“A lot of people listened to Depeche Mode then. It wasn’t 10,000 or 100,000 people, it was the entire country listening to them. At night when I went to bed I would hear someone listening to them on their car radio, other times I would hear passers by humming Depeche Mode tunes…” - interview with a DM fan in the amazing 2006 documentary film 'Our Hobby is Depeche Mode' which I strongly recommend watching!
The 80s was a weird time and to my frustration has a way better reputation than it desverves. Yes music was better than today but it was the first step of the downfall of music. People who never should have touched an instrument were now able to make music and have massive hits because of programmable keyboards. The instruments sounded like fisher price instruments with a lot of reverb. Compare anything from the 80s to the 70s or 60s and tell me the instruments in something like synth pop sound good. They sound horrible. I don't dislike everything 80s some people like Vangelis or Laura Brannigan could make that sound work and way warmer. Not as cold and bleak as most of the 80s music especially synth pop. Synth pop was pure cancer. Before anyone accuses me that it's my nostalgia for the 60s or 70s speaking: I'm a 90s kid a late millenial to be exact. But even I was aware that by the time I was consciously listening to music the times of the true giants and geniuses like the Beatles, Stevie Wonder, Duke Ellington, James Brown, Jimi Hendrix were long gone. My generation has produced very little of note. I think that has partially to do with the commodification of music. Music has turned from something that was hugely influencial in art and politics (Bob Dylan for example) into just another thing you consume. Most people forget that the grunge era was only 4 years until it suddenly was considered out of fashion and completely disappeared. I also don't see Nirvana as really good music. It was just the best handmade stuff that was around at a time we were hungry for something to let our frustrations out. The radio was dominated by Eurodance and Techno in the 90s and we didn't have real rock hero's like my father's generation. The came Nirvana. They weren't as good as bands like Black Sabbath or Led Zeppelin but it was like giving a starving prisoner some bread and water. Of course he would think it was the best meal ever. We were starved. For anyone saying that it's just the old generation complaining about the new one. Do the following: Look up the top 100 billboard charts of 1966. There were more evergreens and music history changing hits in one year than the last decades combined. It's strange that offers us to express whatever we want due to all that techology yet we have so little to say. Same goes for movies. We could make the most amazing movies with all the technology we have (animatronics have advanced too) yet all we see is the regurgitation of the same old things. I think a huge factor is that Gen X and the following generations didn't have real challenges. We were well fed and secure. There was no world war nothing that truly threatened our existence. I think there is a reason why we call it the blues. A lot of art only exists because of suffering. Don't get me wrong I'm very happy not to have gone through what my grandma did in Germany during the war. But we surely have lost something.
Among so many video essays nowadays, this one felt so sincere and profound. I am glad I found it. The way you described how Russian fans treat DM as a spiritual thing rings so true. I think it applies to all of the eastern block. I am Ukrainian born in the 90s and became a devotee in late 2000s, but still I feel that sacred feeling for the band. By the way, one of the modern Ukrainian writers Serhiy Zhadan has a novel called Depeche Mode. The content is totally unrelated to the band, yet the band is an emblematic symbol of the mindset of young people during the 90s and 00s, hence the name.
