DEPECHE MODE: DREAM ON ROUTE 66

DATE: FEBRUARY 22, 2001
FROM: MITCH SCHNEIDER/LATHUM NELSON/MARCEE RONDAN

DEPECHE MODE DREAM ON ROUTE 66: Having memorably covered the rock classic "Route 66" a few years ago, DEPECHE MODE found themselves on the historic American road over the weekend (February 17-18), shooting the video in the frigid desert for "Dream On," set as the upcoming first single from their EXCITER album, due in stores May 15 (Mute/Reprise Records). Working for the first time with esteemed director Stephane Sednaoui, DEPECHE MODE's DAVE GAHAN, MARTIN GORE and ANDREW FLETCHER are seen traveling in a classic black Lincoln Continental near Barstow (in between Los Angeles and Las Vegas), as the mysterious atmosphere unfolds around them. Sednaoui has lots of experimental post-production work to do on the video that "we're all anxious to see," notes FLETCHER. "When he initially sent over his treatment for the video, it was clear he grasped the different moods of the song," says GORE. Seen driving the car is GAHAN, who reveals that "Martin and Andrew are my passengers, but the viewer won't know for sure if they're truly in the car with me." It all sounds as mysterious as the song itself, which contrasts skittering beats with acoustic guitars and lyrics like "It sucked you in, it dragged you down/To where there is no hallowed ground/Where holiness is never found." "Dream On" goes to radio in mid-March, with the video to follow shortly thereafter. For more information on DEPECHE MODE, visit their website at www.depechemode.com where you can hear 30-second snippets of songs from the LP, including "Dream On."