Depeche Mode WITHOUT Alan Wilder
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- Опубликовано: 6 сен 2024
- In this video we discuss the influence of Alan Wilder's role in Depeche Mode and how his departure has affected the band's sound and success.
Additional links :
Depeche Mode Demos: • Depeche Mode - If You ...
Depeche Mode Devotional Tour: • Video
Alan Wilder Interview: • Alan Wilder about Depe...
Alan Wilder remix ,In Chains: • Depeche Mode - In Chai...
The one word that can describe Alan's contribution to the music of the band is that his sound engineering and creativity made the music "cinematic". Meaning listening to the music as a teenager I couldn't help but visualize my version of what the music video should be for the song. In other words in my head I create a visual story as I listen to the song. Without Alan a lot of that "effect" went away. It was there in Ultra and slowly started to fade away. I'm sure most of you know what I'm talking about. Alan also had an incredible knack for engineering remixes.
Actually Alan Wilder's departure is only one of the reasons the band's music quality went down ...
The quality of Martin Gore's melodies had started going down just before Alan left ... all the later songs after the Violator album lack a well defined melodious structure .. in contrast, their earlier hits all had very identifiable, unique and memorable melodies distinct from one another and from the trending sounds of other musicians ...
Songs of Faith and Devotion was the first album when Gore started to make songs to cater to the larger trend of the music industry rather than making songs solely to express himself ... as a result all the songs that came after Violator had vague indistinct melodies that are mostly indistinguishable from many other bands of the day ....
.. and thats why the fan base are so split these days between those who enjoyed their pre-Violator unique-ness and those who have a wider audience taste who generally likes them for adopting the styles of other trending bands ...
Personally I belong to the first group of fans ...
@@88feji
Songs of Faith and Devotion has some of the most innovative and "outside of the box" compositions Depeche Mode has ever written. Condemnation is one of Gahan's best vocal performances. The arrangement on One Caress is beautiful. I Feel You and the pre release remixes were amazing. The lyrics are raw and personal. For me, an "old school fan", this is their Swan Song. They put out something special even though it was basically their breakup with Wilder.
It seems Alan Wilder kind of made the sound of dm and after he left that sound was not there anymore.
True. Their music moved me in ways I can’t explain and it was fíen to Alan’s sound .
I have a dream.... a 40 anniversary reunion tour with him... I know, it's crazy...
Jaci C. I agree with you my fellow dreamer !! V👍😎
should it come true, then I go to their gig, for sure!
I share the same dream! Sometimes dreams may come true though. Hope they read.
@@michaelhugh-bloch1356 It would be great!
@@VaughnGeorge Am I a dreamer if we can try to do a mass campaign/petition, gathering as much as possible funs, and send it to the actual members of DM and their management and asking to have Alan as a producer for the next album (I don't think we can ask much more) ? I think that will be a great move from them for next great album, also as image as well
The magic that Alan Wilder sprinkled on DM can never be replaced.
Psychedelic Rocker right you are matey !!😎👍V
I agree. It took two to attempt to replace Alan, and very poorly.
Indeed
If Vince Clark stayed I think DM would have kept their light airy ( pop ) sound - like with Erasure.
Alan Wilder gave them that dark orchestral and very atmospheric edge that really suited Martin Gore's lyrics and Dave Gahan's vocals. Also his sound direction was top stuff for remixes and extended samplers.
If Vince stayed he would have followe
If VC had stayed, I think if the chemistry could stablized it would be more like The Smiths with poppy melodies with dark lyrics
my words!! and i am an old fun..
Hi what is the best number Allan Wilder have made after DM in your opinion? Thanks for sharing
But you didn't mention Andrew Fletcher's style for clapping and dancing in front of a keyboard
I'm a devotee from the begining...But Depeche died when Alan Wilder left I even said those words the day The news broke
Marco Ziervogel many devotees will agree with you bro 😎👍V
They need to get over it, same as those Underworld fans who couldn't face the loss of Darren Emerson (i counted myself among them for a long while).
I said they same thing to my friend
Preferred the Clarke era myself
Marco Ziervogel at least Ultra was pretty good.
I remember reading back in the 80s that Alan was feeling like a third wheel from the beginning. Well, not exactly the third wheel since they were 4, but you get the idea. They "hired" him and always treated him as a "contractor" and not as a real member, even though he carried the band on his shoulders most of the times. If someone cared for the band it was him, even while he was not a founder. It was so unfair, poor guy. I love him.
So do we. Depeche Mode would never have been so good without him.
Oh no, thats so very sad and heartbreaking.
DM with Alan Wilder = 10/10
DM without Alan Wilder = 5/10
As a musician/composer/producer myself - it became very clear Alan was a core reason why DM had such classic songs and albums between 1984-1993
As a musician/composer/producer myself x2, I totally agree of what you have said. I feel a bit sorry for Alan Wilder, since he should develop more skills in song writing which i think is the weak point of his own projects.
As a live act, they sound much better with their current lineup
@@manuelpuente7336 No they don-t. Its rather painful to listen. Please stop embarrassing yourself.
+ Vince Clarke 10/1000
ULTRA was a good album
I believe what made the Devotional Tour so epic was Alan's reworking of classic DM tracks for live performance. For example, the intro to "Walking In My Shoes" was a brilliant edit of the Portishead/Johnny Dollar remix; "Everything Counts" had a new bass and drum track that appeared to be culled from the 1989 remixes; and the live version of "I Want You Now" (added to the set list during the 1994 shows) was incredible.
Good observations there !! Thank you !! V:-)
Well exactly. But Alan also did all the sample processing for the live shows since 83. And he co-produced the live recordings from the Devotional tour with Steve Lyon. I don't listen to any DM stuff since SOFAD but bloody hell - if u listen to the older live stuff and then by mistake listen to a live track since 2005 you'd swear u were listening to another band! They have totally ruined the sound of all the classics....
I totally agree... That's also for me was the pinnacle of DM what Alan created on that tour was pure musical genius 👌
Really?
And Something to do)
Alan Wilder a true genius! We all miss him so much!
He was okay i suppose
Alan wilder is a bit like David gilmour in so far as they're both not founder members but were pivotal to the sound they're best loved for
mono lith a perfect comparison !! V😎👍
Very good example mono lith. Hey maybe Vince Clarke and Syd Barrett should have formed a band ;))
Also, David Gilmour without Roger Waters and vice versa is a good comparison too.
