Depeche Mode
Biography
Originally a product of Britain's new romantic movement, Depeche Mode went on to become the quintessential electro-pop band of the 1980s. One of the first acts to establish a musical identity based completely around the use of synthesizers, Depeche Mode began their existence as a bouncy dance-pop outfit but gradually developed a darker, more dramatic sound that ultimately positioned them as one of the most successful alternative bands of their era.
The roots of Depeche Mode date to 1976, when Basildon, England-based keyboardists Vince Clarke and Andrew Fletcher first teamed to form the group No Romance in China. The band proved short-lived, and by 1979 Clarke had formed French Look, another duo featuring guitarist/keyboardist Martin Gore; Fletcher soon signed on, and the group rechristened itself Composition of Sound. Initially, Clarke handled vocal chores, but in 1980 singer David Gahan was brought in to complete the lineup; after one final name change to Depeche Mode, the quartet members jettisoned all instruments excluding their synthesizers, honing a slick, techno-based sound to showcase Clarke's catchy melodies.
After building a following on the London club scene, Depeche Mode debuted in 1980 with "Photographic," a track included on the Some Bizarre Album label compilation. After signing to Mute Records, they issued "Dreaming of Me" in early 1981; while neither the single nor its follow-up, "New Life," caused much of a stir, their third effort, "Just Can't Get Enough," became a Top Ten U.K. hit, and their 1981 debut LP, Speak and Spell, was also a success. Just as Depeche Mode appeared poised for a major commercial breakthrough, however, principal songwriter Clarke abruptly exited to form Yazoo with singer Alison Moyet, leaving the group's future in grave doubt.
As Gore grabbed the band's songwriting reins, the remaining trio recruited keyboardist Alan Wilder to fill the technological void created by Clarke's departure; while 1982's A Broken Frame deviated only slightly from Depeche Mode's earlier work, Gore's ominous songs grew more assured and sophisticated by the time of 1983's Construction Time Again. Some Great Reward, issued the following year, was their artistic and commercial breakthrough, as Gore's dark, kinky preoccupations with spiritual doubt ("Blasphemous Rumours") and psychosexual manipulation ("Master and Servant") came to the fore; the egalitarian single "People Are People" was a major hit on both sides of the Atlantic and typified the music's turn toward more industrial textures.
Released in 1986, the atmospheric Black Celebration continued the trend toward grim melancholy and further established the group as a major commercial force. After the superb single "Strangelove," Depeche Mode issued 1987's Music for the Masses; a subsequent sold-out tour yielded the 1989 double live set 101 as well as a concert film directed by the legendary D.A. Pennebaker. Still, despite an enormous fan base, the group was considered very much an underground cult phenomenon prior to the release of 1990's Violator, a Top Ten smash that spawned the hits "Enjoy the Silence," "Policy of Truth," and "Personal Jesus."
With the alternative music boom of the early '90s, Depeche Mode emerged as one of the world's most successful acts, and their 1993 LP Songs of Faith & Devotion entered the charts in the number one slot. However, at the peak of its success, the group began to unravel; first Wilder exited in 1995, and then Gahan was the subject of a failed suicide attempt. (He later entered a drug rehabilitation clinic to battle an addiction to heroin.) After a four-year layoff, Depeche Mode -- continuing on as a trio -- released 1997's Ultra, which featured the hits "Barrel of a Gun" and "It's No Good." A year later, the band embarked on a tour in support of The Singles 86>98 greatest-hits album. Depeche Mode played 64 shows in 18 countries for over a million fans. It also marked the end of a decade for the band. Each member took some considerable time off, and Depeche Mode would not regroup for another three years.
Exciter, the band's follow-up to 1997's Ultra, was released in 2001. Singles such as "Dream On" and "I Feel Loved" did moderately well. Two years later, Gahan issued his debut solo album, the dark and sultry Paper Monsters. Gore also followed suit by issuing his debut full-length, Counterfeit². Each member did respective tours of the U.S. and Europe; however, it wouldn't be long until Depeche Mode came back together. Playing the Angel became a Top Ten hit upon release in October 2005, produced by Ben Hillier (Doves, Blur, U2, Elbow). With the success of the "Precious" and "John (The Revelator)" singles, Playing the Angel topped the album charts in 18 countries and went multiple platinum and gold in 20 countries. Depeche Mode went to on play to 2.5 million fans worldwide, and the special-edition three-disc set Touring the Angel: Live in Milan (2006) captured the essence of one of the band's greatest shows. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Music Guide
Selected Discography

