Depeche Mode marked the anniversary this week of the release of its massive Violator album with a new Archives Special devoted to the band’s infamous record-signing session at The Wherehouse record store in Los Angeles on March 20, 1990 — an event that drew 10,000 fans and sparked a near-riot before being shut down by police.
The band’s webmaster, Daniel Barassi, compiled this 18-minute reel of footage of the event, largely with material from his own VHS collection. You can watch it in full below.
From the band’s website:
The Wherehouse In-Store
March 20th, 1990To promote the release of “Violator” in the United States, Sire/Reprise and KROQ-FM organized a record signing at The Wherehouse record store at 3rd and La Cienega in Los Angeles.
Fans lined up for days for the opportunity to meet the band. By the time that the event started at 9pm, it was estimated that well over 10,000 fans had crowded the streets of Los Angeles, and surrounded the record store.
Even though the event lasted a little more than an hour (due to the police shutting it down), it left an impression. If people didn’t know who Depeche Mode were after they sold out the Rose Bowl, they knew now.
Using footage from multiple TV clips and interview clips (mostly from the webmaster’s VHS collection, but also including some clips from our friends at the DM TV Archives), here is a look back at “The Wherehouse In-Store”.
PREVIOUSLY ON SLICING UP EYEBALLS
- Depeche Mode begin reissuing full catalog on 180-gram vinyl — first 4 titles out this week
- Video: Depeche Mode at Austin City Limits Music Festival — watch full 90-minute webcast
- Vintage Video: Depeche Mode ended European leg of Devotional Tour 20 years ago today
- Alan Wilder wants to sell you the Mercedes he bought when he was in Depeche Mode
- Video: Depeche Mode, ‘A Concert for the Masses’ — rare footage from 1988’s ‘101’ concert
Humphrey Yogart Cafe? LOL.
Wow, Laura Diaz looks somewhat human. Great video!
When KROQ was still decent.
I remember this…I remember missing it cause my mom wouldn’t let me go.
Ahh I remember it well…I was never there.
MY buddy invited me to the final Music for the Masses conclusion at the Rose Bowl in ’88…the day after our H.S. graduation. I left for college that day (started during Summer). I want to say they played with the Pet Shop Boys and OMD. I could be mistaken.
You know, no one ever said on their death bed “I really wish I had studied a little bit more”
nice write up here on the magnitude of the event, which reminded me of just how much in-love KROQ was with DM:
http://kroq.cbslocal.com/2013/06/18/depeche-modes-concert-for-the-masses-rose-bowl-show-25-years-later/
Looks like that mob was a lot easier for the LAPD to handle than the one a few years later after Rodney King.
The Rose Bowl ‘101’ show had DM, OMD, Thomas Dolby & Wire. There was a foodfight for the masses between sets, and I think it rained a little during ‘Something To Do’ and ‘Blasphemous Rumours’.
A couple years later DM brought more rain to SoCal in the summer when they played at Dodger Stadium with Nitzer Ebb & Electronic.
My first concert. Fun show.