@@ElevenYearz The 80s was a weird time and to my frustration has a way better reputation than it desverves. Yes music was better than today but it was the first step of the downfall of music. People who never should have touched an instrument were now able to make music and have massive hits because of programmable keyboards. The instruments sounded like fisher price instruments with a lot of reverb. Compare anything from the 80s to the 70s or 60s and tell me the instruments in something like synth pop sound good. They sound horrible. I don't dislike everything 80s some people like Vangelis or Laura Brannigan could make that sound work and way warmer. Not as cold and bleak as most of the 80s music especially synth pop. Synth pop was pure cancer. Before anyone accuses me that it's my nostalgia for the 60s or 70s speaking: I'm a 90s kid a late millenial to be exact. But even I was aware that by the time I was consciously listening to music the times of the true giants and geniuses like the Beatles, Stevie Wonder, Duke Ellington, James Brown, Jimi Hendrix were long gone. My generation has produced very little of note. I think that has partially to do with the commodification of music. Music has turned from something that was hugely influencial in art and politics (Bob Dylan for example) into just another thing you consume. Most people forget that the grunge era was only 4 years until it suddenly was considered out of fashion and completely disappeared. I also don't see Nirvana as really good music. It was just the best handmade stuff that was around at a time we were hungry for something to let our frustrations out. The radio was dominated by Eurodance and Techno in the 90s and we didn't have real rock hero's like my father's generation. The came Nirvana. They weren't as good as bands like Black Sabbath or Led Zeppelin but it was like giving a starving prisoner some bread and water. Of course he would think it was the best meal ever. We were starved. For anyone saying that it's just the old generation complaining about the new one. Do the following: Look up the top 100 billboard charts of 1966. There were more evergreens and music history changing hits in one year than the last decades combined. It's strange that offers us to express whatever we want due to all that techology yet we have so little to say. Same goes for movies. We could make the most amazing movies with all the technology we have (animatronics have advanced too) yet all we see is the regurgitation of the same old things. I think a huge factor is that Gen X and the following generations didn't have real challenges. We were well fed and secure. There was no world war nothing that truly threatened our existence. I think there is a reason why we call it the blues. A lot of art only exists because of suffering. Don't get me wrong I'm very happy not to have gone through what my grandma did in Germany during the war. But we surely have lost something.
Thank you for making this video. Depeche Mode is my favorite band in the world. Their music changed me in a way i can't describe. I've never related to a band so much.
Poland had a huge fanbase too, almost everyone's dad was a "depesz" - a subculture known only here. And it wasn't only in the 90's, after their first show in the 80's (1985) everyone went MAD about them. Metalheads and punks hated them for some reason. They were so popular, that some guys had "Gahan hairstyle" and Depeche Mode themed parties are still a thing lol. The thing died a lil bit in the mid-late 1990's, but the fanbase is still very much alive.
while being from Russia myself (however, a bit younger than people shown here, a child of those who were Dave Days participants), I feel this link to DM music on a somewhat spiritual level and I can only agree on all the conclusions that were made in this video thank you for it and best of luck in growing your channel a little feedback: text sometimes cannot be seen clearly due to being white on a white-ish background, but overall quality work
@@ElevenYearz I’ve only heard them the odd time here and there back in the 90s but your video has given me curiosity towards them (I actually really like electronic music any way so that’s good) especially the fact they are so popular in Russia as we need ways of building bridges with nations instead of burning them.
@@jamesskinnercouk 1981-1990 era Depeche is really what this video was focused on, and where I would start as a new listener. Speak & Spell all the way through to Violator is their strongest output. What’s fascinating is that the Depeche fans in this video were emulating an already decade old period of the band, as by the early to mid 90s their sound and aesthetic had changed dramatically.
It's kinda weird to see those Russian DM fans. They are clearly emulating 1980s Depeche Mode while in the 1990s DM was a completely different band compared to the 1980s. In the early 1990s the band went through a complete metamorphosis turning from a synthpop band to seriously alt rock band with Dave Gahan looking and acting nothing like he did in the 1980s.
I think the 80s are so romanticized because it is the oldest thing newer generations still have culturally a connection with since it was the early stages of technological advancements while at the same time being old enough that things are seen still as distant enough to be romanticized. As I said a lot of things were way better in the 80s but only compared to today. Compared to the decades before them it pales in comparison in terms of especially musical creativity. The instruments sounded like cheap toys for the most part. Even bands like AC/DC sounded not as full as in the 70s. Edit: Generally 80s music sounds cheap and just outright horrible. But they are only relfecting the spirit at the times. The cold war was still in full swing and living in brutalist buildings of course will make you write lifeless, bleak music.
This was genuinely amazing. I'm currently writing my diss on this topic, focusing on Hungarian music but also what music listening was like in the lead up to the 1990 fall. so it helps a lot, especially the bibliography in the bio!
Thank you, a lot of this video was pulled from my own MA diss research. A similar phenomena to this is Morrissey's fanbase in Mexico, maybe worth looking in to. Good luck with your studies!
