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Depeche Mode

  • Genre: Rock
  • Active: '80s, '90s, 2000s
  • Major Members: Martin L. Gore, David Gahan, Andrew Fletcher, Alan Wilder, Vince Clarke

Biography

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, Depeche Mode 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.

The roots of Depeche Mode date to 1976, when Basildon, England-based keyboardists Vince Clarke and Andrew Fletcher first teamed to form the group No Romance in China. The band proved short-lived, and by 1979 Clarke had formed French Look, another duo featuring guitarist/keyboardist Martin Gore; Fletcher soon signed on, and the group rechristened itself Composition of Sound. Initially, Clarke handled vocal chores, but in 1980 singer David Gahan was brought in to complete the lineup; after one final name change to Depeche Mode, the quartet members jettisoned all instruments excluding their synthesizers, honing a slick, techno-based sound to showcase Clarke's catchy melodies.

After building a following on the London club scene, Depeche Mode debuted in 1980 with "Photographic," a track included on the Some Bizarre Album label compilation. After signing to Mute Records, they issued "Dreaming of Me" in early 1981; while neither the single nor its follow-up, "New Life," caused much of a stir, their third effort, "Just Can't Get Enough," became a Top Ten U.K. hit, and their 1981 debut LP, Speak and Spell, was also a success. Just as Depeche Mode appeared poised for a major commercial breakthrough, however, principal songwriter Clarke abruptly exited to form Yazoo with singer Alison Moyet, leaving the group's future in grave doubt.

As Gore grabbed the band's songwriting reins, the remaining trio recruited keyboardist Alan Wilder to fill the technological void created by Clarke's departure; while 1982's A Broken Frame deviated only slightly from Depeche Mode's earlier work, Gore's ominous songs grew more assured and sophisticated by the time of 1983's Construction Time Again. Some Great Reward, issued the following year, was their artistic and commercial breakthrough, as Gore's dark, kinky preoccupations with spiritual doubt ("Blasphemous Rumours") and psychosexual manipulation ("Master and Servant") came to the fore; the egalitarian single "People Are People" was a major hit on both sides of the Atlantic and typified the music's turn toward more industrial textures.

Released in 1986, the atmospheric Black Celebration continued the trend toward grim melancholy and further established the group as a major commercial force. After the superb single "Strangelove," Depeche Mode issued 1987's Music for the Masses; a subsequent sold-out tour yielded the 1989 double live set 101 as well as a concert film directed by the legendary D.A. Pennebaker. Still, despite an enormous fan base, the group was considered very much an underground cult phenomenon prior to the release of 1990's Violator, a Top Ten smash that spawned the hits "Enjoy the Silence," "Policy of Truth," and "Personal Jesus."

With the alternative music boom of the early '90s, Depeche Mode emerged as one of the world's most successful acts, and their 1993 LP Songs of Faith & Devotion entered the charts in the number one slot. However, at the peak of its success, the group began to unravel; first Wilder exited in 1995, and then Gahan was the subject of a failed suicide attempt. (He later entered a drug rehabilitation clinic to battle an addiction to heroin.) After a four-year layoff, Depeche Mode -- continuing on as a trio -- released 1997's Ultra, which featured the hits "Barrel of a Gun" and "It's No Good." A year later, the band embarked on a tour in support of The Singles 86>98 greatest-hits album. Depeche Mode played 64 shows in 18 countries for over a million fans. It also marked the end of a decade for the band. Each member took some considerable time off, and Depeche Mode would not regroup for another three years.

