Talk:Depeche Mode/Archive 2

Vince Clark left when exactly?
In my opinion in one of the interviews on the "Short Film" series someone (Dave?) says that Vince left the band before Speak and Spell was even released. (Instead of after it was released.) Anyone have any more precise information on that? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 80.171.108.211 (talk) 12:20, 14 June 2008 (UTC)
 * It was straight after their last gig of that tour, 16th November 1981, which just happened to be my 6th birthday! best, Sunil060902 (talk) 22:44, 14 June 2008 (UTC)

New Album?
What happened to the Section about their upcoming album?! GEM036 (talk) 18:24, 23 July 2008 (UTC)
 * It's back now. Angry Shoplifter (talk) 01:06, 5 August 2008 (UTC)

on the road since when?
So when did they started touring seriously? I mean as an scheduled on the road tour, not the occasional gig here and there. I would like to add at "Ultra" something like "this was the first record not supported by a (world) tour ever since xxxxxxxx" ever since which one? Did they have a tour since the very first Speak&Spell? or that sort of "official" tours started later on? Mountolive  group using a loop of another pop group 23:46, 12 August 2008 (UTC)

Spelling...
Sceptical is actually spelled "Skeptical." Sure, it's actually accepted by dictionary.com the other way, but let's at least be a wee bit proficient in our spelling. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 24.43.154.51 (talk • contribs) 01:32, 28 August 2008


 * Not in the UK and for articles about British topics we use British English. Sceptical is the only spelling here. --JD554 (talk) 05:05, 28 August 2008 (UTC)

You're wrong 24.43.154.51, the correct spelling is "sceptical". Skeptical is just an americanisation. Check the OED and Cambridge dictionaries. Dictionary.com is a US dictionary. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Kalied04 (talk • contribs) 08:07, 13 November 2008 (UTC)

Depeche Mode is NOT a post punk band, in my opinion
I highly disagree with Depeche Mode being labeled as post-punk, and I would like to see the label removed. As you can see in the post-punk article, ALL of the bands given as examples have, as a primary instrument, the guitar. Post-punk bands often, but do not always, include electronic/synth sounds in their music. Depeche Mode is without a doubt an electronic band, and often exclusively. The guitar has been a secondary, and very often unused, instrument in Depeche Mode's music. I have tried to remove the label, but have been reverted, and in one case, threatened with being banned by one rude editor. I would ask that there be discussion on this subject and some agreement made as to whether Depeche Mode's occasional use of simple guitar riffs (but in some cases, I believe them to use electronic reproductions of guitar sounds) qualifies them as post-punk. Synth Pop, yes, New Wave, o.k. Alternative Dance, sure. Maybe even Goth, to some. But post-punk? I don't see how. 98.220.43.195 (talk) 04:14, 27 February 2009 (UTC)
 * Any way of contacting the band or their representatives directly? best, Sunil060902 (talk) 00:53, 3 March 2009 (UTC)

Post-punk.com's MySpace page has a long, extensive list of bands that are post-punk. Guess who's not on the list? DEPECHE MODE! Depeche Mode is my favorite band, and I love post-punk music, but DM is NOT post-punk, by any stretch of the meaning of the word. 98.220.43.195 (talk) 06:42, 4 March 2009 (UTC)


 * The best way to resolve this, for both sides, would be to find some articles talking about depeche mode as "post-punk", or as not post-punk, or comparing them, similarly or dissimilarly, to bands that are uncontroversially "post-punk". Then include a reference to those articles in this article. LH (talk) 22:30, 6 March 2009 (UTC)

I think 98.220.43.195 is on the right side of this until 174.34.141.37 shows some evidence that DM is widely considered Post-Punk. While a lack of evidence does not prove DM is not Post-Punk, it is certainly justifiable, IMO, to continue remove the Post-Punk label until such evidence is produced. At which point there can be a discussion about who's right, however so far 174.34.141.37 has seemed unwilling to discuss (note his or her absence of comments on this page). Faith healer (talk) 16:13, 8 March 2009 (UTC)

I believe that the problem is that Depeche Mode formed in the post punk years, played in the post punk scene, but were not actually post punk themselves. Most people back then didn't understand post punk and considered any band not hard rock or punk to be post punk. Time has since helped us better define the genre, but a band like Depeche Mode is known worldwide and I believe is guilty by association. http://www.sheetmusicplus.com/pages.html?cart=344576955912086081&target=smp_detail.html%26sku%3DMS.OP52470&s=pages-http%253A//www.google.com/search%253Fhl%253Den%2526safe%253Doff%2526q%253Ddepeche%252Bmode%252Bis%252Bnot%252Bpost%252Bpunk%2526start%253D10%2526sa%253DN&e=/sheetmusic/detail/MS.OP52470/Stripped%3A%20Depeche%20Mode.html&t=&k=&r=wwws-err5 This will take you a summary of a Depeche Mode biography. The author describes the band as synth-pop. The end of the summary compares the band to their "post punk contemporaries" which would allude to them being post punk but again, I think it's a "guilty by association" kind of thing. I would think that a fair statement to include in the Depeche Mode article should be something along the lines of "Given that the band is connected, both by formation and early performance experience, to post punk bands, many believe the band themselves to be post punk. This is not the case, however, based on current day definition and understanding of the genre."--Ghost (talk) 18:19, 11 March 2009 (UTC)

for anyone who cares: their first interview ever and featured article from Sounds Magazine 1981. http://www.tuug.utu.fi/~jaakko/dm/sounds.txt post-punk is not even mentioned once in the whole article. they were labelled as electropop. i never ever seen depeche mode introduced as a postpunk band nor on mgazines nor tv (and i followed depeche mode career from day 1) surely they had punk and post punk influences but that hardly defines them as a post-punk band lol. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Sequencer07 (talk • contribs) 04:07, 29 March 2009 (UTC)

Image
Excuse me, i'm not registered so i can't edit the page, so: why don't you insert an image in the template from this place? --81.75.157.46 (talk) 17:13, 10 March 2009 (UTC)


 * Done. I've tidied the rest of the infobox up while I was at it. Chris Cunningham (not at work) - talk 19:04, 11 March 2009 (UTC)

Songwriting dispute from Playing the Angel era
I wrote this on the Playing the Angel talk page, but figured I'd include it here as well: According to |Andrew Fletcher's article, Fletcher helped build a compromise that settled a "serious dispute" between Gahan and Gore over songwriting duties for Playing the Angel, and yet it has no reference and I haven't been able to find anything to back this statement up. I would imagine that there was some issue with this, and I'd like to learn more details about this with appropriate references. Darwin&#39;s Bulldog (talk) 20:48, 1 May 2009 (UTC)


 * No one has any info regarding this? Darwin&#39;s Bulldog (talk) 09:08, 23 May 2009 (UTC)

Eyes needed on tour articles
There may be a problem of ownership on some Depeche Mode tours' articles. All our articles need to follow WP:OVERLINK, for example, so that the important links are highlighted. Please take a look. --John (talk) 05:43, 23 December 2009 (UTC)
 * There is also a problem with fancruft which breaches WP:NOR on some of these articles. --John (talk) 23:12, 23 December 2009 (UTC)

Editing Policy?
Hello there, I just made a few minor edits to the Depeche Mode article, mainly keeping it up to date (with news about Suffer Well being the third single, and the tour rumours being confirmed), but now my changes have gone. So it made me wonder if there is some particular policy about editing this page, or one person who manages all the editing? Thanks

MelancholyRose 23:16, 29 December 2005 (UTC)

Tower Records Vs. The Warehouse
The in-store took place at the Warehouse Music Store in the Beverly Connectionon on La Cienega Blvd, not at the Tower Records on Sunset Blvd.

— Preceding unsigned comment added by 64.14.248.62 (talk) 19:57, 10 January 2008 (UTC)

Highly Influential?
The first sentence of the article is: "Depeche Mode are a highly influential English electronic band, who formed in 1980 in Basildon, Essex, England."

I don't remember the words "highly influential" being here before. It was added recently (Sept. 3rd, 2007) and should be removed because it is a point-of-view statement.