Depeche Mode was big in Hungary behind the Iron Curtain, too. Hungarian DM fans, the "Black Army" dressed in black head to toe, sporting Dave or Martin haircuts. Communist police sometimes assumed they are some sort of Fascist gang due to the black shirts they wore. And anyone who was not there to sing "Happy Birthday, Martin!" in 1985 at the Volán pálya concert always remained a "new fan" for the old DM heads.
@@urhunn7778 hi! Yes that’s what im writing about specifically. There’s 101 klub in Budapest and my dad knows the owner, who knew the person or I think was the person who ran the depeche mode fan club. I didn’t know this specific event though, thank you for informing me.
Your videos are awesome man. You have a very sophisticated perspective. Would love to see more videos from you. Last Action Hero video was very well done.
Hi, I just found your channel today (the Last Action Hero video was recommended to me) and I've been watching all your videos, they're really good. The sound of your voice is mesmerising and the choice background music is always very fitting and not annoying or intrusive like a lot of videos. Keep up the great work, I can't wait to see what you talk about next.
This was such an interesting documentary. Its mind blowing how a band that many people, like myself, think of as a 1 hit wonder from the 80’s, garners such a devoted and enduring fan base whose connection to the music comes from a place I’m not sure I even understand. Great little video essay, really well done.
I think the 80s are so romanticized because it is the oldest thing newer generations still have culturally a connection with since it was the early stages of technological advancements while at the same time being old enough that things are seen still as distant enough to be romanticized. As I said a lot of things were way better in the 80s but only compared to today. Compared to the decades before them it pales in comparison in terms of especially musical creativity. The instruments sounded like cheap toys for the most part. Even bands like AC/DC sounded not as full as in the 70s. Edit: Generally 80s music sounds cheap and just outright horrible. But they are only relfecting the spirit at the times. The cold war was still in full swing and living in brutalist buildings of course will make you write lifeless, bleak music.
One the best bands ever ! I liked there hits as a child but never understood the music really just good electro pop ! But in my early 20’s I rediscovered them when I went on a big synth pop fade ! Human league’ John fox ‘ the associates ‘ naked lunch etc !!!! Great video ! Your channel deserves a lot more subs but you just got my sub off the back of the hellraiser video !!!
Depeche Mode was big in Hungary behind the Iron Curtain, too. Hungarian DM fans, the "Black Army" dressed in black head to toe, sporting Dave or Martin haircuts. Communist police sometimes assumed they are some sort of Fascist gang due to the black shirts they wore. And anyone who was not there to sing "Happy Birthday, Martin!" in 1985 at the Volán pálya concert always remained a "new fan" for the old DM heads.
Prima o poi ci andrò a Basildon a calcare il terreno dove sono vissuti i miei idoli da adolescenti!!!! P.s. Sono nato anch'io il 9 maggio come Dave ma ne '65 😊
The 80s was a horrible bleak decade for music. Music as a cultural phenomenon is highly susceptible to the Zeitgeist the spirit of the times. And you clearly hear that hopelessness, this horrible dispair and senselessness in all that dreadful synth pop. It was the beginning of the end for music in general since you could just program a keyboard with some beats and make "music". People who could barely sing and should never even have touched and instrument began making music. Next step was techno and the complete and utter commodification of music. Now it's just another things you buy.