Touring The Angel: Live In Milan
2006

The Best Of Depeche Mode Volume 1
2006

Playing The Angel
2005

Remixes 81...04
2004

Remixes 81 - 04
2004

Exciter
2001

I Feel Loved [Maxi-Single]
2001

The Singles 86>98
1998

Ultra
1997

Songs Of Faith And Devotion
1993

Violator
1990

101
1989

Music For The Masses
1987

Black Celebration
1986

Catching Up With Depeche Mode
1985

Some Great Reward
1984

People Are People
1984

Construction Time Again
1983

A Broken Frame
1982

Speak & Spell
1981
construction time again was my first experience with depeche mode...that and some great reward were part of my college life......no w , 20+ years later my teenage sons are just as excited with them as I was...testim o n y that great songwriting does last forever..... . . . .
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understand me-shake the disease -that takes all of my time like situations like these-there is no such thing as getting old. time is a contium with no measure the body breaks down and the mind or soul isn't part of that-were stuck in a machine.
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I can't believe I've been listening to them for 27 years. Fortunately it's a great band to listen to when you're feeling a little o-l-d.
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I got started with Depeche Mode with Some Great Reward a LONG time ago. Since then I've kept up with just about all their albums, but I especially like their remixes.
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understand me-shake the disease-that takes all of my time like situations like these-seeker s / a d d i c t s understand those words-have been in david's shoes.
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I have nothing but love for Depeche Mode. They will always be one of my all-time faves!
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David Gahan is hot! I love how he moves his hips in the music video, "I just Can't Get Enough." but besides that DM is one of my favorites.
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DM says everything for me when i don't feel like talking much less explaining just listen to the words "that's why i did it"
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I have listened to their music for so long, I feel like we are family. I had the great fortune of having their music during my angst-ridden teenage years in the 1980's. Haunting, deeply moving at times. Calling them one of my favorites seems so trivial. Listening to them on the tape deck as I approached the Playa at Burning Man in 1995 is one my strongest memories.
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how can dm be awful-i like especially bm and death but i always feel demode speaks to my heart-its proably that i'm a recovering addict and david sang addictive messages to me.madonna-t h e greatest con artist of our century.
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ohh, depeche mode is awful...so bad I had to leave a comment.
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They are as good now, both live in concert and recorded (Playing the Angel), as ever. I have see them several times at Madison Square Garden, and they are one of the best bands I have ever seen live.
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i love depeche mode their songs take me back to my first boyfriend.gr e a t memories.
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Spent a saturday night watching 3 hours of DM concert video. Saw in concert once and they are amazing. Agree with everyone on most comments. I too got into this band in 1981 and loved them then and love them still. They are like wine and continue to get better and better. Their staying power is that they are able to remain techno, do it in style, and understand how to morph their music to the times. That is why they are still so damn good. Yummmmmy!
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Absolutely my all time favorite band, heard Everything counts in 83' and have been hooked ever since. Moved to Tulsa,OK and spay painted their name on an overpass in 85' and still was one of 80 people who new who they were. I loved them even more.
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.......reall y love the synth sound....... . . . r i c h a r d audd, are you out there? ......talk to me!!!!
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yo i have been into them since 1988 when i was ten still livin in England.Now age 30 still one of my all time favorites,de f i n i t l y infuenced my big time rave scene.love these muthafuckaz
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I have been listening to them since early 80's & actually got to go to a concert back in the late 80's. They are just as incredible in person as on their albums. They really do have everything covered no matter what u r goin thru in ur life.
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Its great reading all the comments about DM I have been listing to them since 1979 when a friend in the UK sent me a boot leg. it just seems no matter what part of life your at or what your feeling DM has it covered
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I can remember when one of my friends got me into Depeche Mode's 'Enjoy The Silence'. My father made fun of me for not knowing who Depeche Mode was! Ha!
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Grew up and will grow old with Depeche Mode! Keep it coming guys! Excellent music and really nice guys too!
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me too, lanceador!! my first serious BF was a really dedicated DM fan and he was hot like that, playing violator for our first sexytimes. he looked like the skater-dude little brother of Johnny Depp. so damn hot. yes good times indeed. DM has been one of my favorite bands since i was in the 6th grade...my friends and i had pictures of DM in our trapper keepers instead of NKOTB like the goody-goody girls...to this day i have probably had more hot times with DM than any other band...
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Does anyone know how to find sound samples or tracks of the group "No Romance," or "Composition of Sound?" That would be awesome. Btw, should the story above mention Erasure? Just wondering. (Love lanceador89' s comment about the Violator album haha!!!) PETER/SANDIE G O
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I love this group.. I grew up listening to this group and I find myself still listening to them and I even go to their tribute concerts and their concert out here in Vegas a few years ago.. I love them.
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