Depeche Mode isn’t quite EDM, but they aren’t quite pop stars either. They ride an interesting line of electronic music, rock, pop, and alternative when it comes to genres. Some would argue that the band, made up of members Dave Gahan, Martin Gore, Alan Wilder, Vince Clarke, Andrew Fletcher, and Pete Gordeno (over the years), are the fathers of electronic music.

And though the band is now only made up of three of the names in the list above, Gahan, Gore, and Fletcher – they’re still pumping out hits like they were in the early days. Has their music changed since they first decided on their band name in the 1980s? Sure – but the majority of fans would argue that it changed in a good way.

The Making of Mode

Depeche Mode is the child, or the evolution, of two previous bands. The first one was born in China, made up of Clarke and Fletcher, and called No Romance. They had short-lived success and returned to the UK to form a new band, French Look. That band then added David Gahan, which is when they finally became Depeche Mode (1980). Their first record as the original trio was “Photographic”, which they put out with Some Bizzare Album. The debut’s success led them to sign with Mute Records, in 1981.

Forty Plus Years of Music

Since the band started in 1980, they’ve put out multiple albums, which have all enjoyed genre-spanning, if not universal, success. They’ve gone through some personnel changes, label changes, and taken breaks – but they still remain committed to their music, at the end of the day. And while we can’t go back to the 1980s (don’t you wish?), we can help you see the 21st-century version of Depeche Mode in person.