I like the sound of that." But, in French language, the real and only meaning of the magazine's name (and hence the band's) is "Fashion News" or "Fashion Update". When explaining the choice for the new name taken from a French fashion magazine, Dépêche mode (from French dépêche that means here "dispatch" (from Old French despesche/despeche) or "news report", and mode that means "fashion"), Gore said, "It means hurried fashion or fashion dispatch. Dave Gahan joined the band in 1980 after Clarke heard him perform at a local scout hut jam session, singing to a rendition of David Bowie's " Heroes", and Depeche Mode were born. He said of the song: "It sounded so different from anything I'd heard that really made me want to make electronic music, 'cause it was so unique." He and Fletcher switched to synthesisers thereafter, working odd jobs in order to buy or borrow the instruments from friends. Soon after the formation of Composition of Sound, Clarke heard " Electricity", the debut single by Wirral electronic duo Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark. In March 1980, Clarke, Gore and Fletcher formed a band called Composition of Sound, with Clarke on vocals/guitar, Gore on keyboards, and Fletcher on bass. In 1979, Marlow, Gore, and friend Paul Redmond formed a band called The French Look, with Marlow on vocals/keyboards, Gore on guitar and Redmond on keyboards.
In 1978–79, Martin Gore played guitar in an acoustic duo, Norman and The Worms, with school friend Phil Burdett on vocals. I played the guitar and I had a bass it was a question of them roping me in." In 1979, Clarke played guitar in an " Ultravoxrip-off band", The Plan, with friends Robert Marlow and Paul Langwith. Fletcher would later recall, "Why am I in the band? It was accidental right from the beginning. History Formation and debut album (1977–1981) ĭepeche Mode's origins date to 1977, when schoolmates Vince Clarke and Andy Fletcher formed a The Cure-influenced band called No Romance In China, with Clarke on vocals and guitar and Fletcher on bass. 1.8 Songs of Faith and Devotion and Wilder's departure (1992–1996).1.4 Some Great Reward (1984) and international success.2.8 Songs of Faith and Devotion and Wilder's departure (1992–1996).2.4 Some Great Reward (1984) and international success.VH1 ranked the group #98 on its list of the "100 Greatest Artists of All Time".
Q magazine calls Depeche Mode "The most popular electronic band the world has ever known" and included the band in the list of the "50 Bands That Changed the World!". According to EMI, Depeche Mode have sold over 100 million albums and singles worldwide, making them the most commercially successful electronic band in music history. Wilder left the band in 1995 Gahan, Gore, and Fletcher have since continued as a trio.ĭepeche Mode have had 49 songs in the UK Singles Chart and thirteen top 10 albums in the UK charts, two of which debuted at No. 1. Clarke left the band after the release of their 1981 debut album, Speak & Spell, and was replaced by Alan Wilder (keyboards, drums, occasional songwriter) with Gore taking over songwriting. The group's original line-up consisted of Dave Gahan (lead vocals, occasional songwriter since 2005), Martin Gore (keyboards, guitar, vocals, chief songwriter after 1981), Andy Fletcher (keyboards), and Vince Clarke (keyboards, chief songwriter 1980–81). The band have been highly influential in the electronic dance music scene, especially synthpop, techno and trance, in part due to their innovative work, recording techniques and use of sampling.įormer member Vince Clarke was also members of the bands Yazoo and Erasure.Depeche Mode / d ɨ ˈ p ɛ ʃ m oʊ d / are an English electronic music band formed in 1980 in Basildon, Essex. They are one of the most enduring and successful bands to have emerged during the 80s, and particularly from the new wave/new romantic era.
Goreĭepeche Mode is an English band, founded in 1980, originally from the town of Basildon, Essex, United Kingdom. The band's current line up, which consists of Andrew Fletcher, Dave Gahan & Martin L.