In 1993 Depeche Mode would release their album songs of faith and devotion. The
album was released against the backdrop of alternative rock which was popular at the
time and had some influence on the sound of the record. The recording of the album and
the tour to support the album tested the band’s career, nearly resulting in David
Gahan nearly dying during one live show. Today let’s take a look at what happened.
The writing sessions for Depeche Mode’s Songs of Faith and Devotion were full of tensions.
The band’s previous record 1990’s Violator was a huge commercial success giving the band their
first platinum record in America. 1993 Faith and Devotion would debut at the number 1 spot on the
billboard charts in America. Prior to recording teh record the band members had usually not lived
together during the recording of their past albums. That changed with Songs of Faith and
devotion where the members lived together in Madrid,Hamburg and London. The band’s
personal problems and living in close quarters exacerbated internal tensions. Frontman David
Gahan was dealing with heroin addiction, while principal songwriter guitarist and
keyboardist martin gore was feeling the pressure of following the success of the
band’s previous record. Keyboardist Andy Fletcher meanwhile was dealing with depression. The band’s
initial sessions had to be scrapped and producer Flood described the recording of the album as and
i quote ‘pulling teeth.’ Fletcher meanwhile would recall about the album “We were in the
worst possible state as members but we were creating some of our best work… at the time,
it was a living hell…I remember thinking ‘I’m never going to make another record under these
circumstances again, because it’s so much not fun’. And music should be fun – there should
be some sort of enjoyment there.”The band members soon bickered over pushing their own song ideas.
Despite the internal tensions the album would be released on March 22 of 1993 to critical and
commercial acclaim. It led the band to launch their biggest and most ambitious tour to date.
Despite the success of the record the problems that ate at the band during the time in the
studio joined them on the road. Fletcher would be replaced mid tour due to life on the road, while
Alan Wilder would leave the group in 1995 citing his unhappiness with the statement of the band. ,
Gore would look back at the trek saying, "I don't think anyone was ever the same after that tour",
withQ magazine would later refer to the Devotional Tour as "the most debauched rock tour ever".[31]
During a stop in Montreal, Canada frontman David Gahan who was reportedly suffering from
a cold according to the band’s label was having trouble singing. Bandmate Martin Gore would take
over and sing a few songs. Gahan would return to do a few more numbers before the band ended
teh show early. A show in Ohio would be called off after Gahan cut his hand to the point that
he couldn’t hold a microphone stand after trying to open a beer bottle. Perhaps the darkest date
on the tour happened on October 8, 1993 during a stop over in New Orleans. Gahan would collapse
on stage after suffering a drug induced heart attack. When paramedics arrived on stage the
band would play ‘Death’s Door.’ Gahan would tell uncut magazine "Death was the furthest
thing from my mind, to be honest," "I was in so much denial about what was really going on."
The band would limp along until July of 1994. During the final
show of the tour Gahan jumped into the crowd only to crack several ribs
and suffer internal bleeding after falling 12 feet onto a row of seats.
In 1997 the band would release their follow up Ultra. In an interview with
MTV the band revealed they would not tour to support the album The band did
however play one mini-performance at a party for radio-contest winners in LA.
MTV would report and i quote “Dave Gahan still wobbling back from drug addiction,
the band says it decided not to subject him to the backstage temptations of a full-scale tour.
Perhaps the lack of touring impacted Ultra’s album sales with mtv reporting at the time
that the album debuted on the "Billboard" chart at number 5 and quickly dropped off the charts.
Andrew Fletcher would tell the network a different take on the situation
saying ANDREW FLETCHER: The last tour nearly destroyed the band. At least this way around,
hopefully, we will release more records. I think in the end,
that's what fans want. And I'm sure in the future we'll tour as well.