Exciter, the band's follow-up to 1997's Ultra, was released in 2001. Singles such as "Dream On" and "I Feel Loved" did moderately well. Two years later, Gahan issued his debut solo album, the dark and sultry Paper Monsters. Gore also followed suit by issuing his debut full-length, Counterfeit². Each member did respective tours of the U.S. and Europe; however, it wouldn't be long until Depeche Mode came back together. Playing the Angel became a Top Ten hit upon release in October 2005, produced by Ben Hillier (Doves, Blur, U2, Elbow). With the success of the "Precious" and "John (The Revelator)" singles, Playing the Angel topped the album charts in 18 countries and went multiple platinum and gold in 20 countries. Depeche Mode went to on play to 2.5 million fans worldwide, and the special-edition three-disc set Touring the Angel: Live in Milan (2006) captured the essence of one of the band's greatest shows. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Music Guide
 
 
Discography: Depeche Mode

Black Celebration [Rhino US CD/DVD]

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Construction Time Again [Rhino US CD/DVD]

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The Best of Depeche Mode, Vol. 1 [CD/DVD]

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Speak & Spell [Bonus Track]

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The Best of Depeche Mode, Vol. 1

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Songs of Faith and Devotion [Rhino US CD/DVD]

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Some Great Reward [Rhino US CD/DVD]

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A Broken Frame [Rhino US CD/DVD]

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Violator [Rhino US CD/DVD]

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Music for the Masses [Rhino US CD/DVD]

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Speak & Spell [Rhino US CD/DVD]

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Remixes 81-04 [2-CD Set]

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Playing the Angel

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Playing the Angel [Bonus DVD]

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Playing the Angel [Japan Bonus Track]

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Singles Box, Vol. 5

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Singles Box, Vol. 6

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Singles Box, Vol. 4

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Remixes 81-04

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Remixes 81-04 [3-CD Set]

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One Night in Paris

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Dream On [CD/12"]

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Exciter

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Black Celebration [Australian Bonus Tracks]

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Videos 1986-1998

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Speak & Spell [Bonus Tracks]

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The Singles 86>98

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Only When I Lose Myself [US #1]

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The Singles 81>85

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Home [US #2]/Useless

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It's No Good [US]

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Barrel of a Gun [#1]

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Ultra

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In Your Room [#2]

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Devotional

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Condemnation [US]

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Songs of Faith and Devotion Live

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Songs of Faith and Devotion

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I Feel You [#2]

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I Feel You [#1]

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Walking in My Shoes

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A Question of Lust [Bonus Track]

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Singles Box, Vol. 3

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Singles Box, Vol. 2

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Singles Box, Vol. 1

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People Are People [From Singles Box #2]

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Master and Servant [From Singles Box #2]

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Love in Itself [From Singles Box #2]

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Depeche Mode Singles 7-12

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Violator

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World in My Eyes [#3]

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Policy of Truth [5 Track]

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Enjoy the Silence

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Music for the Masses [Bonus Tracks]

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Personal Jesus [#3]

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101

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Behind the Wheel [US]

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Little 15 [#1]

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Music for the Masses

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A Question of Lust

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Black Celebration

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Shake the Disease [West Germany]

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It's Called a Heart

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Catching Up with Depeche Mode

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Some Great Reward

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People Are People

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Get the Balance Right [#2]

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Everything Counts [#3]

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Construction Time Again

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Meaning of Love [Germany]

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See You [Warner]

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A Broken Frame

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New Life

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Dreaming of Me

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Just Can't Get Enough

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Speak & Spell

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Wikipedia: Depeche Mode
Depeche Mode
Image:Depeche mode live.jpg‎
Depeche Mode live at the O2 Wireless Festival.
Background information
Origin Basildon, Essex, England
Genre(s) Synthpop
New Wave
Post Punk
Alternative Dance
Years active 1980–present
Label(s) Mute
Sire
Reprise
Website http://www.depechemode.com
Members
David Gahan
Martin Gore
Andrew Fletcher
Former members
Vince Clarke (1980–1981)
Alan Wilder (1982–1995)

Depeche Mode (IPA: /dəˌpɛʃˈmoʊd/) are an electronic music group that formed in 1980 in Basildon, Essex, England. The group's original lineup consisted of David Gahan (lead vocals), Martin Gore (keyboards, guitar, vocals, chief songwriter after 1981), Andrew Fletcher (keyboards) and Vince Clarke (keyboards, chief songwriter 1980–81). Vince Clarke left the band after the release of their 1981 debut album, and was replaced by Alan Wilder (lead keyboards) who played with the band from 1982 to 1995. Following Wilder's departure, Gahan, Gore, and Fletcher have performed as a trio.