The 80s was a weird time and to my frustration has a way better reputation than it desverves. Yes music was better than today but it was the first step of the downfall of music. People who never should have touched an instrument were now able to make music and have massive hits because of programmable keyboards. The instruments sounded like fisher price instruments with a lot of reverb. Compare anything from the 80s to the 70s or 60s and tell me the instruments in something like synth pop sound good. They sound horrible. I don't dislike everything 80s some people like Vangelis or Laura Brannigan could make that sound work and way warmer. Not as cold and bleak as most of the 80s music especially synth pop. Synth pop was pure cancer. Before anyone accuses me that it's my nostalgia for the 60s or 70s speaking: I'm a 90s kid a late millenial to be exact. But even I was aware that by the time I was consciously listening to music the times of the true giants and geniuses like the Beatles, Stevie Wonder, Duke Ellington, James Brown, Jimi Hendrix were long gone. My generation has produced very little of note. I think that has partially to do with the commodification of music. Music has turned from something that was hugely influencial in art and politics (Bob Dylan for example) into just another thing you consume. Most people forget that the grunge era was only 4 years until it suddenly was considered out of fashion and completely disappeared. I also don't see Nirvana as really good music. It was just the best handmade stuff that was around at a time we were hungry for something to let our frustrations out. The radio was dominated by Eurodance and Techno in the 90s and we didn't have real rock hero's like my father's generation. Then came Nirvana. They weren't as good as bands like Black Sabbath or Led Zeppelin but it was like giving a starving prisoner some bread and water. Of course he would think it was the best meal ever. We were starved. For anyone saying that it's just the old generation complaining about the new one. Do the following: Look up the top 100 billboard charts of 1966. There were more evergreens and music history changing hits in one year than the last decades combined. It's strange that today offers us tools to express whatever we want due to all that techology yet we have so little to say. Same goes for movies. We could make the most amazing movies with all the technology we have (animatronics have advanced too) yet all we see is the regurgitation of the same old things. I think a huge factor is that Gen X and the following generations didn't have real challenges. We were well fed and secure. There was no world war nothing that truly threatened our existence. I think there is a reason why we call it the blues. A lot of art only exists because of suffering. Don't get me wrong I'm very happy not to have gone through what my grandma did in Germany during the war. But we surely have lost something.
I agree that a lot of contemporary culture seems to romanticise the 80s. Here in the UK, the 80s wasn’t necessarily the best of times for a lot of hard working people.
@@ElevenYearz I think the 80s are so romanticized because it is the oldest thing newer generations still have culturally a connection with since it was the early stages of technological advancements while at the same time being old enough that things are seen still as distant enough to be romanticized. As I said a lot of things were way better in the 80s but only compared to today. Compared to the decades before them it pales in comparison in terms of especially musical creativity. The instruments sounded like cheap toys for the most part. Even bands like AC/DC sounded not as full as in the 70s.
The 80s was a horrible bleak decade for music. Music as a cultural phenomenon is highly susceptible to the Zeitgeist the spirit of the times. And you clearly hear that hopelessness, this horrible dispair and senselessness in all that dreadful synth pop. It was the beginning of the end for music in general since you could just program a keyboard with some beats and make music in quotation marks of course. People who could barely sing and should never even have touched and instrument began making music. Next step was techno and the complete and utter commodification of music. Now it's just another things you buy.
“A lot of people listened to Depeche Mode then. It wasn’t 10,000 or 100,000 people, it was the entire country listening to them. At night when I went to bed I would hear someone listening to them on their car radio, other times I would hear passers by humming Depeche Mode tunes…” - interview with a DM fan in the amazing 2006 documentary film 'Our Hobby is Depeche Mode' which I strongly recommend watching!
The 80s was a weird time and to my frustration has a way better reputation than it desverves. Yes music was better than today but it was the first step of the downfall of music. People who never should have touched an instrument were now able to make music and have massive hits because of programmable keyboards. The instruments sounded like fisher price instruments with a lot of reverb. Compare anything from the 80s to the 70s or 60s and tell me the instruments in something like synth pop sound good. They sound horrible. I don't dislike everything 80s some people like Vangelis or Laura Brannigan could make that sound work and way warmer. Not as cold and bleak as most of the 80s music especially synth pop. Synth pop was pure cancer.
Before anyone accuses me that it's my nostalgia for the 60s or 70s speaking: I'm a 90s kid a late millenial to be exact. But even I was aware that by the time I was consciously listening to music the times of the true giants and geniuses like the Beatles, Stevie Wonder, Duke Ellington, James Brown, Jimi Hendrix were long gone. My generation has produced very little of note. I think that has partially to do with the commodification of music. Music has turned from something that was hugely influencial in art and politics (Bob Dylan for example) into just another thing you consume. Most people forget that the grunge era was only 4 years until it suddenly was considered out of fashion and completely disappeared. I also don't see Nirvana as really good music. It was just the best handmade stuff that was around at a time we were hungry for something to let our frustrations out. The radio was dominated by Eurodance and Techno in the 90s and we didn't have real rock hero's like my father's generation. The came Nirvana. They weren't as good as bands like Black Sabbath or Led Zeppelin but it was like giving a starving prisoner some bread and water. Of course he would think it was the best meal ever. We were starved.
