BONG 4

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Transcript

Hello all! Welcome to the fourth ever fanclub magazine and the first one with a name! After much humming and hawing, the band finally decided to call it 'BONG'.

Well, the British postal strike certainly mucked everything up last issue, didn't it? The magazines lay languishing in a Post Office for over a month and a lot of the up-to-the-minute news... wasn't! For once it wasn't my fault! Never fear, all competition entries were received just about on time, so nobody's missed out on winning anything!

Thanks to everyone who sent Jack cards and presents for his first birthday. I'm glad you liked the photo of Dave with him from the last issue.

People have written to me asking 'Why does Charmaine Ramdass always get articles printed?' Well, Charmaine is the only one who ever sends anything in! I haven't received any features, puzzles or photographs from any of you lot for ages! I can see you need an incentive...anyone who sends in something that is printed will receive a signed photo of DM - how does that sound?

I also want to start a letters page for the magainze, so, if you've got something to say about the fanclub, the band or anything, write it down and mark it 'letters page'.

Further on you'll find a page of special offers. We've got together with Mute Records and are selling a selection of limited editions through the fanclub.

I hope you like your Christmas pressies from us this year. We thought as there will be no official calendar for 1989 and there wasn't one for '88 that we'd do a special 'postercalendar' for members. AND a lyric book as well! How generous could we get! The lyrics are printed just as they are sung with the 'wells' and the 'oohs' and all that jazz so you can sing along PROPERLY to all your records!!

Anyway I'm off to eat yet another mince pie and hang a stocking up for Santa - I wonder if he'll bring me that train set I've been asking for since I was 7?

Wishing you all a fabulous Christmas!!

Jo Bailey

SNIPPETS

I wasn't mistaken when I said that all last issue's news wasn't exactly new - Depeche Mode have chosen a name for their live LP and Film... and it isn't 'A BRIEF PERIOD OF REJOICING' as I told you in the last magazine. The final name (chosen by Alan) is '101' which refers to The Rose Bowl, Pasadena, where the album was recorded on the 18th June 1988. This date was the 101st concert on the tour. The album release date is set for mid-February and the film should be released within a week of the LP. The Tracklisting is as follows:

SIDE A:
PIMPF
BEHIND THE WHEEL
STRANGELOVE
(CD: SACRED)
SOMETHING TO DO
BLASPHEMOUS RUMOURS

SIDE B:
STRIPPED
SOMEBODY
THE THINGS YOU SAID
BLACK CELEBRATION

SIDE C:
SHAKE THE DISEASE
(CD: NOTHING)
PLEASURE LITTLE TREASURE
PEOPLE ARE PEOPLE
QUESTION OF TIME

SIDE D:
NEVER LET ME DOWN AGAIN
(CD: A QUESTION OF LUST)
MASTER & SERVANT
JUST CAN'T GET ENOUGH
EVERYTHING COUNTS

It's official! The next single will be a live version of 'Everything Counts' and will be released mid-January. It'll be available in several formats: 7" single, 7" collectors pack, 4-track 12", remix 12", 10" 2 track single, 3" filofax CD and 3" filofax remix CD. The various formats will be released at intervals throughout late January. Those of you who collect everything DM do are going to have a field day. You'd better start saving those Record Tokens that you always get for Christmas!

MARTIN'S SOLO ALBUM

Don't panic! It doesn't mean that DM are splitting up! Martin will be releasing an (as yet unnamed) mini album in the Spring of '89. There isn't a track list as yet but all tracks are cover versions of other people's sings[sic]. There may even be a single from it! It's currently being recorded and mixed somewher ein London. When asked why he was doing it, Martin said: 'A man's got to do what a man's got to do!'

At the time of writing, MUSIC FOR THE MASSES has been in the U.S. Billboard LP charts for an amazing 60 weeks! (and counting) Depeche Mode would like to thank all their fans 'over the pond' for their continued support and will see you all on the next tour!

DM spend early December in America. They started off in New York to look at some footage from the forthcoming film. Then they went on to Detroit to do an interview with 'The Face', back to New York for some promotion (and a spot of Christmas shopping) and then came home!

More Baby news... DM's Tour Manager, JD Fanger, and his wife Seonaid became parents for the first time in September. Their little boy has been named Jamie and weighed 6lb 2oz at birth.

