CHAT MSN - Depeche Mode

DishDiva : Welcome to MSN Live! Tonight we are pleased to welcome Depeche Mode to MSN!
DishDiva : We have Andy here first!
DishDiva : Andy, how are you?
Depeche_Mode_Live : I just want to say a big hello to our fans, and thanks for buying the album, the album is doing well. We're rehersing right now and it's going great!
DishDiva : Let's get started.
DishDiva : sketchygal Asks: Where has been the funnest place you guys have performed at?
DishDiva : Oddest place?
DishDiva : Funniest place?
Depeche_Mode_Live : I think the funniest place was early on on our career we played Martin's Living Room with about 5 people and 10 teddy bears. Trying to get the crowd up.
Depeche_Mode_Live : We've played in too many fun places. There's some great highlights like Vancouver, New York, Milan, we're in a very fortunate position.
DishDiva : isdreamingon Asks: Now all us loyal Depeche Mode fans know where the band's name came from, but how long did it take you guys to get to it?
Depeche_Mode_Live : We had a very dodgy named called "Composition of Sound" and we didn't like it, and we heard of a French Magazine, and we kept for that and I think it was a good move.
DishDiva : mia Asks: Will your tour t-shirts have a picture of the Exciter album cover on them? I think this is the best cover ever produced and love the subtle phallic (male & female) imagery- not to mention how cool the flower looks. Anyway- would love to buy a t-
Depeche_Mode_Live : Yes, it will be available, plus some face t-shirts. We like the cover as well. It's one of Anton Corbin's best.
DishDiva : Modelicious Asks: Do you think you'll ever get back to your more dance oriented roots instead of letting others remix your tracks into more danceable versions? Do you think you'll ever work with Alan Wilder again?
Depeche_Mode_Live : I wouldn't say never work with Adan Wilder, but not in the near future. We haven't tried to make dance music and don't think of ourself as a dance band. Although we've been lucky to be played in clubs and a lot of our songs are dancable like "I Feel Loved", but we've never considered ourself a dance band.
DishDiva : punkboy Asks: What do you think about the early accidental release of your album, on napster and audio galaxy
Depeche_Mode_Live : We think it's generated a lot of interest in the group. We put a lot of effort into our websites and we relized it would be leaked and we've taken the view that it's been a good thing. Things need to be sorted out as far as publishing and releasing it, but we're not "anti" it.
DishDiva : UvealFool Asks: Is there any song you're sick of playing to the point that you won't play it any longer? on tour
Depeche_Mode_Live : Not reall, we're in a fortunate and unfortunate position. We have about 189 songs to choose from and it's difficult to pick a set. There are some songs we're sick of like "People are People" we don't think it's one of our best songs, although it's one of our most successful.
DishDiva : CureMe_1 Asks: In the video "In Your Room," what is the symbolism behind the light bulb? Thanks. Luv, Janine.
Depeche_Mode_Live : Most of Anton's videos confuse us and I'm sure they confuse the audience. (Iaughs) He uses a lot of imagry and doesn't explain too much of what's going on.
DishDiva : SlingingG Asks: What song off "Exciter" are you most excited to play live?
Depeche_Mode_Live : That's interesting because we're rehearsing at the moment. We're doing a new version of "Dream On" and "When the Body Speaks" sounds good as well. It's a challenge to play the new songs from the album and create a new atmosphere to the album.
DishDiva : wotongo Asks: Which video do you think you look best in?
Depeche_Mode_Live : (laughs!) There's plenty of videos that I think I look terrible in. It's hard because the new video for "I Feel Loved" we all look pretty good, even though we are getting on at the moment. (laughs)
DishDiva : FervidFetish Asks: I want to know if DM starts writing music with a tune in mind, or the lyrics and mood?
Depeche_Mode_Live : Well Martin writes the lyrics and basic song and then it's up to us to create the atmosphere, so I think he would say that the words would come first, but sometimes a melody would come first.
DishDiva : nikki Asks: Your songs are really intense. Do you feel that they also reflect your personalities? Or do you think you're pretty laid back?
