Depeche Mode Hard Rock Hotel Information
Depeche Mode (French for "hurried fashion") was one of the original and best of the British synth-pop bands, combining breathless, melodic pop with perky electronics. With main songwriter Vince Clarke's departure for Yaz, Martin Gore took the reigns, and the Depeche Mode band's sound became darker and harder, though still true to their trademark synth-driven convenience. The post-Clarke band's moody dance-pop brought Depeche Mode worldwide superstardom in the second half of the '80s. The Depeche Mode band survived overexposure, drug problems, and all the other customary rock-star travails, and came out older and wiser, entering the 2000s as a fully performance, mature unit.
During the UK post-punk backlash at the twist of the 80s, when bands dispensed with guitars and drums in favour of synthesizers and drum machines, Depeche Mode formed, taking their name from the name of a French style magazine. More than 20 years later, they are recognized as the most successful "electro-synth" band ever. Ironically enough, given their reputation as the kings of synth-pop, they had made their debut as a trio playing only guitars at Scamps club in Southend-on-Sea, Essex, England. The band originally came together in the neighbouring borough of Basildon in 1980, and comprised Vince Clarke (b. 3 July 1960, South Woodford, London, England; synthesizer, ex-No Romance In China), Andy Fletcher (b. 8 July 1960, Basildon, Essex, England; synthesizer) and Martin Gore (b. 23 July 1961, Basildon, Essex, England; synthesizer, ex-The French Look; Norman And The Worms).
Following a series of concerts that attracted packed houses at the Bridge House Tavern in London's Canning Town, the band was spotted by Daniel Miller. Shortly afterwards they were signed to his sovereign Mute Records, which became their long-term record label. They had by now tasted vinyl exposure by issuing one track on Stevo's Some Bizzare compilation in 1981. This had been recorded by the unique trio, with Clarke on vocals, before they elected to recruit Dave Gahan (b. 9 May 1962, Epping, Essex, England) as their permanent lead vocalist. "Dreaming Of Me" in 1981 started a remarkable run of hit singles throughout the 80s, including "New Life", "Just Can't Get Enough", "See You", "The Meaning Of Love", "Leave In Silence", "Get The Balance Right!", "Everything Counts", "People Are People" (their first US hit), "Master And Servant", "Shake The Disease", "It's Called A Heart", "Stripped", and "Strangelove'. Main songwriter Vince Clarke had left soon after the release of 1981"s Speak & Spell to form Yazoo with Alison Moyet, and the writing reins were taken over by Martin Gore, as Alan Wilder (b. 1 June 1959, England; synthesizer, vocals, ex-Dragons; Hitmen) settled into Clarke's place. The gentle, hypnotic ambience of "See You" was an early expression of Gore's sense of melody.
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