Even more Baby news... Jane Spiers, who as many of you know, designed the lighting for the CONSTRUCTION TIME AGAIN tour in 1983, and has designed the stage sets and lighting for all subquent tours, is expecting a baby. She's back home in New Zealand where, incidentally, we received the following news: The Auckland radio station '89 FM' has been playing DM records continuously and the listeners have voted Depeche Mode their favourite band!

A BROKEN FRAME and CONSTRUCTION TIME AGAIN will be released on CD format in the UK at the same time as '101'

I'm sorry I haven't got any convention news as yet, we're trying to tie it in with the release of the film and it's all very confusing. I will be sending all details to you through the post as soon as I get anything definite. There have been some weird rumours flying round about the conventions... one of them is that DM will be playing - sorry but it's just not true. The whole idea is for Depeche Mode fans to get together and meet, swap ideas and generally have a good time. We hope to have a raffle of DM stage set equipment among other things!

I receive many letters regarding purchasing records through mail order. Although we're making some limited editions available through the Fanclub in this issue, this is a one-off and we don't acutally do a record service. If you want UK releases only, you can contact:

SMALL WONDER RECORDS
P.O. BOX 12
STOWMARKET, SUFFOLK
IPI44XA

SNIPPETS..

COMPETITION WINNERS

The winner of the 'Flag' Competition was THIERRY MOLARD from Chateauroux in France. Thierry was the only person who guessed correctly the number of flags made for the 'MUSIC FOR THE MASSES'. The answer was 13. Thierry's prize is one of the flags used on the tour.

MICHAELA JONES from South Croydon in Surrey was the winner of the Brief Period Of Rejoicing 'Mystery Competition'. The question was: Where does the phrase 'A Brief Period of Rejoicing' come from? The phrase actually comes from Winston Churchill's VE Day Speech on the 7th May 1945. DM used it on their 'BLACK CELEBRATION' LP and it was quoted for the album by Daniel Miller. Michaela wins a pair of Dave's leather trousers which he has signed.

BOOTLEGGERS

As you probably know, many people collect and sell 'bootlegged' tapes of live concerts and DM fans are no different. These tapes are usually of a very bad quality and very expensive. That's why Depeche Mode decided to release a live album, they don't like to see their fans ripped off. Save your money and wait for the release of 101!

The elusive 'Boxed Set' has again reared it's ugly head. At the time of writing no details were available but it should be in the shops some time in mid '89.

If you've been to a football match at Queens Park Rangers recently, and you saw someone in the crowd you thought you recognised, but you weren't quite sure... was it Alan Wilder? Could it have been him? YESS!! Alan tells me that he's got high hopes for QPR this season. QPR in the FA Cup Final? Never!

Time for some complete trivia now; Did you know that the average age of a Depeche Mode Fanclub member is 19? And did you know that the town with the largest number of DM Fanclub members is Trowbridge in Wiltshire? Well you do now!

Martin and Fletch went to see Nitzer Ebb at the London School of Economics recently and thought it was 'Dynamic!'

I've been having a real sort-out in my office lately and I've discovered a box of 1987 DM calendars gathering dust. I can't bring myself to just throw them out, if you're a collector and you'd like one of these, just drop me a line and I'll send you one (I've only got 50 so it's first come first served I'm afraid!)

PENPALS

Carl Dufour
120, rue de Rerode
1060 BRUSSELS
BELGIUM

Hello everybody! I am 19 years old and I'd love to write to great English fans of DM. I love joking, laughing and having DM parties! Write very soon please.

Stefanie Schneider
Henkeud 50
58 Hagen I
W. GERMANY

Hi everyone! I'm soooo mad on Depeche especially on my 'little' Alan. I'm looking for pals from the whole world (age & sex don't matter) who like writing long letters and who'll keep on writing to me till the end of time! I'm 17 years old!!!

Christina De Lama Rodriguez
Principe De Vergara
276 70c
28016 MADRID
SPAIN

I'm 18 and an image student. I like cinema, video and photography. My favourite bands are DM, The Cure, The Jesus And Mary Chain and Echo And The Bunnymen. I write poems and short stories.

Tanja Muras
Ostpreussenstr 4
4370 Marl
W. GERMANY

I'm 16 and I would like penpals from America. I like Depeche Mode, reading, writing letters etc... write to me!

