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Depeche Mode

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

Depeche Mode is an English electronic band from Basildon in Essex, formed in 1980. Vince Clarke, Andy Fletcher and Martin Gore first played together as Composition of Sound. Later in 1980 singer Dave Gahan joined, after Clarke had heard him sing Heroes by David Bowie. Gahan chose the new name, after a French fashion magazine. Because synthesizers were becoming affordable, the group opted for synth-pop. Daniel Miller of the label Mute heard them play and released their first single.

Music and breakthrough

The debut album Speak & Spell from 1981, with the cheerful hit Just Can't Get Enough, was mainly Clarke's work. At the end of 1981 he left and started Yazoo and later Erasure. Martin Gore became the main songwriter, and with Alan Wilder joining, the sound became heavier and darker. Albums such as Some Great Reward, with People Are People, Black Celebration and Music for the Masses made Depeche Mode one of the most popular alternative bands of the 1980s. In 1990 came Violator, with Enjoy the Silence.

Influence

Depeche Mode showed that electronic pop music could be sombre, sensual and grand, with dark lyrics by Gore and Gahan's deep voice. Later guitars were added too. Wilder left in 1995, Fletcher died in 2022, and Gahan and Gore carried on together. The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2020.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen first to Just Can't Get Enough and then to Enjoy the Silence. Notice the difference: first light, bouncing synthesizers, later a dark, slow atmosphere with Dave Gahan's deep voice.

Discography

Studio albums

In School of Rock

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Mentioned in other articles

See also

Categories: ArtistsNew wave