Sent to members of the official Depeche Mode fan club around Christmas of 2001, the Commemorative CD was the third title exclusively distributed with BONG magazine. The CD features all five past and present band members, as well as Daniel Miller and Anton Corbijn, answering interview questions. The origin of the clips is a radio documentary about Depeche Mode, aired on BBC London 94.9 FM in May of the same year, made to promote the studio album Exciter. Only the answers are included on the Commemorative CD, while the questions are listed in issue 50 of BONG magazine.
CD promo interview – UK
BONG magazine & BBC London – BONGFAN1 (issued in December 2001)
Vince Clarke
- What got you into music and start a band? 0:40
- How did you meet Fletch and Martin? 0:18
- How did synthesizers end up becoming part of the band? 0:39
- What was it that lead you to want to leave Depeche Mode? 0:28
- Has the success of the group surprised you? 0:34
Daniel Miller
- Why do you think Depeche are so successful in Europe? 0:54
- Did the band’s success in America surprise you? 0:32
- Can you recall your initial reaction upon hearing Enjoy The Silence? 1:22
- Did touring ever concern you, especially when Depeche started getting bigger? 1:22
- How important do you think it was that the band completed Ultra? 1:11
- Where does Exciter find Depeche Mode? 1:48
- Why have they lasted the course for so long? 1:43
- What has working with the band meant to you? 1:30
Anton Corbijn
- How did you first get involved with the band? 1:46
- Do you think your work fits well with Martin’s music? 0:35
- How would you explain your relationship with Depeche Mode? 1:16
- What do you view as your best work? 1:12
- Do you have any favourite Depeche records? 0:27
Alan Wilder
- Can you remember the audition you had to take before joining the Depeche touring wagon following Vince’s departure? 1:22
- Is it fair to say that the band were pioneers of sampling? 0:55
- Do you believe that the bands internal tensions during the recording of Black Celebration was ultimately what made it such a great record? 1:08
- How did the band decide which tracks they would release as singles? 0:33
- What was the reason behind selecting the Pasadena Rose Bowl for the 101 concert? 1:05
- How do you recall the recording sessions for Violator? 1:45
- Were the band happy with Songs Of Faith And Devotion? 0:58
- Do you feel proud of your time with Depeche Mode? 1:05
Andrew Fletcher
- Why do you think the Depeche phenomenon took off in the US? 1:37
- Can you recall your memories of the 101 gig? 1:24
- How did Depeche decide which singles to release from Violator? 1:28
- Looking back what memories do you have of recording Ultra? 0:46
- Does it bother you that the UK press on the whole don’t embrace you as much as their foreign counterparts? 0:49
- What influence do you think Depeche have had on music? 0:37
- Why have the band, and your success, lasted for so long? 0:48
David Gahan
- Who inspired you to want to join a band? 1:21
- Are there any defining moments that spring to mind when you reflect over the last 21 years? 0:39
- If there was one image to encapsulate your time with Depeche Mode, which one would it be? 0:37
- What would you say each of you bring to the band? 1:38
Martin Gore
- Are you conscious of not duplicating what you’ve done in the past? Does it get harder as time goes by? 0:26
- What sort of music were you listening to and being influenced by, prior to going into the studio to record Exciter? 0:45
- What sort of themes have been covered in Exciter? 0:24
- Which bands were inspiring you to want to be in a band? 0:21
- How would you sum up the relationship Depeche mode have with their fans? 0:23
- How would you describe your present relationship with each other? 0:33
- You’ve suggested that Depeche are seen as outsiders. Would you have it any other way? 0:25
- In view of the band’s history, how do you think you have managed to stay together? 1:05
Depeche Mode – Commemorative CD
- interviews conducted by Tony Wood
- originally produced by BBC
- highest chart position N/A
- 2001 Depeche Mode was Andrew Fletcher, David Gahan, and Martin Gore
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