For anyone saying that it's just the old generation complaining about the new one. Do the following: Look up the top 100 billboard charts of 1966. There were more evergreens and music history changing hits in one year than the last decades combined. It's strange that offers us to express whatever we want due to all that techology yet we have so little to say. Same goes for movies. We could make the most amazing movies with all the technology we have (animatronics have advanced too) yet all we see is the regurgitation of the same old things. I think a huge factor is that Gen X and the following generations didn't have real challenges. We were well fed and secure. There was no world war nothing that truly threatened our existence. I think there is a reason why we call it the blues. A lot of art only exists because of suffering. Don't get me wrong I'm very happy not to have gone through what my grandma did in Germany during the war. But we surely have lost something.
Sorry for the long comment. But I hope you read it. Just my 2 cents concerning that decade. You really made me think.
You make really good videos man, please stick with it. The Last action hero one is great.
@@SMacCuUladh cheers!
Among so many video essays nowadays, this one felt so sincere and profound. I am glad I found it. The way you described how Russian fans treat DM as a spiritual thing rings so true. I think it applies to all of the eastern block.
I am Ukrainian born in the 90s and became a devotee in late 2000s, but still I feel that sacred feeling for the band.
By the way, one of the modern Ukrainian writers Serhiy Zhadan has a novel called Depeche Mode. The content is totally unrelated to the band, yet the band is an emblematic symbol of the mindset of young people during the 90s and 00s, hence the name.
Thank you for the feedback. The Serhiy Zhadan book sounds great, I’ll look into it, cheers for the heads up!
@@ElevenYearz The 80s was a weird time and to my frustration has a way better reputation than it desverves. Yes music was better than today but it was the first step of the downfall of music. People who never should have touched an instrument were now able to make music and have massive hits because of programmable keyboards. The instruments sounded like fisher price instruments with a lot of reverb. Compare anything from the 80s to the 70s or 60s and tell me the instruments in something like synth pop sound good. They sound horrible. I don't dislike everything 80s some people like Vangelis or Laura Brannigan could make that sound work and way warmer. Not as cold and bleak as most of the 80s music especially synth pop. Synth pop was pure cancer.
Before anyone accuses me that it's my nostalgia for the 60s or 70s speaking: I'm a 90s kid a late millenial to be exact. But even I was aware that by the time I was consciously listening to music the times of the true giants and geniuses like the Beatles, Stevie Wonder, Duke Ellington, James Brown, Jimi Hendrix were long gone. My generation has produced very little of note. I think that has partially to do with the commodification of music. Music has turned from something that was hugely influencial in art and politics (Bob Dylan for example) into just another thing you consume. Most people forget that the grunge era was only 4 years until it suddenly was considered out of fashion and completely disappeared. I also don't see Nirvana as really good music. It was just the best handmade stuff that was around at a time we were hungry for something to let our frustrations out. The radio was dominated by Eurodance and Techno in the 90s and we didn't have real rock hero's like my father's generation. The came Nirvana. They weren't as good as bands like Black Sabbath or Led Zeppelin but it was like giving a starving prisoner some bread and water. Of course he would think it was the best meal ever. We were starved.
For anyone saying that it's just the old generation complaining about the new one. Do the following: Look up the top 100 billboard charts of 1966. There were more evergreens and music history changing hits in one year than the last decades combined. It's strange that offers us to express whatever we want due to all that techology yet we have so little to say. Same goes for movies. We could make the most amazing movies with all the technology we have (animatronics have advanced too) yet all we see is the regurgitation of the same old things. I think a huge factor is that Gen X and the following generations didn't have real challenges. We were well fed and secure. There was no world war nothing that truly threatened our existence. I think there is a reason why we call it the blues. A lot of art only exists because of suffering. Don't get me wrong I'm very happy not to have gone through what my grandma did in Germany during the war. But we surely have lost something.
