FAN A LA MODE
People are people. Despite a tough couple of years, Depeche Mode still managed to pack a huge crowd outside of The Tonight Show studio for what is their first ever appearance on American television. The fans came from all around the world to see their favorite band promote their first album in four years, Ultra. Strangely enough, the band is not touring this year. So, this was the die hard Depeche Mode fan's only chance to see them. Unless, of course, they were lucky enough to get comp tickets for the secret KROQ party. Luckily, KROQ was front and center outside NBC, blaring Depeche Mode songs, old and new. There were Depeche license plates, tattoos and of course, stories. With the rising popularity of electronic music, it couldn't be a better time for who many say are the creators of the scene, to make an ultra comeback.
Near the front of the line, was a California native from Simi Valley named Tory, who had been waiting since 5:00 A.M. the previous day. This 19 year-old Depeche fanatic waited patiently to see his "Personal Jesus": "I thought it was going to be my only chance to see them," he said. "I really never got a chance to see them until their last tour. I saw them four times." With Tory was his friend from childhood, Candice McGinnis, who came to The Tonight Show flying blind. She didn't have tickets for the show and she didn?t even know about KROQ's private concert. "I've been waiting her since three o'clock yesterday afternoon," she said. Being a devoted fan paid off, because not only did she get her tickets for The Tonight Show, she also scored a couple comp tickets to the KROQ party.
"I've been here since 8:30 yesterday morning," bragged a fan, "I've actually become part of NBC's studio tour." Not only being the first person in line on the day of the show, he was also the first person there the previous day. "I spent $300 on this suit, I better get in."
As we traveled further down the line, we discovered that this wasn't only an L.A. local event. A license plate that said "Depeche" from Arizona was held up to the applause of the crowd. "We got here at 8:30 last night. This is the only reason why we came out here. We were out here drinking and stuff last night. We're really excited," he said as his girlfriend clung to his arm.
One fan decided to joke around. "I'm not here for Depeche Mode, I'm here for Fran Drescher. I'm totally serious. I'm from Irvine, CA and I love Drescher." All kidding aside, he told me that he had been there since Tuesday, and that he actually lived outside of NBC. Apparently he didn't realize that it was a line he was standing in. "Im a huge Depeche fan. I'm the biggest," he finally confessed. "We are doing this for Depeche Mode, the kids, Jay Leno and the web site."
The Utah Depeche Mode sect was next in line. "We flew out last night and have been here since about eleven. Weve had a great time waiting here and we cant wait to see the band. Hopefully well get in."
The fans even came all the way from Ontario, Canada. When asked if they were here to see Depeche Mode, the reply was simply "of course." They had gotten to the line at around midnight the night before, and as the witching hour closed in, the party began for these Mode Heads.
One girl and her friends from San Diego remember a bad experience a show a few years back. "I remember one show, I got jumped and had to go to the ER. I had this sign that said Depeche Mode and all these guys jumped me for it and I got beaten up and taken away in an ambulance."
Just then, the KROQ van pulled up again and started jamming some more Depeche Mode tunes. When we asked them where the secret party was, their lips were sealed. "We have the Ultra party tomorrow night and its in a secret location."
"As soon as I found out that they were on the show, I fed-exed for tickets that day," one girl said. "I figured that if I got the tickets that I would go to the show. A week, later I got them. So, here I am." This ten-time Depeche Mode veteran didnt really have a wacky story, but said that a lot of her memories revolve around the band.
A fan from Buffalo, New York, who works for Southwest airlines, used his job as an opportunity to see his favorite band. " I am so psyched," he told me "I heard about it on the internet and decided that this was something that I couldnt miss."
One guy who was waiting in line, had his fingers crossed. "I have had tickets to see them twice and I never ended up seeing them. I figure that this could be my last chance."
After hearing that people were looking for wacky stories about Depeche Mode concerts, a girl from Arcadia, named Claudia bolted over to give the icing on the cake. "Depeche Mode brought me and my boyfriend together. We have been together for about three years. When they waited in line together at the Irvine Meadows show, they fell in love. "We were waiting in line, we found out that we had a mutual friend and he asked me out we have been dating ever since. I have been listening to Depeche Mode since I was in fourth grade."
Not since the days of the enormous crowd followings of The Grateful Dead has a band drummed up such a solid, devoted fan base. For their first American TV appearance, Mode brought in the fans. We never managed to get the scoop on the secret location for KROQs Ultra party, but it really didnt matter. Although not all of the loyal fans waiting in front of NBC will get in to see The Tonight Show, everyone seemed to be happy just spending a couple of days in the hot Burbank sun with their fellow Depeche Mode followers.
© Guys from USA
Some photos from NBC:
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