However, I'm sure that there is plenty of evidence that exists for the case that Depeche Mode were influential. I don't see a problem with creating a "Legacy and Influence" section of the document and putting such examples in there with direct quotes from other artists and/or critics. Until then, however, I think the sentence should be rewritten with the words "highly influential" removed.

--Townandcountryplanning 02:45, 5 September 2007 (UTC)


 * Still I believe "highly influential" should be there just for those who wouldn't bother reading the article further. DM are obviously not just "an English electronic band". Garik 11 13:43, 5 September 2007 (UTC)


 * Just because readers may not read the entire article, that does not excuse putting an unverified statement at the beginning of the article. This may be a wiki and as such is open to editing by everybody, but it is still an encyclopedia none the less, and is not an outlet for one airing their personal viewpoints on the band.


 * I am changing the opening sentence to "Depeche Mode are a band, formed in 1980 in Basildon, Essex, England." This is a totally factual, non-POV statement.  I am also omitting "electronic" because that is a nearly meaningless term.  There is plenty of information in the rest of the article that expands upon what Depeche Mode are/were.


 * I am also removing the statement "They have influenced many of today's popular recording artists, in part due to their recording techniques and innovative use of sampling." Again, this is unverified.


 * Just to clarify, I am a huge DM fan, and for that reason I want this article to be high quality. I don't want unverified claims that reflect badly on the people editing the article and DM's fans.  Just include facts in the article, and let the reader decide whether they were great/influential/important/whatever.--Townandcountryplanning 04:04, 9 September 2007 (UTC)
 * So I have started "Legacy and influence" section. Please help contributing, since you are a huge DM fan. Garik 11 14:28, 9 September 2007 (UTC)


 * Re: the legacy and influence section: that actually looks quite good. Nice job!  I can add a few more things later.--Townandcountryplanning 22:53, 9 September 2007 (UTC)
 * Thank you for your appreciation. I do feel that with many people's contributions this section can evolve into quite a read. Garik 11 19:57, 11 September 2007 (UTC)

Saying such things (or similiar things like "award-winning" or "important") are not appropriate without reference because they constitute "peacock terms" according to Wikipedia. In particular, they should be excluded outright from the first sentence. Linking to the article itself does not help matters; in fact it makes it more POV by trying to emphasize the point. WesleyDodds 22:14, 18 September 2007 (UTC)


 * WesleyDodds, I have come to agree with you on that. But I am not the one who constantly reverts the "influential" link though. Garik 11 07:03, 19 September 2007 (UTC)

I have no idea how this works but just wanted to say that someone should add Gary Numan to the influences section. Here's the source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NphGjfyZwH4 —Preceding unsigned comment added by 87.247.64.143 (talk) 16:58, 14 February 2010 (UTC)

Rock?
In the genre section. I don't deny they have influences of rock in their music, but I wouldn't say that they could ever be described simply as rock. What do people think? I don't want to edit it, because it might have been decided before that they are definitely Rock or something.. Sven945 10:00, 26 June 2006 (UTC)


 * I personally think there are far too many genres (10?!) listed in the infobox, many of which are a bit of a stretch. While the band may be influential in certain genres, I wouldn't include techno or house (or dark wave, or the vague "electro") as their genre.  In my opinion, the genres listed should be synthpop, new wave, post-punk, and alternative rock.  I'll leave this up to discussion, as usual, before changing things.  I think a lot of these genres were added back when those anons kept adding POV statements to the article and tried masking it by changing around the genres right afterwards (I know I missed a lot of the POV additions because the genre changes were the most recent edits on my watchlist). John5008 | talk to me 21:41, 26 June 2006 (UTC)


 * I also agree with them not really being (in my eyes, at least!) techno or house. Again, Alternative Rock or Alternative Dance seems wrong too, but then again that's just my opinion. I'd have said they were Electro, however the definition on here of Electro doesn't fit with Depeche Mode as far as I can see. Electronica seems more appropriate if you ask me (from Wikipedia's definitions), although probably only because the Electronica article admits that the term is very vague. I think that a single, all encompassing term may be "Electro-Rock", but there isn't an article on that on here I don't think, and I'm not enough of an expert on the subject to start an article on the subject. This kind of shows that the subject of genres is VERY difficult to get right! Sven945 00:12, 27 June 2006 (UTC)

Depeche cannot be labled as a single genre, or even almost any genre. It's a song by song thing, but the whole 'Depeche' sound isn't in any genre. 'Alternative' and 'Alternative' only, with rock or anything like that ommitted, is the only thing close. 'Alternative Electro-Rock,' now there might be a more fitting label, but does that make it useful? How many bands could it describe. Depeche are... Depeche Mode. I think that is why so many genre are listed, it could fall into so many catagories depending on the song and mix. --Ira-welkin 01:58, 27 June 2006 (UTC)


 * It seems that people are trying to associate rock with Depeche, simply based on the fact that there's guitar in it, and their look is rock n' roll, to some extent. I somewhat agree with Ira-welkin's view on DM, but I think that if we had to categorized him, they would fall under "pop," for sure. They have called themselves a pop group and they follow the standerd pop format in music; "verse, chorus, bridge, middle 8, etc." Human historian 19:52, 2 July 2006 (UTC)

Come On! How the hell is depeche mode 'house' or 'Techno'? Those are horrible ways to describe their music.--69.234.106.60 17:09, 3 July 2006 (UTC)


 * They have been aligned with those descriptions since Violator, which proved to be very popular with house DJs, though i agree the "techno" label is even less accurate. Sunhawk 15:42, 4 July 2006 (UTC)

New Romantic certainly belongs, because that's the specific movement the group belonged to early in its career for its first few albums. WesleyDodds 04:36, 7 July 2006 (UTC)


 * Don't tell that to the band though, who have always refused to be associated with that sub-genre (I think they always refer to themsleves as "futurists" at the time). I personally always thought that putting them in with all of the other New Romantic's was kind of a stretch, but that's just opinion. In any case, since I assumed we were discussing what should go in the infobox, New Romantic was never listed there anyway, though I've never disputed its place in the article's intro. John5008 | talk to me 14:53, 7 July 2006 (UTC)

I can't believe many of you don't know they're mainly a synthpop band under the more general term, new wave music, they're definitely not electronica, or god-forbid techno or house. Check out their early connections to Erasure (vince clarke)and some of us know before erasure there was yazoo. New Romantic is also a type of new wave music style, but Depeche Mode doesnt fall under that. For example, both D Mode and Duran Duran are new wave but D.Mode falls under synthpop and Duran Duran falls under new romantic. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 69.86.7.194 (talk • contribs)

Not in my opinion they don't... I class them as alternative dance. They started as an early dance/synthpop band and evolved. There is certainly house and techno influences in there too. They simply aren't a pop band, they WERE in the early years.


 * Well, that may be your opinion, but I don't think they are that easily classifiable, or even classifiable at all. --Ira-welkin 20:50, 4 August 2006 (UTC)

I think the voice of authority might be helpful in this situation. 'Daniel Miller, who runs Mute records and produced the bands first albums, states in the liner notes to the 2006 reissue of Speak and Spell:
 * '''"They [Depeche Mode] were never New Romantics, they were Futurists, a subtle but important difference at the time. New Romantic bands were bascially rock bands with a synthesizer player.  But then there were other groups, like Human League, OMD (Orchestral Maneuvers in the Dark), Soft Cell and Depeche Mode, who were electronic groups."

''' Jackbox1971 22:21, 4 August 2006 (UTC)


 * I agree with Jackbox, and feel that this Daniel Miller quote is perhaps the best source for any classification of the band. --Ira-welkin 05:00, 5 August 2006 (UTC)

I have twice recently reverted changes by 193.180.228.186 (talk) who wants the intro to read "Depeche Mode are an English synth music band..." rather than "...are an English electronic music band..." This anonymous user has not stated why he feels this is better, so I thought I should explain my reasoning here. I interpret this discussion's consensus to be that Depeche Mode make "electronic music" and fall into the specific (albeit obscure) subgenre of "futurist", according to Daniel Miller. The other genres listed in the infobox (Synth pop, Synth rock, Alternative dance, Alternative rock, Post-punk, New Wave) seem ok, but that list does not include the amorphous term "synth music", for which, BTW, there is no wikipedia article. I think keeping "electronic music" in the first sentence makes the most sense. Any other comments? --Faith healer 00:28, 6 September 2006 (UTC)

Yes, I'm with you on keeping "electronic music" in the first sentence. However, it appears to be an emotive issue with someone - as they keep on removing it (despite hat fact that it was there for several months.