Thank you for making this video. Depeche Mode is my favorite band in the world. Their music changed me in a way i can't describe. I've never related to a band so much.
🖤
I know I’m a die hard devotee as well they have such an impact on my life and they’re just the best band ever to walk the planet
@@KuroMicra Agreed! I even got one of their album symbols tattooed. #devoteeforever
Poland had a huge fanbase too, almost everyone's dad was a "depesz" - a subculture known only here. And it wasn't only in the 90's, after their first show in the 80's (1985) everyone went MAD about them. Metalheads and punks hated them for some reason. They were so popular, that some guys had "Gahan hairstyle" and Depeche Mode themed parties are still a thing lol.
The thing died a lil bit in the mid-late 1990's, but the fanbase is still very much alive.
In Italy also we still have DM parties twice a year in my town
Great to hear that there’s still a fanbase
while being from Russia myself (however, a bit younger than people shown here, a child of those who were Dave Days participants), I feel this link to DM music on a somewhat spiritual level and I can only agree on all the conclusions that were made in this video
thank you for it and best of luck in growing your channel
a little feedback: text sometimes cannot be seen clearly due to being white on a white-ish background, but overall quality work
Glad you enjoyed. Thank you for the feedback!
What a fascinating and thoughtful mini documentary you have put together here, thank you.
I'm a long time Depeche fan 🖤 Thanks for watching!
@@ElevenYearz I’ve only heard them the odd time here and there back in the 90s but your video has given me curiosity towards them (I actually really like electronic music any way so that’s good) especially the fact they are so popular in Russia as we need ways of building bridges with nations instead of burning them.
@@jamesskinnercouk 1981-1990 era Depeche is really what this video was focused on, and where I would start as a new listener. Speak & Spell all the way through to Violator is their strongest output. What’s fascinating is that the Depeche fans in this video were emulating an already decade old period of the band, as by the early to mid 90s their sound and aesthetic had changed dramatically.
Thanks for going out your way to find original stuff to cover. Some of the best content out here!
@@greenockscatman thank you
I was wondering why I would see so many Russian comments on Depeche videos on youtube. Now I know. Thanks man!
😏
@AngryPenguin22 I am always replying Russian, because I do hope some mates from those days will check that out, you know
I think all former USSR was looks like Basildon slightly expanded on big territory. )
You did an excellent job.👌
So Depeche is my favorite band and I'm a devotee, I enjoyed the video to the fullest❤
Thanks s lot, well done👌
Thank you
Excellent video! really fun to see those old clips and learn about the history of Basildon and possible influences on Depeche Mode -- great insights!
Cheers 🖤
You're back, the long wait paid off. Well done again.
Much appreciated 🙌
Nicely done 👌 thank you 🙂
It's kinda weird to see those Russian DM fans. They are clearly emulating 1980s Depeche Mode while in the 1990s DM was a completely different band compared to the 1980s. In the early 1990s the band went through a complete metamorphosis turning from a synthpop band to seriously alt rock band with Dave Gahan looking and acting nothing like he did in the 1980s.
Yes, 2 very different era’s of DM. The look the fans emulate is very much 80s era DM, their best era imo…
We dont need post-Alan's DM, SOFAD is also not necessary.
I think the 80s are so romanticized because it is the oldest thing newer generations still have culturally a connection with since it was the early stages of technological advancements while at the same time being old enough that things are seen still as distant enough to be romanticized. As I said a lot of things were way better in the 80s but only compared to today. Compared to the decades before them it pales in comparison in terms of especially musical creativity. The instruments sounded like cheap toys for the most part. Even bands like AC/DC sounded not as full as in the 70s.
Edit: Generally 80s music sounds cheap and just outright horrible. But they are only relfecting the spirit at the times. The cold war was still in full swing and living in brutalist buildings of course will make you write lifeless, bleak music.
This was genuinely amazing. I'm currently writing my diss on this topic, focusing on Hungarian music but also what music listening was like in the lead up to the 1990 fall. so it helps a lot, especially the bibliography in the bio!
Thank you, a lot of this video was pulled from my own MA diss research. A similar phenomena to this is Morrissey's fanbase in Mexico, maybe worth looking in to. Good luck with your studies!
