Talk:Depeche Mode

wtf Wilder?
For the moment, I'll set aside the obvious (e.g., that despite an impressive list of sources there are so many unsupported statements throughout).

Under Clarke departs, Wilder joins (1981–1982), I read
 *  Alan Wilder… was hired in early 1982, initially on a trial basis as a touring member.

then a few words after that
 * Miller informed Wilder that he was not needed for the recording… of the band's second studio album, on which they began work in July 1982.

As the timeline indicates he didn't join DM until late 1983, something is amiss. Weeb Dingle (talk) 15:23, 3 November 2018 (UTC)

logic gaps
This is likely endemic to any discussion of recording artists, but start it here. The article lead states
 * they have sold more than 100 million records worldwide.

No effort is made to distinguish between records (which category includes singles and EPs) and LPs and record albums (which includes two- and three-disc sets).

(I should also note that the "100 million" claim is made three times in the article, which excited arm-waving repetition seems to flag fanboy influence, which in turn often means slipshod (even dishonest) sourcing.) Weeb Dingle (talk) 16:41, 3 November 2018 (UTC)

Seymour Stein
Seymour Stein has said in several places in recent interviews (and probably in his autobiography, haven't read it) that he saw a headline in Melody Maker, "Daniel Miller Signs A Band Who Isn't Daniel Miller", and immediately flew to the UK on a Concorde to see Depeche Mode play that night, afterwards buying their US rights for Sire on the spot. It's a fun story, should be sourced and put into this article, you think? AllGloryToTheHypnotoad (talk) 21:29, 5 May 2019 (UTC)

Suggested Timeline Revision
Fletch hasn't provided backing vocals for a long time, so I think that should be changed. In addition, Martin has made guitar his main instrument in recent tours, allowing Peter and Fletch to take over keys. Here's a suggested timeline revision to show these changes. --172.242.228.35 (talk) 19:18, 15 May 2020 (UTC)


 * Regarding instruments on tour vs. on credits for recorded material -- album credits take precedence, so the timeline should reflect that. Tour performance variations can be footnotes. -- GimmeChoco44 (talk) 20:00, 15 May 2020 (UTC)

Commons files used on this page or its Wikidata item have been nominated for speedy deletion
The following Wikimedia Commons files used on this page or its Wikidata item have been nominated for speedy deletion: You can see the reasons for deletion at the file description pages linked above. —Community Tech bot (talk) 03:52, 22 June 2020 (UTC)
 * Depeche Mode 1984.jpg
 * Depeche Mode Devotional.jpg

New section needed
On the way that DM fits into the music history of its time - who are their influences and how are they related? What musicians adopted some of their style?

If they're important enough to be in Wikipedia, they deserve a more complete article.

QueenofRods (talk) 04:03, 20 April 2021 (UTC)
 * I agree - do you have any sources to add with information on this? Cas Liber (talk · contribs) 10:26, 20 April 2021 (UTC)

Pronunciation
The pronunciation doesn't make sense, instead of "Mode" it looks like "di di"
 * Thanks, removed until someone who knows how can reinstate the correct one.  Rob van  vee  18:30, 20 September 2020 (UTC)

Fad Gadget
I don't understand why the inclusion of Fad Gadget under influences ("Artistry" section) keeps being removed despite a citation of Dave Gahan in a Fad Gadget documentary stating: "[Fad Gadget] definitely affected Depeche Mode in a big way and I'm sure you know hundreds of other bands." Martin Gore also mentioned Fad Gadget as an influence as well in the same documentary. I've even link the documentary from YouTube just to prove the citation. So could someone explain to me why I can't include Fad Gadget as one of Depeche Mode's influences (despite them mentioning him as an influence)? Ninmacer20 (talk) 15:44, 7 December 2020 (UTC)

Alright, since it has been a week since my last post, I assume no one here seems to object to this. Ninmacer20 (talk) 21:50, 14 December 2020 (UTC)

Nationality
It maybe shouldn't be the biggest deal, but a couple of corrections on the intro section to other band articles have led to rapid reversions - so rather than get into a tussle I'm opening a discussion here first. As far as I'm aware, Depeche Mode have never defined themselves as 'English'. Their nationality is British, or at least it certainly was when they formed, even if Gore and Gahan spend most of their time in the US nowadays. If they had a local identity, it would probably be Essex! So it would make sense to rectify the intro to a nationality that the band would actually recognise (i.e. the one on their passports) UNLESS there is strong evidence that they see themselves as English. NB caution advised with US publications, as the naughty habit of conflating British and English can be quite widespread over the Pond. HuginAndNotMunin (talk) 17:06, 10 December 2021 (UTC)
 * "English" is being used at the start of the article in the context of the location of the bands formation, nationality has nothing to do with this. memphisto 12:57, 4 January 2022 (UTC)

Source needed for gothic rock
A editor has added gothic rock ￼to the genres list. Is there a source calling them a gothic rock band? RockabillyRaccoon (talk) 15:00, 10 March 2023 (UTC)

"Depeche Mode built a diehard cult, becoming one of the essential goth/industrial bands to cross over into the mainstream." per https://www.rockhall.com/depeche-mode-inductee-insights ProofCreature (talk) 18:16, 10 March 2023 (UTC)


 * Can you add the citation to the article? RockabillyRaccoon (talk) 19:12, 10 March 2023 (UTC)

Picking four genres
As the maximum number of infobox genres is four per Template:Infobox musical artist, one must be removed. I suggest new wave, for essentially the same reason I gave here (namely, new wave was not something DM were ever associated with in the UK). Jinglyjangle (talk) 22:50, 29 December 2023 (UTC)
 * I would remove both new wave and dance rock and instead add darkwave to the infobox. they are even listed here https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dark_wave#Origins_(1980s) --FMSky (talk) 22:59, 29 December 2023 (UTC)

Apparently this is quite a controversial change as two IPs have recently restored new wave --FMSky (talk) 19:01, 3 January 2024 (UTC)

Composition of sound
Hi. The article says that Composition of Sounds first gig as a four piece was at St Nicholas School, however in Stripped:Depeche Mode by Jonathan Miller it says it was the Top Alex in Southend. Who is right? Davidstewartharvey (talk) 13:36, 11 June 2024 (UTC)


 * The book is wrong. It was the 21st June as per Davidstewartharvey (talk) 13:18, 14 June 2024 (UTC)