"Depeche Mode"
(1980 - active) U.K.
Musical group
Composition of Sound was formed in 1980 in Basildon, Essex, by guitarist/vocalists Andy Fletcher and Martin Gore and keyboardist Vince Clarke. The trio with the help of a drum machine played a few gigs at local bars and clubs. Somewhere in this time, the group droped their guitars and became a all synth band. Vince, who was uncomfortable as the the songwriter, lead singer, and unofficial front man, suggested that a fourth member should be recruited.
At this point, the group found Dave Gahan in a local scout-hut jam session with another band. At that time, they changed the band's name, and became Depeche Mode. With the new name and lineup, and with some help from DJ Rusty Egan, Depeche mode began headlining the Saturday night electronic showcase at the club Crocks in Rayleigh. This is where Mute founder Daniel Miller decided to ask the group to join Mute records.
Depeche Mode's first single Dreaming of Me was a minor U.K. hit. It was followed by New Life, which climbed to No.11, and by Just Can't Get Enough, which cracked the British Top Ten. Speak & Spell, Depeche Mode's debut album, was released in November of 1981.
Signed to Sire Records in the U.S., Depeche Mode found initial exposure for their music with club audiences. Just Can't Get Enough became a major dance hit, receiving airplay on American alternative radio stations. After a tour of England and Europe, Vince Clark left Depeche Mode to form Yazoo. After the departure of Vince, the remaining trio restructured the group and elected Martin the chief songwriter. They also advertised for a keyboard player to help with their upcoming tour. Alan Wilder responded to the ad and was chosen to tour with the group.
In 1993, after a three year period between albums, Depeche Mode released Songs of Faith and Devotion, a much more rock oriented approach to their music. This would be the first Mode album that would utilize live drums, as well as outside musicians. With I Feel You as the first single, and a much anticipated album release, SOFAD debuted at #1 on Billboard's Top 100 and on the British charts as well. It was the first truly "alternative" album to ever achieve this distinguished double.
On June 1st, 1995, keyboardist/drummer Alan Wilder decided to leave Depeche Mode, stating unsatisfactory internal working conditions as the reason why he left the band. Fletch, Martin, and Dave continued on as Depeche Mode and they completed recording a new album with producer Tim Simenon in London.
Depeche Mode unveiled their own website, www.depechemode.com. The band conducted two album launch parties, one at Adrenaline Village in Battersea on April 10, 1997, and the other at the Shrine Expo Hall in Los Angeles on May 16, 1997. The band played the same song set for both shows, consisting of four tracks from Ultra, along with Never Let Me Down Again.
After over 20 years of serving their core and the masses, Depeche Mode continue to evolve as one of the most influential and respected pioneers of alternative music. This is quite an accomplishment, especially considering the many obstacles band members have endured over the years: drug addiction, emotional distress, exhaustion and the departure of longtime bandmate and friend Alan Wilder.
Martin Lee Gore (July 23, 1961, London) married to Suzanne, they have two daughters Viva Lee and Eva Lee.
Martin spent his early years growing up in Dagenham, the London suburb that existed solely to house a massive Ford car plant. Martin was a relative newcomer to Basildon, mostly because his parents moved there in search of a better life. As a child, Martin was somewhat of a school bully, and was caught one day smashing a brick over one of his schoolmates heads.
An excellent scholar with a propensity for languages, Martin enrolled in a student exchange program, allowing him to make several visits to Germany. Martin can speak fluent German, as well as some French. Martin left St. Nicholas's Comprehensive School in 1977 and took a teller job at the local bank. Not finding it the most exciting of jobs, Martin decided that it was a safe option to make a lengthy career in the banking industry. Working during the day, Martin engaged in the musical group "Norman and the Worms" at night.
He used the money earned from his job to buy new musical equipment, mostly synthesizers. After meeting Fletch at the Van Gogh club in 1980, Martin soon was recruited into his new band, "Composition of Sound". Martin had been writing several songs since he was 14, but on Depeche Mode's first album, Gore only contributed two songs, Big Muff and Tora! Tora! Tora!.
Dave Gahan (May 9, 1962, Epping) has a son Jack, (by first wife, Joanne), and a daugheter Stella Rose (by second wife, Jennifer)
David Gahan had experienced somewhat of an religious upbringing. His mother's side of the family was closely tied to the Salvation Army, but Dave rejected it out of hand. Gahan would rather spend his early childhood riding his bicycle around with his friends. Dave was only five when his family broke up, his father left home and was never to be heard of from again.
His rap sheet included stealing cars, vandalism, and spray-painting graffiti on walls, all of which saw Dave visit juvenile court three times before he was 14 years old. Within six months of leaving St. Nicholas school in July 1978, Gahan passed through an astonishing twenty jobs, everything from selling soft drinks to working construction.
By 1979, Dave applied for a place at Southend Art College, studying window design, hoping for a future in the fashion industry. In 1981, at a drop-in band jam session, the group noticed Dave's fantastic singing ability and invited him to join the band, then titled "Composition of Sound".
Dave agreed. In the 16 years since, Gahan has enjoyed the great worldwide success of Depeche Mode, but there has been some bad times along the way. The darkest moment came on May 28, 1996, when he overdosed on heroin in a Los Angeles hotel room. Gahan was revived by paramedics andwas then arrested upon his release from hospital two days later. By court order, Gahan completed 9 months of rehabilitation and has been clean and sober since then.
Andrew John Fletcher (July 8, 1961, Nottingham) with his wife Grainne, he has two children - Megan and Joseph.
Andy moved to Basildon when he was very young. Fletcher was devoted to the Boys Brigade, a Scouts-like club which included activities and sports. At those Boys Brigade meetings, Fletcher met Vince Clarke, the two hit it off from the start. In 1977, Fletch and Vince were caught up in the modern music scene.
Andy bought a bass, while Vince purchased a guitar, the two then went on to form the band "No Romance in China", which would last until early 1980. Fletch and Vince played weekly shows at the Van Gogh youth club, but mostly saw the band as an excuse to kill time. During on the shows, Fletch met Martin Gore, who was involved in another band, "Norman and the Worms".
Sharing the bill for many shows, Martin and Fletch soon developed a strong friendship, which would lead Martin to join Andy and Vince's band, which would then be renamed Composition of Sound". Since Depeche Mode officially formed in 1981, Fletch has taken on the role of the band's business handler, playing only a minimal part in the creative process of the band's music.
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