 * I just made a change in the genres section, I added the industrial genre. Songs like A Pain That I'm Used To have an industrial sound. --190.51.190.120 00:13, 14 February 2008 (UTC)

190.51.190.120 - a few of their songs may have 'industrial' sounding elements within them, but DM cannot be classed as 'Industrial'. If you go to this level of detail, you could attribute 50+ musical genres to DM. Kalied04


 * [same argument as the one I posted in the "Categories and Subcategories" section below] Whoever says that DM aren't rock is obviously blind. Sure, 1980-1986 was pretty much all synth, but look after that. MftM and Violator have a lot of "alternative" elements compared to the older albums (and if you look at many reviews or "music of x year" overviews, they say "Alt-rockers" LIKE DM were popular in the late '80s and early '90s [not including grunge]), though still being ultimately classified alternative dance. However, it's dead on starting with SOFAD. SOFAD and Ultra are 0% synthpop and almost completely rock. SOFAD is more "alternative rock" than -dance, features more guitars than synths, and Ultra is pretty heavy. In addition, Playing the angel is very much rock, just "electro-rock" and very much electronica too. More importantly, pretty much all major music sites and magazines consider DM to partly be an "alternative rock" band, which overrides most of your opinions pretty much. 3 albums with a lot of rock and a few more with some compared to 10-15 is more than enough to classify a band as "rock".


 * Oh yeah, and DM is partially Industrial, and them being described as that certainly DOES NOT mean 10 more genres can be applied to them than the main 5, more like 2-3 (which is fine- just look at Gary Numan). Construction Time again is the most obvious example, with some of the later pre-SOFAD albums having traces. But it's more prominant in SOFAD and Ultra, which have "industrial rock" elements, with a major example being the song "barrel of a gun". Angry Shoplifter (talk) 17:04, 27 June 2008 (UTC)

You are wrong Angry. Depeche are not a Rock band, never have been and never will be. Daniel Miller Quote (p 333, in the book ‘Stripped’ By Jonathan Miller): “The thing is, they’re not a rock band... because it’s not pure [rock ‘n roll]. There’s a horrible kind of authenticity about rock music, and they’re definitely not authentic in that sense” http://books.google.com/books?id=gIrZbmss3kEC&pg=PA333&lpg=PA333&dq=martin+gore+depeche+mode+%22not+a+rock+band%22&source=web&ots=67M7nujLj1&sig=Z4Iq30etb0pSfB-mvB_ceTps3Ns&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=1&ct=result. Kalied04 (talk) 14:57, 16 September 2008 (UTC)

Alan Wilder himself mentioned on his Recoil website http://www.recoil.co.uk/, Q&A Section, Songs of Faith and Devotion ... "Well, SOFAD is far from a rock album but that's another issue"Kalied04 (talk) 14:57, 16 September 2008 (UTC)

genres are MEDIA LABELS by definition. instead of quoting band members u should be referencing media. otherwise we would list depeche mode as "ultrapop" as they liked to call themselfs (unfortunately for them that term never caught on and its not a (media) genre). to be honest i have seen depeche mode introduced a few times on tv and magazines as an alternative rock band (probably also for daves rockstar looks of the time) when "personal jesus (devotional live)" and "i feel you" were on heavy rotation on the mtv programme alternative nation.... to me is only relvant to part of their work so i wouldnt list alternative rocck as a defining genre for the band. but on the other hand if genres like postpunk are there as main genre(never ever seen depeche mode introduced as "the post punk band depeche mode") ...then anything can be added to the list. i have all depeche mode tv appearence from 1981 to date and most english magazine articles....the most used tag to desribe depeche mode music has always been "Electropop" but that is not even on the list! go figure.... in this article i see lots of stubborness and prevarication by a few misinformed contributors with too much time on their hands (forgettin that wiki should be a collective work). —Preceding unsigned comment added by Sequencer01 (talk • contribs) 19:08, 11 February 2009 (UTC)

there was no electronic-rock/electro-rock wiki page before, now there is and it fills the gap. electronic-rock well describes some songs from sofad but especially many of the songs from their last 3 albums. not to mention live they are now pretty much an electronic-rock band (unfortunately). electronic-rock "is not pure rock'n roll". there are now many media sources describing depeche mode as electro-rock (just google and u'll find countless articles)...and as said nowadays for the most part they are. as it is documented in media, electro-rock is not removable. just an example out of many :http://www.usatoday.com/life/music/reviews/2009-04-19-depeche-mode-sounds-of-the-universe_n.htm —Preceding unsigned comment added by Sequencer10 (talk • contribs) 02:05, 22 June 2009 (UTC)

they never been and hopefully never will be a "rock" band. but they have released a lot of material in the past 10 years than can be labelled as "electronic rock". I dont even like their "electronic rock" stuff.. but its undeniable some of their later music and live concerts fit this description http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_rock and the documentation u find in abundance just google "depeche mode electronic rock" or "depeche mode electro rock ". —Preceding unsigned comment added by Sequencer10 (talk • contribs) 16:31, 29 June 2009 (UTC)

Depeche mode is not rock band but is electro rock band! Please realise that fact. Listen there music and you will see. Ask someone of the band members and you will get an answer. Tenkyu. talk 18.10.09 —Preceding undated comment added 21:52, 18 October 2009 (UTC).

Depeche mode is not rock band but is syth rock band! Please realise that fact. Listen there music and you will see. listen to the album Songs Of Faith And Devotion.
 * Upon listening to that album, we might as well call them a gospel band. Please realise that just because a band plays a song or two, or even an album containing some elements of some genre doesn't mean this is the genre they should be identified with in an encyclopaedia. Garik 11 (talk) 20:21, 19 February 2010 (UTC)

Depeche mode is not rock band but is syth rock band! Please realise that fact. Listen there music and you will see. listen to the album Songs Of Faith And Devotion and songs personal jesus, useless single version, barrel of a gun and suffer well.Oscar.dm (talk) 14:12, 21 February 2010 (UTC)

Synth rock
Depeche mode is not rock band but is syth rock band! Please realise that fact. Listen there music and you will see. listen to the album Songs Of Faith And Devotion and songs personal jesus, useless single version, barrel of a gun and suffer well. depeche mode has many songs that are considered synth rock, many critics consider one of the main genres that characterizes depeche mode.Oscar.dm (talk) 16:36, 22 February 2010 (UTC)

Alan Wilder said he did not play rock, but never said he does not play synth rock
 * But are there any official references for this being "synth rock" music? best, Sunil060902 (talk) 10:59, 23 February 2010 (UTC)


 * I have a source from Rolling Stone that clearly labels them "Synth-Rock". Here's the proof. http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2009/04/22/new-music-report-asher-roth-and-depeche-modes-albums/. Also their official myspace page lists them as "Alternative". Again here's the proof. http://www.myspace.com/depechemode

I'm adding that in the genres section. Irishboi89 (talk) 23:23, 17 March 2010 (UTC)

No original research
Could whoever keeps adding gems like However, on concert tours that have followed Ultra, songs from the album have hardly featured in setlists, please provide valid third party references for them, or else stop adding them. Thanks. --John (talk) 23:08, 14 March 2010 (UTC)
 * And the band's own website or an archived version of it, does not constitute a reliable source for these claims. We would need actual coverage in a magazine or a reputable website external to the group itself. --John (talk) 15:40, 16 March 2010 (UTC)
 * See also this section above, from 2007. As this has been a long-term problem and has never achieved consensus or even any real support here, but has been the subject of edit-warring by socks to retain it in the article, I am going to be bold and remove it on the assumption that if there was any valid source for this claim it would have been found by now. --John (talk) 18:59, 16 March 2010 (UTC)