Depeche Mode are one of the longest-lived, most successful and influential bands to have emerged from the New Romantic and New Wave era. As of 2006, it was estimated that they had sold over 91 million records (56 million albums and 35 million singles) worldwide and have had forty-four songs in the UK Singles Chart. They have had more top 40 hits in the UK without a #1 hit than any other artist.

Current line-up

Early history

1977–1980: Formation

Depeche Mode's origins can be traced back to 1977, when Vince Clarke and Andrew Fletcher formed a band called "No Romance In China", with Clarke on vocals/guitar and Fletcher on bass. In 1978, Clarke played guitar in an "Ultravox rip-off band", The Plan, with school friend Robert Marlow on vocals and Vince on guitar/keyboards. In 1978–79, Gore played in an acoustic duo, Norman and The Worms, with school friend Philip Burdett (who now sings on the folk circuit) on vocals and Gore on guitar. In 1979, Marlow, Gore, Clarke and friend Paul Redmond formed a band called "The French Look", Marlow on vocals/keyboards, Gore on guitar, Clarke and Redmond on keyboards. In March 1980, Clarke, Gore and Fletcher formed a band called "Composition of Sound", with Clarke on vocals/guitar, Gore on keyboards and Fletcher on bass. "The French Look" and "Composition of Sound" once played live together in June 1980 at St. Nicholas School Youth Club in Southend-on-Sea, Essex.

Soon after the formation of "Composition of Sound", Clarke and Fletcher switched to synthesizers, working odd jobs, including carpentry, to buy them, or borrowing them from friends. Gahan joined the band in 1980 after Clarke heard him perform at a local scout-hut jam session, crooning to a rendition of David Bowie's 'Heroes', and "Depeche Mode" were born. The new name was taken from a French fashion magazine, "Dépêche mode", which translates to "Fashion Dispatch".

1981–1983: Early releases and first successes

While playing a live gig at the Bridge House in Canning Town[1], the band was approached by Daniel Miller (an electronic musician and founder of Mute Records), who was interested in them recording a single for his burgeoning label.[2] The result of this verbal contract was "Dreaming of Me b/w Ice Machine", which was released in February 1981, and managed to reach #57 in the UK charts. Encouraged by this surprise success, the band recorded its second single "New Life", climbing to #11 in the UK charts. Three months later, the band released "Just Can't Get Enough" - their first single to enter the UK top ten, peaking at #8. This record was in many ways a breakthrough for the band, and its success paved the way for their debut album - Speak & Spell, released in November 1981, and eventually reaching #10 on the UK album charts. Critical reviews were mixed - Melody Maker described it as a "great album... one they had to make to conquer fresh audiences and please the fans who just can’t get enough"[3], while Rolling Stone was more critical, calling the album "PG-rated fluff".[4]

During the touring and promotion for "Speak & Spell", Clarke began to privately voice his discomfort at the direction the band was taking. He later expressed his agitation that "there was never enough time to do anything".[5] In late 1981, Clarke publicly announced that he was leaving Depeche Mode. Soon afterwards, he joined with blues singer Alison Moyet to form Yazoo (Yaz in the US) and later, the duo Erasure with Andy Bell, in 1985. With their primary songwriter gone, Depeche Mode needed a new direction. Martin Gore, who had written "Tora! Tora! Tora!" and "Big Muff" for their debut album, took over as the band's new songwriter. In January 1982, the band released "See You", their first single without Clarke, which against all expectations, managed to beat all three Clarke-penned singles in the UK charts, reaching #6. In the ensuing months of that year, two more singles were released ("The Meaning of Love", and "Leave in Silence"), and the band embarked on their first world tour - known as the "See You" tour. Their second album A Broken Frame was eventually brought out in September.