Depeche Mode was big in Hungary behind the Iron Curtain, too. Hungarian DM fans, the "Black Army" dressed in black head to toe, sporting Dave or Martin haircuts. Communist police sometimes assumed they are some sort of Fascist gang due to the black shirts they wore. And anyone who was not there to sing "Happy Birthday, Martin!" in 1985 at the Volán pálya concert always remained a "new fan" for the old DM heads.
@@urhunn7778 hi! Yes that’s what im writing about specifically. There’s 101 klub in Budapest and my dad knows the owner, who knew the person or I think was the person who ran the depeche mode fan club. I didn’t know this specific event though, thank you for informing me.
Your videos are awesome man. You have a very sophisticated perspective. Would love to see more videos from you. Last Action Hero video was very well done.
Hi, I just found your channel today (the Last Action Hero video was recommended to me) and I've been watching all your videos, they're really good. The sound of your voice is mesmerising and the choice background music is always very fitting and not annoying or intrusive like a lot of videos. Keep up the great work, I can't wait to see what you talk about next.
Thank you for the kind words 🖤
Really enjoyed that, cheers 👍
Glad you enjoyed it
This was such an interesting documentary.
Its mind blowing how a band that many people, like myself, think of as a 1 hit wonder from the 80’s, garners such a devoted and enduring fan base whose connection to the music comes from a place I’m not sure I even understand.
Great little video essay, really well done.
Kind words thank you
I think the 80s are so romanticized because it is the oldest thing newer generations still have culturally a connection with since it was the early stages of technological advancements while at the same time being old enough that things are seen still as distant enough to be romanticized. As I said a lot of things were way better in the 80s but only compared to today. Compared to the decades before them it pales in comparison in terms of especially musical creativity. The instruments sounded like cheap toys for the most part. Even bands like AC/DC sounded not as full as in the 70s.
Edit: Generally 80s music sounds cheap and just outright horrible. But they are only relfecting the spirit at the times. The cold war was still in full swing and living in brutalist buildings of course will make you write lifeless, bleak music.
Nice to see Runcorn shopping centre. another new town. 🙂
There’s some beautiful old footage of Runcorn here on UA-cam.
I love the video, thanks a lost for all work ane enerdy you waisted to it ✨🙏🖤🤝
Thank you for the kind comment, I can assure you that although time was lost - it was not wasted. Cheers!
@@ElevenYearz Im sorry, I was tired. More Depeche Mode videos please! 🙏✨
Ahhh, this video explains why there are so many Russian DM memes and posts.
Yes!
One the best bands ever ! I liked there hits as a child but never understood the music really just good electro pop ! But in my early 20’s I rediscovered them when I went on a big synth pop fade ! Human league’ John fox ‘ the associates ‘ naked lunch etc !!!! Great video ! Your channel deserves a lot more subs but you just got my sub off the back of the hellraiser video !!!
* faze
Love John Foxx 🖤
His first solo lp is amazing !!! I picked a copy up in a charity shop about 15 years back for 50p one of the best 50p I ever spent!!
Fantastic documentary on a legendary band.
@@ninfilms thank you 🖤
@@ElevenYearz I wasn't aware that Depeche Mode had a big followung in Russia. But from listening to Depeche Mode has got that cold war feel.
@ninfilms a huge following!
Well done video. Your channel is like some Easter egg.
Love your videos
❤u need more views
Thank you 🖤
около 1:12 на видео есть я
УГАДАЙТЕ ГДЕ?
Depeche Mode was big in Hungary behind the Iron Curtain, too. Hungarian DM fans, the "Black Army" dressed in black head to toe, sporting Dave or Martin haircuts. Communist police sometimes assumed they are some sort of Fascist gang due to the black shirts they wore. And anyone who was not there to sing "Happy Birthday, Martin!" in 1985 at the Volán pálya concert always remained a "new fan" for the old DM heads.
Prima o poi ci andrò a Basildon a calcare il terreno dove sono vissuti i miei idoli da adolescenti!!!!
P.s. Sono nato anch'io il 9 maggio come Dave ma ne '65 😊
Wow ! There is my brother on this video 😍!!!