Infobox
Why would we diplay the band's origin as "Basildon,Essex,England" (note linking and no spaces). Why would User:24.232.168.216 and User:Kalied04 both want to restore this style, which breaks the rules of formatting? Are they by any chance related? --John (talk) 04:46, 16 March 2010 (UTC)
 * I can see the point in linking Essex, as not every reader will be familiar with where that is, but England is a very well-known country and it would be considered overlinking. To that end, I've re-added the spaces after the commas and delinked England. --JD554 (talk) 14:14, 16 March 2010 (UTC)
 * Both of those accounts, and User:201.235.56.128 too, have all been making the same verb tense edits to this article, and were also making the same sort of changes to Nine Inch Nails at one time -- Foetusized (talk) 14:46, 16 March 2010 (UTC)

Synth rock?
Wesley removed this with the edit summary This is not a recognized genre term, which is why its a redirect; this seems like it makes sense to me; are there any good reasons for including this? --John (talk) 23:25, 21 March 2010 (UTC)

hello, what you say about the synth rock is a personal opinion that many critics approve this genre and categorize depeche mode as a synth rock band, another user added references but eliminated.Also considers that Depeche Mode has combined rock music with synthpop, especially in the nineties. They call that synth rock.--Oscar.dm (talk) 12:55, 22 March 2010 (UTC)

Improving this article
I've semi-protected the article to avoid socking or the appearance of socking, and I've warned the two main edit-warriors not to revert without coming here and getting a consensus first. I really hope this opens up the possibility of improving the article now. Any thoughts? --John (talk) 05:23, 22 March 2010 (UTC)
 * I have the references available to exponetially improve the article, but as of right now I'm currently wary of contributing too much to the article due to the reverting of edits by various users that improve everything from removing unsourced material to fixing formatting. WesleyDodds (talk) 10:48, 22 March 2010 (UTC)


 * I do not see why Synth Rock is being rejected, even though I provided references to back up the claim. What else can songs like Personal Jesus, I Feel You, Barrel of a Gun and Useless to name a few, be described as? Irishboi89 (talk) 20:01, 22 March 2010 (UTC)
 * Synth rock is not a recognized genre per past Article for Deletion discussions, which is why it was redirected to Electronic rock (itself a genre article that should probably be put up for deletion. WesleyDodds (talk) 01:50, 23 March 2010 (UTC)


 * Why should Electro rock be deleted?. And you never answered the question either, what else can these songs be described as? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 92.21.83.234 (talk) 17:33, 23 March 2010 (UTC)


 * Their post 80's material needs a genre to describe it. New Wave and Synth pop only describes their 80's material. With their usage of guitars and real drums (especially on SOFAD), this stuff realisticaly cannot be described as Synth pop. It sounds more rockish than anything else. Irishboi89 (talk) 17:47, 23 March 2010 (UTC)


 * See WP:NOR. If we don't have an article on "synth rock", maybe it is not a well-used term. In any case we have to go on what the majority of the best sources say, not on someone's opinion on the talk page. --John (talk) 05:34, 24 March 2010 (UTC)


 * On Songs of Faith and Devotion, the band was explicitly (that is, they mentioned it al the time in interviews) inspired by alternative rock and blues. WesleyDodds (talk) 07:04, 24 March 2010 (UTC)

I think the profile pic should be changed to something from the 80's. Preferably from 1986-1993 when image-wise and music-wise they were in their prime. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 99.130.202.246 (talk) 15:35, 30 March 2010 (UTC)


 * I agree, the photo at present only shows 2 members (Dave and Martin + touring members Cristian and Peter. Fletch aint nowere to be seen!) A pic with Alan would be very welcome! —Preceding unsigned comment added by Irishboi89 (talk • contribs) 01:52, 3 April 2010 (UTC)

References in Popular Culture
This has been mentioned previously for a diffrent reference. The reference I have is in Left4Dead were you may get a 'Depeche Mode' shirt for your Xbox Live Avatar for completing a certain award. I will find which award and any other possible details if this section is to go ahead. Teesideeeee (talk) 14:25, 15 May 2010 (UTC)

Depeche Mode tour articles
Recently I updated the appearance of the tour dates listings in the Depeche Mode tour articles on, for example, Touring the Angel. However, a user wishes to retain the old appearance of tour date listings, so much so that s/he is continuing to revert articles without providing any constructive reasons for doing so. An example of the old format is here: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Touring_the_Angel&oldid=368051532.

In my perspective, the new appearance is an improvement as it removes the breaks in the listings; the tour dates flow much better in one box rather than a dozen or so separate boxes. In its previous appearance, if a user edited a section then a break would usually have to be subsequently added to give some distance between each of the boxes, which was a cumbersome process. Furthermore, I feel information about support acts is really not of critical importance and that such information does not need to be listed prior to each leg since, again, this breaks up the flow of the tour dates listings. In the new format, information about support acts is listed in a separate section lower down the article. (Freak.scenery (talk) 16:32, 15 June 2010 (UTC)).

Electropop and Synthpop
Although I do realise that they both sound similar, Electropop seems more robotic and sci-fi (according to the synthpop article), which I don't think describes DM's sound, is there any need for it's inclusion along with Synthpop (what most of their music is described as anyway)? I need opinions, thanks! Medazzatrash (talk) 15:43, 12 August 2009 (UTC)

They were never electropop. Thank goodness that crap was removed. 74.69.64.52 (talk) 08:44, 5 December 2009 (UTC)

I agree with the synthpop genre, but I don't see Depeche Mode as New Wave. The New Wave bands had influence from all kinds of music, not only electronic music. Depeche Mode, on the other hand, is much more pure electronic music. --Rivet138 (talk) 01:09, 9 April 2010 (UTC)Rivet138

depeche mode from 1981 till 1985 were "electropop". it was the main genre asscoiated to them in interviews, tv appearences and magazine articles of the time.(let me repeat :between 1981 and 1985) factual and documented —Preceding unsigned comment added by Sequencer10 (talk • contribs) 11:11, 23 June 2010 (UTC)

Legacy and Influence - The DMDK album
A group of danish artist made a tribute-album in honor of Depeche Mode, named DMDK. It has been mentioned in the danish Depeche Mode-article, and i think it might fit in under "Legacy and Influence" in the English article.

A brief translation of the section:

"Among the many who've been inspired by the band, a group of newer/younger danish bands recorded a tribute-album to Depche Mode named DMDK; the record was released 27. February 2006 2 days after the bands concert on danish soil/ground. Among the contributions to the album are Moi Caprice with Any Second Now, Tiger Baby with Strangelove, along with Sterling and Mikael Simpson, who have translated the songs "New Life" and "It Doesn't Matter Two" into danish."

Although the original article lacked references, i believe these could be used: http://rateyourmusic.com/release/comp/various_artists_f2/dmdk___a_danish_celebration_of_depeche_mode/ http://www.myspace.com/dmdk http://www.soundvenue.com/anmeldelser/2006/02/24/diverse-kunstnere-dmdk (danish site)

What are your immediate thoughts?

Grailas (talk) 16:29, 19 June 2010 (UTC)

"Fast Fashion"
It seems there's a bit of a debate about what "Dépêche Mode" actually translates to, as most online sources claim it to mean "Fast fashion"...while "mode" certainly means "fashion", "dépêche" means "dispatch" or "update". "Se dépêcher", however, means "to hurry" which is probably where the mistranslation comes from, but that's not the case here. So the band's name should translate to "Fashion Dispatch" or "Fashion Update" (I've also seen "Fashion Bulletin" or "Fashion News" as similar translations) and not "Fast Fashion". I don't actually know much French, so I hope someone who actually knows the language can back me up on this. (Source:, ) John5008 17:18, 8 August 2005 (UTC)

The closest translation is probably "dispatch", but the figurative meaning is "magazine". "Fast Fashion" is clearly wrong.


 * Ok, my native tongue is French (I'm from Québec). Depeche Mode doesn't mean "Fast Fashion", it's a fact, and it's obvious to anyone fluent in french. Like John5008 mentioned, the verb "se dépêcher" means "to hurry", and just like someone could shout "quick!" to tell someone to hurry, someone can shout "vite!" in french, which means fast/quick. The noun form of "dépêche" has a different meaning, it means "last-minute news update". The magazine wanted to be seen as some kind of news service for fashion. It seems that "Fashion News Dispatch", or "Fashion Update" would be the best translation.


