Episode 10: Hall of Fame Debate, New Artists | 9 | Depeche Mode's Memento Mori

In this wide-ranging Black Tee Society conversation, Dave and Josh kick things off with a bizarre discovery—someone impersonating Dave online and interacting with fans as if they were him. The conversation quickly shifts into a spirited debate about potential Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nominees and the ever-controversial question of what actually qualifies as “rock.” From there, the episode dives deep into the Depeche Mode Memento Mori documentary, concert culture, nostalgia, vinyl, and the endless pursuit of discovering new music.The conversation then revisits a previous debate about the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Dave and Josh react to rumored or predicted nominees, discussing artists like Iron Maiden, Mariah Carey, Oasis, Billy Idol, Alice in Chains, and others. Their broader point is clear—the Hall of Fame has long since become more of a “Music Hall of Fame,” blurring genre boundaries and raising questions about what rock really means.From there, the discussion shifts to Depeche Mode’s Memento Mori concert documentary. Both hosts reflect on seeing the band live and analyze the film’s structure, production choices, and heavy use of Day of the Dead imagery. While they praise the band’s performance and enduring catalog, they question whether the documentary fully captured the live concert experience or the band’s connection with the audience.The episode concludes with a nostalgic dive into concert memories, vinyl collecting, cassette mixtapes, and the thrill of discovering new artists—from underground rock acts to emerging country-rock bands. Artists discussed: Iron Maiden Mariah Carey Oasis Diana Ross Alicia Keys Wu-Tang Clan Styx Billy Idol Phil Collins B-52s Alice in Chains Pixies Motorhead and Lemmy not being inducted remains a major credibility issue for the Hall.  Josh’s New Discoveries: Dogma Shane Smith & the Saints Reverend Horton Heat The Church Dave’s New Discoveries: Treaty Oak Revival Sombr Teddy Swims Their shared philosophy: Music fans should always keep exploring instead of replaying the same catalog forever. “To be me? I challenge you to find a line of people waiting to do that.” “The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame isn’t just rock anymore—it’s basically the Music Hall of Fame.” “When a band talks to the audience, that connection is something you can’t replicate anywhere else.” “Don’t listen to the same shit over and over again—keep finding new music.” “With a double cassette deck and a Maxell 120, you were basically king of the world." The episode’s centerpiece is a discussion of Depeche Mode’s Memento Mori concert documentary. Both hosts reflect on their own experiences seeing the band live and analyze the film’s stylistic choices. While the performances themselves are widely praised, the documentary’s heavy integration of Day of the Dead imagery and cultural segments raises questions about whether it captures the essence of a Depeche Mode concert. For Dave and Josh, one of the biggest missing elements is the band’s direct connection with the audience—an aspect of live performance that can’t be replicated on film. The Black Tee Society is also the number one new podcast in the area of new music and classic music catalogues. The show now has over 500 listens and streams per episode.But the episode ends on a forward-looking note. Even lifelong music fans, Dave and Josh argue, should never stop discovering new artists.Because the worst thing a music fan can do is listen to the same songs forever.