Depeche Mode
Biography
Depeche Mode are an English electronic band formed in Basildon, Essex, in 1980. The group's original lineup consisted of Dave Gahan (lead vocals), Martin Gore (keyboards, guitar, vocals, chief songwriter after 1981), Andy Fletcher (keyboards), and Vince Clarke (keyboards, chief songwriter 1980–81). The band was named after a French fashion magazine, Dépêche Mode.
Early Years and Formation (1980-1981)
The origins of Depeche Mode date back to 1977, when schoolmates Vince Clarke and Andy Fletcher formed a band called No Romance in China. By 1980, they had teamed up with Martin Gore to form Composition of Sound, with all three on synthesizers. Dave Gahan was recruited later that year as lead vocalist after Clarke heard him perform at a local jam session. The new group, now called Depeche Mode, honed a slick, techno-based sound. They made their debut in 1980 with the track "Photographic" on the Some Bizzare Album compilation. After signing to Mute Records, they released their debut album, Speak & Spell, in 1981, which featured the UK Top 10 hit "Just Can't Get Enough".
Clarke's Departure and a New Direction
Shortly after the success of their debut, primary songwriter Vince Clarke departed the band in late 1981, citing discomfort with the band's direction and the pressures of fame. He went on to form other successful acts like Yazoo and Erasure. Martin Gore took over as the main songwriter, a shift that would lead the band towards a darker, more introspective sound. For their second album, A Broken Frame (1982), the band continued as a trio.
The Alan Wilder Era and Rise to Global Fame (1982-1995)
In late 1981, the band advertised for a new musician and recruited Alan Wilder, a classically trained keyboardist, in early 1982. Wilder's first studio contribution was on the 1983 single "Get the Balance Right!". His arrival marked a significant evolution in the band's sound, introducing sophisticated sampling and arrangement techniques. Albums like Construction Time Again (1983) and Some Great Reward (1984) saw a dramatic shift, incorporating industrial sounds. The latter featured the international hit "People Are People".
International Success
The albums Black Celebration (1986) and Music for the Masses (1987) cemented their status as a dominant force in electronic and alternative music. Their sound grew darker and more atmospheric. A 1988 concert at the Pasadena Rose Bowl, documented in the film 101, drew over 60,000 fans, marking their breakthrough in the US. In 1990, they released Violator, which became a massive international success, featuring iconic singles like "Personal Jesus" and "Enjoy the Silence". The follow-up, Songs of Faith and Devotion (1993), saw the band experimenting with a more rock-oriented sound, incorporating heavily distorted guitars and live drums.
Wilder's Departure
Despite their success, internal struggles and Gahan's personal issues during the grueling "Devotional Tour" led to tensions. Alan Wilder left the band in 1995, citing dissatisfaction with the group's internal relations and working practices. His departure marked the end of a pivotal era for the band.
The Trio and Later Years (1997-Present)
Continuing as a trio of Gahan, Gore, and Fletcher, the band released Ultra in 1997. They followed with a series of successful albums including Exciter (2001), Playing the Angel (2005), Sounds of the Universe (2009), Delta Machine (2013), and Spirit (2017). In May 2022, Andy Fletcher passed away, leaving the band to continue as a duo. Gahan and Gore released their fifteenth studio album, Memento Mori, in 2023. Depeche Mode have sold over 100 million records worldwide and were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2020.