Martin Gore

According2g would like to wish Depeche Mode’s Martin Gore a happy 49th birthday.  Martin Gore is responsible for writing and singing so many songs that have made my life a much better (and sometimes darker) place, and I am so grateful for the joy he’s brought to me.  To celebrate, internet style, I am posting a second unseen world exclusive picture of Mr. Gore that I took when I saw Depeche Mode 2 nights in a row at Madison Square Garden in New York in 2009.  Thanks Martin and hope you have a wonderful day!  It’s too hard to pick a favorite song, but I’ll definitely be listening to “Somebody,” “A Question of Lust,” “Home,” and the amazing demo version of “Walking in My Shoes” today.  What’s your favorite?

Martin Gore b/w Dave Gahan

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I have been digging through the G Archives to start compiling my first coffee table book of photos (more details on that coming soon) and as I was going through the archives, I uncovered a bunch of video clips that I’ve taken at various concerts over the last few years. The below clip is Depeche Mode singing “Waiting For The Night” from Madison Square Garden. You can read a review of the show here.  In the coming weeks/months, I’ll be posting clips of Radiohead, George Michael, Lily Allen, Coldplay and Lady Gaga so stay tuned to According2g.com – your daily dose of all you need to know from A to G.

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Martin Gore and Dave Gahan of Depeche Mode at Madison Square Garden, August 4, 2009

On February 17, 2010, Depeche Mode played a special one-off gig at London’s Royal Albert Hall to benefit Cancer research.  While that doesn’t sound like anything out of the ordinary, what made the gig extra special is former band member Alan Wilder joined the band for the encore “Somebody.” Wilder hasn’t played with the band since 1995.  Hopefully he’ll get back in the Mode!  While we wait for more exciting news, please check out Depeche Mode’s official website to bid on one-of-a-kind watches that feature album artwork.  All the proceeds will go to cancer research.  You can own your own – personal – wristwatch.

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Martin Gore and Dave Gahan of Depeche Mode. Photo by G.

If you are a Depeche Mode fan, you need to pick up the 2006 remasters.  Each album from “Speak and Spell” through “Exciter” has been remastered – as disc one�and disc 2 features a DVD with the entire album in 5.1 surround sound, all the b-sides from that album and documentaries about each record.

I watched all of the documentaries this weekend, as I’d never seen them before and I was blown away by how cool they are.  Each documentary runs from 30 minutes to 1 hour in length and there are interviews with all band members, recording engineers, producers, video directors and you’ll see live clips, rehearsal footage and clips of most videos from the album.

Here’s some fun facts that I learned watching these documentaries:

- Martin Gore recorded “Somebody” completely naked.

- The Pet Shop Boys opened for Depeche Mode at their infamous “101″ concert at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California

- The band hate their songs “People are People” and “It’s Called A Heart,” so they refuse to play them live.

- Ironically, during the mixing of the song “Get The Balance Right,” they had a hard time getting the balance right.

- Depeche Mode recorded their albums and then after the fact participated in B-Side sessions for each record.

- Most of the album “Ultra” was recorded with Dave Gahan completely addicted to heroin and Martin Gore was drunk during most recording sessions for his vocals.

- “Fly on the Windscreen” was nearly a single, but the label decided to change it as the first word of the song was “death.”  In retaliation, the band reused this b-side as an album track on “Black Celebration.”

-When Alan Wilder left the band (after the Songs of Faith and Devotion Tour), he had to tell Dave Gahan via fax as Dave was too messed up on heroin to answer his phone.

-Dave Gahan thinks his best vocal of all time is on the song “Condemnation.”

There were so many more great stories, so I urge you to pick these up if you are in a Depeche Mode.

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If you enjoy these photos, please leave me some lovin’ in the comments section.

Dave Gahan of Depeche Mode

Try walking in his shoes!

More Depeche Mode goodness after the jump.

Martin Gore of Depeche Mode

Martin and Dave - our own personal Jesus!

Reach out and touch faith!

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