@@kmfdm10392 Yeah I'm not a fan of Roger's last solo album too. I only really like Amused to Death and Pros and Cons but not as good as Floyd. Dave's solo work hasn't been that great either I have to say. I think Roger had a way of bringing out the best in Dave. For example that 4 note phrase in Shine On was something that Dave played by accident and Roger said, play that again. But Dave can really evoke emotion in a guitar. Even though they famously didn't get along, they created magic together, along with Rick.
Alan Wilder was also like Richard Wright, underappreciated but absolutely integral to the sound.
Need Alan for Depeche Mode to be complete again.
I think they are complete without him, but I think it'd be very awesome if he did collab with the them on an album or concert.
101% agree that "Devotional" was their magnum opus. The best live show I've ever seen by DM.
Ash Neuro no comment !! All I can say is agreed 100%!! Cheers bro 👍😎V
I agree, and Alan's production on the live show was stellar, especially the variations he would make to some of the songs, that added to the song rather than ruin it. And getting Hildia and Samantha on backing vocals was a great move.
Timothy Cole yes Devotional was DM at their peak !! V😎👍
@@stopbunsen Devotional "Everything counts" vs Global Spirit one is beyond comparison. Alan is a wizard
I saw DM on that tour and it was stunning, omg!!! I'm so happy my younger brother and I were present to witness that momentous event. Like I said before, that moment will never be repeated. DM were at their peak between the years 1986-1994. Those albums and tours were magnificent. Too bad we can't relive it. 😭😭😭
Alan Wilder is a genius sound wise guy, he knows MUSIC, he has this special filling - best in class producer. DM is suffering without him
I’ve been a DM fan since 1982 and I agree that Alan’s contribution to the sound was massive.
simple ... Alan Wilder made the sound legend of DEPECHE MODE. We miss you Alan.
do you by any chance have the slightest idea about WHO actually composed DM greatest hits? Was it Alan?
@@CristianSirb do you by any chance have the slightest idea about the difference between sound and composition?
@@dashafed do you have the slightest idea about WHO really produced the Albums of DM while Alan was in? Because it wasn't him. So he never composed nor produced. I presume he HAD a certain influence on the final soundscape, but the survival itself of DM without and after him, with huge success, is an answer per se. I don't want to diminish his contribution, but I also LIKE to emphasize that having Martin as leading composer, working with inspired producers, perfectly ensured the survival and great success of the band.
@@dashafed He thinks DM had a huge success without Alan. For real fans like us, we know. We know everything. There is no relevance anymore.
RECOIL is great. No doubt about that. But Alan in DM is Colossal and unrivalled! Fab4 of all time as Beatles and Led Zeppelin. Not the same if one's gone. Depeche Mode is still the anvil and hammer on which bands of today are to somewhat must shape themselves with. I can just imagine DM going to some awards night with those millennial brats! And steal the show, steal the awards. Their music is still the mod and the mode of our time and theirs and beyond!
I feel the same way as you do about Depeche Mode's music not having that Alan Wilder touch - I met him and chatted to him about this and he knows we all miss him. Great channel, I'm a fan. Devotional Freddie
I was lucky enough to hear them at Pasadena 101
Wow !! You are a part of history Sir!! :-)
Lucky you. I need a time machine 😂😂😂
Man 101 was historical!!!
Who was the warming band?
Etsi Juuret Wire, Thomas Dolby, OMD
Alan Wilder is and always be the artisan behind the sound of Depeche Mode. His talent is missed.
I so agree with you when you say that every time you listen to "post Alan Wilder" DM, you think what would´ve been if Alan still on DM. I love DM since I was 9 yo, and Martin is a freaking genius, but Alan Wilder was the soul, the nerd that explored every single note until it was perfect. We miss you Alan, please come back!!
If you take "Enjoy The Silence" for an example. Martins demo is just an organ and him on song. I think that was the demo that he gave to Wilder.
And we all know the result at the end. That song just show how much impact Alan Wilder had on Depeche Modes success.
Let's not forget Flood on this x)
its almost unjust to put MG as the writer of Enjoy....after you compare the demo and the LP version.
@@mickadatwist1620 Agree. Is that one of the things that made Alan quit the band? We all now that Alan didnt cope with the band after the SOFAD tour. Maybe he didnt think he got the credits for all the efforts he put in the band. Martin, Dave and Fletch was pretty messed up during the SOFAD era. I think Alan was the one that stod pretty solid in the studio when all the other ones was out drinking and drugging.
Exactly.
Preach!! Alan Wilder's version of ETS is so iconic, so beautiful and so timeless. That song came out in 1990. I listen to it now and it feels so new and fresh. Mr. Wilder, you are missed. Please grace us with your presence in this wonderful band once more.
After wilder, depeche mode sounds like a normal rock band, sorry, Alan Was the heart of the modes production, Please, come back
Aaron Drumm: You are SO RIGHT in saying that my friend!! :-)
They were already heading in that "Rock" direction (still being an electronic/synth based band). Even as early as Violator you could here the guitar blues riff part in "Personal Jesus" and some more "smudge" in some of the songs on that album. And, of course, in "Songs of Faith and devotion" it was all in with the more dirty sounds, distortion and really depressing tones.
That album, I didn't like that much at all. I think it was the worst one that Allan was involved in.
In fact I don't even think Violator was that good, it just had happens to have two of their best songs on it ("Enjoy the Silence" and "Personal Jesus") the rest was to me quite boring songs.
In the albums preceding that almost all the songs were really good or at least not boring.
Thank you for your kind words!! V :-)
So true, ver1 superb electro pop group, ver2 superb electro rock group, ver3 rock group.
yep - you'll hear what happened to the music when Alan joined. A complete different level. He and the the studio guys left, when the other three were already at home... However they evolved since the last 3 records, not the same of course but kinda caught up.
Alan is one of the most unappreciated band members of all time. While he was in the band, we all had the impression that he was a keyboard playing lackey, and that Martin and Dave were the puppet masters who were responsible for all the brilliance. But then he leaves and there’s an immediate, lasting decline in the arrangement and layering and atmosphere of the songs, and chatter surfaces that Wilder left because he felt he was carrying the band in the studio while Gore and Gahan took the credit. I can believe this - the Wilder albums have a thick, dark, intensity not found on either side of the group’s discography.
Well said. Atmosphere is key here, the layering, the spaciness, it was a huge part. And the thick, dark, intensity as you put it is exactly what I look for and it's a shame that it's been missing.
for me , alan wilder has a lot brought to depeche mode . i adore him !!!