Pete Robins
8 Dyserth Road
Rhyl
Clwyd
N. WALES LL18 4DW

Aged 17, I'm a DM fanatic who also like INXS and Erasure. I enjoy all energetic sports and I fancy Kim Wilde and Jane from Neighbours. If you look like either of these - write to me!!!

Xavier Pillegand
62 rue Pierre Curie
87000 Limoges
France

NIHAU! I'm 19 and a New Romantic Disc Jocket from California turned... SACRED, HOLY, I'M A MISSIONARY! It's lonely SPREADING THE NEWS ROUND THE WORLD, so write to me!!

Hanka Fischer
Elstersteig 49
pst 305
Nordhausen/Harz
5500 GERMANY

I'm 17, I do love Depeche Mode and their music. I would like penpals from all over the world.

Steve Eyres
6 Beech Close
Cowplain
PORTSMOUTH
Hants PO8 8RT

Hi! I'm 19 and other than Depeche (naturally!) I like Motor Racing and Modern Art.

Rudek Janusz
UL Niepoldeglosci 20/14
48-100 Glubczyce
POLAND

My age is 20. Hobby is DM and writing lyrics, also computers.

If you'd like your name in the penpals section, send in your name and address and a few lines about yourself -- no life histories please!

101 - THE MOVIE

When you trundle off to see '101' the film (as I'm sure you will) I bet you'll be green with envy when you see the group of fans who were chosen to ride across America in a bus AND be filmed on their travels AND get to see DM live AND meet the band!!! Well, before you decide to hate these lucky people on sight, I thought you ought to read the reactions of two of them!

Margaret Mouzakitis is 19 and was born in Queens, New York. Jay Serken is 18 and was born in Jacksonville, Florida. They both heard about the audition for the film on WDRE Radio and went along to see what was happening.

Where did you both audition?:
Both: Club Malibu on June 5th.

What did you have to do?:
M: Dance, then 100 people were picked out and given a screen test where they were asked why they loved Depeche Mode.
J: The eight of us that were picked had something intelligent to say - not 'I like the way they were tight leather pants' or 'Dave Gahan moves his hips'.

What was your reaction to being chosen?
M: I was happy
J: I screamed really loud, and I thought it was a joke at first.

What did your friends and family think of it all?:
M: They thought it was great and were very happy for me. They know I love the music and the chance to experience going 'out on the road' was great. As well as being in my favourite band's movie.
J: They didn't believe it. They thought it was a ploy and I was going to move out. They said no-one ever wins those things. It wasn't 'til I left home that they believed me!

What was your purpose in the film?:
M: To show the fan's point of view.
J: To show what some of DM's fans are like, have fun, show the concept of the tour, promote the band, get drunk, throw up and... PARTY!!!!

How long did it take?:
M: We travelled across the country for ten days and stopped at the shows.
J: We didn't want it to end.

Where did you visit?:
M: Pittsburg, Nashville, Memphis, New Mexico, Arizona, LA.
J: All across the country from New York to LA and stopped off to see the band perform in Pittsburgh, Arizona and Los Angeles.

How did you get on with the others on the bus?:
M: Great - everyone was really firnedly. Fletched asked if anyone fought and couldn't believe that we didn't. We had a lot of fun. The tour managers and the camera crew were great fun.
J: Everyone was fun and we all got along fine. Once a year we want to have a reunion and rent a tour bus to travel across the U.S.

Did you meet the band? What happened?:
M: We met them. They were very nice, as I expected. Martin was shy, but very nice once the ice was broken. At the end of tour party he said 'Let's do a Tequila shot' - I did three and got sick!
J: We got really drunk and partied with them, we had a great party on the back of our tour bus!

What was the highlight of the trip?:
M: The party in the buss. It was the night of the Pittsburgh show. Everyone was on the bus, the band, the roadies, the camera crew... it was great!
J: The Pasadena show at the Rosebowl. Then afterwards the backstage party and the end of tour party.

Anything you'd like to say to other DM fans?:
M: Depeche Mode rule - you are fans of one of the most socially conscious bands.
J: Just that the band are down-to-earth, just like you or I. They love to have fun and enjoy playing music to a lot of people and they treat their fans very well.

SNIPPETS ...