 * So I propose that we acknowledge the fact that the term "Fast Fashion" was mistakenly used for years, and that the real meaning is something else. I will wait for some reply from the higher instances here, just not to cause any problems, but it's a wiki, so I'll edit the article myself if I don't get a reply. --VL-Tone November 16, 2005


 * I have included the following text as an attempt to cover all bases:


 * The new name was taken from a French fashion magazine, "Dépêche-mode", which translates to "Fashion Update" or "Fashion News Dispatch," though it has commonly been mistranslated as "Fast Fashion."


 * Hopefully this is to everyone's liking. John5008 15:41, 16 November 2005 (UTC)


 * Thanks John, that's perfect, you restored my faith in the Wiki! --VL-Tone


 * depeche mode wasnt it some french architectural movement i thought? that the french govt stamped out due to its tendency to spur antipatriotism, which is why no traces of it are visible today

a;sldkfj 13:21, 16 November 2005


 * No? John5008 03:59, 2 January 2006 (UTC)

In late 80s I read in Russian magazine Rovesnik that 'depeche mode' is a telegraphic term meaning 'text mode' or 'dispatch mode' of the telegraphic machine, the mode used when you send a télégramme or dépêche as opposed to modes, in which telegraphic machines send images. It can aslo mean 'Telegram style' or 'Telegraphese' (see wikipedia articles on these terms). Magnitskey (talk) 16:01, 20 July 2008 (UTC)
 * Do we need "the correct translation" as "fashion dispatch"? Who says this is the correct translation? The provided link to the online dictionary says nothing to me. Where is a reliable source that states pointblank that this is the correct translation and that Martin Gore is wrong. Unless such a source is provided that must be considered original research and be removed. Garik 11 (talk) 14:46, 28 March 2009 (UTC)

A dictionary means nothing to you? This is a classic case of ego over truth. Ask anyone who speaks French what "depeche mode" means. The longer you continue to remove corrections, the more credibility Wikipedia loses. Sorry if that offends you, but facts are facts.DoctorJoeE (talk) 06:32, 1 June 2010 (UTC)
 * It's a quote from a band member, there is nothing to correct. If he is wrong, it reflects on him not Wikipedia. --JD554 (talk) 07:55, 1 June 2010 (UTC)


 * Well, that's a cop-out I hadn't heard before. It reflects on Wikipedia to the extent that it creates the impression that nobody editing Wikipedia has recognized the fact that Gore was in error.  I see from the history that a native French speaker made the correction years ago, but somebody inexplicably reversed it.  What is so wrong with making the very valid point that "fast fashion" is a common mistranslation among non-French speakers (including band members), and the correct translation is "fashion update" or "fashion dispatch?"  What exactly is the problem with making an encyclopedia entry as accurate as possible?DoctorJoeE (talk) 17:46, 12 July 2010 (UTC)

Verbal contract?
I assume that this is supposed to mean non-written. If so, it should say "oral contract", as "verbal", in legal terms, just means that it is in words, not that it is spoken —Preceding unsigned comment added by Boyjohn2 (talk • contribs) 02:36, 1 August 2010 (UTC)


 * "A verbal contract isn't worth the paper it's written on." — Samuel Goldwyn
 * —WWoods (talk) 06:15, 1 August 2010 (UTC)

Shame! Genre is wrong for DM
Do not believe what I see.Depeche not pop band.Electronic band yes...Is a punk/new wave band and belongs current Alternative.
 * You have reliable sources? --JD554 (talk) 17:29, 27 April 2010 (UTC)

Yes I agree with JD554. Depeche Mode is electronic band influenced by rock (so synthrock or electronic rock must be genre for DM - mix between electronic and rock), new wave and post punk (especially in early years). So we must correct that mistake in DM genre. --Reorgart (talk) 23:42, 6 May 2010 (UTC)
 * What we need is for reliable sources to discuss the genres of the band and then they can worked in to the article and listed in the infobox. Just deciding they should be a particular genre without reliable sources is original research and will be reverted. --JD554 (talk) 07:52, 7 May 2010 (UTC)

Thanks Reorgart I agreea bound genne Depeche...are JD554 one.Administrator listen probably Gaga. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 188.25.8.79 (talk) 16:38, 7 May 2010 (UTC)

What we must do now? Convert the genre? Please tell me someone in simple english. Thanks. --Reorgart (talk) 23:27, 10 May 2010 (UTC)

You must not do anything and do not know anything administrator. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 188.25.8.79 (talk) 09:29, 11 May 2010 (UTC)

!!!Warning!!! --JD554 (talk) please do not change the genre without discussion on the talk page. Thank you very much! --Reorgart (talk) 17:25, 6 August 2010 (UTC)
 * No consensus has been agreed for the addition of the genre and the change to the hidden note here. Your edits are disruptive, please gain consensus first. --JD554 (talk) 15:51, 6 August 2010 (UTC)

Discussion has already ended and please listen their music and you will see what kind of music they play. Look what other people say about the genre. Sorry --JD554 (talk) but you are like a dictator. DM is an electronic rock band and that is it. Say something against that DM is not an Electronic rock band. Give me some argument. If you don´t have clearly arguments I will convert the genre. Thanks for understanding. --Reorgart (talk) 14:35, 7 August 2010 (UTC)


 * There is no consensus here for any change. Get consensus first. --JD554 (talk) 13:38, 7 August 2010 (UTC)

for WesleyDodds
Man, Depeche is darkwave genne...gothic histories mention the band at all.1981-1982 Synthpop yes, 1983 post-punk yes( industrial it originated of the Post-punk( not guitar yes...song 1983 "More Than a Party" not is synthpop and new wave..."Pipeline" and Construction Time Again all influence post-punk.1984 "Blasphemous Rumours" best song alternative histories mention in Rolling Stone, for me best darkwave...1986 post-punk( industrial and darkwave genne ) 1987 "Never Let Me Down Again" is industrial music structure song, riff guitar and percution..."Sacred","Little 15", "To Have and to Hold"...melancholy style of darkwave cold sound.1990 clean best song darkwave, "Waiting for the Night" balad dark, "Sweetest Perfection" cold sound .Electronic rock=digital rock for song policy of true, rush, walking in my shoes, in your room...please genne not good.1981-1982 syntpop new wave, 1983-1987 industrial, altrnative dance, darkwave, 1990 alternative album( electronic rock, syntpop, darkwave) 1993-1997 Alternative rock, electronic rock, alternative dance....depeche not is erasure. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 188.25.9.24 (talk) 18:17, 28 August 2010 (UTC)

Depeche is an alternative band
Depeche is an alternative band: alternative dance, dance-rock, alternative rock —Preceding unsigned comment added by 109.96.132.123 (talk) 08:54, 5 August 2010 (UTC)

Originally a product of Britain's new romantic movement, Depeche Mode went on to become the quintessential electro-pop band of the 1980s. One of the first acts to establish a musical identity based completely around the use of synthesizers, they began their existence as a bouncy dance-pop outfit but gradually developed a darker, more dramatic sound that ultimately positioned them as one of the most successful alternative bands of their era. ( www.allmusic.com ) —Preceding unsigned comment added by 109.96.132.123 (talk) 09:31, 5 August 2010 (UTC)
 * Allmusic is not a reliable source for genres as they have a habit of adding as many genres as possible to bands and releases. We need citations from better sources, such as the music press, newspapers, etc. --JD554 (talk) 09:39, 5 August 2010 (UTC)

or you is not a reliable source, you know what to listen? listen moonspell and depeche or lady gaga —Preceding unsigned comment added by 109.96.132.123 (talk) 09:45, 5 August 2010 (UTC)