Yeah, I used to regard Alan Wilder as the anonymous background bit-player, which often happens to the quieter, modest, hard-working types who stay in the background........and I felt so bad when I realised how important a role he played. I have been trying to make up for it ever since 😢.
I disagree with you saying that since Alan’s departure DMs music has been poor. It’s easy to say that as you have hindsight. These are all what ifs. Most bands that continue making music into their 40’s and 50’s decline, life and other responsibilities take priority. We’ll never know but perhaps had Alan remained they would have still declined in quality anyway. Ultra and Exciter were two very strong albums. They proved they didn’t need Alan 95-02. Since Exciter there was a huge decline but is that really because there is no Alan? I disagree. The decline wouldn’t have happened as it always does. Alan admitted that he’s a control freak and this may have caused tension in the studio between him and Martin. Alan’s also admitted he was a fool for not writing more material as there’s more money in IP publication that in production - Martin owns all those songs and gets a LOT more money. That’s not Martins fault- that’s the industry. Alan’s should have stayed and fought it out but through pride did the wrong thing and it back fired. I’m an Alan ‘fan’ as well.
Gore, Gahan took credit, but Andy Fletcher did as well, it turns out. Where do you draw the line. ANDY fletcher should get less credit than a drummer. And Alan it turns out def. carried the band. All the success their songs had, was thanks to Alan Wilder.
I too started to lose enthusiasm for DEPECHE after ULTRA. I still love them but I haven't listened to anything after that. Great video!
Kevin Vekni: Thank you for your kind words and encouragement . More videos like this are coming soon and thank you fro subscribing. V :-)
I feel the same as you.
You know,wilder did come back to depeche mode....once
@@systemshocker2875 was it like a one off on stage or a couple songs or a remix?
@@NITE_SHIFTING during the teenage cancer trust concert along with Michael Gore
Great video! I couldn't say it any better. People tell me to get over it and accept the fact that Alan left 24 years ago but I just can't! Been a Devotee for 16 years and everytime I watch a video of DM with Alan in it I sorta get some bitter-sweet feeling. I guess I will just miss Alan forever, and if I were granted one wish, it would be Alan rejoining the band.
Thank you for your kind words Alena!! I am glad you feel the same!! VG:-)
Pretty comment Alena....beuty like you :)
Yesss, mine too!
I think one of the best Wilder’s age albums is Some Great Reward. All songs fantastic and the industrial sampling sound was really innovative at the time- and still is-
One of my favourites
My band opened for AW/Recoil a few years ago. We got to hang and chat a bit. What a cool freaking guy. Legend!
Scott Griffith thanks for sharing that matey and welcome to the channel !! V👍😎
We're all crossing our fingers and praying for a reunion with Alan.
Every new album DM realices since SOFAD I still wish to have Alan Wilder back :..(
Ultra was sounding like continuation od sofad sound. Exciter was completly new sound but.... But nex albums are messy. Some great songs but no great albums
ALAN is the SOUND of DM . While DM has moved on since they separated , DM had never been the same - the reason why I love DM so much is because of ALAN .
koji himuro agreed. he created the sound and atmosphere we most associate dm with. it disappeared when he left.
When he left I left them
Right on bud!! VG:-)
I feel the same way. I really tried, and I liked Ultra, maybe even a bit more than SoFaD, but I couldn't stand Exciter! The percussion was replaced with a bunch of pops and clicks, and was just painfully frustrating to listen to. And the hooks were gone! You can play the first six notes of Strangelove and everyone instantly knows what song it is. But try that with any song from Exciter and newer. I can't think of a single memorable melody.
Every DM concert I've gone to after Alan's departure I come out wishing Alan was back. No offense to the guys that replaced him, they're not Alan.
I love DM always will. Sadly I have to agree with you. I saw them 3 times on the last tour, and I have to tell you the shows were f'n amazing, superb, but no where near as awesome as the 1993-1994 devotional shows. We will never, ever see that again. That is the sad reality DM fans have to live with. Unless Mr. Wilder comes back, that lovely unique DM sound that Alan Wilder is known for will never be heard again. Sad but true folks.
Yes is thrue.
my first time seeing them after alan left was two years ago and it was just not the same. i knew it wouldn’t be, that’s why i hadn’t seen them in so long... i always say that i will break the bank to see them front row center if he ever reunites with them live.
So are you mad at Alan for quitting or DM for carrying on? I saw them in 2017 and they were awesome. The heart of DM will always be Martin’s creativity and Dave’s showmanship.
Yes !!! True !!!... Gordeno and drummer are not Alan...live session musicians only. ..and tgat drummer using a convetional drum really heat that.... sequenced and programmed drums was the key of success DM...an Alan's work.... post Alan Era...DM goes down ...and never will be the same. Sad but true !... greetings
Depeche Mode isn't Depeche Mode without Alan Wilder.
Right you are!! VG:-)
Depeche Mode with Alan Wilder, almost each Track is a classic. Depeche Mode post Alan Wilder, we can be glad to get one classic per Album.
Martin is the brains in the band
please..... ¬¬
WRONG!! Without Martin and Dave there is no DM.All other members were replaceable. And don't forget the other co founder Vince Clark who helped start their immediate success.
Alan was a their sound.
Depeche Mode is/was the soundtrack of my life. That life ended when Alan left the band. It never started again since than.
Hollix00 and many do agree with you bud 😎👍V
So true. I have no interest in the albums post Alan Wilder. I don’t even care to know the names. I know a few songs here and there, but that’s about it. The rest of it sounds like any other rock band that’s out there. I was never into rock music all that much and DM back in the day was not considered part of that genre. They had a unique sound that you just couldn’t quite categorize. That’s what made them so appealing. Even though SOFAD had a rock-like sound to it, it was such a special album. Nowadays there’s no more sparkle to DM. It’s just the same old same old.
Thanks for this video. Looking forward to more. (Also love the adorable kitty.)
Lady Neptune: Thank you for your comments and I am glad you found value in the content!! Thank you also for subscribing , be sure to follow the channel as there is plenty more to come!! The "adorable kitty" is called Lily. She is very naughty and knows that she should not be on top of my speaker but I never have the heart to chase her away !! V :-)
Lady Neptune - you want to like these post Wilder , you want the old sound to return and you want to be back in the 80’s/90’s but they just don’t take you there do they?