During the early stages of recording for A Broken Frame, the band recognised that it needed a fourth member for touring and other commitments. In late 1981, they placed an ad in Melody Maker stating "Keyboard player needed for established band - no timewasters." Alan Wilder, a 22-year old keyboardist from West London responded - and after two auditions with Daniel Miller, he was accepted as the fourth member of Depeche Mode.[6] Despite this, Daniel Miller informed Wilder that he was not needed for the recording of the album, [7] as the band wanted to prove that they could succeed without Vince Clarke. Wilder's first musical contribution to the band was in 1983, on the non-album single "Get the Balance Right!".

For their third LP Construction Time Again, Depeche Mode decided to work with producer Gareth Jones, at John Foxx's Garden Studios.[8] The album saw a dramatic shift in the group's sound, due in part to the introduction of the Synclavier and Emulator samplers, in addition to their previously-used analogue synths.[9] By sampling the noises of everyday objects, the band created an eclectic, industrial-influenced sound, with similarities to groups such as the Art of Noise and Einstürzende Neubauten. Similarly, Gore's lyricism was rapidly evolving, focusing increasingly on political and social issues. A good example of the new sound was on the first single from the album "Everything Counts", a commentary on the perceived greed of multinational corporations, [10] which got to #6 in the UK, also reaching the Top 30 in South Africa, Switzerland, Sweden and West Germany. Alan Wilder also contributed two songs to the album ("The Landscape is Changing", "Two Minute Warning").

1984–1988: Growing international fame

In their early years, Depeche Mode had only really attained success in the UK, Europe, and Australia - however, this changed in March 1984, when they released the single "People Are People". The song - a comment on racism, climbed to #13 on the US charts, as well as reaching #4 on the UK and Swiss charts - and gave them their first #1 (in Germany). To cash in on the surprise success of the single, Sire, the band's North American record label, released a compilation of the same name. A month later, Some Great Reward was released. Melody Maker claimed that the album made one "sit up and take notice of what is happening here, right under your nose."[11] "Some Great Reward" saw the band experimenting with even darker subject matter, exploring sexual politics ("Master and Servant"), adulterous relationships ("Lie to Me"), and arbitrary divine justice ("Blasphemous Rumours"). Also included was the first Martin Gore ballad ("Somebody") - a concept that would become a staple on all following albums. The album was also their first to enter the U.S. album charts, and made the Top 10 in several European countries. In 1985, Mute Records released a compilation, The Singles 81>85 ("Catching Up with Depeche Mode" in the US), which included the new hit singles : "Shake the Disease" (#4 in Germany, #5 in Sweden, #6 in Switzerland, #13 in France and #18 in the UK) and "It's Called a Heart" (#7 in Sweden and Switzerland, #8 in Germany, #18 in the UK and #29 in France).

During this period the band became associated with the gothic subculture, which had begun in Britain, and was slowly gaining popularity in the United States. There, the band's music had first gained prominence on college radio and modern rock stations such as KROQ in Los Angeles, and WLIR on Long Island, New York, and hence, they appealed primarily to a decidedly cultish, alternative audience who were disenfranchised with the predominance of "soft rock and "disco hell""[12] on the radio. This view of the band was in sharp contrast to that in Europe and the UK, despite the increasingly dark and serious tone in their songs. [13] In Germany (and other European countries), Depeche Mode were considered teen idols, and were regularly featured in euro teen magazines, providing their detractors with more ammunition to use against them.

Depeche Mode's largest transformation came in 1986, with the release of their fifteenth single "Stripped", and its accompanying album Black Celebration. Jettisoning much of the "industrial-pop" sound that had characterised their previous two LPs (although they retained their often imaginative sampling), the band introduced an ominous, highly atmospheric and textured sound, accompanied by some of Gore's bleakest, most insightful lyrics to date. Also included on the album was a revised version of the song "Fly on the Windscreen", which had originally appeared as the b-side to "It's Called a Heart". The band recognised the song's promise, and decided to improve it and include it on the album, renamed as "Fly on the Windscreen - Final".[14]

The music video for "A Question of Time" was the first to be directed by Anton Corbijn,[15] beginning a working relationship that continues to the present day. Anton has directed 19 more of the band's videos (the latest being 2006's "Suffer Well") and live performances, and has been responsible for some of the band's albums and singles covers.

