LEO LUGANSKIY as “ULTRA Dave”– lead vocals
Brent Meyer as “Counterfeit Martin”– music director, keyboards, vocals, guitar, melodica, sequencing, percussion
Julian Shah-Tayler as “Oscar Wilder” - keyboards, sequencing, percussion, backing vocals, visuals
James Evans as “ InTheFletch” - keyboards, percussion, backing vocals
CHRIS OLIVAS as “CHRIS-TIAN O-GNER" - acoustic and electronic drums
Los Angeles based STRANGELOVE-The Depeche Mode Experience delivers a career spanning, pitch perfect “best of” concert that transports the listener through time and touches on several key points in Depeche Mode’s 40+ year career. Songs from throughout the Depeche canon are lovingly recreated; from favorites on DM’s debut Speak and Spell to the newest fare from ‘Mode’s latest- 2017’s “Spirit”. No detail of STRANGELOVE’s presentation has been overlooked. The visual presentation with stage set pieces and in-show costume changes reflect different eras of Depeche Mode’s story.
Truly evocative of a Depeche Mode arena/stadium stage show; the scale of STRANGELOVE’s theatrical stage production is unparalleled, save for the real article. Custom-produced multimedia projection visuals delight the concertgoer’s senses and enhance the illusion that they’re witnessing an actual Depeche Mode concert.
These accomplished musicians have a reverence and devotion to Depeche Mode’s body of work that's driven them to recreate every possible detail and bring the “Music To The Masses” in a concert setting that transcends a mere tribute production; and feels more like a shared communal fan-club celebration of halcyon days of new wave/emerging electronica. Accuracy and authenticity is a hallmark of the project, with the band employing as many authentic vintage synthesizers and samplers as possible in recreating the classic and widely varied sounds of Depeche Mode’s discography.
With over 120 million records sold and a rabid international fan base, Depeche Mode’s status as elder statesmen of electronica was recently cemented with their induction into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame last year. Their enormous fan base encompasses all ages and crosses every demographic. Their last stadium/arena tour in 2018 set world box office records. STRANGELOVE –The Depeche Mode Experience brings a thoroughly enjoyable and staggeringly authentic DM concert to concertgoers, and connects with international audiences, wherever the group performs.
Leo Luganskiy “Ultra-Dave”
Leo has lived in Brooklyn, New York since moving from Volgograd, Russia as a teenager. Since immigrating, he’s worked as a musician, actor and model. Having only recently entered his 30's, he brings a fresh perspective and youthful vitality to Dave Gahan’s legendary stage performances. He’s truly a vocal “ringer” and delivers a passionate and uncanny emulation of David Gahan’s velvet baritone. Many note he bears more than a passing resemblance to the charismatic Depeche Mode frontman! Also, being an actor (having appeared in national AT&T campaigns and even portraying a teen Marilyn Manson on a Biography Channel program), he fully inhabits the role of DG live on stage; from the Essex accent to the larger-than-life dance moves and smallest hand gestures. While being genetically gifted and seemingly made for this role, it’s his enduring passion for Depeche Mode’s body of work that really shines through. Alongside fronting Strangelove, Leo has been working consistently as a session/studio vocalist, and is also an accomplished multi-instrumentalist, producer and remixer with many original music projects in various musical genres released, to international acclaim. More info at:
https://www.facebook.com/LeoLuganskiyOfficial/
https://www.instagram.com/leo_luganskiy_music/
Brent Meyer- “Counterfeit Martin”
When not inhabiting the persona of DM mastermind Martin L. Gore onstage, Brent plays an even more pivotal role for the project behind the scenes. A wearer of multiple-hats, Brent has operated in almost every role within the music industry; including working as a record label VP, artist, festival organizer, artist management for platinum acts, TV/film/videogame composer, studio owner, arranger/orchestrator, and record producer/engineer (for such artists as Henry Rollins, Bowie/The Cure collaborator Reeves Gabrels, Chic/Bowie/Power Station’s Tony Thompson, and several musicians in the Beck/Sting sphere). He’s recently worked as a producer with Depeche Mode’s drummer Christian Eigner, who contributed drums for two original projects. As booking agent, he helmed the largest tribute-focused talent agency in the world for over a decade, until Strangelove's swelling tour schedule limited his involvement. He has the occasional dalliance, (employing his operatic baritone) fronting another passion project: Fears For Tears, as well as producing and remixing other artists. He has a full-length solo album coming out next year. All of his varied skillsets are utilized in the service of bringing STRANGELOVE to audiences worldwide.
https://www.facebook.com/brentmeyerfb
Julian Shah-Tayler as “Oscar Wilder”
Julian's devotion to Depeche Mode's music and his subsequent love of synthesizers, programming, and the creative process as a whole is evidenced in his authentic portrayal of Alan Wilder. Originally hailing from Leeds, U.K., Julian has been working closely with Depeche Mode’s “But Not Tonight” producer Robert Margouleff for his own project “The Singularity”, on new albums and singles being currently released. He’s also contributed vocals to projects for the likes of Johnny Marr and Ringo Starr, and won international awards for his arrangement work with Lana Del Rey and songwriting/performance for ASCAP. He’s recently released new music with David J (Bauhaus/Love & Rockets), Alain Whyte (Morrissey), and Wayne Hussey (The Mission UK) and has had his work featured in “Breaking Bad” and “The Sopranos”. On top of his international reputation as a DJ and producer/singer/songwriter, he has appeared on the cover of “LA Weekly”, and has been named In their “Top 10 Tribute bands” list for his David Bowie tribute “The Band That Fell To Earth” as frontman “Electric Duke” (which often opens for Strangelove on tour).
https://www.facebook.com/thesingularitymusic/
James Evans- "In The Fletch"
James is the group’s rock. His association with the band started over a decade ago, as the group's stage manager, before stepping into the role of Andy Fletcher! He's an invaluable asset in helping to recreate the live keyboard parts and harmony vocals performed during Depeche Mode's concerts with passion, intensity and showmanship. He is a secret weapon in audience engagement and getting the crowds going every night! Much like Fletch’s role within DM, he also helps the trains run on time.
https://www.facebook.com/jamesevans
Chris Olivas- "Chris-tian O-gner"
Chris brings an impressive pedigree, having been the backbone of Terri Nunn & Berlin's rhythm section for 20 years. He is an in demand session, touring, and studio musician. with many projects, record releases and writing credits under his belt. he's also an in-demand DJ and has his own events company- Mindless Music Entertainment. His association with the band started years ago as the group's occasional drummer on larger shows. He's an invaluable asset in helping to recreate the live drum parts and electric live energy that are a hallmark of the latter half of Depeche Mode's career. Being a band full of closeted rockers when not performing with Strangelove, the group LOVES the visceral impact Chris brings to the proceedings, at every show he's with them for.
https://www.facebook.com/chrisolivasdrummer
https://www.mindlessmusicentertainment.com
Special thanks to the team behind the scenes:
Booking Inquiries: Brent Meyer (332) 828-3110
General/Press Inquiries: Backline Management (703) 346-4612
Special Thanks also to:
Richard Stamper - Stage Set & Production Design
Grumpy Goat Guitars - Custom Luthier / Fabrication
Dan Miga Designs- Custom leatherwork
Majesty Black-collectible handmade armor / fashion as a weapon
Christa Moeller - Costume Fabrication
Thanks to these fine companies, whose products we endorse:
