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| why we like them? |
Depeche Mode makes great music. Their music over the last decade stands the test of time. And they give us a chance to write about a band who really lived the life of sex, drugs, and rock & roll (though the rock part is a stretch).
| why are they famous? |
Depeche Mode is a pioneer in the genre of electronica music, and has been pumping out albums since the early '80s. Their most successful album is Violator, and it spawned hits such as "Enjoy The Silence", "Personal Jesus", and "Policy Of Truth".
overall rating 82
Why Depeche Mode as Men of the Week? Aren't there
bands more deserving, more accomplished, more successful? Yes, for all 3
questions, but this isn't a democracy (our editors rule with an iron fist).
Depeche Mode is coming out with another album, and their influence on the
musical landscape is often underrated. As a result, we've decided to honor
Depeche Mode, it's somewhat of a Lifetime Achievement Award.
The band could get the honor for its resilience as a band, but it's their impact
on electronic/alternative music that sets them apart. They are often called the
Godfather of Electronica, which is not an exaggeration. Electronica music is
expected to become the rock & roll music of the 21st century. Chances are that
generations to come will look at Depeche Mode like current rock & roll fans look
to Chuck Berry and Elvis Presley as pioneers in their genre.
David Gahan, the lead singer, Martin Gore, the songwriter/ keyboardist
/guitarist, and Andy Fletcher, keyboardist and band accountant, have almost
disbanded several times, but eventually regrouped and sought solace in each
other to get over their personal problems.
Their repertoire of music is phenomenal and includes smash hits like "Enjoy the
Silence", "Personal Jesus", "Policy of Truth", "Strangelove", "Just Can't Get
Enough" (used in a recent Gap commercial), and "Walking In My Shoes".
Their repertoire of problems is almost as extensive and includes arrests,
substance abuse, clinical depression, and attempted suicides. Lucky for us, the
worst is behind them, and as fans, we can only hope for their continued quality
work. On that note, take out their album Violator and have a listen. Even after
a decade, it still sounds phenomenal.
personality & talent 89
Martin Gore is undoubtedly the musical genius behind the band, and will
likely be remembered as one of the greatest writers of all-time.
David Gahan's voice embodies everything that is Depeche Mode, and is one of the
most distinct voices on radio.
Andy Fletcher is the financial whiz that keeps the band rolling, and in the
public eye. Oh, and he's a pretty good keyboardist too.
Together (along with former member Alan Wilder), they produced some of the
finest albums of the last 10 years (though Ultra was unusually dark).
They are a confident and even arrogant bunch, but wouldn't you love to be in
their position? They are head strong so it seems a little surprising that they
were ever on the verge of cracking as a band. Perhaps their 14-month,
anything-goes, 156-date tour to promote their album Songs Of Faith & Devotion
had something to do with it? (That was sarcastic in case you didn't get it).
woman magnetism 89
These guys have devoted fans. More precisely, they have devoted female fans. The
stories of their sexual escapades are well chronicled, they certainly lived the
stereotypical musician lifestyle. Magnetism? As soon as you say "I'm in a band",
it has an instant drooling effect on most women under the age of 25. They don't
have a hard time finding women, though all the band members are in serious
relationships (Martin Gore is married and has kids).
accomplishments & fame 87
The greatest manifestation of their enormous success is their performances at
Wembley Stadium, the ultimate venue for anyone who is anybody in the UK.
Their best album, Violator, sold 6 million copies, and all of their albums
combined have sold 30 million copies. 12 of their albums have cracked the UK Top
10 charts, and Songs Of Faith & Devotion debuted at #1 on the Billboard Top 100
album charts and on the British equivalent as well.
For all their success, they never had a No.1 song in the US or UK, though "Enjoy
The Silence" hit No.1 in Canada on the MTV equivalent charts (it hit No.8 in the
US).
The ultimate tribute to their influence is the tribute album done by bands like
The Smashing Pumpkins, The Cure, Deftones, and Dishwalla, to honor the music of
Depeche Mode.
coolness factor 85
They were once music for the geek set, and gods of goth music. Then something
happened. The "Personal Jesus" song came out, with a unique Western-like video,
and all of a sudden, Depeche Mode became the cool band to listen to and no
longer the domain of punk enthusiasts.
personal style 61
Martin Gore has been known to wear some of the weirdest fashions this planet has
to offer. When designers do runway shows, they expect only 10% of their lines to
go retail, so they tend to be some very eccentric designs. Well Martin Gore
seems to wear those eccentric designs, or at least he did. Nowadays, even
Depeche Mode looks fashionable (it's the new trend, just look at how Bon Jovi is
dressing now).
Even David Gahan, who wanted to be a fashion designer not a rock star, designs
some of his own clothes, though by the results seen over the past 15 years, we
can only imagine that he wasn't sober when doing so.
That Depeche Mode get their recognition in their lifetime, and that no one in
the band has to die a tragic death in order for the rest of the music world to
recognize all that they have done and accomplished.
"The fact that they are so loyal gives us the freedom to do music that we want to make rather than a record company saying what kind of music we have to make."
-Andrew Fletcher, on the loyalty of Depeche Mode fans
BIOGRAPHY
Depeche Mode is just one of the many bands that popularized synthesizers and keyboards, but it is probably the most popular and successful one as we speak. Ironically, the band started out as a rock group, consisting of Basildon, Essex, natives Andy Fletcher (b. July 8, 1960), Vince Clarke (b. July 3, 1961) and Martin Gore (b. July 23, 1961). Composition of Sound, as they named themselves, soon decided to go from guitar rock to synthesizer and electronica, the popular sound of the '80s.
Former punk band member David Gahan (b. May 9, 1962) came on board as lead singer in 1980, and the band name we know today can be traced from the title of a French fashion magazine, which translates in French to "Fast Fashion".
FAST TRACK TO FAME
The re-christened foursome played their synth-pop music in London clubs and achieved quite a fan base (especially with the single "Photographic"), but made a bigger fan of Daniel Miller, president of Mute Records, who signed them to a record deal.
Depeche Mode's debut album, Speak & Spell was released in 1981, and spawned the Top 10 single "Just Can't Get Enough". The late 1980s saw Iron Maiden and Def Leppard spearhead the New Wave of British Metal on the Rock side, and Depeche Mode was as influential on the Electronica and Dance side. The band was forging its reputation in a punk electronica England, but it underwent yet another change in 1981 with the departure of songwriter Vince Clarke, whom Alan Wilder replaced.
While such changes could have hindered the group's quality and public image, it emerged even stronger, with its fourth album, 1984's darker Some Great Reward. The reward of the album? The hot UK band had spread its popularity to the United States on the strength of the single "People Are People", while "Blasphemous Rumours" and "Master and Servant" also became classics.
MAKING IT
Its success in the States was underscored when Depeche Mode played to 72,000 fans at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, on July 18, 1988. The concert was filmed by D.A. Pennebaker, and was later released as a concert film along with Depeche Mode: 101, a live double album released in 1989. The single and video for the soaring "Everything Counts" was released, capturing Depeche Mode's raw energy, something that was almost uncharacteristic for non-rock bands at the time.
The rest of the '80s were marked by more hits, namely the albums Black Celebration in 1986, and Music for the Masses in 1987, which truly lived up to its name with memorable singles such as "Never Let Me Down" and "Strange Love". But these did not compare to the success of 1990's Violator, which spawned international singles such as "Enjoy the Silence", "Policy of Truth" and "Personal Jesus". Depeche Mode was honored with its first Brit award thanks to the critical and commercial success of "Enjoy the Silence".
There was surely no silence, as the success of Violator led to a more successful worldwide tour in support of the album. The touring and the resulting intense schedule caused a burnout though, which would see its consequences in the years that followed.
As the Seattle grunge movement was taking hold of the US music market with bands like Nirvana and Pearl Jam, Depeche Mode turned to an edgier sound, evident on the guitar-based Songs of Faith & Devotion, released in 1993. This led to another world tour, which led to another departure of a band member, Alan Wilder.
The group's shadiest moment came when lead singer David Gahan was found in his hotel room, on May 28, 1996, after he suffered a heroin overdose. He was revived and arrested, but after undergoing 9 months of rehab, the charges were dropped.
GOING FOR THE REBOUND
Gahan, and the now 3-member Depeche Mode, bounced back yet again in 1997, with the album Ultra. The latter spawned hits such as "Barrel of a Gun" and "It's No Good", and went on to become one of the group's best-selling albums. Ironically, "It's No Good" become a favorite of various DJ's and quickly became a dance floor hit.
A year later Depeche Mode released Singles: '81-'85 and Singles: '86-'98, compilation CDs spanning the group's transformations from synth-pop, to guitar-based rock, to dance-pop, which triggered yet another intensive world tour.
After a 4-year hiatus, Depeche Mode fans were more than pleased to hear that the UK group was returning to the music scene. Exciter was released May 15, 2001, and has so far spawned the single, "Dream On". One thing's for sure -- Depeche Mode cannot disappoint.