depeche mode dot com

A MESSAGE FROM THE PENNEBAKERS:

Depeche Mode Fans,

We are very happy to finally release "Depeche Mode 101" on DVD. However, many of you are asking why the DVD does not include the entire Rosebowl concert, and the simple answer is that we do not have it.

When we initially approached the band about releasing "Depeche Mode 101"on DVD, our primary motive was to have "101" available to fans in the most up to date, visually and aurally stunning format that technology would allow. And in doing so we were able to protect the video and bring it up to the highest standard possible before it was too late. After months in labs and studios, we now have a beautiful new video with a new 5.1 audio mix to release to you on DVD.

We have included as an extra on the DVD a one-hour television special of the Rosebowl concert that we made in 1989. The television special has never been released on video and had a very limited television distribution in Europe. It was a priority to preserve and re-master the video as it also was in jeapordy of deteriorating since it was originally mastered on an analogue video format in the days before digital video. The program has been inadvertently referred to as the complete Rosebowl concert. It is not the total concert, but the special featured two new songs, "Pleasure Little Treasure" and "Somebody" which were not included in "Depeche Mode 101." We are sorry for this misunderstanding and understand the disappointment about not having everything from that evening however it is unclear from our logs if the footage even exists of the three missing songs to make the complete Rosebowl set list. But we wanted to make available this program that has been sitting virtually unseen in our archive for so many years.

In some ways, just as "Depeche Mode 101" is not a concert film, but a film about a band - Alan, Andy, David, and Martin -- and a record of that particular time for them and their fans, we wanted the DVD to show the band and the fans today. In the 15 years since we shot 101, much has happened to Depeche Mode - notably, Alan is no longer with them. We wanted to include Alan in our DVD but it was his decision not to take part. What was important to us was to show the band members today, to find out what they are doing, and to have them reflect not only on the past but what they envision for their future. All we can say is that they graciously let us into their homes for this DVD and shared their lives and candid thoughts with us both on camera and in the studio for the audio commentary. We were reminded again of why we love this band - they are not only talented but they are just amazingly, wonderful people.

We are also grateful to Chris, Oliver and Jay, forever the bus kids, who very kindly let us film them doing what they are involved in now and for talking to us about how that trip changed their lives. And we truly appreciate Daniel Miller, of Mute Records, for taking the time to contribute his personal stories about the beginning of Depeche Mode.

So, we hope that you understand better our choices for the materials included in this new DVD release of "Depeche Mode 101" and enjoy it as much as we do.

Most sincerely,

Chris Hegedus and D A Pennebaker

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