Depeche Mode

Depeche Mode is an experimental new wave and electronica band from England with roots dating from 1980. Vince Clark and Andrew Fletcher founded a band called Composition of Sound that featured heavy synthesizer use. David Gahan was brought into the group after Clark heard him perform in a scout session. The name of the band was changed to Depeche mode, which was derived from a French fashion magazine. The name can be translated as "fashion update."http://www.depechemodewiki.com/page/Depeche+Mode+History

Depeche Mode features a heavy reliance on electronic-derived sounds and sampling for their music. Many of their songs are a commentary on social issues such as greed in multinational corporations and sexual politics, and the songs skirt around religiously-sensitive topics. The sound of the band has changed over the years as it experimented with gospel vocals, distortion, the blues, live drums and strings.http://www.lyricsfreak.com/d/depeche+mode/biography.html

Depeche Mode helped define the growing Alternative music scene of the 1980s and 1990s with their mixture of New Wave sensibilities, electronic rhythms and dark, brooding lyrics. The band was listed in a list of "50 bands that Changed the World" by Q Magazine.http://www.rocklistmusic.co.uk/qlistspage3.htm As well as creating new sounds, Depeche Mode also experimented with new ideas in their music videos. They produced some of the best known videos of the early MTV era - including the classic "Enjoy the Silence."http://www.lyricsfreak.com/d/depeche+mode/biography.html

The band is credited for influencing other recording artists. Depeche Mode was one of the first bands to use sampling and pioneered many recording techniques. The Pet Shop Boys and techno pioneers such as Juan Atkins report the influence of Depeche Mode on their sound and style. The influence of the band is noted in the electronic-pop, techno and pop genres. Other bands that credit Depeche Mode as an inspiration include Radiohead, Linkin Park, Fear Factory and Shakira.http://www.lyricsfreak.com/d/depeche+mode/biography.html

In 1993, the band faced upheaval as the lead singer David Gahan struggled with a heroin addiction and Martin Gore experienced seizures. Gahan ultimately would attend a rehabilitation program in 1996 and the band recorded the album Ultra after he finished his program. The band continues to record and release new albums as a group, and many individual members have also released solo projects.http://www.lyricsfreak.com/d/depeche+mode/biography.html

• Dave Gahan - Lead vocalist
• Martin Gore - Guitar, vocals, songwriter and keyboards
• Andrew Fletcher - Keyboards
• Vince Clarke- Songwriter, keyboards. Left group after 1981 debut release.
• Alan Wilder- Keyboards, production, drums. Took over for Clark in 1981. Left band in 1995.http://www.lyricsfreak.com/d/depeche+mode/biography.html

• 1981: Speak & Spell
• 1982: A Broken Frame
• 1983: Construction Time Again
• 1984: People Are People
• 1984: Some Great Reward
• 1985: Catching Up with Depeche Mode
• 1985: The Singles 81-85
• 1986: Black Celebration
• 1987: Music for the Masses
• 1989: 101
• 1990: Violator
• 1993: Songs of Faith and Devotion
• 1993: Songs of Faith and Devotion Live
• 1997: Ultra
• 1998: The Singles 86>98
• 2001: Exciter
• 2004: Remixes 81 ... 04
• 2005: Playing the Angel
• 2007: The Best Of Volume 1
• 2009: Sounds Of The Universehttp://www.depechemode.com/discography/albuns/index.html