Depeche_Mode_Live : I think we like making pop music that has a dark edge. I think sometimes our songs don't represent our personalities because we're "up" people. We do try to touch emotions with our music and I think we're very successful at doing that.
DishDiva : CngC*B#C,C'BC+C#C;tB%B2b" Asks: What was the song walking in my shoes actually about?Depeche_Mode_Live : Again, it's not me trying to duck out, but Martin doesn't like to talk too much about the meaning of songs. We feel that everyone has a different picture in their mind of what it is about and when you explain the writer's picture, it ruins the picture in your mind.
DishDiva : richard32372 Asks: I was wondering if being older men with families is influencing the sound of Depeche Mode?
DishDiva : vanillasky Asks: How do you view the current music scene? Do you think MTV caters too much to flash in the pans groups?
Depeche_Mode_Live : We're not 21 anymore, so we feel our sound is a bit more mature, but I think it still appeals to lots of people. I think the important thing is not our age, but our state of mind. We're all very happy and stable in our lives, which hasn't been that way for us in a long time.
Depeche_Mode_Live : We don't really mind boy bands, we don't like the music, but we know young kids like the music. Radio stations are playing a lot of bubble-gum pop, and we'd like to see more alternative music get more time.
DishDiva : Corvus00 Asks: What is the most rewarding aspect of a 20 plus year career?
DishDiva : Corvus00 Asks: What is the most rewarding aspect of a 20 plus year career?
Depeche_Mode_Live : I think just generally, for us, it's been in a group with your friends, traveling, playing music we love, and still be doing it successfully 20 years on.
DishDiva : Hey, Dave, how are you?
Depeche_Mode_Live : Hi! I'm good, how are you?
DishDiva : dyane05 Asks: What is the key to your happiness?
Depeche_Mode_Live : I have to kind of work on it daily to be honest. I've got nothing to complain about, I have a great life and I'm very grateful that I actually get to be part of it, each day brings new challenges and I have a great supportive family, wife and kids. I do a lot of things, I get up early with the kids, and always coffee first and then I like to go for
Depeche_Mode_Live : a run for about 5 miles, and then some exercises and then I'm ready to go for the day.
DishDiva : ariana Asks: Dave, which song do you get into singing the most emotionally? Thank you, Ariana.
Depeche_Mode_Live : We've just been singing some songs and "In Your Room" I just love the emotion of it.
Depeche_Mode_Live : It's on "Songs of Faith and Devotion." On this album I like "When the Body Speaks" and it's different every time, but when it's great, it feels so good!
DishDiva : ebilkitten Asks: Do you guys ever feel like you should have chosen a different profession?
DishDiva : ExcitedJonas Asks: Dave, do you still do yoga?
Depeche_Mode_Live : There's probably been times through the last 20 years, I think "what am I doing here"? I'm a closet guitarist and I'm a fan of blues guitarists. I've got like the best job in the world and get to express myself through my music and it's the best feeling singing to a crowd and they are all in tune together.
Depeche_Mode_Live : Just a little, not so much anymore. I really enjoy the high of running and the challenge as well.
DishDiva : Alinne Asks: Are you scared a little about going to a new tour?
Depeche_Mode_Live : Not today. (laughs) But some days I have been. Before I came out here with the guys I was in New York and the days went between fear and excitment, wanting to conquor the world, and the next want to hide under the covers. But I think everyone does that. I'm fine now though. (laughs)
DishDiva : personalexciter Asks: What has been the most exciting thing in your life ever?
Depeche_Mode_Live : I think watching my daughter Stella Rose being born. I don't think I've ever been so overwhelmed, she's definitely a gift and I'll have to thank my wife for that.
DishDiva : Have you written a song for or about Stella Rose?
Depeche_Mode_Live : Yeah, I have a couple of songs. Not with Depeche Mode, next year I'm going to do that and some other songs with her in mind.
DishDiva : Koreen68 Asks: Do you get to "see the sites" in the towns you play in?
