Billy Gibbons on Depeche Mode – Some Great Reward (1984)

ZZ Top have been compared to all sorts of unexpected bands, but I know the one I’d most like to be compared with: Depeche Mode. I’m really fanatical about those cats. I had the pleasure of making their acquaintance in ’85 and we’ve stayed pals ever since. I worked with them on Delta Machine (2013), they had a record called “Soothe My Soul” and I got a phone call from Dave (Gahan) saying, “We’ve got to do an extended remix, and we need a little Texas mud sprinkled over it.” I said “I’m your guy!”

In the early ’80s, there was this experimental exploration of these new forms of ways to make loud noise. Depeche Mode was charging ahead at the forefront. Martin Gore is a gifted writer and gifted composer. He said let’s not make always a happy song, let’s talk realistically about the human condition.

Some Great Reward is the home of “Master and Servant” and “People Are People“. I am constantly impressed with how they meld a bleak world view with synch and turn it all into great pop music. That’s alchemy!

by Billy Gibbons