Basildon Breakout
Depeche Mode's almost unbelievable
transition from their earliest album, 1981's epoch-defining synthpop
hit Speak And Spell, to the electro-induced rock structures
of their most recent work, is nothing short of mind-blowing. I guess
that it's a testament to Mute's open-ended non-deal
with the band that has allowed Depeche to evolve in this organic
manner. If they had signed with a major, I think we could guarantee
that their output would have been more frequent, but also more diluted,
if indeed they hadn't imploded under the pressure to conform to
more rigid record company stipulations.
Their early output was a mix of pure synthetic pop
music, quirky themes and experimentation. They toyed with S&M-like
imagery; they were accused of being both marxists and blasphemous
social critics; at times they made uncomfortable, sexual music that
blended early German electronica with Bowie. And they were massive.
They formed in Basildon, Essex after attending Southend
Tech College, and initially eschewed synths in favour of guitars.
They toyed with several names, including Big In Japan, before settling
on a line from a fashion magazine - Depeche Mode translates as something
like 'fast fashion'. They were initially rejected by Mute's Daniel
Miller, which is ironic when you consider that they effectively
bankrolled the label from day one. Eventually, they wound up on
Steevo's Some Bizarre label, but
only stuck around to see their first song 'Photographic' feature
on the Some Bizarre Album compilation alongside peers like
Soft Cell, Blancmange and The The. Now Miller was interested, and
Depeche became the definitive Mute act - good looking boys who crafted
great pop tracks.
The first line-up consisted of songwriter Vincent
Clarke, singer David Gahan, Martin
L Gore and effervescent gingernut Andrew Fletcher.
Dave sang lead, the others played the synths and sang harmonies.
Their first single, 'Dreaming Of Me', failed to chart, but 'New
Life' and 'Just Can't Get Enough' went into the UK top ten. The
shy and reclusive Clarke left the band on the eve of a major tour,
or disagreements with Gahan, depending on whose side of the story
you read. He offered to continue writing the songs, but the idea
was rejected, and by the time of their second LP, 1982's A Broken
Frame, Martin was firmly ensconced as the songwriter. The band
became a fourpiece shortly after with the addition of Alan
Wilder, who provided a steady musical virtuosity and songs
of his own.
By 1986 the dark tones that had coloured their earlier
work were starting to come to the fore, and with their fifth album
Black Celebration, the new course was set - deploying bleak
songs and grim themes, the album was harsh and addictive. With 1990's
Violator album the Mode became massive in the US, melding
electro-rock songs like 'Personal Jesus' (covered by no less a luminary
than Johnny Cash) with the maudlin pop of 'Enjoy The Silence'. While
Violator was a major turning point in their ascendancy
to worldwide superstardom, the tour that followed proved to be a
turning point of another variety.
During the Violator tour, Gore began to
drink heavily, and Gahan took ecstacy for the first time. The band
returned for 1993's Songs Of Faith And Devotion looking
nothing like they did before. Gahan's transformation was the most
stark - his hair was now long, his frame impossibly ragged and his
upper body was covered in tattoos. Their sound had also followed
Gahan's rock demagogue leanings - first single 'I Feel You' began
with a headcleaning Eraserhead burst of feedback before
erupting with live drums and guitars. Gore's guitar playing had
been used only sparingly before; now it had replaced the synth as
lead instrument. It was genius, and to witness the band's ferocious
live performances on the Devotional tour was incredible.
But it was also a struggle - Gahan was now regularly using heroin
and coke, Gore's drinking had escalated out of control, and Fletch
quit the tour with exhaustion. Gahan actually 'died' from an overdose
in LA before being pulled back to life, and was also arrested on
drug offences.
It was a wonder that they ever made it through,
but they did, and returned fitter and healthier than ever before
with 1997's often-biographical Ultra, despite Wilder quitting
just before recording started to concentrate on his Recoil
project. The rejuvenated band followed this up in 2001 with Exciter,
which was produced by LFO's Mark Bell.
Against all odds, despite internal difficulties
and rock 'n' roll excesses, they're still here. Furthermore, after
a break - during which time Martin Gore recorded his second album
of covers, Fletch set up his Toast
Hawaii label through Mute and Dave wrote and recorded
his own album - it looks like things are about to go through their
biggest change since Vince left: after 23 years of Gore writing
the majority of the band's songs, Gahan and Gore will be writing
the next album together.
Depeche are a band who have risen from humble beginnings
to rightfully take their place next to U2 as one of the strongest
bands in the world. We should also bear in mind that without big
earners like DM, Mute would never have been able to finance their
more secular acts.
   
  
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