The Depeche Mode/alternative connection is funny because although the band's roots are clearly in electronically-based New Wave/synthpop (with most of their primary influences having little to nothing to do with rock music at all), and although the group has more in common musically with the likes of Duran Duran, Japan, and the Human League than your R.E.M., Smiths, or Pixies, the specifically American music press since the late '80s has had a habit of categorizing them as "alternative" from time to time, to the point where I've heard Andy Fletcher on occasion boastingly describing his band as a pioneering alternative group (personally, every description of them as alternative always comes off all rather "this electronic English pop band is dark and gloomy like those other English bands that use guitars! They must be the same genre!"). Even putting aside nonsense like that, in the early 90s the band did purposefully try to incorporate an alt-rock sound, largely do to Dave Gahan taking up heroin, attending Lollapalooza, and then insisting the synth-using quartet become a grunge band. I'm not kidding; it's one of the more entertaining chapters in the biography Stripped. 'Songs of Faith and Devotion was a hell of a time. Anyway, New Wave and synthpop are the genres unassailably affixed to Depeche Mode, followed by post-punk and then alt-rock. Do note that histories of New Wave and post-punk like Simon Reynolds' Rip It Up and Start Again will discuss Depeche Mode, but alt-rock histories don't mention the band at all. It's all rather aggravating. WesleyDodds (talk) 11:30, 5 August 2010 (UTC)
 * What if we just briefly mention in the leading section that some (American?) people consider Depeche Mode an "alternative" band without actually defining them as alternative in the infobox? I think that could be a compromise. --Garik 11 (talk) 19:53, 29 August 2010 (UTC)

Synthrock man is alternative muzic and guitar is incorporate in clape...depeche is alternative band —Preceding unsigned comment added by 109.96.132.123 (talk) 14:20, 5 August 2010 (UTC)
 * There's no such thing as "synthrock". WesleyDodds (talk) 10:31, 6 August 2010 (UTC)

Depeche is pop band...love depeche —Preceding unsigned comment added by 188.25.9.184 (talk) 16:41, 6 August 2010 (UTC)

genne
Man, Depeche is darkwave genne...gothic histories mention the band at all.1981-1982 Synthpop yes, 1983 post-punk yes( industrial it originated of the Post-punk( not guitar yes...song 1983 "More Than a Party" not is synthpop and new wave..."Pipeline" and Construction Time Again all influence post-punk.1984 "Blasphemous Rumours" best song alternative histories mention in Rolling Stone, for me best darkwave...1986 post-punk( industrial and darkwave genne ) 1987 "Never Let Me Down Again" is industrial music structure song, riff guitar and percution..."Sacred","Little 15", "To Have and to Hold"...melancholy style of darkwave cold sound.1990 clean best song darkwave, "Waiting for the Night" balad dark, "Sweetest Perfection" cold sound .Electronic rock=digital rock for song policy of true, rush, walking in my shoes, in your room...please genne not good.1981-1982 syntpop new wave, 1983-1987 industrial, altrnative dance, darkwave, 1990 alternative album( electronic rock, syntpop, darkwave) 1993-1997 Alternative rock, electronic rock, alternative dance....depeche not is erasure. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 188.25.9.24 (talk) 18:14, 29 August 2010 (UTC)

for manager
Depeche is alternative band ....look http://www.gothicera.com/Eighties%20Top%20100.htm..... —Preceding unsigned comment added by 92.81.106.241 (talk) 14:14, 31 August 2010 (UTC)

for manager
Man, Depeche is darkwave genne...gothic histories mention the band at all.1981-1982 Synthpop yes, 1983 post-punk yes( industrial it originated of the Post-punk( not guitar yes...song 1983 "More Than a Party" not is synthpop and new wave..."Pipeline" and Construction Time Again all influence post-punk.1984 "Blasphemous Rumours" best song alternative histories mention in Rolling Stone, for me best darkwave...1986 post-punk( industrial and darkwave genne ) 1987 "Never Let Me Down Again" is industrial music structure song, riff guitar and percution..."Sacred","Little 15", "To Have and to Hold"...melancholy style of darkwave cold sound.1990 clean best song darkwave, "Waiting for the Night" balad dark, "Sweetest Perfection" cold sound .Electronic rock=digital rock for song policy of true, rush, walking in my shoes, in your room...please genne not good.1981-1982 syntpop new wave, 1983-1987 industrial, altrnative dance, darkwave, 1990 alternative album( electronic rock, syntpop, darkwave) 1993-1997 Alternative rock, electronic rock, alternative dance....depeche not is erasure. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 92.81.106.241 (talk) 14:18, 31 August 2010 (UTC)

please forgive me to the top
Typical instruments new wave music Electric guitar – bass guitar – drums – synthesizers – vocals synthesizers- Synthpop is a genre of music in which the synthesizer is the dominant musical instrument Electric guitar – bass guitar – drums is a genne of music and is the dominant for depeche after 90 years conclusion Depeche is Synthpop and New Wave music —Preceding unsigned comment added by 188.25.8.209 (talk) 16:57, 6 October 2010 (UTC)

Cultural References
I vote that this section be removed from this article. The entries are random, and incomplete. To have a decent list of depeche mode references in popular culture would take up a ridiculous amount of space. Personally, I think it makes the article look amateurish and reflects badly on wikipedians. 76.120.100.231 (talk) 01:56, 6 November 2010 (UTC)
 * I agree! The entries this far seem to belong to the DM sightings category so familiar from Depeche discussion boards. While many wiki band articles have these random sightings listed, in this case I feel this section is unnecessary, for reasons listed above. The more notable cultural references can be included in other sections. --Sk4170 (talk) 11:10, 6 November 2010 (UTC)

Depeche Mode translation
(Re: History, Oscar.dm) I am quite sure of this translation. Although the band has presented "Depeche Mode" as a brandname in english, the french origins of this term are a reasonable curiosity for any non-french speaker and therefore are relevant to this Wiki. The purpose of Wikipedia is, after all, education and the quest for knowledge--including curiosity. Clearly, the word "depeche" does not exist in english and would not be recognizable to the english language reader as, say, the brandname "Rolling Stones" would be. I feel it is a minor matter that deserves to be addressed. Best wishes to all.
 * Hey Prime-daedalus, I agree with Oscar.dm's edit - would've done it myself, but he beat me to the punch - the origin of the name is already addressed in the formation section, properly sourced, with direct quote from Martin Gore himself. In my opinion, the current version is pretty sufficient. Regards. --Sk4170 (talk) 11:16, 26 February 2011 (UTC)

Oscar.dm, here is the link...
...with what Fletch and Clarke had to say about The Cure influence on their early band. --Garik 11 (talk) 07:22, 8 October 2010 (UTC)

We should add 'Industrial' as a genre
There's no doubt some of DM's material, especially the pre-1993 stuff, would qualify as Industrial music, as it influenced bands like Nine Inch Nails and has a minimalistic feel that can only be described as Industrial.

Abootmoose (talk) 23:54, 26 December 2011 (UTC)

"Enjoy The Silence" and "See You" sound samples disappeared?
I noticed that the links for the sound samples for "See You" and "Enjoy The Silence" have stopped working. Tried to search the files from Wikipedia, but coouldn't find them. These are .ogg files and I checked that similar .ogg samples at The Beatles page are working, so they had to be deleted. Anybody know what happened? --Sk4170 (talk) 11:49, 6 November 2010 (UTC)
 * Did some research. It appears that majority of music samples on Depeche Mode related wiki articles have been deleted due to lack of fair use rationale. It seems that only the uploader is allowed to add it. There is a number of DM music samples left which imo are in danger of being deleted as well, for the same reason. Mystery solved. Instructions and rules on preparing and uploading fair use ogg files here ;) --Sk4170 (talk) 10:03, 18 November 2010 (UTC)

'Rock' /Synth 'Rock'/Alternative 'Rock' / Industrial 'Rock': Why the genre 'Rock' is incorrect:
Daniel Miller Quote (p 333, in the book ‘Stripped’ By Jonathan Miller): “The thing is, they’re not a rock band... because it’s not pure [rock ‘n roll]. There’s a horrible kind of authenticity about rock music, and they’re definitely not authentic in that sense” http://books.google.com/books?id=gIrZbmss3kEC&pg=PA333&lpg=PA333&dq=martin+gore+depeche+mode+%22not+a+rock+band%22&source=web&ots=67M7nujLj1&sig=Z4Iq30etb0pSfB-mvB_ceTps3Ns&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=1&ct=result. Kalied04 (talk) 14:57, 16 September 2008 (UTC)

Alan Wilder himself mentioned on his Recoil website http://www.recoil.co.uk/, Q&A Section, Songs of Faith and Devotion ... "Well, SOFAD is far from a rock album but that's another issue" —Preceding unsigned comment added by Kalied04 (talk • contribs) 16:48, 30 November 2010 (UTC)