Uh listen to Playing The Angel. That album is from 2005 and it’s great.
Pure DominanceHDGaming precious s the only track I’ve been excited by since Ultra, which did boast a few good tracks tbf
yes...nowadays there is no sparkle to DM
He did make a difference. If you look at the style now, whilst still good, it's not the same sound. DM had a very distinctive sound especially in the 80s that made them what they were. It's a shame he felt he wasn't given enough credit for what he did. Fair point on fletch, what the hell did he do!
Well said Neil!! Thank you for your comment and I am glad you agree !! VG :-)
Thanks a lot for your video! We also love and miss "The Boss" and we're still happy about his and Steve Lyon's Masterpiece "Devotional", for us it is also the creative and emotional peak or the artistic climax of an unbelievable musical career. We try to keep Alan's spirit alive in our tribute productions! Thank you for your interesting thoughts with this very intense and "musically sad" situation! Best wishes. Christian // F2M
You have expressed EXACTLY what I have said for the past few albums. Martin is the brain, Dave is the heart and Alan was its soul. Without Alan, there music is flat... Alan was able to bring another dimension to Martin’s songs.... Visually, it’s as if Martin wrote in pencil and Alan was the 3D animator. Since he left, their songs are b/w 2D and sometimes colour 2D but nowhere near Alan’s masterful adaptations
Depeche mode is like a human body. However I would say:
Martin: heart
Dave: voice
Alan: brains
Fletch: arsehole
Thank you very much for posting this particular video! My all-time favorite Depeche Mode albums are Black Celebration, Music for The Masses, Violator, and Songs of Faith and Devotion. Playing the Angel is their best post Alan Wilder album, but there is still something missing. Alan's synth programming and work in the studio is obviously missing. Well said Vaughn George!
I have exactly the same favorite DM albums.
@@kennethvalbjoern I also agree with this, but I would also include Some great reward, which I think is when their sound started to shape, although, the sound is not as mature and dark as on Black Celebration. The first 3 were pling plong,1980s video game music. I also agree about Playing the Angel being the best post-Wilder album.
What I noticed is in the booklet for Ultra you'll notice there's WAY more producers and session musicians, you realize it took all these people to replicate one Alan Wilder.
Dylan Warrick that is a very good observation that needs mentioning !! Thank you 😎👍V
They've never been the same since Alan left. He made the sound, it's one thing to write and sing, it's another thing to personally craft the sound. Alan was the architect that put it all together. My god, I miss this man. I will forever mourn the day he left.
Lolita Dolorosa for sure !! We all agree !! VG😎🎹👍
alan was the sound and the spirit of depeche mode that's all !
AMEN to that brother !! VG:-)
After tried to like the 3 last albums without Alan, I found one song worth putting on my playlist...
This is great! I agree with everything you said and your insight about the dynamics of the band, and Alan's role! I've met Martin a few times over the years, and have spoke to him a couple of times and you're absolutely right about how he isn't very good about expressing himself verbally but is fluent in translating his thoughts into music and is the very best at it! Combined with Alan's freedom to apply his massive and unmatchable talent to develop Depeche Mode. I'm so grateful for their music! Soundtrack of my life!
I too agree with the sentiments shared by most fans when it comes to Alan's decision to leave Depeche Mode; I followed the band from the very beginning and as a result a very big part of the reason why I pursued electronic music was primarily due to the heavy influence and impact that the music of DM had on me at such a young age. And specifically Alan's contributions to the band's overall sound is what I feel made them who they were. Dave the great singer and frontman, Martin the chief songwriter (after Vince Clarke's departure) and Fletch... um, whatever he did... was a total package that had massive musical mojo and moxie and it packed a punch! The brooding, foreboding, darker semi-industrial element that Alan brought to the songs was what appealed to me the most. As an electronic musician myself, I marveled at the way Alan utilized the tools of technology combined with his sheer raw talent to bring the music to life and give it the edge that ultimately defined DM for the better part of 13yrs. Those are the only years that really matter to me, the Alan years. After his departure there was truly a void left behind in the DM sound that I still think they have had a tough time trying to fill. I honestly own none of DM's albums after Ultra (I give that one particular post Alan album an exception only because there are actually several good tracks on it even though Alan wasn't involved with them when that record was released) but everything else that DM has put out since then has been very disappointing to say the least and to me the majority of it is very un-listenable. So when I say that I'm a Depeche Mode fan, I'm really talking about the Alan years only (which most other fans react with a puzzled look on their face or a scowl because they really don't understand my rationale for saying this) and beyond that I have no interest in what DM has been doing since Alan's departure. Yes, I know that DM is still going strong and yes they are still selling tons of records and selling out stadiums but to me it's just not the same as it once was. I've seen them live numerous times and I was even lucky enough to see them at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena CA for the final 101 show in 1988 (yes that's the very same one that D.A. Pennebaker made his movie from) which to me was the pinnacle concert for my lifetime of being a devoted and loyal fan. That experience can never be duplicated and will truly never be forgotten either. But the magic is gone now and DM are just another band to me. I actually prefer listening to other electronic bands these days and of course I still prefer listening to Alan's solo work on his Recoil project. But as for me, my memories and fondness for DM will always be the period between 1982 and 1995 when Alan was in the band. After that in my own humble and honest opinion, DM is just a band that enjoyed a period of greatness in their heyday thanks to Alan's vision and hard work, and the remaining three members took it for granted and didn't appreciate it as much as they should have and they are still trying to make a living and survive off of the contributions from their former band member. Yes that may sound a bit harsh but I think it's the truth and that's how I feel about it. Thanks to Piano & Keyboard artist for making this video and the added commentary as well, these are great videos for all members of the electronic music community - like me!
Joe hi!1 Thank you for those AWESOME and detailed post !! You truly are the kind of fan I love to connect with here on the channel and I hope to hear more from you in future!! V:-)
Couldn't have said this any better. They have never been the same since he left. It"s sad😥
I don't know why I'm comming back to this video. Just to mourn I guess. Alan is simply irreplaceable and necessary.
Happy birthday Mr.Wilder!
do the band miss Wilder though? If they are selling out venues, and selling the songs, then perhaps from that the band think 'they still love us'. The reality is yes, we still love them, but we'd prefer to have Wilder. Do the band actually know how much we all miss Alan?
That's a great question Tom!! VG:-)
The most amazing gift that humanity could ever get is a "reunion" world tour with Dave, Martin, Andrew and Allan Wilder.....Good luck getting a ticket if that ever happens....If we survive COVID-19 !!
