Depeche Mode consists of Alan Wilder, Andrew Fletcher, David Gahan, Martin Gore.
Depeche Mode is a synthpop band from the town of Basildon, England, originally founded in 1980. They have been one of the longest-lived and most successful bands to have emerged during the New Wave/ New Romantic era; many of their videos have been heavily rotated on MTV and Fuse. As of 2005, it is estimated that Depeche Mode has sold over 70 million albums worldwide. They have influenced many of today's popular recording artists, in part due to their innovative work, recording techniques and use of sampling. Though influential in the modern electronic dance scene, they remain in the alternative genre. The three current members of Depeche Mode are: Martin Gore (primary songwriting, vocals, guitars, keyboards) David Gahan (lead vocals, recent songwriting, occasional instruments) Andrew Fletcher (early keyboards, primary management, other occasional instruments)
Former members include: Alan Wilder (production, keyboards, drums, vocals, occasional songwriting) from 1982 to 1995. Vince Clarke (primary songwriting, keyboards), from 1980 to 1981.
Depeche Mode's origins can be traced back to 1976, when Vince Clarke and Andrew Fletcher formed a band known as "No Romance in China." The band was unsuccessful and in 1979, Vince Clarke formed a new band named "French Look" with Martin Gore. Andrew Fletcher then became part of the band and it was renamed "Composition of Sound." David Gahan joined the band in 1980 after Vince Clarke heard him perform at a local gig, and "Depeche Mode" was born. 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."
The band became part of Daniel Miller's Mute label by verbal contract, and released their first album, Speak and Spell, in 1981. Soon after, Vince Clarke left and went on to form several other bands including Yazoo (Yaz in the U.S.) with Alison Moyet, The Assembly with Eric Radcliffe, and later Erasure with Andy Bell.