Mediaboss Marketing

We dont agree on anything the alt-right stand for: Martin Gore Photograph: Travis Shinn

Afternoon, Martin! A couple of years ago I asked your mate Dave what the next Depeche Mode album would sound like. That, he said, was the million-dollar question. Turns out your new album sounds like a Depeche Mode album.

Yes! There are certain things we cant get away from as a group and we do have our unique sound. Having a singer with a distinctive voice makes songs instantly recognisable there are so many bands that have interchangeable singers and I never know who they are.

Is there ever a point where you think, lets do an acoustic or tropical house album, or is it always, lets do what we do?

With this album, we followed the demos we worked with James Ford (1) and he helped mould them into something bigger and better. When we met James one of the first things he said was that he likes to work quick. Well, weve heard that a few times in the past. But the whole thing was done in just three months we managed to cancel a six-week session in New York that we just didnt need.

Did you get a refund on the studio time?

They were very good about that and yes we did get a refund.

Are there enough artists talking about politics?

I think its coming; a lot of artists will release albums over the next six or 12 months and they will be a bit more worldly. Its just that I had an inclination two years ago that the world was in a terrible place.

Ive got to be honest, I kind of miss two years ago.Well, yes. I mean back then I didnt know wed be in an even worse situation now. When I started writing the album I did think we were heading down a dangerous path but its a fine balancing act I wasnt sure if it would be received well, and maybe if Trump hadnt been elected and Brexit wasnt under way, wed be seen as preachy popstars now.

In a strange way, given that it turned out the alt-right are big Depeche Mode fans (2), it actually was a bit of a risk. Imagine their little faces when they put on the new album by their favourite band and it told them they were idiots.

Yeah! I mean that statement from Richard Spencer, for us, came at a point where everything in the world seemed so crazy and we felt as if there would be nothing that could come at us from leftfield. And then that happened! I mean where did it come from? We dont agree on anything they stand for. You could probably pick any one of our albums and thered be a track with lyrics totally contrary to what they believe. Its really baffling.

How are you gearing up for the punishing schedule of your forthcoming one-date UK tour? (3)

It will be the first time weve played a proper stadium here for a long time. Were fairly used to doing that in the rest of Europe. Believe it or not, we thought it was a risky undertaking when we first took it on but it sold really quickly we had to increase the capacity.

Some of the more expensive tickets include a VIP party package including a pre-show Indian buffet. Is it a particularly high-end Indian buffet? Surely popadoms are popadoms.

I havent actually heard about this, so I dont know very much about it. But packages like that are a good way of us keeping the touts at bay a bit.

Do you keep your tomato ketchup in the fridge, or in the cupboard?

Well, I dont actually like ketchup. My family keep it in the fridge.

How about eggs?

I dont eat eggs either. But my family keep them in the fridge too. (4) When I was at school, I had a job in Tesco I was the egg man. My job was to go out every 20 minutes and look at all the boxes of eggs and see if there were any broken eggs. And virtually every box on the top had a broken egg in it. It was my job to take the broken ones out, clean the boxes up and put the fresh boxes back out. Then Id go out 20 minutes later and theyd all be broken again.

During this period did people sing I Am The Walrus at you?

No, but I did like being the egg man.

Whats the best Depeche Mode song?

I dont know if I actually have one favourite. There are so many songs out there!

Im going to have to push you. When I asked Dave this question he gave me an answer. It was the wrong answer, but it was still an answer.

How can there be a wrong answer? (5) I mean, you know, I really like this track we put out called Surrender (6) it was an extra track on Only When I Lose Myself. It really didnt get a lot of attention but I think the melody and the chords in it are really good.

Have you ever burst into a room and shouted GORE BLIMEY!

Have I what? Er No. I dont think I have.

Do you not think that would be quite good?

Er. Not really. I think people would think Id lost the plot. I had many years of being out there and doing weird things to be honest, I think people would just think Id just started drinking again.

(1) Noted producer for acts including Florence + The Machine, Arctic Monkeys, Foals and Klaxons.

(2) In February, neo-Nazi Richard Spencer told New York magazine that Depeche Mode are the official band of the alt-right. When asked about Spencers comments, Dave Gahan told Billboard: Hes a cunt.

(3) In fairness its a pretty big one date theyre playing at the London Stadium on June 3.

(4) You thought this line of questioning wasnt going anywhere, didnt you? Prepare to be amazed.

(5) Dave chosen Condemnation, from Songs of Faith and Devotion. The correct answer is Enjoy the Silence.

(6) WRONG.

See the original post here:
Depeche Mode's Martin Gore: 'The alt-right liking us is baffling' - The Guardian