Yes, yes and yes!!! Minus Andrew 😂😂
If we survive the Lockdowns and the Vaccines. ;)
Thank you so much for this video, Vaughn. It's a really good account of Alan's time with the band and what his departure meant for their music.
Although Alan has mentioned his reasons for leaving DM in the press statement he still kept it somewhat vague which sparked off a lot of speculation in the fan community. Now I never thought fingerpointing to certain other band members was particularly helpful and yet it bothered me that Alan felt he didn't receive the recognition he deserved for his role in the band.
I have just recently finished the book "Halo", The story behind Depeche Mode's classic album Violator, and I came across something that I found quite comforting. It's this quote by Steve Lyon who was an engineer at the Church Studios in London: "I don't think that the band or the label ever underestimated Alan's role, but I do sometimes think that the work he did went unnoticed." It makes more sense when you read it in context and it is a worthwhile read for any fan.
Alan Wilder was just as integral to Depeche Mode as Martin's songwriting and Dave's vocals. The proof is in the pudding -- look at the quality of their work since 1995. Truthfully, Alan Wilder could fart into an old coffee can and make it sound more compelling than anything Depeche Mode has done since "Songs Of Faith And Devotion".
Also, I loved your comments about SOFAD. Whereas any other band would've come out with "Violator 2", they turned themselves inside-out, upside-down, and topped it. It's visceral, rough around the edges, debauched, introspective, and in-your-face triumphant. It's no wonder artists like Gary Numan count it as their most inspiring and influential album.
Thank you for your well written comment!! Thank you so much for your kind comments and I am happy you like the content !! Thanks again!! V:-)
ByeUK appreciate your insight and honesty bud!! All opinions are welcomed and none are wrong !! Thanks again for your interactions 😎👍V
@@AtticusBleep I think real fans understand it's the culmination of everything they started doing with MFTM. SOFAD was the apex of that arc, just like BC topped off their first one.
I found SOFAD garish, to be honest. I was quite horrified to see the sheen of Violator stripped away, both sonically and in their appearance. But that was the point, and once that clicked I could focus entirely on the album being their masterpiece.
Wait, there’s albums beyond Construction Time Again? Oh, sorry, I forgot about Some Great Reward. I hear Black Celebration is coming along just fine. Looking forward to its release.
Ultra is a very impressive album tbh.. But yeah its easy to hear Alan is not around anymore.
I must say, "Ultra" is probably my favorite album and it was after Alan.
johnnyrocco123 Ultra was a superb album !! I do agree !!VG🎹😎👍
Yeah I’m in the same boat. I totally agree that Wilder took something with him as he left. But Ultra, as far as I am concerned, is the last great DM album. After that it’s just a smear of 5/10s.
As a both metalhead and in secret DM hardcore fan,I think two terrible things happened to music in last 35 years. Death of Cliff Burton and something maybe preventable at some time, Alan Wilder leaving DM. And Alan giving fans sound samples of original material is never heard of. Musicians normally keep their tonal secrets to grave. I salute you sir Alan Wilder, you are one special creation of God.
God?
I'd watch two hours of Alan breaking down his keyboard setup
Yes everything changed after the ultra album. Alan Wilder brought a certain abstract sound which was uniquely arranged . There were people out there who tried to imitate but no one could produce that same sound. Just like Sting sound better with the police than solo. At least that's my opinion.
Agree with this. I'm a fan of Depeche Mode since early 80s and love all their work but the "golden period" was definitely due to Alan's input. Haven't been the same since but still love them. Where the hell is Alan? Really hoping that as they all age and realize their time is probably running short (career-wise), they may revisit some old relationships and sounds. Good overview.
Thank you Leah and I hope you stay with us with us on this journey!! V:-)
All the years without Alan were wasted years. No song had the quality of before.
Martin is the heart, Dave the voice, Alan was the brains... Oh, and Andy, he is he.
I think Alan gave musical credibility to the band, because since he left there is no real musicians in the band.
Wilder WAS in fact the heart and brains of the group! Martin can sing and write a song. He certainly does NOT have what it takes to be the heart of DM!
Fletch is the business manager (for lack of a better term).
DJ Scot Gray indeed, as you can see in the 101 movie and some EPKs, but musically (sound, production, composition, etc) he is almost invisible. But yes, the musical business could be a bitch, and Andy was the smart guy in the band, capable to take care of it.
i think Martin is the body, David the voice, Andy the brains, and Alan the soul.
I saw the devotional tour which I absolutely loved but I also loved equally Dave's paper Monster Tour. To me Dave is everything he could perform alone and it doesn't really matter who his background are as long as his voice holds up
Ultra was a great album. DM just needs to STOP using a live drummer and get a better producer!
Wilder played drums
I agree with you
stop thedrummers and back tothe basic
I'm fan till 1982 and i think broken frame was a masterpiece
The Magic that Made Depeche Mode so special during it's hey day with Alan Wilder was lost after he left. When he was in the band he played Numerous Instrumentals on Albums and Concerts. Wrote many of their songs and took many of the songs he didn't write and took them to a different level. Look at their concerts now it takes many people to do what Alan Wilder did. Alan was becoming unhappy being in a group setting so he decided to leave. I know many wish he could have stayed but I would rather he be happy then being in a group and feel Unappreciated. Many of us Will always and still Miss Alan Wilder and Thank him for being in the band in the first place.
perpetual61 I love this sincere post !! Thank you V😎👍
For me Depeche Mode has ended in 1993. Things really started to go downhill once Alan Wilder left the group.
Yes. I saw DM in 1993 and 1994. After AW left I was and still am so heartbroken. He was the backbone of this magnificent band we love so much. Don't get me wrong, DM are still a force to be reckoned with, but without AW the force isn't as strong. I miss him terribly.
in 1995
@@rubaidaallen2764 and he could be killed by a plain that year, remember?
@@EtsiJuuret
Yes I remember that. He was driving with his then wife when a plane crashed near them. Very scary indeed. So happy he's ok.
@Stephen Anthony SOFAD is beautiful. You don't like it?
Alan Wilder back as producer rather than band member would be quite something-sadly I don't think it will ever happen.
It's good video, but a few bits are missing. Like Alan was "fighting" with Mart during producing Judas. One of the member of the band mentioned that Alan won. Also , If I am not wrong that Martin wanted enjoy the Silence slow and "quite" , but Alan havd idea to speed it up, and because it we have most favourite DM song ever! Someone on one of DM sites wrote... "If Mozart could live, would be him Alan Wilder" - best ever compliment about Alan!
