yet because I was simply saving it for a future podcast. I like saving some songs to have material for later podcasts. If I am going to keep the podcast going I have to space out songs in order that they don't sound the same.

5. BIF8 focussed on the 80's era and you talked about People Are People being the Depeche song that hooked you in. Where and when did you first hear it?

It really did, yeah. I remember hearing it on the top 40 radio station my brother listened to back then. At the time breakdancing was the trendy thing my friends and I were into. While I had fun goofing around thinking we were the New York City Breakers, I found I was more interested in music than anything. I discovered electronic music and Kraftwerk from those early breakdance compilation records and they kind of set the foundation of my music taste on some level. I was also just getting into skateboarding and punk rock then too. Looking back as an adult I realise that I always loved music but around the age of 12 I vividly remember feeling like I was looking for something of my own. One day I heard People Are People and it was an instant love. It was the perfect blend of everything I was looking for in music. It was pop but it also had all this electronics going on. I wish I could describe the feeling, but it was a game changer and I have been a hardcore fan ever since. I had heard Just Can't Get Enough and Everything Counts but I didn't know it was the same band let alone Depeche when I was that age. I have a funny memory of reading the lyric sheet from Some Great Reward and thinking Dave was Martin as I assumed the singer wrote all the songs. It was a little later that I sorted out who everyone was - yes I was a dopey kid! People Are People and Clear from Cybrotron literally changed my life and my love affair with music and skateboarding continues today. I had a very similar reaction to The Smiths too.

Breathing in Fumes 009 - photo by Heather McAlister

6. Like me you tend to collect the odd bit of Depeche vinyl (slight understatement). What's your favourite Depeche Mode vinyl and what's the rarest you won?

I love that you're a fellow vinyl junkie! Depeche vinyl always comes first for me, but I do collect all their physical releases. I started on vinyl, so that might be why I suppose. I realized the other day that the first Depeche Mode CD I ever purchased was Violator since I didn't get a CD player up until around '89 or '90. So I am just from that generation and as a DJ vinyl will always be apart of the culture.... even in the digital age. I don't really have a favorite since I have so many memories tied up with the collection as lame as that sounds. Having rare, hard to find promos are great, but I find I have more love for the ones I have the most memories with. I look at the certain ones and remember who I was with when I bought it, what store it was at, what the song meant at the time etc. For me, there is nothing more satisfying as a music collector then finding a record when you're out digging in a record shop. I don't buy online from Ebay or Discogs, though I have grabbed a few from those sites as record shops are sadly disappearing more and more. Not sure which one is my rarest really, I need to look into that. I have some early promos that I know are pretty hard to come by. 

7. Give me your top 5 DM songs - straight off your head!

You're killing me here! To be fair, my Top 20 are almost all tied for the number one slot, but here are five off the top of my head in no particular order: "Lie To Me", "World In My Eyes", "Here Is The House", "Strangelove", & "Dangerous". 

8. We're approaching the tenth Breathing In Fumes . Any big plans for that?

No plans really, except to maybe go back and try some experiments that I never finished and see if I can get them to work. The Should Be Higher remixes are officially out now so I could see one of those show up in the tenth one for sure. The only one I have thought about as far as a future podcast goes is the the twelfth one as it marks the one year mark for Breathing In Fumes. I have a few people in mind for possible guest mixes (APA - I am always available!)  - who knows? We'll see. I have a lot if ideas but I'm not sure I want it to drift too far off as it's working fine the way it is.

9. What does the future hold for Breathing In Fumes? I think we all hope there are plenty more to come?

Not sure, just going to keep doing what I do I suppose! I have a lot of fun on Facebook and Twitter with little contests and song battles etc so I can see more of that if people enjoy it (APA - We do!). While I know people are interested in Depeche Mode its nice to have people enjoy the way I am presenting the music. It's not about me it's about the band. I'm just trying to do something that we fans might find interesting. That being said, and if I'm being honest, it's a tad scary to put so much of their music out there like this. While I know some would see it as promotion others might see it as giving away the music too. I'm trying to find a balance so that's why I am only putting them up one episode at a time. In today's climate it might seem weird to worry about putting something like this out but this is their art form and how they make their living so I don't want to be seen as taking advantage of that. I just do this for fun and sometimes the stress, even if I am only putting it on myself, makes me want to quit. (APA - DON'T!)

10. Have the band heard the podcast? Are they fans?

No idea but I doubt it. I couldn't imagine they would be interested to hear a podcast of their own music. They might like the idea of someone putting something out there about how much they love the band's music but I doubt they would listen to it. That said I would love to know their reaction to Peter Hook claiming that Enjoy The Silence was a rip off of New Order's Touched By The Hand Of God from that KRQO air check I put out on episode 5. I should just take the audio and send it in - they might get a kick out of it. Band members have mentioned to me that they check out HOME especially around the time of when they are touring so it might be on someone's radar in the band...but I highly doubt it. (APA - If you're reading this Martin, hello from me and please play But Not Tonight in Glasgow ;) )

11. Finally, anyone you want to thank? 

Thank you to everyone who supports the podcast and have donated prizes, listens or shared it with their friends. Big thanks to my fellow HOME crew members, Heather McAlister for her artwork, all your support here on Almost Predictable and my poor wife Elaine who has to put up with my lame music obsession! For info on the podcast head over to http://breathinginfumes.podomatic.com/ and HOME http://www.depeche-mode.com/

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Thanks very much to Glen for sparing me the time to answer my questions. Breathing In Fumes 9 is out today and can be grabbed on ITunes or on it's podomatic page here . The tracklisting for BIF9 is:

1. Intro

2. Dave, Martin & Andy (1997)

3. It's No Good (Andrea Parker Mix)

4. Freelove (Flood Mix)

5. The band discuss But Not Tonight

6. But Not Tonight (Live Austin, Texas 10/11/13)

7. Music Plus Id (1993)

8. I Feel You (Babylon Mix)

9. Precious (Michael Mayer Balearic Mix)

10. Sister of Night (Ida Engberg Remix)

11. In Sympathy (Live 5/10/09)

12. Live 105 Interview with Martin L Gore 9/26/13

13. The Sun And The Rainfall (Black Light Odyssey's Further Excerpts)

14. Peace (Justin Kohncke Extended Disco Club Vocal Remix)

15. Outro

Follow Breathing In Fumes on Twitter and Facebook
The podcast is available from the Podomatic page mentioned above and on ITunes.

Breathing In Fumes - A Depeche Mode podcast

A very quick post about my friend Glen Hammarstrom's fantastic Depeche Mode podcast called Breathing in Fumes. Podcast number 6 is about to be released and is a must listen for all Depeche fans.

As well as classic Depeche tracks the podcast also contains rare remixes, live tracks and interviews. Podcast number 5 contained a clip of Peter Hook claiming Depeche ripped off New Order's Touched By The Hand of God for Enjoy The Silence - yeah right. Anyway, go and grab all 5 podcasts and eagerly await number 6. If you're a Depeche fan you'll love it.

Follow Breathing In Fumes on Facebook, Twitter and even see what Glen has to say on his Twitter page (warning - he's a vinyl geek so that's really all you'll get there). The podcast can be found here or on ITunes.