New to the forum - and I need your help!

[~Areiabyrd]

Greetings all,

I'm on Electrogarden because I'm also an Iris fan, but I have an odd confession to make here and a few questions. While I've known about the band for years, I've only very recently become intrigued by and obsessive over DM. It's interesting how something can grab you when it appears in the right circumstances - for me, it was hearing Violator all the way through in the order it's meant to be played, rather than just the singles.

Anyway, I'm currently in the process of gathering info/writing a screenplay for a short film about, well, an obsessive Martin Gore fan. :} It's more complicated than that, of course,but other details would probably detract from the issue at hand.

Although mostly a character study, I also intend for it to be a semi-look into the wild world of DM fans, particularly what inspires them about the band and what keeps them listening. That's where you guys come in, if you feel like it.

I'd like to know about your experiences as a fan-- emotionally, including any connections/projections you may have onto individual band members, Mr. Gore in particular. There are always the fans who squeal over El Floofhead without giving any real reason, but as deep as DM's music is I think some of their fans must be just as deep.

I'm particularly interested (and this is gonna sound weird) in hearing about angst you may have had about the band - perhaps envy of their success or wishing you could be close to one of them, or even BE one of them.

In addition, I'm thinking of checking out various DM conventions and parties, as well as other online forums and newsgroups. If anyone has any info on those things, I would much appreciate it...I seem to recall there's a really huge convo out in California or something?

Thanks so much,

Areia

[test]

Check the official site, depechemode.com. It has links for conventions. There is one coming soon in Basildon. It's in April, during Easter weekend.

The LA one is usually in August. However, the one last year was in October. It's a blast and a half! If you want to go, start saving your money NOW because this is the only convention where you can buy things. They have official and unofficial things (bootlegs) to buy. It's sooo fun! It's non stop dM from 7 pm until 101 am.

I will be happy to help you with the Martin questions that you may have. I have been a Goregirl for over 16 years now. He's my absolute fave!:D I discovered them in 1985, when People Are People came out. I was a Gahangirl at first. I didn't even like Martin. :eek: It wasn't until A Question of Lust came out in April of 1986 that I instantly fell for Martin. He's my favorite hands down!

I am having computer problems at home and I am using my work computer right now, which is kind of akward. I will let you know when I can get online at home so that I can give you more detailed answers.


IRIS RULES!!!! :D

[7red7]

I got into the band when my cousin gave me her cassette for Black Celebration just when cd's first came out back in early 1986...Martin has always been my favorite member of the band, although I'm a huge fan of Alan and the material the band did while he was an active member...

For me it was never a case of becoming envious of their success, but if I was to become a famous synthpop star I could only wish to garner the fanbase and success they have over the years...

I know this isn't the kind of story you really wanted, but I'm not one of the obsessed fans anymore...There was a time when I had my cd changer loaded with nothing but DM cd's, and I know the words to about every song verbatim, but I guess the candle faded out over time...The only thing that keeps me going with them is the material they have released as opposes to what's coming out now...I think they've lost a step or two with their past two releases, but I don't want to go off topic with that discussion again, thats just my personal opinion...

I'll always be a hardcore DM fan no matter what they release, but again for me I don't get as excited for them as I once did...What can I say they're probably the biggest selling cult band in the history of electronic music by now...They've sold albums in the millions and tour huge arenas to this day...Not bad for a few guys who were intrigued by a single keyboard sound that went WWWWWWaaaaaaaaaaaaa.....

DAN

[~Areiabyrd]

(Sorry, I'm an idiot. For some reason I can't figure out how to post separate replies to both of you...)

Stephanie-

Thanks for a great response. I recognize you as the enthusiastic poster from the Iris board. :}

I'd absolutely love to hear more of what you have to say about Martin, in fact. Do you know a good, solid source for a biography on him that's longer than a page? What is it about him that you find so appealing (other than the obvious loveliness, of course...heh).

So yes, when you have more reliable computer access, please share!


Dan -

[QUOTE]Originally posted by 7red7
I know this isn't the kind of story you really wanted, but I'm not one of the obsessed fans anymore...There was a time when I had my cd changer loaded with nothing but DM cd's, and I know the words to about every song verbatim, but I guess the candle faded out over time...The only thing that keeps me going with them is the material they have released as opposes to what's coming out now...I think they've lost a step or two with their past two releases, but I don't want to go off topic with that discussion again, thats just my personal opinion...