Any subject you speaking about is great. This channel is the best channel for DM fans. Thanks VG.
Bless you my friend and thank you for being here !! VG 😎👍🎹
Alan saved DM. Pure brilliance.
Well, nobody can replace Alan. He was not only talented but also intellectual, logical, with the gift of word when interviewed. Sweetheart.
Songs of Faith and Devotion was by far there best album! And out of all there concert tours! Songs of faith and Devotion tour was a spiritual experience
The intro to World in my eyes on the devotional tour gives me goosebumps it’s musical perfection ❤️
Marc Cartledge yes indeed !! Wilder played a huge part in the pre production and programming of the backing tracks for that tour!! I will cover this in my “Devotional tour” review on this channel!! V 😎👍
It is incredible! Using the vocoded vocal & filtered synth parts... the subtle build & then BOOM. Then after the main melody it drops back into that nasty groove. The AW touch.
@@alientek01 I'm going to watch that clip right now!! Cheers bud!! V:-)
DJ Scot Gray absolutely! It’s right up there with my fave DM tracks to hear live it’s a beautifully put together track
Piano & Keyboard Artist I can’t wait for that!
Exciter is a very underappreciated album. The songwriting is good on that record. Shine, Breathe, I Am You, Dream On, Freelove, When The Body Speaks, anyone? I guess some people will bash everything they do post-Wilder, just because Alan is not in the band anymore. Some people will say the new DM is shit without even listening to it. Not all of the fans are like that but many are just nostalgia-fueled haters of anything recorded without Wilder's input. With all respect to Alan's work (underappreciated by the band for sure), every post-Wilder DM album has its grand moments. Just like the old DM records have their shit moments too. IMO.
You're right and we should not generalise !! The beauty of DMs albums is that they are so varied and experimental without repeating themselves!! I am loving how we all love DM but still have our strong feelings and opinions on various subjects concerning the band!! I welcome you to the community and thank you again!! V :-)
Just to make it clear - I LOVE Alan's work on DM albums. He is a genius and his influence on DM's success is undeniable. Thanks to him and his take on songs like "Enjoy The Silence" they still play stadiums. Their biggest scuccess was a mixture of Gore's talent in songwriting and Wilder's talent in shaping those songs.
Still, I really aprreciate and like most of the stuff they did since Alan's departure. It's still good music. And Alan won't rejoin. Ever. There was a brief moment of reconciliation in 2010 (the famous RAH reunion) but things went bad again when Alan decided to sell his DM stuff (Martin and Andy were strongly against that). They are not friends and I believe that the only member of the band who ever really appreciated Alan's work is Dave Gahan.
And by the way, where is Alan now? It's been a while since his "Selected events" and he kind of disappeared soon after that. Anyway, I liked the video. Plus, I love the video about Fletch. Gahan once said that there is no Depeche Mode without Andy Fletcher. That's the way it is. Cheers!
Jakub Kurek I’m glad you are enjoying the videos and I am happy to have you as part of this community!! Cheers my friend !! V😎👍
Agreed, I think some people will be disappointed no matter how good the next album is, just because it doesn't have Alan. His departure was a huge loss for sure, but not the death of the band.
Just saw the mighty Depeche Mode, with my son, in Manchester.
I spent half of it crying and the other half singing my heart out but for the whole time, I was praying and hoping that Alan would appear.
He was the special sauce, for me, in the DM burger.
RIP, Fletch 💔🙏
Pretty much every DM video the comments express love for Alan, and I can only agree. What a genius. I almost resent the band for pushing him away. What a loss.
Seems like DM & Alan Wilder are over his departure but clearly the fans, myself included are most definitely not! I would love for Alan to return working with DM and put together enough tracks for an EP, maybe a full album or both really! Too bad there wasn't a petition fans could sign that would necessitate such a dream coming true.
I so appreciate everyone's passion! Of course Depeche Mode is not the same without Alan Wilder...how could they be? The chemistry,dynamic and music will never be the same when one leaves. I am so happy to have experienced them live with Alan Wilder and have their earlier music as part of my identity, heart and life DNA. People do change, energy changes, music changes. We as fans change bring different spaces to receive music at different times in our life as well. That some are still reeling and grieving from Alan's departure tells me how much they love and miss the magic they felt with him in the band. I love that energy. The chemistry was magical. Depeche Mode is such an important force in who I was and who I've become. I am so grateful that Depeche Mode continues to be just as magical to me through all of these years. For me,there's nothing that compares to being in the space of Depeche Mode playing live, even now..even the last Spirit Tour. I want to soak up all I can while they're still making music and gracing us with their creative forces.
A very sincere and almost spiritual comment there Jennifer Nash!! Thank you for your kind comment and those wonderful words!! V :-)
Excellent comments, my good woman! Yes, we all love Alan, but DM has still been very worthy for the past 25 years!
Having said what I said below, I think Alan misses DM (in the studio at least) as much as they miss him musically, indeed he's barely done anything in the last decade and seems disillusioned with the music business. While he enjoyed producing his solo work, you do feel that his role in DM as arranger of Martin's songs was one he was very good at AND was financially rewarding too when compared to his Recoil sales...
It's true that since he left the band their music isn't what it used to be. Their most famous songs are the ones he participated
Awesome refresher and analysis... thank you for putting it together. Agree with you on every point.
Gustav thank you !! V:-)
I believe you're spot on, on Alans role in Depeche Mode and I absolutely share your feelings about Alan. He should be back! Someone definitely should toss him some sort of an apology and tell him a few words about his work in the band (ahrmMartinhrmhrm...). The remaining three are adult, reflective beings so why should it be that difficult!
Oh yes. And I have the same sense with Ultra. This album was the "breadcrum" of SOFAD, and that's why it's an acceptable peace of DM-work. I quite like it as well. The following? Not so much.
Glad you agree !! Thank you for your comment!! V:-)
Hello. New subscriber here :) What a great channel! Came across it a couple of days ago and have been binge watching the videos for hours. I have been a DM and Alan Wilder fan for more than 30 years now. I share your opinion and agree with everything you say about DM and Alan, catch myself nodding in agreement every time you discuss their music, roles in the band, current sound, etc. I like your "geek talk" a lot, too. So thank you for this wonderful channel!