Depeche, my top guys 😎
It's not just the Beatles who were revered in the USSR then. I thought that level of idolatry only happened once - to the Beatles.
The 80s was a horrible bleak decade for music. Music as a cultural phenomenon is highly susceptible to the Zeitgeist the spirit of the times. And you clearly hear that hopelessness, this horrible dispair and senselessness in all that dreadful synth pop. It was the beginning of the end for music in general since you could just program a keyboard with some beats and make "music". People who could barely sing and should never even have touched and instrument began making music. Next step was techno and the complete and utter commodification of music. Now it's just another things you buy.
Nice
“Music positively from the masses, coming directly from the BRICKS”? Or the Brits?
The bricks of Basildon!
why (were)?
Well. They will never ever play in Russia again.
The 80s was a weird time and to my frustration has a way better reputation than it desverves. Yes music was better than today but it was the first step of the downfall of music. People who never should have touched an instrument were now able to make music and have massive hits because of programmable keyboards. The instruments sounded like fisher price instruments with a lot of reverb. Compare anything from the 80s to the 70s or 60s and tell me the instruments in something like synth pop sound good. They sound horrible. I don't dislike everything 80s some people like Vangelis or Laura Brannigan could make that sound work and way warmer. Not as cold and bleak as most of the 80s music especially synth pop. Synth pop was pure cancer.
Before anyone accuses me that it's my nostalgia for the 60s or 70s speaking: I'm a 90s kid a late millenial to be exact. But even I was aware that by the time I was consciously listening to music the times of the true giants and geniuses like the Beatles, Stevie Wonder, Duke Ellington, James Brown, Jimi Hendrix were long gone. My generation has produced very little of note. I think that has partially to do with the commodification of music. Music has turned from something that was hugely influencial in art and politics (Bob Dylan for example) into just another thing you consume. Most people forget that the grunge era was only 4 years until it suddenly was considered out of fashion and completely disappeared. I also don't see Nirvana as really good music. It was just the best handmade stuff that was around at a time we were hungry for something to let our frustrations out. The radio was dominated by Eurodance and Techno in the 90s and we didn't have real rock hero's like my father's generation. Then came Nirvana. They weren't as good as bands like Black Sabbath or Led Zeppelin but it was like giving a starving prisoner some bread and water. Of course he would think it was the best meal ever. We were starved.
For anyone saying that it's just the old generation complaining about the new one. Do the following: Look up the top 100 billboard charts of 1966. There were more evergreens and music history changing hits in one year than the last decades combined. It's strange that today offers us tools to express whatever we want due to all that techology yet we have so little to say. Same goes for movies. We could make the most amazing movies with all the technology we have (animatronics have advanced too) yet all we see is the regurgitation of the same old things. I think a huge factor is that Gen X and the following generations didn't have real challenges. We were well fed and secure. There was no world war nothing that truly threatened our existence. I think there is a reason why we call it the blues. A lot of art only exists because of suffering. Don't get me wrong I'm very happy not to have gone through what my grandma did in Germany during the war. But we surely have lost something.
I agree that a lot of contemporary culture seems to romanticise the 80s. Here in the UK, the 80s wasn’t necessarily the best of times for a lot of hard working people.
@@ElevenYearz I think the 80s are so romanticized because it is the oldest thing newer generations still have culturally a connection with since it was the early stages of technological advancements while at the same time being old enough that things are seen still as distant enough to be romanticized. As I said a lot of things were way better in the 80s but only compared to today. Compared to the decades before them it pales in comparison in terms of especially musical creativity. The instruments sounded like cheap toys for the most part. Even bands like AC/DC sounded not as full as in the 70s.
The 80s was a horrible bleak decade for music. Music as a cultural phenomenon is highly susceptible to the Zeitgeist the spirit of the times. And you clearly hear that hopelessness, this horrible dispair and senselessness in all that dreadful synth pop. It was the beginning of the end for music in general since you could just program a keyboard with some beats and make music in quotation marks of course. People who could barely sing and should never even have touched and instrument began making music. Next step was techno and the complete and utter commodification of music. Now it's just another things you buy.