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Last updated 21.12.98

Rocker Gahan finds new Mode of living

From correspondent Mark Scheerer (CNN)

CNN - - April 14, 1997

If you think the first video off Depeche Mode's new album looks a bit like the heroin-obsessed British film "Trainspotting" there's a reason: Lead singer David Gahan has had his own recent run-ins with the drug.

Gahan's addiction to heroin almost ended in tragedy last year when he was found unconscious in a West Hollywood hotel following an overdose.

"The bottom line is I didn't want to get clean. I thought I could control it," Gahan explains. "I thought I could do it maybe now and again, have a little party, but those little parties lasted a month. And a month later, I'd be sitting there shivering, wondering what happened."

Gahan finally checked into rehab and got clean. While in rehab, Gahan received lyrics for the band's 10th album; lyrics that let him know his fellow band members knew something about what he was going through.

"When I heard the songs and heard some of the words it was the first time, I felt like it was something gave me a sense of purpose and worth again," he said.

Gahan recorded the songs while in recovery and filmed their second video single, "It's No Good."

The benefits of his transformation are not lost on the band.

"In the last eight months he has been completely clean and I think not only has his life improved, but also what he did on the album has been incredible," said band member Andy Fletcher.

Techno-pioneers for more than 15 years, the band predicts their many fans won't be shocked by what they hear on "Ultra."

"We made a conscious decision to return to a more electronic sound for this record even though there's quite a bit of guitar featured," said guitarist Martin Gore.

But folks who just can't get enough of Depeche Mode live will have to wait. The band has no plans to tour anytime soon.

"After the 'Songs of Faith and Devotion' tour, we were kind of emotionally wrecked," Gahan said. "It would be really insane to go back and do the same thing and expect it to be different."

And after what they've been through, Depeche Mode is content to simply be standing still, not to mention still standing.

Dave Gahan - Martin Gore - Andy Fletcher

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