DEPECHE MODE: 101 20TH ANNIVERSARY

Hard to believe that today marks the 20th anniversary of Depeche Mode's concert at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA. That show was the culmination of not one, but two wild bus tour across America - one convoy with the band, and one with a group of teenagers who'd won a dance contest to see their favorite band play their final show on the US tour. It was an amazing journey for everyone, and one of the greatest music experiences we've ever had both as fans and as filmmakers.


Watch some concert footage from the June 18, 1988 Pasadena show:

CONGRATULATIONS, AL FRANKEN

We would like to extend our congratulations to Al Franken on receiving the Democratic Party's endorsement. Franken is now the Democratic nominee for the US Senate race in Minnesota.

Click HERE to see an interview with Franken from NPR/Twin Cities Public Television.

NPR also has a cool, interactive map HERE that covers all of the 2008 US Elections. See how your candidate's doing in every state.

And, of course, check out the official AL FRANKEN FOR SENATE website.

REMEMBERING BO DIDDLEY

Like all of you, we were very sad to receive news of Bo Diddley's passing on Monday. Bo continually took the concept of being a "self-made man" one step further - as the New York Times put it, he "invented his own name, his own guitars, his own beat and, with a handful of other musical pioneers, rock ’n’ roll itself."

In 1969, D A Pennebaker went to Toronto to film the Sweet Toronto Peace Festival, which featured the 'fearsome four' of rock'n'roll: Bo Diddley, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Little Richard - and a surprise performance by John Lennon's brand-new Plastic Ono Band. The resulting film became known as Sweet Toronto (Keep On Rockin'). Bo's electrified performance at the start of the film, getting the crowd moving and shaking. Getting them rocking. To us, that's what Bo was all about: spreading the pure joy of rock'n'roll.


Go here to read the full NY Times obituary for Bo Diddley.