Depeche_Mode_Live : Yeah. In fact on the last tour we did, I really made an effort to do that a lot more than I ever had. I don't really go out and go drinking late, I'm awake pretty early and it's nice to see the towns we're playing in and I plan to do that on this tour as well. Meet people as well.
DishDiva : chaton Asks: What will the set and atmosphere be like on your upcoming tour?
Depeche_Mode_Live : It's designed by Anton Corbjin. He's designed the set again, there will be some film and projections and some screens, one on top of the other. Basically we're all playing close together again, we enjoyed that on the last tour. The film stuff is kind of interesting. We're doing some songs as far back as "Music of the Masses." Martin will change som
Depeche_Mode_Live : some songs and also songs from the new album.
DishDiva : Viajero287 Asks: I am curious if you are a big reader. And if so, what authors/works have influenced you. I think your writing is just beautiful.
Depeche_Mode_Live : Yeah, I wouldn't say I'm a big reader. I'm much more of a watcher, things that visually stimulate me. I love movies, I like to see films. I like watching people, I get a lot from that.
DishDiva : Roseahi Asks: Aside from music and time with your families and close friends what do you fill your days with when you aren't touring?
Depeche_Mode_Live : Well, to be honest, in the last couple of years we've been working quite a lot, working on this album. Also I was writing with a friend of mine in New York. I walk my son to school every morning. I like to do vocal exercises, it makes me feel like I'm doing some work (laughs) and it also makes me ready to do work. Just go see movies, go out, and
Depeche_Mode_Live : spend time with my family.
DishDiva : remixxit Asks: I used to live in moutain view california. You most like perfoming at shoreline amphitheatre alot. Why do perform there so often? Is the sound there so good?
DishDiva : ES_dm Asks: Dave, what is your favorite computer game?
Depeche_Mode_Live : I think we enjoy playing there, I think we're playing there as well. There's a lack of indoor venues around, fans really seem to enjoy that.
Depeche_Mode_Live : My favorite one is "Crash CTR" it's a Playstation game.
DishDiva : AuthenticDancer Asks: Hello from Cajun Land! Are you going to taste some tradition and yummies when ya'll get here in NOLA?
Depeche_Mode_Live : Oh yeah, definitely! What is it Gumbo? We did that last time actually. I can't remember the name of where we went, it was "Mama" something. I think we're going to spend a few days there this time.
DishDiva : Favorite American food?
Depeche_Mode_Live : I like a good burger, can't beat a good burger.
DishDiva : Can't get good burgers in the UK anymore, can you?
Depeche_Mode_Live : I've lived over her for like 10 years, but no, you can't get a good burger over there.
DishDiva : I hear that whole hoof and mouth thing is pretty awful.
Depeche_Mode_Live : Actually I've been going to turkey burgers quite a lot lately.

DishDiva : And we now have Martin with us. Hey, Martin.
Depeche_Mode_Live : I'm good
DishDiva : NondoA Asks: Are you going to play "Home" during your line-up?
Depeche_Mode_Live : I'm not going to tell you with 100% certainty, because it's nice to keep it a surprise, but there is a possibility.
DishDiva : Panama_19 Asks: Martin, I love you voice in "Breathe"! have you ever thought of singing on more tracks?
Depeche_Mode_Live : Not really. I usually sing a couple of songs on each album and they are the ones that suit my voice. I think Dave's voice suits the songs better than mine, he has an agression in his voice that I don't have.
DishDiva : cartman Asks: Hi Martin. You write amazing lyrics. Do you use your personal experiences as material for your songs?
Depeche_Mode_Live : I always write in the first person, people often think I write for Dave but that's really not the case.
DishDiva : alanis says: You rock my world. Who rocks your world?
Depeche_Mode_Live : Picasso at the moment. I find him a funny character, I've been reading his biography, he makes me laugh.
DishDiva : You need to pick up an original Picasso. (laughs)
DishDiva : rocyon Asks: I've always hoped that DM write a James Bond theme! Any chances?