Mister..listen rush( SOFAD ) electronic rock, not rock band yes..electronic rock yes, yes...electronic rock ( rush ) policy of true( alternative song...alternative dance=sound electronic and synth aletrnative ( rock )..black celebration is alternative music, not pop music...mister listen..you know listen?....pop music not...electronic-rock yes, listen..:)))) —Preceding unsigned comment added by 188.25.8.71 (talk) 21:11, 3 December 2010 (UTC)

Band can also be classified as euro disco. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Prenigmamann (talk • contribs) 14:02, 3 September 2011 (UTC)

Composition of Sound, unreleased songs, demo's,early tour & bootleg info
Hey, can anybody start a section about this topic of their unreleased songs, demo's, their 1rst gigs between 1980 & 1982. Their most famous bootleg lp's like Crocs, Bridgehouse could be talked about. All their beginnings, much more deeper as most interview cd's, dvd's and biographies have gone. All the news about their name. On - what gig or what day, month in 1980 - they official started as "Composition of sound" and on what gig they officialy started under the name Depeche Mode. Sometimes I'm under the impression they started their tour in end May 1980 as Depeche Mode (according to the official site), but weren't they still be called Composition of Sound? If anybody got some ideas to put this up here? I have Jonathan Miller DM biography and read info on their beginnings on the net, the officîal DM site,... but I sometimes still get confused.

Let me know ;) — Preceding unsigned comment added by Oregi (talk • contribs) 10:54, 22 March 2011 (UTC)


 * Hi Oregi, I'm definitely not a regular contributor to this page, but I figure your idea has potential of being relevant to the page. I was wondering if you would be willing to share a few specific ideas that you were thinking of adding in and discussing possibly where they would go.

After sharing, perhaps we can build consensus for the edits. Thanks! U21980 (talk) 01:30, 27 May 2011 (UTC)

End of EMI period
Depeche Mode has recorded for Mute since the very beginning. They didn't have a record deal with EMI until the 2000s when Mute signed up with EMI, but became independent again last fall. There is a longstanding working relationship with EMI, but the actual record deal was with Mute for the most part of the band's career. --Sk4170 (talk) 22:06, 11 June 2011 (UTC)

Seperate singles section
I think seperate section for DM singles must be created. With this it will easier which single was from album, or it was from compilation album or just non-album single. Cause there are too much singles, it must be created. --82.139.5.13 (talk) 07:44, 3 May 2012 (UTC)
 * This information is already available at Depeche Mode discography. --Sk4170 (talk) 08:46, 3 May 2012 (UTC)
 * I wanted to say about seperate singles template !!! --82.139.5.13 (talk) 18:52, 3 May 2012 (UTC)

i have a source, that the band is referred as electronic rock
http://www.discogs.com/artist/Depeche+Mode --82.139.5.13 (talk) 20:13, 26 May 2012 (UTC)


 * In my opinion that is as reliable a source as a piece of paper where I've scribbled down 'electronic rock' and put it in my pocket. The database at Discogs.com is submitted by users, anyone can contribute. It would be different if the term were included in an article, preferably multiple articles consistently using the term. WP:V --Sk4170 (talk) 13:04, 27 May 2012 (UTC)

#2 album of the last 60 years?
http://www.planetrock.com/news/rock-news/maiden-classic-named-album-of-past-60-years/ Was this due to an internet campaign? — Preceding unsigned comment added by 81.154.123.67 (talk) 03:57, 30 May 2012 (UTC)
 * I find these claims very interesting, since I haven't noticed any particular campaign happening. I haven't seen the list of nominees, but other bands usually on top of these polls had several albums on Top60, that would be the more obvious reason. --Sk4170 (talk) 10:53, 30 May 2012 (UTC)

Timeline
The band were not actually Depeche Mode until Dave joined and brought the name with him. I think the timeline should reflect this rather than starting with Fletch Vince and Martin's pre DM Composition of Sound 69.146.97.211 (talk) 04:48, 1 August 2013 (UTC)

Only You
I think there's a good reason to believe that Vince Clarke really offered the Yazoo song to Depeche Mode, but they declined it. Vince denies it in a video interview for German WAZ, but in fact it's been talked about by members of Depeche Mode, mentioned in both major DM biographies (Malins & Miller) and the Simon Spence book, and quite recently, by Alison Moyet. When asked how Vince Clarke presented her that song, she says, "I have a feeling I would have heard it as an electronic demo on his portastudio. I’m assuming he must have had ‘Only You’ in electro form because he’d have presented it to DEPECHE MODE and they knocked it back!" It's been mentioned in so many different sources through the years, that it's hard to just dismiss it as false. Then, why would Vince deny it ever happened? Why would the remaining members of Depeche make up a story like that? Why does Alison remember it that way? Interesting! --Sk4170 (talk) 11:46, 1 August 2013 (UTC)
 * Well, we cannot just silence Clarke on this issue since he's spoken out so plainly. Would be a gross violation of WP:NPOV. --Garik 11 (talk) 14:33, 1 August 2013 (UTC)
 * It's not our job to determine why (that would be original research), but instead to report that it happened. We should include both the early reports (which I've read) that Clarke offered "Only You" to DM, who turned it down, and then later that Clarke appeared to deny those claims (which I haven't seen, not that it matters what I've seen or not). One should not annihilate the other. 87Fan (talk) 15:34, 1 August 2013 (UTC)
 * Sounds good to me. What I was trying to say with those questions, I think it's better to include both sides to the story than dismiss one in favor of the other. Vince actually says in the WAZ interview video that it was another song that he played to Depeche, not "Only You". --Sk4170 (talk) 16:19, 1 August 2013 (UTC)

Musical style
Depeche Mode is just one of many musical artists who (i feel) lack a section in their wiki pages which would describe their musical style and their influence and the characteristics that made them stand out from the rest of their contemporaries. Reading this page, all i know if that they are a commerciallly successful synth pop band. Wow that really disginguishes them from the other commercially successful synth pop bands. I realize i need to put my money where my mouth is and make some contributions. I'll try to give it a go, but i was 5 months old when "construction time again" came out and i would love to hear from some folks who were there at the time. I realize this all sounds unnessarilly whiney, just venting i guess. Nothing personal. Peace to yall. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 99.102.92.235 (talk) 03:27, 25 August 2013 (UTC)

Electronic rock
This genre is missing to the infobox. Depeche Mode are known for being a pioneer of this genre.

Electronic rock legends Depeche Mode According to the documentary History of Rock on the BBC "Depeche Mode are the parents of electronic rock", and considered as one of the best exponents of the genre Electronic rock veterans Depeche Mode

Synthwave.94 (talk) 00:20, 19 October 2013 (UTC)
 * I suggest you take a look at the electronic rock article and it's discussion where it is dismissed as a genre. It's a musical style. --Sk4170 (talk) 11:01, 19 October 2013 (UTC)

Some people still intent on using this "Rock" tag. "Daniel Miller Quote (p 333, in the book ‘Stripped’ By Jonathan Miller): “The thing is, they’re not a rock band... because it’s not pure [rock ‘n roll]. There’s a horrible kind of authenticity about rock music, and they’re definitely not authentic in that sense” — Preceding unsigned comment added by Kalied04 (talk • contribs) 22:39, 10 December 2013 (UTC)

Electronic rock and synthrock are synonyms, and the current consensus (read Talk:Electronic_rock if in doubt) is that both are considered musical styles, i.e. should not be added as a genre to infobox. --Sk4170 (talk) 00:48, 29 January 2014 (UTC)


 * Electronic rock (or synthrock) sounds like a good description of DM's music (at least for their mid 80s - present career). Deepblue1 (talk) 10:06, 29 January 2014 (UTC)

It's not how it "sounds like" or how it "feels", nor anything that can be found by google search. We need to go by wiki rules, and the current consensus is it is a musical style. If you wish to change it, then go to the "Electronic rock" article talkpage, and try your luck there. --Sk4170 (talk) 09:22, 31 January 2014 (UTC)

An equipment / instrument list by brand and model number would be a great reference up through Violator.
A key point and entire line of discussion for any entity that is considered "pioneering" is the tools used to create something never seen / heard / used before in such a way. The discography would do a great service by including not just the songs and band members, but the instruments / keyboards / track mixers used as well, by brand model number. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 108.236.109.232 (talk) 17:49, 9 February 2015 (UTC)

Some corrections
Hi there. I have carried-out a clean-up of this page, and having had a couple of the points queried, appreciate that this is the place to clarify and discuss.