Jurgita Rask thank you so much for your kind words and I am happy to have you on board !! VG👍😎🎹
Depeche Mode without Alan is still a good band, just nowhere near as interesting or innovative.
@@paulvazquez2879 So is: Barrel of a Gun, Home, It's No Good, Useless, Only When I Lose Myself, Dream On, A Pain That I'm Used To, John the Revelator, Suffer Well, The Sinner In Me, Nothing's Impossible, Damaged People, Lilian, The Darkest Star, In Chains, Hole To Feed, Wrong, Oh Well, Welcome to My World, Angel, Heaven, Secret to the End, Soft Touch/Raw Nerve, Should Be Higher, Soothe My Soul, Going Backwards, and Where's The Revolution.
I can tell you recently I listen to DM songs only made in the period between 1984 to 1994. I don't even have any interest to buy the last three album DM recently released. As a 50 something guy, I like only behind the wheel, enjoy the silence, personal jesus, walking in my shoes, in your room...and not their songs composed in their last 20 years. I am sorry, Martin, that's not your fault, but I really hope Alan are back towork again with you guys.
The problem during making of Songs Of Faith & Devotion is actually that Martin was stepping on Alan's toes when it came to producing. That's what caused a riff between them and put Alan over the edge. This is when he realized that he will not have the freedom to shape the sound to his liking and would be at war with Martin every step of the way. Also, Alan put a lot of work shaping the live performances during SOFAD tour. That's why that tour is pretty much perfect. Luckily, I was able to see them live during that time. Magic is gone now. It's hard to listen to any of their albums post Alan's departure. Ultra is very good but still sounds half finished.
When Alan left I was done with dm....sofad leaned so grunge... it was a big leap for me from violator...I was 20 in 93....I was was proud of Alan for him turning drummer....had it been any other band sofad would have been great. ..but I knew then it was the end of an era...
sprintbass your crazy SOFAD was a masterpiece and ultra comes in 2nd!
I was 15 when SOFAD came along watching Alan playing the drums on the tour DVD blew me away. Devotional tour was the BEST one out of all. DM concert 2 years in Dallas, Tx lacked the main ingredient: Alan Wilder.
Totally agree, best with Alan in the band definitely, come on lads, he helped you so much from what I've heard, get him back to help and make DM amazing again👍🏻
Absolutely
Depeche Mode my favourite band of all time I love them however since Alan Wilder left the band totally and utterly devastated me the band for me were never same since he left it kind of lost there way I still love the love the band but since he left I dont have the same enthsiasm
Shaun Laws I’m with you on that !! 👍😎🎹
I agree with everything you've pointed out here. The song writing from Ultra and onward has been the same, but the song development and production from Ultra and onward has been stagnant. Even Wilder's remix of In Chains was better than the album version. Now it just seems that they're trying to find that atmosphere...but are failing....
One thing that I'd like to mention is that Wilder also had a great skill of re-interpreting the songs for the live set: how they were re-arranged and remixed for the live set. For example, look how he redid 'I Want You Now' for the second leg of the Devotional tour (Exotic Tour)...the trip-hop feel was incredible and probably was a good indicator of how/where the sound of Depeche might been going in the future.
I don't know if agree re. songwriting. Although I feel the same about the quality of the records going downhill from Ultra onwards. I mean there are some beautiful songs on Ultra and Exciter for sure but then less and less so. I think Martin Gore "style" of songwriting beeing quite emotional and direct was at his peak in his late 20's and 30's. And it kind of went downhill after that. Lyrics like "Waiting For The Night" or "In Your Room", "World In My Eyes" and countless others - all the sensuality, and poetry from those days have kind of gone. Ironically the most Depeche sounding songs in the recents albums have been written by Dave! (Suffer Well / Take me higher... for example.
@@francoiskirmanngamaury285 - Very good points you make! Well I think starting with Sounds of the Universe, he had given up drinking and I remember him saying that it had an affect on his songwriting....or at least his perspective....I agree that most of the Depeche sounding songs have come from Dave....Although, I think "Alone" (Gore) may be one of the best songs from the past three albums and it's reasons like that why I still keep the faith...
@@greyroom6730 I will have to listen to Alone then! Re. stopping drinking, yes perhaps it had an influence. Most of violator was apparently written on ecsatsy come downs so... perhaps these things help!
"Alone" is great, I like most of Delta Machine in fact - a really strong album. The "In Chains" remix really does make me miss Alan though, it just proves that as late as 2011 was it when he did that? He still had whatever it takes to take their songs up a further... I was going to say 25% but actually in the case of that song it's a lot more than that (something like "Alone" couldn't grow in the same way but he could maybe significantly lift the weaker tracks which litter a lot of their post Ultra albums)
Thank you for this video! Everything you (and Alan himself) said here about DM is so spot on. Alan's mix of "In chains" is top notch and I keep my fingers crossed for another DM and Alan collaboration in the future.
Dave+Martin+Alan created the DM magic. Although Ultra was still good, the rest lost its DM edge more and more over time. The Alan years were definitely what made them big.
Totaly agree in all You said, we all want Alan back! Great to know more about Depeche Mode!
Alan Wilder should come back. This is what he deserves for being a great member of the best era of Depeche Mode!!
You can tell how passionate & knowledgeable he (AW) was about his craft, explaining the sounds coming from the keyboards.
Dave said in an interview that when he read that Alan had left his first thought was "shit, we´re finished".
Alan and Dave were always one part of DM while Gore and Fletch was the other. When Alan needed Dave to support him (and basically talk him out of leaving the band) Dave was too gone on drugs and Alan couldnt get a hold of him. Hence the "band meeting" was with Gore and Fletch on one side and Alan alone. So when Alan said he wanted to leave Gore just reached out his hand to shake his and said goodbye and good luck. Alan has compared this to breaking up with a girl. Where you don´t actually want to leave, you want change and to hear her say she wants you to stay. Make you feel loved. Fletch even thought Alan was overrated (while Alan thought Fletch was seriously over-paid). But neither Gore or Fletch made any attempt to make him stay at all. And so he left. Sad really.
