Chickens and confusion in Germany: the weirdest moment of Depeche Mode’s career
Oh, to be a rock star. The idea of being Depeche Mode, stepping onto the stage, walking out in front of thousands of adoring fans and getting paid for it, what’s not to love? Of course, there is a lot that we don’t know about being a rock star, one of which is the absurd amount of ridiculous PR stunts that people have to do. Depeche Mode is no stranger to this.
As they sat down on a talk show along with Ricky Gervais, the host asked the band to look back on the number of different TV appearances they’ve been a part of and talk about their strangest experience. There was no hesitation from the band when they all offered the same answer almost simultaneously, “Chickens”.
Elaborating slightly, they said, “We had to carry chickens; it was a German TV show, and we wanted to do well in Germany, so we just did it”. While the studio audience offers up confused laughter, the blasé explanation isn’t enough for Ricky Gervais.
“What do you mean?” He asks, “Whose suggestion was that then? Carrying chickens?” It’s a very valid question, although probably not something the band were overthinking when they found themselves in a country where English is the second language and presented with a variety of plucky feathered friends.
“The Germans,” they said. “It was sort of a comedy program, and it was supposed to be funny, us carrying chickens.” It turns out the show that they were working on was a type of sketch show, and the band found themselves taking part. They were asked to sing while manoeuvring a few hay bales and carrying chickens.
While it might sound like a silly prospect, famous musicians do these things to get air time and become memorable. Depeche Mode aren’t renowned for their stint on German TV working with poultry. Still, because of their willingness to participate in something so silly, they could promote their music and themselves better.
The group, who were once a bunch of wide-eyed musicians that “Wanted to do well in Germany,” now have a plethora of chart-topping hits and are considered by many to be a band who have contributed to the everchanging landscape of music. As they look back on the stunts they had to pull while climbing the ladder to fame, they can smile at them and revel in the success they achieved as a result.
Just remember that the next time you are standing in a crowd and watching some of your favourite bands perform, despite being the epitome of cool at that moment, they will have done some embarrassing things to get to that stage.