1987's Music for the Masses saw further alterations in the band's sound and working methods. Dave Bascombe (who had previously worked with Tears for Fears) was brought in as a producer (although his role ended up being more that of an engineer),[16]and the band (for the most part) abandoned sampling in favour of more musical experimentation.[17] Although the chart performance of the singles ("Strangelove", "Never Let Me Down Again" and "Behind the Wheel") was disappointing in Great Britain (whereas those singles were big hits in countries such as Canada, West Germany, South Africa, Sweden or Switzerland, reaching the Top 10 there), the album was almost universally praised by the music press - far more so than any other album the band had released. Record Mirror described it as "the most accomplished and sexy Mode album to date".[18] and it made a breakthrough in the American market, something which the band had failed to achieve with their previous albums.

On the heels of Music for the Masses, the group played a follow-up world tour in 1987–88. The tour culminated on 18 June in a concert at the Pasadena Rose Bowl with a sell-out attendance of 66,000 (the highest in eight years for the venue). The tour was documented in 101 - a concert film by D.A. Pennebaker, and its accompanying soundtrack album.

Middle history

1989–1994: The apex

In mid-1989, the band began recording in Milan with producer Flood and engineer François Kervorkian. The result of this session was the single "Personal Jesus", which featured a drum-based sound, radically different from anything the band had released thus far. Prior to its release, advertisements were placed in the personal columns of UK regional newspapers with the words "Your own personal Jesus." Later, the ads included a phone number one could dial to hear the song. The ensuing controversy helped propel the single to number 13 on the UK charts, becoming one of their biggest sellers; in the U.S., it was their first gold single and their first top 40 hit since "People Are People", eventually becoming the biggest-selling 12-inch single in Warner Bros. Records' history.[19] The song has been covered by (amongst others) Johnny Cash, Gravity Kills, and Marilyn Manson, and was notably sampled in the song "Beware of the Dog" by Jamelia. In 2004, the song was included in the soundtrack for the video game Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, and in September 2006 was voted by readers of music monthly Q as one of the 100 greatest songs of all time.

During this time, the band were gaining additional prominence in the US, where their influence on the techno and house music scenes was becoming increasingly recognised.

In February 1990, "Enjoy the Silence", became one of Depeche Mode's most successful singles to date, reaching #6 in the UK; a few months later in the U.S., it became Depeche Mode's first (and to date, only) Top 10 hit, reaching #8, and earning the band a second gold single. It won 'Best Video' at the 1991 Brit Awards. To promote their new album Violator, they held an in-store autograph signing at the Tower Records music store in Los Angeles, which attracted approximately 17,000 fans and caused a near-riot.[20] Violator went on to reach top 10 in the UK and the Billboard 200 in the US. It has also been certified triple platinum in America, selling over 3.5 million units there. The subsequent World Violation Tour was another notable success, with 40,000 tickets sold within eight hours for the New York Giants Stadium (in East Rutherford, New Jersey) show, and 48,000 tickets for the Los Angeles Dodger Stadium show sold within an hour of going on sale. Two more singles from the album, "Policy of Truth" and "World in My Eyes" were modest UK hits.

In 1991 Depeche Mode made a one-off contribution to the Wim Wenders film, Until the End of the World, entitled "Death's Door" and a third solo album was released by Alan Wilder under the Recoil moniker bridged the gap between albums.

In 1993 Songs of Faith and Devotion saw them experimenting with more organic arrangements, based as much on heavily distorted electric guitars and live drums (played by Alan Wilder, whose debut as a studio drumme