Most of the tweaks actually relate to punctuation and spelling, particularly the under-use of hyphens. These are admittedly modest contributions but should aid readability.

As regards nationality, as UK citizens (when the band was formed, at least), Depeche Mode should normally be termed British unless there is clear and unambiguous evidence that they wish to lay claim to a different nationality. Some British nationals do occasionally wish to claim a specific or provincial nationality, such as Welsh or Scottish, and of course this is appropriate to reflect in lead summaries where that is the case. However, it is much rarer for people or groups to identify themselves as English, not least because this ceased to have any legal meaning some centuries ago. Unfortunately there is also a trend for some rather unsavoury political groups to use the term for dubious ends (see, for instance, the English Defence League). There will occasionally be bands who wish to use the term English to denote their particular musical style (e.g. English folk), but there will usually be documentary evidence for this which can be referenced. In the absence of any such evidence for Depeche Mode, I propose that this page uses the appropriate and internationally comprehensible term, 'British', and that nationality labels are simply removed from linked articles about the band's albums and other releases as this is not really relevant (British, English, or Essex, Violator is still marvellous).

'Hope all that's useful! Little Fluffy Clod (talk) 06:40, 11 June 2015 (UTC)
 * The band formed in Basildon, in England. Therefore calling Depeche Mode an English band is perfectly appropriate and is not controversial in any way. As you don't have any consensus regarding the nationality change, I just finished restoring "English" from all Depeche Mode articles you've been editing so far. Regarding hyphens they are clearly not necessary and terms such as "synthpop" or "songwriter" are most often written without a hyphen. Synthwave.94 (talk) 12:05, 11 June 2015 (UTC)


 * 'English' in the context you mention has only geographical significance. To use it as a descriptor for a group whose nationality is British, and half of them actually live in the US, is clearly confusing.  On this one you are simply incorrect, I'm afraid.Little Fluffy Clod (talk) 08:27, 20 June 2015 (UTC)
 * It's your own point of view. There's nothing controversial about calling this band (as well as numerous other bands formed in England) an English band. Synthwave.94 (talk) 10:27, 20 June 2015 (UTC)
 * : stop changing "English" to "British" in Depeche Mode-related articles. You still don't have any consensus regarding the nationality change and your edits are clearly disruptive. Synthwave.94 (talk) 10:45, 20 June 2015 (UTC)
 * I do feel that the two terms are inter-changeable. The Rolling Stone biography for instance refers to them as British (see here). Maybe the term is more prevalent there  and some kind of compromise needs to be reached to accommodate both? I agree that a blanket change without a discussion is not the way to go (see WP:CONSENSUS. Karst (talk) 11:23, 20 June 2015 (UTC)

Revert membership timeline
I don't know why this page is protected and I'm not about to make a username just for this, but can someone else fix the changes to the time line 64.86.76.14 (I think) did on his phone last month? it looks terrible, and it's confusing. Not just confusing, but wrong. Dave does not play the guitar, Andy hasn't played bass since like the second week of the group, "synths" and "keyboards" are close enough to the same thing, especially in gordeno's case, and a one show reunion with a former member (AW) does not count as "membership", he was a guest. 50.159.24.24 (talk) 08:03, 3 July 2015 (UTC)


 * oh and just as I write that I realize Gordeno and Eigner shouldn't even be on there at all. not official members.50.159.24.24 (talk) 08:06, 3 July 2015 (UTC)

100 Million sold records ?
I doubt, that Depeche Mode have sold 100 million records so far. They are very popular and sell nowadays ca. 1-2 million albums with each new release. Which is not bad for the standards of nowadays. But i don't think that they have sold 100 million records. Thats too much. Their biggest selling studio album Violator has sold 6 million copies worldwide  — Preceding unsigned comment added by 176.0.42.165 (talk) 21:56, 27 August 2015 (UTC)

Goth...
...ic rock? Lynchenberg (talk) 07:58, 26 August 2015 (UTC)
 * Reliable source?  Rob van  vee  15:55, 26 August 2015 (UTC)
 * I don't have one, that's why I bring it up. I see the term thrown around often regarding the band, and it's occasionally edited into this article. Perhaps we should have a discussion about it, to determine if anyone has a reliable source? Lynchenberg (talk) 02:44, 27 August 2015 (UTC)

For instance... should it be in the genres for this album or not? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Celebration I don't see any sources. Lynchenberg (talk) 10:06, 3 September 2015 (UTC)
 * I'm all for additional genres that best describe an album, but a source is obviously needed. Allmusic makes no mention of "gothic rock" but perhaps other sources will indicate otherwise.  Rob van  vee  11:20, 3 September 2015 (UTC)
 * Should I remove it? I can't find any sources describing the album as such, and no one here seems to be able to provide one. Lynchenberg (talk) 01:01, 4 September 2015 (UTC)
 * It's not currently listed under genres.  Rob van  vee  06:00, 4 September 2015 (UTC)

Cure-influenced?
How can Depeche Mode, at the moment of their formation in 1977, have been influenced by The Cure, when The Cure adopted the name in 1978 and published their first album in 1979? In 1977, the band was called Easy Cure, had only played live gigs, and certainly their music had practically anything to do, yet, with what we normally have in mind when we think about The Cure. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Bluefunk72 (talk • contribs) 15:33, 16 September 2015 (UTC)


 * People can still continue to be influenced even after they themselves have had success. 2601:603:4500:6259:B52A:3AD5:BC95:53C2 (talk) 06:45, 28 September 2015 (UTC)

speculation on upcoming project
I think it should be pretty obvious that rumours should not be presented as fact on any Wikipedia page. Today 09th June 2016, a mysterious twitter user named @Ultra_Depeche has claimed that the producer for Depeche Mode's upcoming album is named James Ford. While this might turn out to be true, this is not official confirmation. Someone stated this rumour as though it was fact on this page, so I removed it. Once Depechemode.com or any truly reliable source confirms this, it can be added on the page. Angelinda2 (talk) 21:43, 9 June 2016 (UTC)

External links modified
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Don't do it
Signed by Gayfish. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 31.0.121.118 (talk) 13:39, 1 January 2017 (UTC)

Why two Enjoy the Silence articles?
Why there ara two Enjoy the Silence articles? It's the same song. The 2004 remix isn't a new theme. I can't understand. See on The Unforgiven (song) i.e., or Personal Jesus articie.OscarFercho (talk) 00:40, 7 February 2017 (UTC)

Proposed merge with Global Spirit Tour
The tour hasn't happened yet and may not be notable. Probably a case of WP:TOOSOON. Adam9007 (talk) 21:14, 27 October 2016 (UTC)


 * The information about the tour on the main Depeche Mode page seems reasonable enough. Wikipedia really doesn't need to hold a list of every upcoming gig. WP:TOOSOONNickpheas (talk) 13:33, 4 January 2017 (UTC)


 * I would support the merge of the upcoming tour into the main Depeche Mode page, since it's worth mentioning as a tour but not notable enough, at least at this current time, for its own article. – Matthew  - (talk) 13:58, 8 February 2017 (UTC)

The tour will inevitably be notable enough for its own page. Every tour since 1980 (when the band was first formed) has a page dedicated to it. As with every Depeche Mode tour in the past 15 years, it will sell out every venue it visits across the world and there will ultimately be a concert DVD. North American dates will be released shortly and the band's label has set up a rather elaborate marketing campaign for fans to obtain pre-sale codes. And, if it's anything like the past three tours, there will be another wave of dates in Europe, totaling over 100 major gigs. It is prudent to establish the page now. Fujikochan (talk) 20:07, 28 February 2017 (UTC) Leave the tour page alone, you complete kunt. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 86.185.249.181 (talk) 05:43, 12 March 2017 (UTC)