Biography
During the UK post-punk backlash at the
turn of the 80s, when bands dispensed with guitars and drums in favour of
synthesizers and drum machines, Depeche Mode were formed, taking their name from
the title of a French style magazine. More than 20 years later they are
recognized as the most successful "electro-synth" band ever. Ironically enough,
given their reputation as the kings of synth-pop, they had made their debut as a
trio playing only guitars at Scamps club in Southend-on-Sea, Essex, England. The
band originally came together in the neighbouring borough of Basildon in 1980,
and comprised Vince Clarke (b. 3 July 1961, Basildon, Essex, England;
synthesizer, ex-No Romance In China), Andy Fletcher (b. 8 July 1960, Basildon,
Essex, England; synthesizer) and Martin Gore (b. 23 July 1961, Basildon, Essex,
England; synthesizer, ex-The French Look; Norman And The Worms). Following a
series of concerts that attracted packed houses at the Bridge House Tavern in
London's Canning Town, they were spotted by Daniel Miller. Shortly afterwards
they were signed to his independent Mute Records, which became their long-term
record label.
They had already tasted vinyl exposure by issuing one track on Stevo's Some
Bizzare compilation in 1981. This had been recorded by the original trio, with
Clarke on vocals, before they elected to recruit Dave Gahan (b. 9 May 1962,
Epping, Essex, England) as their permanent lead vocalist. "Dreaming Of Me" in
1981 started a remarkable run of hit singles. Principal songwriter Vince Clarke
left shortly after Speak & Spell to form Yazoo with Alison Moyet, and the
writing reins were taken over by Martin Gore, as Alan Wilder (b. 1 June 1959,
England; synthesizer, vocals, ex-Dragons; Hitmen) settled into Clarke's place.
The gentle, hypnotic ambience of "See You" was an early demonstration of Gore's
sense of melody. Only briefly in their early years did Depeche Mode find their
craft compatible with the tastes of the music press, yet their success remained
a testament to the power of their music. Lyrically, Gore tended to tackle
subjects a shade darker than the musical content might suggest, including
sado-masochism ("Master And Servant"), capitalism ("Everything Counts") and
religious fetishism ("Personal Jesus"). As the 90s dawned their albums continued
to reach the UK Top 10, and they had made important inroads on the US market.
The Violator tour made them huge concert stars in America, where they became
stars on the burgeoning alternative scene. Violator presented a harder sound,
informed by Gahan's patronage of the American rock scene, which was continued on
Songs Of Faith And Devotion. As their standing throughout the world continued to
be enhanced by ambitious stage shows, the latter album debuted in both the US
and UK charts at number 1 on its week of release - this despite the fact that
thinly veiled acrimony seemed to surround the Depeche Mode camp as it entered
the 90s. Wilder departed in 1996 (resurfacing in 1997 as the cinematic Recoil).
The change in Gahan over the past few years has seen him relocate from Essex to
Los Angeles, divorce his wife, remarry his tattooed American girlfriend, divorce
her and then attempt suicide. Gahan's serious drug dependency reached a peak
when he came close to death in 1996. In a revealing interview with the New
Musical Express, he spoke about his drug problems to such an extent that the
reader was convinced of his
determination to stay clean and pursue a future with his longest love affair,
his band. The following year's Ultra was a surprisingly good album, considering
the fragmentation that had been occurring within the ranks. The renaissance
continued with the excellent Exciter in 2001 which ranks as one of their
strongest albums.
discography
Speak and Spell (1981)
A Broken Frame (1982)
Construction Time Again (1983)
Some Great Reward (1984)
The Singles 81-85 (1985)
Black Celebration (1986)
Music For The Masses (1987)
101 (1989)
Violator (1990)
Songs Of Faith And Devotion (1993)
Songs Of Faith And Devotion-Live (1994)
Ultra (1997)
The Singles 81-85 (Re-edição de 1998)
The Singles 86-98 (1998)
Exciter (2001)
links