The next few issues will include a question and answer section where you can write to the band via the the fanclub with all your questions. The first of these will feature Fletch. Send your questions in as soon as possible (nothing too rude, thank you very much!!!) and mark your envelope 'Fletch'. We'll print as many as we can.

Competition

Want to win one of 10 signed copies of '101'? All you have to do is write and tell me what size shoe Martin wears (British sizes only please!) Answers on a postcard marked 'FEET' by February 1st.

I asked DM what they'd be doing for Christmas this year and got the following answers: Fletch: 'I'll be at home with the family and a plate of turkey' Alan: 'I'll be at home but I don't eat turkey so it'll probably be a nut roast or fish or something' Dave: 'There's so many babies in our family at the moment, we'll be having a real children's Christmas... well it's as it should be!' Martin: 'I have no idea at the moment what I'll be doing at Christmas'

You may have seen Dave on TV at the London premier of 'Rattle & Hum', the U2 film. He says: 'I thought the film was really enjoyable. It's got some exciting live footage, although if you knew nothing about U2 you leave the cinema none the wiser. The photography and everything is great and there's nothing dodgy in it... go see it!'

Recommended listening from DM: 'Tender Prey' Nick Cave's new album is one of Martin's favourite records at the moment.

BACKROOM BOYS

People who work behind the scene for Depeche Mode - this time it's JD Fanger:

FULL NAME: John Joseph Fanger
PLACE OF BIRTH: Bournemouth
HEIGHT: 1.68m
FAMILY DETAILS: Married, 1 son Jamie, born 28.9.88
OCCUPATION: Tour Manager
HOW LONG HAVE YOU WORKED FOR DM?: Since April 1984
PREVIOUS JOBS: Sound Engineer
FAVOURITE DM SONG: Nothing
FAVOURITE FILM: It's A Wonderful Life - James Stewart
FAVOURITE TV SHOW: Soap
FAVOURITE GROUP/SINGER: Prince
FAVOURITE SONG: All You Need Is Love
FAVOURITE BOOK: Stranger In A Strange Land - Robert Heinlein
BIGGEST NIGGLE: People who beep car horns, instead of ringing the doorbell
BIGGEST FEAR: Loss of memory
MOST HATED THING EVER: The M4

SPECIAL OFFER

Mute Records have been kind enough to make available to us an assortment from their back catalogue. The numbers are very limited so it's a first come first served basis I'm afraid. I know that members overseas will groan and say that they receive their newsletters later than British and European members. Therefore, I'll save some for you!

LIST AND PRICES: CAT NO: 1: C BONG 11 2: L12 BONG 12 3: CD BONG 13 4: C BONG 14 5: CD BONG 14 6: C BONG 15 7: CD BONG 15

TITLE: A QUESTION OF LUST QUESTION OF TIME STRANGELOVE NEVER LET ME DOWN NEVER LET ME DOWN BEHIND THE WHEEL BEHIND THE WHEEL

FORMAT: CASSETTE SINGLE REMIX 12" CD SINGLE CASSETTE SINGLE CD SINGLE CASSETTE SINGLE CD SINGLE

PRICE: £1.99 £1.99 £2.44 £1.99 £2.44 £1.99 £2.44

(Please note: item no. 1 comes as a special mailer pack and includes a badge)

Please make cheques (Pounds sterling only please) payable to 'DEPECHE MODE' (not the fanclub please) and add £1 P&P for the first item and 50 pence for each additional item in Britian[sic] and BFPO, £1.50 for the first item plus £1 for each additional item if you live in Europe or Overseas.

For example: UK C. BOND 14 £1.99 CD BONG 15 £2.44 POSTAGE £1.50 TOTAL £5.93

Elsewhere C. BONG 14 £1.99 CD BONG 15 £2.44 POSTAGE £2.50 TOTAL £6.93

BONG magazine issues by decade 1988-1989: 1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5 • 6 • 7 1990-1999: 8 • 9 • 10 • 11 • 12 • 13 • 14 • 15 • 16 • 17 • 18 • 19 • 20 • 21 • 22 • 23 • 24 • 25 • 26 • 27 • 28 • 29 • 30 • 31 • 32 • 33 • 34 • 35 • 36 • 37 • 38 • 39 • 40 • 41 • 42 2000-2002: 43 • 44 • 45 • 46 • 47 • 48 • 49 • 50 • 51 • 52 Miscellaneous BONG US • BONG Calendar 1998