IT'S ALL ABOUT THE CLASSICS.

Byline: Phillip Zonkel Staff Writer

FANS SAW the rock-orientated side of Depeche Mode Monday night at the Staples Center, but it wasn't until the masters of minor-key music dipped into their vast catalog of crowd pleasers that the devoted followers reveled in the group's lyrical misery.

Bathed in warm purple light, Depeche Mode, which plays at the Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim on Wednesday, emerged onto a sci-fi-looking stage decorated with three gray space-pod keyboards and a giant satellite-shaped orb illuminating the words ``SEX,'' ``PAIN,'' ``VICE,'' ``ANGEL,'' ``LOVE,'' ``AGONY'' and ``HEARTACHE.''

If you were looking for music to soothe the tortured soul, this was the place to be.

Before the first note of the opening song, the sold-out crowd already was screaming and standing on its feet.

The band broke out of the gates with two guitar-rock heavy tracks, ``A Pain That I'm Used To'' and ``John the Revelator,'' from Depeche Mode's new CD, ``Playing the Angel.''

Maybe these songs are a prelude to next year's concerts. Rumor has it Depeche Mode will tour the U.S. in mid-2006 with Nine Inch Nails.

Although the band is celebrating its 25th year on the scene, lead singer Dave Gahan and guitarist-keyboardist-singer Martin Gore, both in their early 40s, still seem as enthusiastic and energetic as ever. Ten minutes into the show, Gahan removed his sport jacket, revealing his black, sleeveless vest, and grabbed the mike stand like a willing partner ready for a marathon of dancing.

He wildly prowled the stage, a hybrid of Mick Jagger and Steven Tyler, shaking his hips and thrusting his pelvis at audience members, who begged for more.

Gore, garbed in black with wings on his back and ankles, donned a knit cap that hugged the sides of his face and featured a fake Mohawk stuck onto the top. As he strummed his guitar, Gore shuffled his feet or waved his hands in the air.

Andy Fletcher, as he's prone to do, stood quietly behind his keyboard, but did break a smile every now and then. The group is rounded out by touring drummer Christian Eigner and keyboardist Pete Gordeno.

For the first hour, Depeche Mode sprinkled its set with some fan favorites (``A Question of Time'' and ``Policy of Truth''), but the bulk of the songs (``I Suffer Well,'' ``Damaged People,'' I Want It All'' and ``Sinner in Me'') were from the new album, which is subtitled ``pain and suffering in various tempos.''

However, most of the tempos were somber. The majority of audience members remained on their feet, politely clapping at song's end, but you could feel that they were yearning for Depeche Mode's seductive groove and drum-based tracks of previous albums, when band member Alan Wilder helped usher in a new Depeche Mode sound, one that was drenched in lush, layered sonic landscapes filled with sexy and sensual rhythms and beats.

But once Wilder left the group in 1994, Depeche Mode seemed to lose its appealing dance-music qualities.

Now that was about to change. When Gahan stripped off his vest, exposing his bare, tattooed chest and the metallic chords of ``I Feel You'' started, fans jumped to their feet. But the best was yet to come.

Once fans heard the spinning hubcap and galloping drum beats of the classic ``Behind the Wheel,'' from 1987's ``Music for the Masses,'' the Staples Center exploded into a frenzied dance party. The masses then got a fix of ``World in My Eyes, ``Personal Jesus'' and ``Enjoy the Silence.''

These were the hits and tempos fans wanted to hear.

Gahan, Gore and Fletcher also looked like they were having the time of their lives, feeding off the jubilation.

And the band's two encores also provided a hefty dose of the classics that fans crave.

DEPECHE MODE WITH THE RAVONETTES

Where: Arrowhead Pond Anaheim, 2695 E. Katella Ave., Anaheim.

When: 7 tonight.

Tickets: Sold out. Try brokers.

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Photo:

Depeche Mode rocked the Staples Center on Monday, and moves to the Arrowhead Pond for one show tonight.

Diandra Jay/Staff Photographer