DishDiva : BlackCelebration Asks: Who wore more makeup in the 80's DM or the Cure?
Depeche_Mode_Live : No, I think that was some misunderstanding, we kept getting told we had been offered a James Bond film and asked where we'd be doing it, but I don't think it was offered realistically. And if it was, it wasn't considered seriously because we were busy doing other things. It's just one of those things, that didn't make it much past the VERY early
Depeche_Mode_Live : stage.
DishDiva : Ever embarassed looking back at those photos?
Depeche_Mode_Live : I think we wore more of an aray, they stuck to the lipstick and we had full-on blusher. It's very difficult explaining how you looked to your young daugher.
Depeche_Mode_Live : I do get embarassed, there are some that embarassed me. (laughs)
DishDiva : eaiel Asks: Hey Martin, was the Black Plague an inspiration at least in part for Black Celebration?
Depeche_Mode_Live : No. I didn't live through that.
DishDiva : LIANNE saysL What is your favorite dream or recurring dream?
Depeche_Mode_Live : This is very complicated, I had one recently where I was on top of an enormous pyramid, and could see over half the world and in the distance I could see black sanding stone of Mecca and the pyramid was revolving and I had to be careful not to fall off. Everything was golden, it was like some magical kingdom.
DishDiva : vanillasky Asks: Are your children musically inclined?
Depeche_Mode_Live : One will be 10 in a couple of weeks and has a great voice. One is 6 and likes it, but it's too early to tell yet. She's been told by both of her head masters that she has an angelic voice and they love listening to her sing.
DishDiva : jumpspinrollkick Asks: What is your instrument of choice?
Depeche_Mode_Live : Probably guitar because I started playing at 13 and it feels more natural to me and I find it easier to express myself on it. But I also LOVE playing around with electronics because I think that's how to keep songs interesting and modern.
DishDiva : pleasuretree says: Anything unusual you ask for backstage?
DishDiva : So, you don't ask for that anymore. (laughs)
Depeche_Mode_Live : Nothing too strange. We made the mistake in the past to get Vegitables to Moses (an Indian Dish) and got a hard pastry with vegitables in the middle.
Depeche_Mode_Live : Not in Eastern Europe! (laughs)
Depeche_Mode_Live : We take a foosball table backstage with us and we play every day.
DishDiva : Who is better? (laughs)
Depeche_Mode_Live : I'm the best. (laughs) Everyone thinks they are the best, obviously.
DishDiva : jaredsmom0 Asks: Martin, do your children come to shows. What do they think?
Depeche_Mode_Live : They come whenever they can. They love the concerts. My daughter actually came on stage with us when she was 2 in Hawaii. She asked if she could come on and Dave said ok, and she sat by the drums for the last song, there must have been a lot of racket going on there. (laughs)
DishDiva : Eggatron Asks: When do you feel you were at your best, or do you feel that you've yet to reach it?
Depeche_Mode_Live : I really don't know. I would like to think we're still making some of our best music, so hopefully we'll continue to do that.
DishDiva : FritzAMix Asks: Martin, "Breathe" has many biblical names, I was wondering if religion plays a part in this song and does religion or God play a big part in your life now?
Depeche_Mode_Live : I've never been into any organized religion, but I've always had a fascination with it. I thought using a biblical name in "Breathe" was be good, for me it touched on hypocricy and Christianity, the song is about gossip.
DishDiva : florence_00 Asks: Which decade of music is your favourite?
DishDiva : Amazing that we can even ask that question of you guys!
Depeche_Mode_Live : I would have to say the '70's because those were my formative years and it was really exciting to be around the "glam rock" and "punk rock" years.
DishDiva : Martin, thanks for joining us tonight on MSN Live. Guys, thanks!
Depeche_Mode_Live : Thanks to everyone that came online and asked questions! See you all soon!!!
DishDiva : Thanks to Depeche Mode and to Warner Brothers for tonight's great event!
DishDiva : The transcript from tongiht's event will be available tomorrow at chat.msn.com/msnlive