Actually, I find your reasons for being less into them as interesting as being obsessed. The character in my screenplay has a lot of ambivalence over his obsession...all viewpoints are relevant.

Do you think their recent releases are what derailed your interest? I'm going to ask the cliched question...what's your favorite album and why? What did they lose along the way (other than Alan, of course, whom I'm also very fond of)?

Thanks,

Areia

[7red7]

Originally posted by Areiabyrd
Actually, I find your reasons for being less into them as interesting as being obsessed. The character in my screenplay has a lot of ambivalence over his obsession...all viewpoints are relevant.

Do you think their recent releases are what derailed your interest? I'm going to ask the cliched question...what's your favorite album and why? What did they lose along the way (other than Alan, of course, whom I'm also very fond of)?

Thanks,

Areia

The recent releases are what has derailed my closeness to the band...I've said it at least a dozen times but only get flamed for it, but it's true, well to me anyway...When Alan left the band, a part of the band died...Everything changed, the music, the songwriting process, studios used, a change in producers etc...I think that theres a lot of the newer fans that don't know the whole story of how Alan and Martin were really close at one point, and had a certain way of going about the songwriting process...It was this same closeness that almost destroyed the band during the making of Black Celebration...I just think they did their best work with the two of them as principle songwriters...

Like Steph, it was A Question Of Lust that got me hooked...It's still my favorite song to this day...As for albums though, it's Music For The Masses I like best...Picture this...I'm like eleven years old on top of my cousin's boyfriend's shoulders the entire show for 101...I was so young, yet I understood, and enjoyed every minute of it...To me that was when the band were just breaking the barrier from underground English cult band to American mainstream platinum album selling sold out stadium touring band...

DAN

[~debmode]

The obsession for me was the first time I heard halo and it fit how I felt. Being in love and being married to someone else.Maybe I was'nt the only person who felt this way. I connect with their lyrics in that way. I have never admited this before , maybe by listening to them I could express it myself.

[~Areiabyrd]

Originally posted by debmode
The obsession for me was the first time I heard halo and it fit how I felt. Being in love and being married to someone else.Maybe I was'nt the only person who felt this way. I connect with their lyrics in that way. I have never admited this before , maybe by listening to them I could express it myself.


That's very interesting. "Halo" was the first song that grabbed me as well, I mean REALLY grabbed me, and the way it bled into the equally brilliant "Waiting for the Night." And it's their lyrics that have attracted me more than anything. What is it do you think, in general, that DM can express for you?

[~debmode]

I don't know if I want to blab my life story here. In general like I said it expressed feelings I had for someone other then my husband. The guilt too. Black Celebration would be another song that would hit home also. Something so beautiful and so wrong.

[~hippychick]

Areia - I will e-mail you some good stories and I'm sure it will help! As a person who has been involved in theatre for years I have also thought of writing about the same subject, which does intrigue me. Should be a good project.

I don't want to post details of my experiences here, I already posted some but not more details - I feel that unfortunately there are always some people on the internet who get jealous and try to flame you or harrass you, and I've already had that happen. I have been lucky in the past, let's just say - my ex used to do the official DM fan club, so I'll try to include as many details as possible for you. I would not at all consider myself to be obsessed with Martin Gore, but I am a huge DM fan and will be having a DM party in midtown NYC on February 28 - as I have posted here so feel free to drop by, there should be some hardcore fans there!

I find it sad that there are some people who devote their whole lives to DM or get so delusional about them, to me it is a void they cannot fill in their personal lives and a void with themselves. As a Buddhist of 7 years with some insight, I see obsessive people as people who don't think they can do enough or be enough themselves and project it all onto the very successful and intriguing DM. The way DM markets themselves also seems to be in this mysterious way as to allure the fans (so that they can spend more money of course).

you don't have e-mail so I will private message you!

hope it helps!

[~Areiabyrd]

hippychick -

I'd love to hear some of your stories. I already thought you were an interesting character here on the forums, particularly as a DM fan (I read some of your posts about meeting them and suchlike :). And I'm very much hoping to attend that party on the 28th, though for how long I don't know as I'm a Jersey girl. If you'd prefer e-mail, mine is fourbyrd at jrboss dot net; I just don't keep it on my profile as a general rule but I'm not against it. :} I definitely think we have much to discuss! You seem to understand some of the deeper dimension of what I'm interested in here, too, which is great. Thanks!

[~hippychick]

what do you mean I'm an interesting character?



I hope nothing bad by that! LOL

I know I am pretty eccentric.