Depeche Mode’s Devotional tour in 1993 is quoted as the most debauched in pop history. Martin Gore suffered a heart attack on stage in New Orleans and couldn’t make the encore; whilst on another leg, Dave Gahan officially died and was clinically revived in hospital. Andy ‘Fletch’ Fletcher, who had previously described touring as “so much fun”, was left so clinically depressed he quit music and entered the hospitality business. Roadies recall of “Smack Jack” being the drink du jour – a pint of JD sprinkled with heroin. Primal Scream, the support band led by Bobby Gillespie – themselves no strangers to a sesh – were anecdotally left so agog, they returned home and swore on oaths of sobriety.

November’s edition of our Hi-Fidelity slot on RINSE FM is up now for playback. As the clocks turn back and the nights draw in, this episode provided an ample opportunity to explore some of the more peculiar records that populate the bar. Joining dots from Suomi Dub to 70s Krautrock and synthesised Eastern-bloc aerobic exercise soundtrack recordings. Aided by a pesky dust bunny riding shotgun, for a true analog of the bar experience.