Hello! I don't know English well, so I'll use a translator. So... I always believed and thought that when Alan left the group, DM changed in sound and were no longer the same as they were before 1993. I am Russian, so I always listened to their music precisely because of the sound, because I know very little English. Alan was like an artist and painted sound pictures that I admired as if in a museum when I turned on cassettes with their albums. It was a fascinating feeling when these sounds filled the room - as if I was in an art gallery with the works of very good artists. I think that all DM's work after Alan's departure could sound magical, but alas, everything is as it is. To put it very roughly, after his departure, DM became not the same and I lost interest in this group, or more precisely in their work after 1993. The spark that ignited delight in my soul at the sounds of their songs disappeared in their music. I tried to listen to their new albums many times, but alas, I remained calm while listening - I lost interest. I really regret that Alan left the group and I well understand the reason for this. Let's be honest: he worked hard in the studio, sat there day and night, bringing out the signature DM sound and was the workhorse of the group. However, Martin is a very strong introvert and hardly ever praised Alan for his work. He was not valued enough and this was probably reflected in the money. In short, he lacked moral support from other band members and his financial share did not correspond to his work. These two factors were the reason for his departure from the group. You said it right - their golden period was from 1983 to 1993. It's a pity...
In this interview (don’t know how old it is?) Wilder seems to express - in a very controlled British manner - that he still is open to the idea of being a creative force in DM. He is bound to have interesting material lying around. And judging from the studio albums since Playing The Angel really - I think it would be a very interesting and exciting idea.
Just subscribed. Been watching your vids for 2 weeks now. I love em. I'm a metalhead, but my favorite band of all time is Depeche Mode! Can't wait till you review my all-time favorite album SOFAD. Devotee 4 life from Louisiana!
Welcome on board Michael and thank you !! VG:-)
The real tragedy for Alan is that although he was elementary responsible for the success of Depeche Mode, today he doesn't profit at all from it in monetary terms. He is not registered as a composer or lyricist in 99% of all songs and thus receives no royalties or income from sales from the band's back catalogue. The whole thing even went so far that he had to sell his house and these financial problems were also a reason for the auction of the majority of his memorabilia and instruments from the time when he was still at Depeche Mode. His Recoil project is just not commercial enough to keep him financially secure. He also expressed his frustration about this a few years ago when he said that he only will continue making music when people appreciate his music, because otherwise it would be pointless for him to continue.
And on the other hand Martin said in an interview (maybe 2-3 years ago) that every month he receives a check for the royalty payments in an amount he doesnt know what to spend all the money for till the end of his life. He also said, he has enough money so the next 4 generations of his family never have to work in their lifes.
Thats really unfair.
StewO101 thank you for this info mate!! I am happy that you are in this community!! I will use this info in a new video and give you a shout out!! You star!! V😎👍
@@VaughnGeorge You're welcome. But plz do some own investigation on these finanzial issues Alan properly had/has. I also only heard that long time ago in the biggest german Depeche Mode Fan-Forum. But the comments from Alan about continuing releasing Music and the statement Martin made about his monthly check I read somewhere in big and established Music Magazines.
At this interview Alan gave a few comments on the question about his possible future and the problems in selling albums in these days:
m0r17ur1.blogspot.com/2008/02/music-for-masses-i-think-not-by-alan.html
www.reflectionsofdarkness.com/artists-p-t-interviews-88/12033-interview-recoil--alan-wilder-september-2012
The first link is a reprint of an interview originally made by Side-Line.com in 2008. And is really interesting.
On Gearslutz.com somebody also wrote in a discussion thread that Alan lost a lot of money due to his 2 divorces.
in this interview you also can read a bit of Alans frustration about the music industry:
thequietus.com/articles/04296-alan-wilder-recoil-interview-depeche-mode
www.electricityclub.co.uk/the-alan-wilder-interview/
But as I already mentioned...the financial situation Alan might be in I only read in a forum. And you possibly will not be able to find a lot about this topic, as not many reporters will ask him about this theme.
Martin receives royalty checks, because he was the only writer/composer in DM for the longest time. Alan wrote only two songs during his time in DM as far as I know, and if they were hits, he would be paid for them the same way as Martin is. He was never really a writer or a composer, only an arranger and producer, which in the music world is a huge difference. Writers earn significantly more than other musicians. And it is perfectly fair - there are a lot more capable musitians than good writers. It is a lot easier to arrange an existing song than to write a new one, especially one that reaches a lot of people and becomes a hit or even an anthem. It is hard to ruin a good song, and even harder to polish a turd. So without the foundation of Martins compositions and their quality, Alan with all his talents would not get very far (which he proved with his solo projects). Martin deserves every penny he gets.
That is awful. Alan Wilder made their sound 😪
Love your comments and thoughts on this. (Probably because I feel the same...)
I saw some of the great DM concerts live ("Enjoy the Silence" and (best ever) "Devotional tour"). It will never be the same.
Thank you for your great channel!
Thank you so much Michael! V:-)
Recoil proved where the DM sound was.
Working together they were truly amazing.
Benjamin Marshalsea your statement is short, to the point and true!! V😎👍
The combination between martin song's and alan sound was just perfect
While I did love the Alan Wilder era, all the comments on here feel like no matter what they produce post-Alan, everyone is going to hate it. I just don't get it. Ultra was good, Exciter, was OK, but Playing the Angel was fabulous! The past 3 albums in my opinion all had strong tracks and were very solid. I just don't understand how so many people are so critical when their sound is still awesome. I'd love to have him back in the band, but I still really dig their sound.
Dean hi, I do think a lot of fans (myself included) are stuck on the nostalgia of DM. They are still an awesome band !! V:-)
@@VaughnGeorge It kind of reminds me of the "what if" game. Look at Led Zeppelin, what if Bonham didn't die. Would they still be relevant or would they end up turning out lesser music ala the Stones? Or, what if the Beatles had come back and Lennon didn't get shot, what would it have been like? Sometimes it's not just the people in the band, but the particular time when that sound was most impactful. I don't get excited for many bands when a new album comes out, but I always do for DM and they usually to some degree, fulfill my expectations. That's not to say we are getting their best work every time, but we are getting very good albums and we must not always look at the glass half empty.
Dean Hoffman you’re right !! They’re “inbetween a rock and a hard place “ and it’s impossible for them to win. I like the whole idea as this as a topic of discussion as it is a fascinating subject which stirs a lot of emotion an debate amongst fans. Wilder had a sound and a flair and magic . The reality is that Martin is very talented and his ideas and drive are still burning . As long as that’s the case, we will always have Depeche Mode and this is a good thing!! V👍😎
I once had 'DepecheMode4' as my password.
Depeche Mode needed Alan Wilder more than Alan needed them.
He was the diamond of the band and to have him go was mindless and in many ways, was the end.